Thame Out Winter 2020 Issue 56 by Thame Out

Thame Out Now in our 16th year

Winter 2020

The complimentary magazine for Thame and the surrounding area

Wood You Believe It!

New Timber Frames from Ivan R Cammack

Real Bottle

BeerGinVino delivering the drinks despite lockdown

Holiday At Home Take a break in Great Britain

Where Business Blooms Garden Offices from Kingsey Furniture

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

Specialising only in the most innovative skin, face and body treatments.

With a highly experienced team of clinicians and therapists, ERAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

ERA

l ERA Skin & Laser Clinic 98a High Street, Thame Oxfordshire OX9 3EH

IGH THAME H

Town Hall

STREET

FREE PARKING AND Wi-Fi

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.

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To advertise in Thame Out Call: 01844 216847 or Email: julian@red-l.co.uk

CONTENTS

6. LOCAL NEWS – Pet Photographer, Pandemic Prose Author, Business Angel, Thame Green Living Plan and Thame Inns Book. 10. HEALTH & BEAUTY – Expert Eye care, Healthy Skin Care and Hair Care. 20. TRAVEL – Travel to Great Britain. 22. LIFESTYLE – White Hart Studio, fitch & fellows, Thame Jewellery Workshop and Stratton Audley Barn. 34. HOME & GARDEN – 4 Seasons Tree Care, Kingsey Furniture, Haddenham Garden Centre, College & County and Ridgeway Interiors. 38. FOOD & DRINK – Wine Column, Radhuni Restaurant, The Angel, Black Horse and BeerGinVino. 60. ENTERTAINMENT – New Theatre and Oxford Playhouse. 62. COLUMN – Pet Safety at Christmas

KINGSEY KITCHENS & INTERIORS Claim up to £2,500 cashback when you purchase two Siemens studioline ovens and other studioline appliances before January 31st 2021

Cover: Ivan R Cammack See page 12.

SHOWROOM OPEN Please phone to make an appointment any time Monday – Saturday

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.

Kingsey Kitchens provide beautiful bespoke kitchens in a variety of shaker styles and in both framed and layon designs. They also produce a range of stand alone pieces which can either form part of the kitchen or can be added to your existing kitchen. They also have a large range of non bespoke kitchens which can keep the prices affordable at this time. So come and talk to us as we genuinely want you to have the kitchen of your dreams whatever your budget.

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

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LOCAL NEWS

Business angel Kathryn Clamp marks a milestone at 66.

A ‘mature-preneur’ from Thame who started her own business at the age of 61 in cutting-edge technology is celebrating a landmark anniversary. Kathryn Clamp launched kc4business Ltd to provide outsource business development and sales support services after she was made redundant. Now she is marking the fifth anniversary of her own business, supporting innovative technology firms across the UK. Kathryn, who is now 66, said: “Age really is no barrier to success. “It is incredibly rewarding to be able to use my many years of experience to support ambitious businesses of all sizes in their growth plans. “Many of my clients are on the cutting edge of technology, and it is exciting to combine my experience with their new ideas to achieve results.”

Kathryn added: “To reach my fifth anniversary really is a milestone and I am very grateful to my clients and everyone who has supported me so far. “There is plenty to look forward to and be positive about despite the ongoing impact of Covid, which makes relationship building and collaboration between businesses more important than ever.” Kathryn began her career in the army before working as a business account manager and member of the UK management team at leading electrical component manufacturer E-T-A Circuit Breakers Ltd for more than 20 years. She supports firms from her base in Thame, Oxfordshire, predominately in the rail, defence, energy and aerospace sectors. Kathryn is currently busy preparing for the Rail Vehicle and Enhancements (RVE) Expo trade show incorporating

Covid. Captured. Reflections of the Global Pandemic as seen by local writer, Jerry Bignell.

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RFM Meet the Buyer at Pride Park in Derby on November 5 where two clients of her clients, FliteTrak and tpgroup plc, will be sharing stand number D1. With outsource services, kc4business supports businesses without the cost and need to employ a full-time member of staff. This includes relationship building, support at major trade shows, development of new and existing customers, and following up potential new clients. Kathryn works in the defence sector with Parmley Technologies Ltd and in rail and defence with Hub Electronics. Parmley managing director Derek Parmley and Hub Electronics managing director Paul Latter were her first clients and remain with her. She is also working in digitalisation with smart remote condition monitoring firm FliteTrak Ltd and decarbonisation with next generation hydrogen energy systems pioneer tpgroup plc. Kathryn has business and moral support from her daughter Jo Dinnage, who is also a director of kc4business, as well as a wealth of family support. She is a member of the policy committee of the defence trade association NDI, which is part of Make UK. Kathryn is also a consultant member of the Rail Forum Midlands and community partner member of the Rail Alliance. She sat on the SME defence committee of the ADS trade body for aerospace, defence, security and space for many years. Visit www.kc4business.co.uk or email Kathryn.Clamp@kc4business.co.uk for more details.

Like so many of us, Jerry Bignell was asked (if possible) to work from home. So he did, but not in the way you might imagine. Working from home in car sales really wasn’t going to work. So encouraged by friends and family, Jerry used lockdown to indulge in his passion for writing.

LOCAL NEWS

Local Photographer’s pet portraits are nominated for a national award.

Pawtraits Only weeks after restarting his business after lockdown, local Photographer Mark Hewitson, who owns and runs a Thame pet portrait studio specialising in dogs and cats has had images selected to be in the finals of The Xperience Professional Portrait Awards 2020. After all the business restrictions and the new working world they are faced with, Mark has proven that there is no excuse not to get creative. Mark has had 5 images selected across the Top Dog Creative, Top Dog Location, Top Dog Studio and Open Categories. The portraits were selected out of more than 1500 images in the recent judging and all images now go through to the finals in December at The Xperience awards ceremony. Mr Hewitson said he was “delighted” to have images judged to go through to the final. Mark also said “It’s been great to get back to business. To have my work

recognised as being among the best in the country is a real privilege. I pride myself on creating bespoke personal artwork for my clients and to then be acknowledged in a very competitive industry is a real honour.” The Xperience group first launched the awards in 2015 to develop creativity in every shoot as well as to challenge the photographic studios from across the UK and Ireland to make the photographers ‘step outside their comfort zones with everyday clients’. Mark Cleghorn, the Xperience group training director said: “After having the businesses closed for so long and with all the business and financial frustrations it has caused, these awards have brought smiles and confidence back to the photographers. Like all creatives, photographers need not only clients to create with but also the time and tools to transform the every day client. Being a finalist is a massive tap on the back

The result? Jerry’s first book. A writer of prose, poems and short stories, ‘Sorry We Are Closed’ is a collection written during the 2020 pandemic. Exploring the impact of those weeks of isolation and social distancing which allowed us a unique time to examine what we have, what we do, who we are.

‘Sorry We Are Closed is available locally at FROM and can be ordered through The Bookhouse in Thame. You will also find Jerry’s new book available through Amazon. Contact Jerry on 07837 419130. Email: jerry.bignell.jb@gmail.com. See the website, www.pottingstudiopress.com

for them and I am sure it has brought a massive smile to their face. The standard of entries this year so far is exceptional, and I am looking forward to seeing how these photographers develop trends and styles even further.” Mark Hewitson Photography can be contacted on 01844 278015 or via their website at www.markhewitson.co.uk

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LOCAL NEWS

The Thame Green Living Plan is here.

Green plan blueprint The Thame Green Living Plan. A ten-year plan for a cleaner, greener Thame by 2030. Healthier lifestyles, more green spaces and more connected communities - these are just some of the outcomes that the Thame Green Living Plan is aiming to achieve for the Thame community. The plan has been developed to protect and enhance the quality of life for everyone locally in the things that really matter – our air, our water, our overall well-being and the natural world that surrounds us. It has benefited from the contributions of many individuals and local groups. While concentrating on Thame, the plan explicitly recognises the vital importance of the town’s links with its surrounding communities and countryside. ACTIONS AND PROJECTS The plan recommends a series of actions and projects across five focus areas – green spaces and biodiversity, clean air, water, energy and waste that involve and benefit the whole community. The actions can be taken by individuals, businesses and community groups, plus longer-term infrastructure changes are included. And all with the support of a new community organisation, proposed to be called Thame Green Living (TGL).

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One of the projects that is already getting off the ground is working with Thame Town Council to improve signage and information boards on existing – and new – walking and cycling routes around the town and extending this more widely. The aim is also to establish ‘walking buses’ to schools to help reduce air pollution and boost children’s health. Another project being explored is how to help households improve their energy efficiency. TGL will encourage Thame homeowners to make use of the ‘Green Home Grants Scheme’ to help reduce household energy bills – simply improving insulation can have a huge benefit for both the pocket and the environment. And TGL are looking to support a ‘Solar Streets’ project initiative in Thame very soon, working with a renewable energy supplier and installer, to offer residents solar PV panels at bulk buy prices. GET INVOLVED Charles Boundy, the plan development leader is clear: “This plan is just the start. Without everyone in Thame getting involved, it will remain simply a set of ideas on paper. But by working together we can make the changes we need. Whether you’re a resident, business, part of the council or community group, we’ve set out three easy steps that everyone can take straight away.”

STEP 1: Discover more – read the full Green Living Plan on the TGL website at www.thamegreenliving.org.uk, and follow TGL on Facebook and Instagram. STEP 2: Make a pledge – whether you’re an individual or a business, declare your commitment to the actions within the plan on the TGL website, where you’ll find lots of ideas for simple things you can do that have a positive impact. STEP 3: Volunteer – volunteers are vital to the success of the plan, and there is something for everyone to get involved with from tree planting to desktop research. Sign up on the website! Charles continues: “Going forward, we have seen from other community schemes how local, personal and community efforts and success will inspire others to take action. People often respond to cues from others before they change their behaviour, and so we urge everyone to get involved!” www.thamegreenliving.org.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/ ThameGreenLiving/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/ thamegreenliving/ Contact: info@thamegreenliving.org.uk

Newly published Thame Inns Discovered II by Thame authors, David Bretherton and Allan Hickman is now available The book is a revised version of their very successful “Thame Inns Discovered” that was produced in 2000. It is written as a number of walks through the town and provides a guide around the streets of Thame discussing the history of each inn in turn, whether it be its location, age or significance to the town.

Opened up in lockdown

Whilst following the same format as the previous book, many of the stories have been added to or amended. Details of some new or newly discovered pubs are also included and a further chapter on local villages has been added. The book is priced at a very reasonable £8.95 and will be available from The Book House, High Street, Thame and many local pubs.

Brand new business, Oracle Ear Care, opened its doors just as the town locked down for a second time. The managing director and head clinician, Sereta Parker, says, “The timing couldn’t have been worse for us; a lot of the people we see are elderly and too afraid to expose themselves to the risk of the virus”. She goes on to say, “the problem is one of extreme isolation. Isolating and staying indoors is bad enough but when you can’t use the phone or hear the television, it is terrible”.

However, Oracle Ear Care will stay open as an essential healthcare service to help people who are in desperate need of ear wax removal. They are fully equipped with PPE and have Covid-19 safety measures in place. Oracle Ear Care is a family-run ear care clinic in Thame. Their services include all types of wax removal along with foreign body removal. email admin@oracleearcare.co.uk or call 01844 617 478.

New UPStairs@fitch&fellows Exhibition Space. Open Now.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

his is the time of year that really sees our skin suffer. Central heating, air-conditioning and the cold weather all play havoc with our skin, leading to dry, dull complexions. A good skincare routine can help to address and prevent all manner of skincare concerns, issues, and problems. However, with so many different products available, it’s important that your skincare routine is tailor made with your unique skin concerns in mind ERA Skin & Laser Clinic, have introduced a superb range of skin care products from Zein Obagi, a world renowned Dernatologist. The ZO Range skincare programmes are a medical grade skincare range. They bring together a carefully selected combination of products that will provide optimum results for specific skin types, covering all aspects of your skincare program from cleansing and exfoliating, through to sunscreen, serums, and treatments.

Cool products Winter is tough on our skin, but help is at hand from ERA Skin & Laser Clinic.

These programmes include: SKIN BRIGHTENING PROGRAM A multi-product, skin therapy system designed for the visible treatment of hyperpigmentation without the use of hydroquinone and retinol. Benefits d Ideal for improving the appearance of hyperpigmentation either when hydroquinone treatment is completed or contraindicated, or as maintenance d Ideal for non-specific visible discoloration (freckles, liver spots or uneven tone) d For use when skin brightening is desired d This program also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles SKIN NORMALIZING SYSTEM The Skin Normalizing System is a complete selection of therapeutic products for the treatment of red, sensitized skin. This system features Rozatrol™, a daily treatment serum that works to normalize skin by reducing excess oil, which can lead to inflammation. An enzymatic

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exfoliator provides ultra-mild exfoliation, while amno acids support optimal microcirculation to prevent the signs of premature aging. Benefits d Helps to restore skin to a more radiant appearance d Provides mild exfoliation to help smooth skin texture and even skin tone d Minimizes the appearance of inflammation d Helps replenish hydration and supports a healthy skin barrier function ACNE PREVENTION + TREATMENT PROGRAMME A complete line of highly effective products formulated to treat clogged pores, blackheads (comedones), papules and pustules (pimples), and cystic acne. Also, a preventative treatment for acne and breakouts.

Benefits d Slows sebum production d Exfoliates skin cells to help unclog pores d Tightens pores AGGRESSIVE ANTI-AGEING PROGRAMME Visible treatment to remove the look of deeper lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (age spots, sun damage), and thinning skin. Benefits d Help reduce the appearance of deeper lines and wrinkles. d Minimises the appearance of hyperpigmentation and ‘age spots’. d Promotes a more even-looking skin tone. d Aids in strengthening the skin by keeping hydration at the proper level. d Help maintain face care results achieved with lasers or medical treatments

ANTI-AGEING PROGRAMME A moderate treatment for the reduction of early or significant signs of environmental and chronological aging. Benefits d Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and face wrinkles. d Promotes a more even-looking skin tone and finer pore appearance. d This skin care routine preserves and maintains a more youthful complexion. DAILY SKINCARE PROGRAMME The first line of defence against the natural aging process. Benefits d Help preserve and maintain glowing skin and a more youthful complexion. d Improves and maintains the appearance of even skin tone and finer pores. d Keeps dry skin hydrated.

The full range of ZO Skin Care products are used by and available at ERA Skin & Laser Clinic. Skin Kits are available to order with free delivery. Email ZOskin@eraclinics.co.uk or you can arrange to collect from the clinic in person by calling 01844 698441. New to ZO and not sure which Kit is right for you? ERA offers complimentary 20 minute online skincare consultations with a ZO skin expert, to assess your skin and recommend the best option to achieve your skin goals. Give the gift of glowing skin this Christmas.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Purchase a Skin Kit before 31st December 2020 and receive a FREE InvisipeelÂŽ Facial Treatment (worth ÂŁ80) to restore your natural radiance.

98a High Street, Thame Oxfordshire OX9 3EH www.eraclinics.co.uk 01844 698441 Find ERA on Instagram and Facebook

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

The drive for excellent eyewear Visionary lens and frame innovations from Optometrist Ivan R Cammack

he Optometrist Ivan R Cammack have always worked hard to stay ahead of the game when it comes to protecting our eyesight. Medical advances, improved technology and equipment, even fashion changes are carefully monitored and introduced for the benefit of their patients. Cammacks, could see the safety advantages of DriveSafe Lenses from German manufacturer Zeiss. And now they have introduced some startling wooden frames from Italian company, FEB 31st. DriveSafe Lenses The clocks have just gone back. Winter is truly upon us. More hours of darkness, fallen leaves rain and sleet in the air. Night driving is difficult. Every oncoming vehicle has its headlights on, dipped but still appearing as twin beacons of dazzle.

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“Road lighting is clearly less effective than natural daylight. This prompts the pupil of the eye to enlarge in order to absorb more of the available light. That increase in pupil size can help to magnify any errors, such as short-sightedness, that already exist in your eyes. You may not notice the effects in normal light but the symptoms are exaggerated when you are having to focus in low light. As driving at night requires.” For all the electronic sophistication of a modern car, for all the computer-aided engineering, there is one component more important to safe driving than any other. And that’s the person sat behind the steering wheel. And what is most important to that person is their ability to keep a keen eye on the road ahead. This is where ZEISS DriveSafe Lenses really help. A range of lenses specially designed to help drivers in specs when the light dims or the weather closes in.

Headlights push out a high spectrum of blue light, and the glare reduces rather than increases visibility. The Germans, those masters of car engineering, have come up with a rather elegant answer. ZEISS DriveSafe lenses have a special finish which cuts down the effect of glare by over 60 percent. The lens coatings contain contrast-enhancing filters which, by minimizing the levels of blue light, mean that your eyes will have a much better fix on objects instead of simply being dazzled by the oncoming lights. But staring through the windscreen isn’t the only aspect of good, safe driving. There are mirrors to check and dashboards to consult in flashes of seconds. Here the ZEISS lenses can help as well. The varifocal versions allow you up to a 43 percent larger mid-distance zone of vision and up to a 14 percent wider far-distance zone of vision. So you get to see much more of the road. They make for a much smoother transmission of your eye-line.

ZEISS DriveSafe lenses. See the difference.

FEB 31st Wooden Frames

There’s less side to side and up and down head movement, since the focus of the lenses gives your eyes the opportunity to do more of the work that your head would normally do, switching from dashboard to wing-mirror to road. What’s more you can wear your ZEISS glasses for everyday use. Watching television, viewing your tablet screen, or reading a book. Wooden Frames Ivan R Cammack have now introduced a fascinating new range of frames from Italian manufacturer, FEB 31st. FEB 31st frames are carved from sustainable wood. Weighing in at just 21g and available in 43 different colours, each frame is comprised of 13 different layers. The colour sandwich combinations are unlimiting, which makes each frame completely unique and personal. Using what FEB 31st calls flexy soul technology, the layers are carefully pressed together with 2 thin layers of a secret flexible fibre, to ensure structure and flexibility. The process enhances the natural qualities of the wood and creates a lightweight but surprisingly strong frame. FEB 31st frames are actually the thinnest and strongest frames in the wooden eyewear market.

The idea behind FEB 31st is to respect nature and human ingenuity, combining both to produce eco-friendly luxury wooden eyewear that is attractive and comfortable to wear. Frames are made from certified FSC ecologically harvested kauri and bolivar wood. Everything the company produces is made to order, and because there are no wasted materials the environmental impact is minimal. Not only can you personalise the colours of the different layers, you can engrave a name, logo or even a message on the inside or outside of the frame. This is eyewear that is truly bespoke and unique,

As for their name? Well the founders were told wooden frames weren’t possible. Just like February 31st, they didn’t exist. So the name seemed to be the perfect fit. Just like frames from Ivan R Cammack you might say.

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

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HEALTH & BEAUTY Hilary Westall with more exercise advice.

ur first Covid 19 lockdown took its toll on the world’s mental and physical health in many ways. With everything shut and people stuck at home, we all had to find new ways to keep fit without the gym and sustain our mental health without schools, work and everyday life carrying on as before. We had to come up with a ‘new normal’, which back in April included at-home workouts, Zoom quizzes and baking banana bread. My last article showed ways to deal with stress eating to help you through the last lockdown, equally applicable now that a second lockdown upon us, and may be even harder some of us. Here are some key survival tips to help you through this, and any future lockdown periods, which unfortunately we cannot discount as a possibility. Routine The pandemic we’re all facing put many people out of their normal routine as shops, restaurants, pubs and schools closed. My daughter is an example of this as her school shut and the A Levels she was working so hard towards were cancelled. She found herself waking up at ‘whatever’ time; watching TV and endless Tik Tok videos; moping around and all together feeling unproductive. Research has shown that routine is essential for physical and mental wellbeing. A good routine can alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia and increase productivity. It ensures that you spend your day doing things you need to do as well as factoring in free periods of ‘me time’, creativity and exercise. It is also an effective way for parents to manage children and teenagers, by helping them spend their time wisely and leaving little time for procrastination or overthinking.

Lockdown 2. Survival tips. create routine and provides direction. Goals can also improve motivation as they provide a clear focus for what needs to be done. Achieving your goals can create a great sense of self satisfaction. Exercise goals can be big (a marathon in the garden!) or small (a short daily walk) but are a great way to push yourself whilst having full control of how you do it. However, it’s important to make realistic goals otherwise failing to achieve them can have the reverse effect. Sleep Lockdown is an opportunity for many of us to work on and improve our sleep pattern. Sleep is indisputably essential for our physical health, allowing the body to repair, rest and recharge ready for another day. But sleep is also essential for mental wellbeing too. Lack of sleep or a disturbed sleep pattern can increase the risk of stress, anxiety and depression and limits brain function. The physical effects of sleep deprivation include weight gain, fatigue, heart disease and a weakened immune system. Going into the cold and flu season alongside Covid 19 has increased our need for a strong and healthy immune system, and sleep plays a huge role in this.

Self-care Self-care is extremely important for everyone but especially those with high stress life styles and those who struggle with their mental health. So we need to be mindful of looking after ourselves and taking time to relax. Many people see this as free time but this could be little tasks Goals you do throughout the day to improve Goals are something to work towards your mind-set. For example, having a long on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. This relaxing bath; journaling your thoughts could be a set work goal, a weight loss and feelings; cleaning your room; going goal, or getting the cleaning done. Having for a walk; listening to music or anything goals and a deadline for these goals helps that makes you feel better. Self-care is

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important for self-esteem, self-confidence and perspective. It gives you time to reflect on how you feel and how you see yourself. Use this time to be kind to yourself. In the evenings this is a technique you can use to wind down, perhaps with the help of one of the many available Apps, but it can be done at any time that you feel stressed or anxious and need to take a moment to gather yourself or calm down. Exercise We all know that exercise keeps us fit and healthy physically, however it also has positive effects on our mental health. Exercise not only improves cognitive function, but it can reduce anxiety and depression and improve low self-esteem. Even though gyms are closed there are so many ways to exercise. Online there are endless at-home workouts, videos and advice to help maintain a workout routine. Or get some fresh air with a walk, jog or bike ride. It doesn’t have to be intense or overly hard, just a little something every day to boost mental and physical wellbeing. And even though this is a lockdown you don’t have to go alone. Involve people from your household or one other person from another household. Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. Find ways to make it fun! Although these tips are centred on the current national lockdown they aren’t limited to it. Every single one of these are important to implement in everyday life to maintain a healthy mind and body. Use lockdown to improve yourself and don’t forget everyone is struggling - so be kind and stay safe.

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

Ivan R Cammack. Visionary Optometrist.

ZEISS DriveSafe Lenses

FEB 31st Wooden Frames

Thame 212048 l Chinnor 351564 l Wendover 625892 info@ivancammack.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Martin

Lovingly layered Zoe

Cutting and styling hair is often a family affair at Studio 86 as Jane Dale discovered.

Josh

Issy

amie Michelle Pfeifer arrived in Thame from the United States in 2007. By 2011, she had set up her ‘Boutique Salon’, Studio 86. Now well established in Thame High Street, Jamie has built up a loyal set of guests. Her talents span the generations and sexes. Men and women of all ages as well as children have had their hair styled, coloured or cut.

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Family groups are taken care of. Mum, Dad and the children can all be accommodated at once. Under current Covid circumstances these are popular family ‘bubbles’ . On the day I paid a visit, Jamie had cut the hair of father and son, Martin and Josh, Mum Zoe and daughter Olivia and two young girls, Issie and Ella, who’s mum and dad are also guests of Studio86. Working with Jamie is Katie Kindness who supports and assists Jamie and her guests. Despite the Covid restrictions, Jamie and Katie will make your time at Studio86 as pleasurable and as safe as possible. Jamie is in regular touch with friends and family back home. Hair salons in America must follow much stricter guidelines than we do here. For the safety of her guests, Jamie has followed her home

Ella

country’s advice and made Studio86 extremely safe to visit. Entry to the Salon is at the rear (exit looking great, at the front). You will have your temperature taken outside and asked to sanitize your hands and to be wearing a mask upon entry. Masks and visors are worn by Jamie and Katie and work stations are separated by clear PVC curtains. The stations are cleaned thoroughly between guests. A maximum of three guests only can be looked after, so social distancing is not a problem. If you would prefer to be the only guest in the Salon, this can be arranged. Unfortunately, drinks and value added services are not allowed at this time.

Studio86 uses Redken products which are free of ammonia and which are kinder and gentler.

Jamie Michelle

Since reopening in July, Studio 86 has seen133 Highlights, 101 Colours, 156 Men’s Cuts, 333 Womans cuts, 71 children’s cuts, and ZERO cases of COVID! These are strange times for many business’s, especially so for hair salons. Rest assured, Studio86 will look after you. Jamie’s personalised and unforgettable salon experience, offers expert skills and the latest trends in haircuts, colour, hair care and styling to suit your requirements. You will leave looking great and feeling more confident.

Katie

Currently, Jamie is looking to add to the team. She is looking for an assistant and another Stylist to rent a chair at Studio86. Interested? Call Jamie on 07985 206777

Olivia

For 24/7 online booking go to www.vagaro.com/studio86

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Healing your skin MeadowView Aesthetics is a boutique cosmetic skincare clinic. Here Susan Forster explains how to treat some common skin complaints.

un damage, pollution, acne, stress – life takes its toll on your skin. But there is a way to turn back time. Laser therapy, combined with the right skin health programme using active ingredients, stimulate your skin’s natural ability to heal itself, rejuvenating it at the very deepest level. The result is clear, smoother, tighter, youngerlooking skin.

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“Finding the right treatment for your skin is key., says Susan. “We’re all unique, so there’s no one-size- fits-all approach. That’s why it’s essential to seek out an experienced skincare professional. At MeadowView Aesthetics, I personally assess each client,” she adds. “With over 20 years experience as a skincare and laser technologies expert, training clinics, doctors and therapists nationwide, I’ll work with you to tailor a solution specific to your skin.

“I want to help you achieve happiness and confidence in your skin” Susan Forster

Laser therapy kills the yeast and fungus causing the infection while stimulating healing in the area. It’s a straightforward procedure that’s more effective than topical over-the-counter remedies. It shouldn’t require any downtime and the likelihood of recurrence is very low.

ClearSkin Laser therapy can then be used to break down the scar tissue and stimulate new, healthy skin to form in its place.

“I use the multi-application Harmony XL Pro Laser device which treats over 65 different skin conditions in combination with advanced facials using Nimue Skin technology,” says Susan. “Here are three of the most popular concerns my clients ask me about”, she adds. ACNE AND SCARRING Acne happens when a pore becomes engorged with excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. This infected material can also spread to the surrounding area, leading to more acne. If the acne is severe enough, it could leave you with scarring. This nightmare cycle can be interrupted and the damage can be repaired. By gently removing the outer layer of the skin, we can reduce oil, unblock pores and kill bacteria to help prevent breakouts.

WRINKLES AND DISCOLOURATION Both wrinkles and discolouration like melasma and age spots originate deep in the skin. Through a combined treatment approach, we’re able to target the deeper layers of the skin to promote healing and cell renewal. Collagen is a protein that’s found in your skin, and gives it plumpness and strength. Collagen reduces as we age, which is why our skin sags and wrinkles form. ClearLift Laser therapy encourages new collagen growth so that your skin looks tighter and younger. At MeadowView Aesthetics, you can treat other areas too, like your neck, chest, and hands. NAIL FUNGUS Nail fungus is stubborn. This is because it typically originates from damage to the nail bed that never quite gets the chance to heal. It can make your nail change colour or get thicker, and it can spread.

“At MeadowView Aesthetics, we understand the impact your skin has on your life. Whether it’s one of the issues mentioned here, or another concern like unwanted hair, thread veins, rosacea or tattoo removal, during a consultation you’ll get the chance to talk it through and explore your options,” Susan concludes. MeadowView Aesthetics is nestled in a quiet area of South Oxfordshire with picturesque scenery and easy access off the M40. Newly renovated with state-ofthe-art equipment, it’s the perfect place to unwind during your treatment. For more information about Susan, Laser Therapy and Advanced Facials please visit: meadowviewaesthetics.co.uk or contact us at info@meadowviewaesthetics.co.uk

MeadowView Aesthetics High Street, Kingston Blount Oxfordshire OX39 4SJ 07979 652460 info@meadowviewaesthetics.co.uk FREE OFF-ROAD PARKING

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TRAVEL

Foreign travel is still somewhat of a lottery. Fear not, for we are blessed in our country with an astonishing range of landscapes, vistas, walks and sights. Jim Sherwood picks just a (highly subjective) few of the best on a tour of Britain.

ritain is rich in beauties, some granted us by nature, some made by us, all of its own. What follows are just a few of those places that will remind you just how favoured our island is, how kind it has been to us and how fortunate we are to have such an abundance of beauty right here, on our doorstep. Wheal Coates, south of St Agnes, Cornwall. A cathedral of a former tin mine, its pumping-engine house, ruined but stoic, pushes its stone, 19th-century chimney skywards still. Polperro, Cornwall. Whitewashed houses dig their fingers in to the cleft of the coombe that leads down to a harbour as miniature as the seas beyond it appear vast. The final word in picturesque Cornish fishing villages.

you an unending view of the moors that stretches long back into geological time. Clifton Suspension Bridge, Somerset. Proof that humankind can be as monumental as nature. Black Down, south of Haslemere, Sussex. The track from the car park below gently traverses woodlands of birch, beech and Scots pine before delivering you to heaven. From the top of Black Down, cresting a sandstone ridge, you stare out over the woods and fields of the Weald. Lord Tennyson described is as “green Sussex fading into blue, with one grey glimpse of sea.” Malmesbury Abbey, west of Swindon, Wiltshire. Visit just for the south porch to this 12th-century church, its eight arches depicting Biblical scenes. Some of the finest figurative Norman carving in Britain.

Thrift Wood, Essex. Once the county was blanketed in wildwood. Now all that is left to us is this wonderful sliver of coppiced trees, encompassed by ancient lanes and dense hedges. For you to marvel: a wood as it would have looked a thousand years back. Blakeney Point, Norfolk. A narrow pebble spit that conducts you to a scene wilder with every step you take. At its tip you can watch as seals heave themselves out of the water, as wintering geese and ducks land, and, in summer, as plovers search for food. Mam Tor, Derbyshire. A mountain that shivers off chunks of shale rock, shedding itself quietly into the scree slips and the valley below.

Beautiful Our beaches range from sandy to shingly, rugged to idyllic

Polzeath Beach, north of Wadebridge, Cornwall. Funnelled by the pincers of jutting headlands, the waves crash on Polzeath beach to the delight of surfers. On calmer days, the soft sand squeezes between your toes as if it were silk. Dartmoor, Devon. Travel anywhere here and you will encounter airy uplands, the granite outcrops sitting bold and spare, sliced by the cooling lava flows that formed them, coombes secreted amidst the tors, expanses of moorland and a Gothic inspiration. But head especially for St Michael’s Church at Brentor, perched gaunt and unyielding atop a column of rock that rises a hundred feet above the moors and the fields. Grimspound, south of Moretonhampstead, Devon. In 2000 BC a Bronze Age community thrived here. The three-metre thick walls built to protect the circular enclosure still stand, guarding all that remains of the huts – the cooking pits and the stone slabs which served as beds. Behind you millennia of human history, before

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Britain’s woodland walks are a delight

Ruins are picturesque

From flat lands to the Highlands, ours is a diverse landscape

Britannia Bredon Hill, south of Evesham, Worcestershire. Imagine a flat, becalmed sea suddenly giving birth to a leviathan. That is Bredon Hill rising from the Vale of Evesham. It is crowned by an Iron Age fort and an 18th-century folly. Alderley Edge, Cheshire. Draped in oaks, the escarpment climbs to 650 feet, from which you can see out over both the Pennines and the northern perimeter of the Peak District. Myth locates this as the sleeping place of King Arthur and his knights. The truth locates this as a place where, at the views, you will wish to keep your eyes wide open. Castlerigg Stone Circle, Cumbria. The Lake District is not much in possession of flat ground, so it is no surprise that this plateau of even grass was chosen by peoples of the Bronze Age on which to erect a standing stone circle. About you the fells and peaks are an amphitheatre, wheeling and arcing, magicking the sky into a dome at the centre of which are the stones, assembled in their positions by man but addressing the universe. Buttermere, Cumbria. Emerald slate columns flashed by foaming, diamond white waterfalls. The water sapphire blue in the sunlight. Clasped by the gold of the fells. The Lake Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jewel.

Whitby Abbey, Yorkshire. Stark and skeletal, backlit by an apocalyptic sunlight, a gaunt but ruined salient against godlessness. Little wonder that Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, chose Whitby as the disembarkation point for his demonic vampire. Beaumaris Castle, north of the Menai Bridge. Impressed by castles? Wait until you see this bastion of mediaeval imperialism, the most technically perfect castle in Britain. Maybe in Europe. Pistyll Rhaedr, mid Wales. A boa of water that is flung with carefree extravagance from the southern edge of the Berwyn mountains. The highest waterfall in Wales. If you want more Welsh waterfalls, trip along to Ystradfellte, a village lacing the southern lip of the Brecon Beacons National Park. From there you can visit Sgwd yr Eira (the Fall of Snow), the overhang to which is sufficiently deep as to create space for a footpath that leads walkers behind the curtain of thundering water. Barafundle Beach, South Wales. Rock pools. Dunes. Cliff stacks. A velvety beach that reaches out to pristine waters. No roads, no car parks, no cafĂŠs. Just a grassy footpath. Perfect.

Jedburgh Abbey, Jedburgh. Some abbeys are just a column or arch or two. Not Jedburgh. Here the shell of the building is mostly as it should be. It was founded in 1138, but, by the time a bunch of English soldiers ransacked it in 1544, it was still not quite complete. Now it never will be. And all the more wonderful it is for that. The Highland Glens. Wilderness Britain at its unsurpassed. Narrow defiles. Craggy peaks. Intimidating corries. Near impossible passes. Lowering mountains. And skiing. Oh, and then, all of a sudden, quiet, gentle pastures. If you are hardy enough, tackle Aonach Mor and Glen Coe. The memories will stay with you forever. Stirling Castle. Want to see where William Wallace and Robert the Bruce handed out a thumping or two to their English cousins? Climb, then, to the ramparts of Stirling Castle and gaze out over the battlefields of Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn. Gaze out, too, at the magnificence of central Scotland. Find your Great Britain. www.visitbritain.com

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LIFESTYLE

Gifts from the gifted. What price art? Affordable actually. Jane Dale steps into fitch & fellows.

uality materials and stylish designs don’t necessarily mean expensive. It’s something fitch & fellows’ owner Susannah Fellows is keen to point out. Susannah takes me around the shop, pointing out some wonderful examples of inexpensive creativity made by some very talented artists. This Christmas, she’s chosen items with 3 price brackets in mind - under £20, £20 – £40 and over £40. The shelves and display cabinets are always full of handmade designer jewellery, ceramics, glasswork, sculptures and the walls are an ever changing exhibition of paintings and wall-art. The type of unusual and beautiful things we’ve come to expect from fitch & fellows. “But “, she says, “Christmas is a time for fun!” so you will find job-themed tree decorations, Stack the Cats table games and stocking fillers such as artistdesigned chocolate (Coco) from £2.25. Wind-up automata from £12. Brightly striped candles from £12. Ceramic ring dishes by Richard Baxter priced just £15.00. Wooden doorstops featuring various animals are £12.00. Loads of fun Christmas decorations from £2.50.

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In the £20 to £40 bracket you will find wonderful bronze miniatures, mugs, jugs, handmade trivets, and lots of silver jewellery. If you want something to do over Christmas, why not make your own masterpiece? What about a collage kit at £25 (4 designs by HanneMade). Brilliant brick vases in 7 colours by Christian Marsden for £34. I was particularly taken by some wooden cheese knives and boards. The knife handles are infused with aromatic spices (£34). The warmth from your hands release the fragrances. So original. Over £40 you can find one-off hand-blown glass, ceramic and bronze sculptures. Original prints and paintings, raw silk scarves and much, much more. I can’t help thinking what a super gift for Christmas something from fitch & fellows would be, as every piece is special and unique. And, of course, it’s as much a shop as it is a gallery. Look out for the new 3-weekly painting exhibitions, entitled UPStairs@fitch&fellows which carries on all year round. Entrance is through the shop. A welcome addition to this hub of creativity.

Celebrating The Unusual In Creative Craftsmanship

fitch & fellows 18 Butter Market, Thame OX9 3EP 01844 215099 www.fitchandfellows.com

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LIFESTYLE

opper is seen as a precious metal due to the health benefits generated from wearing copper jewellery. So what makes Copper so special? It is a heavy metal that triggers up to 50 enzyme reactions and a multitude of physiological functions in the body. Its antibacterial, antiarrhythmic antiinflammatory and it is also known to promote the healing of broken bones and wounds. For joint stiffness and joint pain, wearing copper is believed to induce the required healing energies in the body. Worn as a bracelet or ring on the finger, wearers have reported a marked improvement in their condition. Generally, this marvellous metal can improve Joint stiffness and joint pain and promote a healthier immune system. But it’s not just about the positive health benefits of Copper, these items also look beautiful. As do the other gorgeous items sparkling in the Thame Jewellery Workshop display cabinets. The window illuminates the long dark winter days. Located in an historic building on Thame’s High Street, this independent family run business is home to beautiful rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and cuff links. These include many locally designed items. Tucked away at the rear of the shop is the workshop. It is here that jewellery designer and Goldsmith, Robert French creates handmade bespoke items of jewellery. Thame Jewellery Workshop also carry out valuable repair work for their customers. From fixing damaged and broken pieces to cleaning, tightening and re sizing valuable heirlooms. It’s a full range of jewellery repair and maintenance services. The Workshop also offer on-site valuations for probate, insurance and selling purposes. Naturally, Covid safety precautions are in place. Call in and discover some sparkling gifts for Christmas.

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Precious metal Gold and Silver are not the only valuable material to be found at the Thame Jewellery Workshop.

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

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LIFESTYLE

Dreaming of a green The outside and the windows are always a feature of White Hart Studio at this time of year. No expense spent this year.

fter the year weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had , everyone will be looking for a reason to celebrate Christmas, whether we are just in our own bubble or not. If purse strings are a little tight this year, why not save your money for buying gifts and decorate your home stylishly at little cost.

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This is exactly what White Hart Studio has achieved this year. Owner, Jane is always trying to encourage her customers with new ways to decorate their homes. First you need to attach chicken wire, which can be purchased at any hardware store (note Jane has never done this before) and this provides the framework

for the effective foliage. Then add any evergreen foliage, Jane has used Yew, Laurel, Holly, all were foraged from her garden and her neighbours gardens. Lastly she added both eclectic and battery operated lights which are suitable for indoors and outsdoors use. The battery lights have 6 hour timers and the electric ones Jane used a standard timer.

Christmas Jane at work ...

... well worth the effort

W H I TWHITE E H A RHART T S T STUDIO UDIO FA SHI ON, JEWELLERY, GIFTS & INTERIORS

FASHION, JEWELLERY, G IFTS & INTERIORS

15 C H U RC HWAY, HADDENHA M, BUCKS, HP17 8AB 15 CHURCHWAY, HADDENHAM, BUCKS HP17 8AB T: 01844 292308 M: 07765 36630 8 T: 01844 292308 M: 07765 366308 E: JANE@WHITEHARTSTUDIO.COM E: JANE@WHITEHARTSTUDIO.COM

The shop has just had a new delivery of lights, which once purchased can be used all year. As Jane was thinking she wanted to have a greener Christmas, she purchased glass marker pens ready to create a Christmas scene on her windows. She has chosen pictures she found online then copied free

hand onto them, this is something fun you could do with your own family. So next time you are out walking look around for small fallen branches which could be used for your own home decorations, either sprayed or left natural. If you are able, take a drive past the shop early evening. You will see the shop

beautifully lit up. If you are local, perhaps you could change your walk to include taking in the shop. White Hart Studio does not offer online shopping , but you can do Call and Collect as there is someone in the shop every day except Monday. Please phone 01844 292308 Or message Jane on either Instagram or Facebook where she posts daily pictures of the items for sale in the shop. Jane is always happy to help with any dÃ©cor ideas. Wishing you all a green White Hart Christmas.

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CHRISTMAS AT WHITE HART STUDIO OPENING TIMES Tues to Sat: 10am-5pm Sun: 11am-4pm

WHITE HART STUDIO FA S H ION, JEWELLERY, GIFTS & INTERIORS OPENING TIMES TUES TO SAT: 10am - 5pm SUN: 11am - 4pm

FASHION, JEWELLERY, G IFTS & INTERIORS

WHITE HART

15 CHURCHWAY, HADDENHA M, BUCKS, HP17 8 AB 15 CHURCHWAY, HADDENHAM, BUCKS HP17 8AB T: 01844 292308 M: 07765 36630 8 T: 01844 292308 M: 07765 366308 E: JANE@WHITEHARTSTUDIO.COM E: JANE@WHITEHARTSTUDIO.COM STUDIO

JS PROPERTY CARE LTD

HOME IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS

We have over 15 years of building service experience In all aspects of home improvements. These include external works such as new roofs, Upvc fascias/soffits, guttering, flat roofs, driveways, patios, external and internal painting.

07475 207679

As well as internal decoration.The majority of our work is gained through recommendations from previous clients. For a hardworking, trusted, professional company please call us anytime for advice and quotation.

www.jspropertycareltd.co.uk

Christmas. A time to give

Stenstroms Jacob Cohen Circle of Gentlemen Thomas Maine Gran Sasso Pal Zileri Lab Geox Baldessarini Eton Without Prejudice 7 For All Mankind Sand Falke Antico Borgo

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heartfelt thanks to all of you ... ... with love, Carol and Lucy

GALLANT

Complimentary Gift Wrapping, Alterations and Local Home Delivery on all your Gallant purchases

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

December Opening Hours Monday to Friday 9:30am–5:30pm Saturday 10.00am–5.00pm Sunday 10.30am–2.30pm

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LIFESTYLE

Christmas is covered at Stratton Audley Barn

Deck the halls ... O

kay, 2020 really hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been a year to celebrate has it! So let us rejoice in the fact that Christmas is coming. Like many businesses Stratton Audley Barn has had to adapt to some trying times thrown up by the Covid crisis. After the initial lockdown period, the CafĂŠ was converted, opening as a new takeaway only service during May, continuing throughout the summer with their delicious homemade Ice Cream the star attraction. New Government guidelines saw the barn evolve further in early autumn with privacy screens and table service introduced both inside and in their cosy outdoor marquee. Offering customers a safe dining experience in these testing times. The current lockdown has seen a temporary return to takeaway only at weekends. Plans are afoot to return with the full menu and table service with a festive touch from 3rd December. A new marquee has been erected on site with heaters on selected tables, booking is advised, please call 01869 278184. The shop reopened in July with extra Covid measures including a one-way system and although temporarily closed again until 3rd December, today the Barn shop is a blaze of seasonal cheer. From Gonks to Garlands and Tinsel to Trees the

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Barn has been transformed for the Christmas season, and a warm welcome awaits. To help maintain a safe shopping experience, the Barn Team have extended their opening hours, and from 3rd December the Barn will be open 7 days a week 10am-4pm.

A selection of fresh Christmas trees from Stratton Audley Barnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s carefully selected British supplier will be available for sale from Friday 27th November and should you wish to secure your tree early, click and collect or delivery can be arranged online on their newly updated website. Stratton Audley Barn owners Richard and Sara have worked hard to ensure visiting the CafĂŠ and shop is safe and enjoyable for both customers and staff. Take advantage of the ample free parking, sample some delicious food and immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit that emanates from Stratton Audley Barn. Richard, Sara and their team are bringing you some festive cheer at the end of a miserable year.

Stratton Audley Barn West Farm Barn, Launton Rd, Stratton Audley, Bicester OX27 9AS 01869 278184 www.strattonaudleybarn.co.uk info@strattonaudleybarn.co.uk

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HOME & GARDEN Wykeham Park

Locked down but looking up Darren Hunt, Sales Director at College and County explains that despite the second lockdown and continued uncertainty resulting from the pandemic, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire housing market continues to outperform expectations. 34. Thame Out

ationwide Building Society’s October house price index reported an astonishing 5.8% annual house price growth - this is the highest rise since January 2015. We are in the midst of a second lockdown, however the housing market remains open with Sales and Lettings Agents permitted to continue viewings and progression under guidelines set by the government. HMRC estimated that 98,010 transactions were completed in September this year (nationally) and in

October, newly agreed sales were 53% higher than last year. Darren explains that “We continue to see a huge amount of pent-up demand in the market” and “with the proposed end of the stamp duty reduction on the 31st March 2021, we are confident the next few months will be just as busy”. Darren is referring to the temporary reduction of stamp duty on properties below £500,000 which is currently zero, saving buyers up to £15,000. Over the past few months Darren has had to change the way he approached property sales. “Although our industry has been able to continue to function, the market needs a modern and COVID considered approach. Videos are key we ensure all our properties have a fully guided video viewing available online. These detailed videos not only reduce the number of unnecessary viewings for

Cedar Crescent Well House

think we are likely to continue to see much higher than average transactions taking place, and with less available stock on the market I can see a great opportunity to achieve maximum value. I’m expecting January to be a busy month with buyers and sellers keen to get in before the stamp duty window closes. I would strongly suggest that if you’re not ready to market the property yet, but keen to sell in the New Year, we look to get your property ready for marketing in December so we can hit the ground running in January. I am always happy to provide advice on how to best prepare for market and what you can do as a seller to ensure any future purchase goes as smoothly as possible”. The surge in demand over the past few months has created a bottleneck of transactions and it’s estimated that around half of sales agreed after October 22nd won’t be completed in time to make the stamp duty holiday deadline. This is why over the coming two months, preparation for the sale and selecting the right buyer is more important than ever and this has helped Darren achieve an offer to completion ratio in excess of 90% between July and October. It’s clear that College and County’s ethical and modern approach to Estate Agency in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire is working - one client writing on Google reviews “From start to finish the service from College and County has been professional and efficient, allowing the process of selling my house to be stress free for me. Darren is very approachable and has been easily reachable by phone or email if I had any questions. I would highly recommend using College and County, Thame to sell your house.” College and County are keen to hear from you if you are looking to buy or sell in the coming months. Darren is happy to provide you with advice and guide you through the process of selling or buying. Call Darren today on 01844 399292

Darren Hunt MNAEA

vendors but also really help capture the imagination of the searchers prior to the in person viewing”. Darren continues “there is currently a healthy demand in the market where Estate Agents can really prove their worth to vendors by helping them not only find a buyer, but find one who has the best chance of keeping the sale together and going to term”. The properties featured in this article are all recent College and County agreed sales where they have either agreed a sale within the first 10 days of marketing, or achieved above guide prices. College and

County have continued to see the trend of families selling in London and moving out to Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, looking to relocate to the countryside so that they are no longer restricted by the need to live and work in the same location. These searchers are approaching the market with a slightly different list of priorities - gardens, fast internet speeds and space for working from home being their most common requirements. Darren follows on to say “We are headed into the winter months which tend to be traditionally quieter, however I

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

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HOME & GARDEN

Sheer quality kitchens As a roller coaster of a year draws to a close, there is some exciting news for 2021 from Ridgeway Interiors, as Jim Sherwood discovered.

ver the years, when it comes to Kitchen design and innovation, the team at Ridgeway Interiors has seen it all. So, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not often a team with so much experience get as excited about a new kitchen range as they have recently. The newly refitted showroom will soon have a spectacular new addition. Situated on the first floor, this spacious showroom already boasts no less than seven kitchen displays by German and English designers. To complete the range, the latest addition is a handmade British design of furniture, beautifully crafted for Ridgeway in Yorkshire. These kitchens are the epitome of quality.

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A truly bespoke stylish, high end kitchen furniture that really will make a statement in your home. Handmade, hand carved and hand painted. You can actually feel the quality. Doors and drawers are 30mm thick for example, (twice that of your normal kitchen). You can have any colour, any size, any finish you desire. Curved doors? No problem. Why stop at the kitchen? Ridgeway Interiors can supply and fit furniture for utility rooms, media rooms, studies and bedrooms.

Over the Christmas period Ridgeway will be installing the new display kitchen ready for customers to appreciate in January 2021. Seeing is believing, I highly recommend a viewing in the new year. I assumed this new kitchen design would be an expensive option. It can be of course depending on the size of the room, any structural alterations and other specific requirements. However prices for a first class kitchen start at only ÂŁ30k. Extraordinary value for such a special kitchen.

Based near Thame, Oxfordshire, Ridgeway Interiors is a local company that will work with you throughout a project and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction. From planning and designing your kitchen, talking through materials

and finishes, project management, building work, fitting and after sales support. Can you envisage the kitchens pictured in your home? Call 01844 279900 to make your dream a reality.

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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HOME & GARDEN

‘The work of a tree surgeon or ‘arborist’ as we ought to be called comes within the world of ‘arboriculture’. To understand this better we need to look at what this word means. A useful working definition of arboriculture is “the art and science of the cultivation, management and study of trees and woody plants for landscape and amenity purposes, primarily for the enjoyment of people” . In our work this typically involves the selection and planting of new trees and the pruning, shaping, felling and removal of trees. It requires an understanding of pests and diseases, tree biology and bio mechanics, soil science, tree related wildlife issues and a range of legal and planning issues. In fact, we never stop learning when it comes to trees and we put this knowledge back into the work that we do. It benefits the trees, our clients and the environment that we all live in. The finishing touches to new garden planting

Arboriculture

The bigger picture Matt Vaughan, director of 4 Seasons Tree Care talks about what it takes to care for our trees.

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ree surgeon is a term that most people recognise and understand. It conjures up an image of someone climbing into a tree and using a chainsaw to cut branches. At 4 Seasons Tree Care we certainly spend a lot of time doing exactly that. However, the term tree surgeon is now outdated. As our understanding of trees has developed and our practice improved the word ‘arboist’ is a better description of what we are.

Often tree health is a reflection of soil health. Healthy soil is the result of an incredibly complex balance and interaction of different elements. The role of fungi within soils is now becoming better understood and whenever we are planting new trees we use natural products to enhance and improve soil health for the benefit of trees and plants. We use a product called ‘biochar’ along with beneficial mycorrhizal fungi and various nutrients and trace elements. Established trees also benefit from soil improvement works and we often use an Air Spade in conjunction with specialist products to improve tree root growth and function.

means that every pruning cut is made accurately and cleanly to encourage the best response from the tree and minimise the chance of decay or disease developing. ‘Lopping and topping’ are old terms that describe an unprofessional and outdated approach to tree work. A crane is a great help in dismantling larger trees, seen below lifting off sections of a Beech tree that had become unsafe through fungal decay and needed to be removed for public safety.

The photo above shows Air Spade work in progress around a huge old Cedar tree. We spend a lot of time working at height in the crown of the tree and thorough training, experience and the best equipment are all essential to carry out this work safely and efficiently. The pictures below show our lead climber James, carefully removing a branch section in one tree and a well pruned Beech tree that we recently reduced and shaped. We often work from a cherry picker which can be very helpful on many of our jobs. Our understanding of tree biology

On occasion we are asked to look at ancient trees and the Yew tree pictured below is a good example of this. This tree is estimated to be around 1200 years old making it one of the oldest living trees in Oxfordshire. The amazing gnarled and twisted bole of this tree that has formed over centuries of slow growth. We have pruned this tree a couple of times over the last 15 years or so and it remains in very good condition. The purpose of pruning with trees like this is often to prevent the weight of the limbs from causing the bole of the tree to break apart as these trees invariably have hollow trunks that can become prone to collapse.

Correct pruning cuts minimise harm to the tree

12,000 years old and still thriving

Let the crane take the strain!

A safe pair of hands

Gnarled and weathered by time In fact Yews can live for several thousand years which puts them amongst the longest living things on the planet! Trees like this deserve our respect and reverence. After all, they have been doing very well without our help long before the word ‘arboriculture’ was ever uttered!

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.

Four Seasons Tree Care Limited 1 Beech Road, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2AL Healthy, safe and balanced

T: 01844 218222 M: 07973 507876 E: mail@4seasonstreecare.co.uk

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SHUTTER SPEC SECURITY

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 DOOR SPECIALISTS Shutter Spec Security are a leading supplier and installer of garage doors for Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Hertfordshire, with a focus on customer service and value for money. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a space saving Roller Garage Door, a Sectional Garage Door for extra insulation, or an Up and Over Garage Door, Shutter Spec Security offer you products from the

highest quality manufacturers with a wide range of colours to suit your choice. With a showroom in Thame, Shutter Spec Security offer a FREE no obligation measuring and quotation service. With a combined 20 years of industry experience Shutter Spec Security can provide you with advice and guidance on the best garage door to suit your needs. Whether you have low head room and are unsure of your options or require a high security garage door to protect your car, the team will advise on the best product for you.

01844 212152

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

info@shutterspecsecurity.co.uk www.shutterspecsecurity.co.uk Thame Out .43

HOME & GARDEN

Yule love it Haddenham Garden Centre. A garden of seasonal delights, even during the latest Government lockdown.

nfortunately we have had a second Government lockdown imposed on us. Thankfully, at least Garden Centres remain open. As a result, although some areas of Haddenham Garden Centre have had to close under these short-term restrictions, the Garden Centre itself is still a Christmas cracker of a setting to prepare for, and celebrate the festive season. The Centre is now well and truly geared up for Christmas, and once the lockdown is eased, December will most definitely have a seasonal excitement in the air. First and foremost, Haddenham Garden Centre is precisely that, a garden centre, and there is still plenty of colour to be found during the autumn and winter months - including winter

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flowering pansies, violas, heathers and ivy. Great for making up tubs and baskets for your home or presents. Christmas trees (real and artificial) lights, decorations, gifts, toys, clothes, food and drink fill the building. This year there are four Christmas themed areas on offer - Home for the Holidays, Christmas in the Countryside, Winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Retreat and Lady Rose. These are all part of the huge Christmas and giftware department. Here you will find imaginative lights, decorations, trees and a whole host of family gift ideas not usually found on your High Street. You will also discover dedicated areas devoted to stationary, clothing for men, women and children and a pets area. Haddenham Garden Centre stock food and accessories for dogs, cats, small

animal and aquatic and they also have a qualified pet nutrition advisor who can help you choose the right product for your pets. The Centre stocks a great range of well known clothing and accessories. Brands, including Joules women and childrenswear, Brakeburn, Tigi, Stormafit, Le Chameau and Muck Boot Wellington boots. Food and drink is a huge feature of Haddenham Garden Centre. The Farmshop houses a butchers and delicatessen promoting local and regional artisan food and drink. Full of festive treats, The Beef Olive Butchery counter stocks quality local

seasonal meats. You can now pre-order your Christmas meats (even the pigs in blankets). Offering a wealth of knowledge, the staff at Beef Olive Butchery are here to help you get the best from their produce. The Bakery provide freshly baked in-store produce including Christmas cakes and puddings as well as delicious Mince Pies. The Deli counter showcases the best award winning local and regional cheeses as well as anti pasti, cured meats, sausage rolls, pickles and lots more. The Deli is a great place to procure gifts too. Hampers are a great example. Select your stocking fillers from an extensive range of chutneys, jams, and pickles as well as chocolates, sweet treats and crisps to tickle the taste buds. Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a tipple or two, would it. No problem. The shelves groan with Wines, Spirits, Beers and Ales. Specially selected

for their great quality, you will find drinks from local and regional breweries, distilleries and vintners. Sadly, the ever popular Gardener’s Retreat Restaurant is currently closed due to the latest government lockdown. However the situation might well have changed by the time you are reading this. You can find all the latest news on the website. Haddenham Garden Centre is a family run business. “We would like to thank customers for their overwhelming support during these difficult times,” says Company Director Kate. “We’ve been overwhelmed by all the positive comments, and wish everyone well and of course a very happy Christmas,” she adds. Christmas can be found all under one roof, with Covid safety measures in place and the bonus of plenty of free parking, come along and share the joy.

Haddenham Garden Centre HP17 8HN www.haddenhamgardencentre.co.uk 01844 290395

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Homework HOME & GARDEN

Kingsey Furniture & Interiors, the home of Kingsey Kitchens & Interiors, are also at home in the garden it seems, designing and building garden offices.

ovid-19 has had an impact on the way we work these days. Unable to go to work due to government lockdowns, more and more of us are now working from home. This is a situation that is likely to remain for many people. But how practical is it, working from home? Well, with a garden office, your work or business can bloom in the garden thanks to Kingsey. Kingsey are masters of creating small offices in the tightest of areas within the home. They have fitted bijou work places under the stairs and inside a cupboard that is part of a kitchen for example. But, if you want a larger area to work from, then a garden office is the perfect solution. You retain that psychological feeling of leaving the house to go to work, but with a commute of only a few short steps. Plus you can separate family life from your work and no interruptions by the children. A garden office from Kingsey Furniture & Interiors is, as you would expect, a well constructed environment. A real home from home. These buildings are certainly not mere sheds. Fully insulated floors, walls and roofs with 100mm of insulation (most other garden offices are 50mm or 75mm). The walls are covered with plasterboard but behind that is 18mm ply so that the walls are strong enough to fix shelving and racking. The garden office can have wall heaters with a timer. The most popular at the moment is underfloor heating which can be left on low during the night

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and then utilising a timer, your office can be warm and cosy as you start the day. For most computers and other equipment fluctuations in temperature can be damaging so underfloor heating eliminates this. For the heat of the summer, you can have an air conditioning unit installed. With Kingseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help you can design your garden office to fit your exact requirements. Any size and

configuration is possible. You have a choice of floorings, plus you can have any type of wood cladding including Larch or Cedar. The tongue and groove cladding can be horizontal or vertical and can be left natural or painted any Cuprinol colour. You can have skirting boards and architrave with the walls painted in white emulsion. Double glazed windows of any size can be supplied and doors are available in a choice of Patio, Sliding or Bifold.

Of course you can’t work without electricity and Wi-Fi, Kingsey can organise this as well as any groundwork requirements. There are financial benefits to having a garden office. They can add value to your property. If you are self employed there can also be tax benefits. Generally, you will not need planning permission providing the structure is single storey. The team at Kingsey can explain all the details. As for insurance, most companies will include this ‘outbuilding’ under home insurance. The cost? This will depend on the size of the building, materials, and your specification. But as a rough idea, an 8ft X 10ft office of the highest build quality will cost approximately £12,500 (including VAT, but not including groundwork and electricity and WiFi from your house to the outside office). Perhaps now is the time to plant something new in your garden. Phone 01844 299820 or email fay@kingseyfurniture.co.uk. for more information. You can visit the kitchen showroom under normal circumstances Monday to Friday 10.00 - 16.00 or anytime Saturday or Sunday, but appointments are necessary at the moment due to Covid restrictions.

Kingsey Furniture & Interiors Ltd Unit 2, Manor Farm, Risborough Road, Kingsey, Bucks HP17 8LU www.kingseyfurniture.co.uk www.kingseykitchens.co.uk 01844 299820 – 01844 290 899 Fay@kingseyfurniture.co.uk SPACIOUS KITCHEN SHOWROOM OPEN

Appointment only please

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FOOD & DRINK

Resident wine expert, Jerome Harlington and how to pair the perfect wine with festive food.

ust before the second lockdown, I was in the Thatch with a friend. We were discussing Christmas. “What are the best wines to drink with turkey?” she asked. Good question I thought. Whether serving canapés at home, eating out, or picking a wine for the Christmas feast, pairing the right wine with food can make the difference between a sensory utopia of delights for the taste buds or chewing on a bar of soap. With a few basic tips, you can boost your enjoyment of eating and drinking to levels you hadn’t thought possible. Remember, wine and food is about having fun and sharing the good things in life with people you love, especially at Christmas. So here are some tips. It’s all about the flavour To avoid your wine overpowering the dish or the flavours of the dish killing the wine, start with the biggest flavour on the plate and match it with the wine. Roast turkey wrapped in bacon with sausages full of stuffing will require a big flavoured red or white such as a robust Bordeaux red or a rich and creamy oaked Chardonnay from Burgundy; a lighter choice of wine would be completely lost, it would turn the wine into tasting like water rather than turning water into wine, pardon the biblical reference! On the other hand, a light starter of delicate fish would require a very light red or white such as a young Beaujolais or Muscadet Sur Lie. Don’t forget whites can go very well with cheese; to give your taste buds a real treat try Sauvignon Blanc such as Sancerre with goat’s cheese. Amazing!

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Your wine a bit of a turkey? Think Local As well as the traditional Christmas turkey with all the trimmings, there are countless exotic alternative recipes in all the retailer magazines such as Italian style goose or Argentinean style turkey. So, pairing your international choice of dish with a wine from the same country should work superbly well. If you’re going for an Italian influenced recipe for your goose for example, try it with the best Tuscan red you can afford. You’re the Boss Play around and experiment, decide whether your aim is for contrast or harmony. Beef Wellington is perfect with a solid red wine from the Rhone or Bordeaux but perhaps surprisingly a contrasting ultra sweet dessert wine can be absolute bliss with salty cheese such as Roquefort or a rich paté. Don’t be scared! Salty flavours love zesty wines such as a Sauvignon Blanc or non vintage fizz. You can’t beat smoked salmon with lively Champagne. Or try spicy canapés with zingy slightly off dry whites from Alsace or Germany or even Slovenia! If you prefer reds go for fruity, bold and ripe varieties such as an Australian Cabernet or Californian Merlot. Throw the rule book in the air Have fun and try matching meaty fish like seabass or halibut with light reds made from red grapes such as Pinot Noir or Gamay. The more you experiment the

more confident you will become with matching flavours giving a huge amount of gastronomic pleasure for everyone. And if you haven’t got time to worry about choosing the right wine then there’s no need to worry as we’ve done all the work for you. We got through a lot of wines deciding on the best match. It was a tough job but someone’s got to do it. To get your hands on a Christmas packs head over to www.trailblazingwine.com or as always if you would like to chat through any ideas for wines with your Christmas feasts please do give me a call. I would love to hear from you. 01296 695555 or email jerome@trailblazingwine.com Get in touch thameout@trailblazingwine.com Keep safe

Jerome

info@trailblazingwine.com www.trailblazingwine.com +44 (0)1296 872315 Mobile:+44 (0)7886 916857

Simply Bookkeeping of Thame Skincare - Bath & Body - Makeup - Fragrance

CHRISTMAS GIFTS & GIFT VOUCHERS All accounts prepared for you to simply hand over to your Accountant. Ideal service for small businesses and sole traders. Online account packages. £15 to £20 per hour or agreed monthly fee.

email crysti@simplybookkeepingofthame.net.

SHOP IN STORE ONLINE BY PHONE

H17a Buttermarket Thame OX9 3EP H

email: sales@powdercfc.co.uk Tel: 01844 214816 www.powdercfc.co.uk Find us on:

@PowderThame

@powdercfc

H @powdercfc

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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FOOD & DRINK Beetroot Tikki

The ongoing Covid crisis hasn’t stopped the Radhuni Restaurant providing customers with their fine dining experience.

Radhuni Stir Fried Chicken

Kata Gosht

Anarkali Lamb

Keep calm and

t’s been well documented that pubs and restaurants have been hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic. The Radhuni Restaurant situated in Church Street, Princes Risborough is no exception. Owner Akthoraz Miah and his team provided a welcome takeaway service before fully opening in June. Understandably, the restaurant was quiet at first. But the Government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme helped bring customers back. As did the growing confidence that it was safe to do so. Radhuni’s Five-Star Hygiene rating is another helpful reassurance. Customers are now used to the new normal of socially distanced tables, sanitiser and waiters wearing masks. It’s not just the residents of Princes Risborough that benefit from the fine Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine on offer at Radhuni. Customers travel from far and wide. Miah has noticed more and more diners are travelling from Thame for example. So what brings people flocking to Radhuni? The quality of the food is the number one reason. Prepared by their double award winning Chef, Shuman Uddin,

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Radhuni Lamb

Radhuni serve the finest choice of Indian and Bangladeshi dishes. Peruse the menu and you will find a selection of both traditional and well known dishes alongside Radhuni’s specially selected range of dishes that are unique to the restaurant. Miah likes to refresh the menu on a regular basis. Recent new additions to the menu include starters such as Beetroot Tikki (chicken cooked with the Chef’s special sweet and sour sauce). British Lamb Rack (local rack of lamb, marinated in spices and grilled in the clay oven). New House specialities also include Chatinadu (a spicy South Indian dish that combines ground coconut, curry leaves, fennel and sesame seeds) and Punjabi Lazeez (chicken or lamb in a creamy butter and tomato sauce with ginger and crushed fenugreek seeds). New vegetarian dishes include Paneer Lahori (diced paneer, punjabi spices and mixed peppers) and Dal Makhani (classic black lentils slow cooked overnight with tomatoes, cream and butter). An important feature of the Radhuni menu is the comprehensive guide for people with allergies. Miah is also keen to stress how fresh the food is at Radhuni. All meat, vegetables and ingredients are sourced locally, where possible.

Aloo Tikki

Chtinadu

Food preparation takes place in Radhuni’s well-equipped, modern kitchen with a special tandoori oven that cooks at a very high temperature. A great dining experience goes beyond the food at Radhuni Restaurant. The service is friendly, knowledgable and attentive. Miah himself walks through the restaurant talking to diners, ensuring everyone is having a good time.

Rezala Chicken

curry on Shuman Uddin

radius and offer discounts to customers collecting their takeway orders. They also offer gift vouchers and have discounts and benefits for Radhuni Spice Club members. You can dine safely at Radhuni Restaurant. Safe in the knowledge that you’re in for a superb meal.

Located in an ancient building and a former Library the restaurant is a fascinating fusion of English whitewashed walls and original beams coupled with Indian style decorative elements. Many customers still prefer to order takeaways, especially now during the present crisis. With this in mind Miah has made it even easier to order online.

Radhuni is open seven days a week (including Bank Holidays), from 6-11pm Monday to Saturday and from 6pm to 10pm on Sundays. They are currently the only Indian Restaurant in Princes Risborough that opens at lunchtime (12 – 2pm). The restaurant delivers takeaway orders over £20 free, within a five mile

Radhuni Restaurant. The Old Library, Church St, Princes Risborough HP27 9AA 01844 690446 / 273412 www.radhunihp27.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

revor Bosch and his wife Annie have been running the Angel Restaurant in Long Crendon for the past 23 years. In all that time, it’s fair to say, they have never seen a year like 2020. From the moment the government restrictions came in, so the potential earnings went out. One day, everyday life will return to normal. In the meantime the couple realised, they had to adapt to survive. Chef, Trevor and Pastry Chef, Annie were determined to carry on cooking. The Angel has built a very fine reputation for cuisine; fish is a particular speciality. It also benefits from a very loyal customer base, and it was these regular diners that Trevor and Annie wanted to serve first. The answer was to produce their fine fare in takeaway form. Since day one, Trevor and Annie have always listened to their customers requirements, and a request to provide a family meal, as a welcome change from cooking at home, started the ball rolling. As a result, The Angel’s Pantry range of home-cooked family meals was launched. So now you can ‘Click & Collect’ your favourite dishes from The Angel. Meals all come with cooking instructions, and a selection of Red, White and Rosé wines are also available to order. Many customers have been shielded, in isolation, or quarantined, and for these customers, Trevor and Annie deliver the food directly to their home. Although technically we are talking takeaway food, it’s not takeaway in the traditional sense. This is home-cooked food (without additives), using the freshest of ingredients and delivered in eco-friendly cardboard containers. Sustainability is something both Annie and Trevor are passionate about. Hand-made pasta, fish fresh from Brixham market and locally sourced meat and vegetables. The menu is the regular Angel menu with seasonal dishes and specials. These include dishes such as: Main courses e Fillets of Cornish Sea-Bream with Lemon Basil Butter Wrapped In Banana Leaves, Tomato Salsa, Minted New Potatoes (BBQ and Oven Ready). e Chef’s Seafood Platter for 2. Whole Lobster, Mediterranean, King Prawns.

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Still cooking e Cornish Dressed Crab, Minted New Potatoes Sriracha Mayonnaise Pantry ready to cook e Fillet of Beef Wellington. Spring Vegetables, Dauphinoise Potatoes, Port Jus. e Oxfordshire Loin of Lamb, Comfit Shoulder En Croute, Steamed Vegetables, Rosemary Potatoes, Basil Jus. e Salmon & Spinach En Croute. Lemon & Chive Butter Sauce, Minted Charlotte Potatoes, Spring Vegetables. Family pantry dinners & desserts e Angel Fish & Spinach Pie Topped With Cheddar Mash (Salmon, Cod, Hake, White Wine Sauce).

e Char Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable and Feta Lasagne Slow Roast Vine Tomato and Basil Sauce. e Mexican Shredded Chilli Beef. e Oxfordshire Lamb Hot Pot with a Crispy Potato Topping. Whole desserts e Seasonal Fruit & Fresh Cream Pavlova. e Whole Treacle / Bakewell Tart. e Glazed Lemon Tart. e Little Treat - 200g Bags of Homemade Fudge For Trevor and Annie, it’s all about bringing The Angel restaurant into your own home or business.

up a treat. From producing food for a single person, to dinner parties for up to six people, the Angel at Home has really kept them busy. Recent business lunches have included a selection of tapas dishes. Why not ask the Angel to cater for your office Christmas lunch as well? People with specific dietary requirements can always be catered for. Despite these challenging times, Trevor and Annie have managed to retain some members of staff and have been assisted by two of their daughters. Whether you’re looking for a readymade, home-cooked, family dinner or a special weekend treat, The Angel’s food could be winging its way to your dinner table.

For people missing fine restaurant food during the Covid crisis, The Angel in Long Crendon has proved to be heaven sent. Jane Maitland reports.

Ready to cook meals are available for pre-order for collection from Wednesday to Saturday from 3.00pm to 9.00pm The ready to eat pick-up menu is available Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Due to ordering in fresh ingredients, The Angel will need 24 hours notice. Please email your orders to angelathome@angelrestaurant.co.uk You might want to sign up to The Angel’s mailing list at www.theangeldiningrooms.co.uk and receive their weekly menus. The ‘Click & Collect’ service is now available. Dinner is served.

The Angel Restaurant 47 Bicester Rd, Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire HP18 9EE 01844 208268 www.theangeldiningrooms.co.uk

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Wine seller

FOOD & DRINK

Just as the second lockdown hit and businesses shut down, BeerGinVino opened for business. A brave move, so let’s raise a glass to owners Kevin and Petra Durrant.

cary times for everyone, so it was perhaps fitting that BeerGinVino’s official launch party was on Halloween night. It was a great success and a real endorsement of Kevin’s belief in his family business. Kevin is a Coeliac, and therefore allergic to gluten. This was a driving force in discovering some alternative Wines and Craft Ales. His passion for finding emerging drink producers has now become his business. Supermarket shelves are full of the usual alcoholic beverages. BeerGinVino however, want to establish a point of difference. They believe in making a local and regional difference, challenging the norm by supplying the finest provincial products. Products that have an amazing story. Products that are made with love. A desire to support British producers. To bring together the best of craft beers, artisan gins and regional wines all in one self-selected or curated box delivered with love to your door just as the producers had made it. BeerGinVino do stock drinks from around the world as well. For Kevin, it’s all about the quality of the product, but not at an exorbitant price. You will find Champagne starting at £30 and specialist Gins with an average price of £35. As the name suggests, BeerGinVino specialise in Beers, Gins and Wines, but you will also find Rums, Ports and Liqueurs. BeerGinVino stock over 50 craft beers, over 40 artisan Gins and a selection of over 40 different wines. Beers include breweries such as Purity, Tap Social, Rebellion, Siren, Chiltern and XT. Gins from Foxdenton,

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and beer, gin, rum ...

It really is a labour of love. Kevin and Petra designed and built the displays using old apple crates. The desire for local producers extends to using local suppliers for design, social media and sign writing. With Christmas coming, you will find plenty of festive liqueurs as well as Christmas hampers. You could put your own hamper together as a gift. Delivery is free locally with orders over £35 or UK wide over £99. They also offer click & collect Call in or get in touch Get ready for some Christmas cheer. I think we need it!

Petra and Kevin

OX Gins, Sky Wave (Voted Worlds Best Contemporary Gin at the World Gin Awards 2020), LumberGin, Ballards, Keepers, and Salcombe Gin. Wines cover everything from Malbec to Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis to Champagne and Prosecco. Based at Bradmoor Farm in Haddenham, BeerGinVino is a retailer with both shop (The Hatchery) and online ordering. Open on Saturdays (10.30-5pm including during lockdowns) and open on Thursdays 5-7pm for tastings and to shop (during lockdown). Come and sample the quality before you

buy. BeerGinVino also offer virtual Zoom based tastings for friends, family and work events. Guest producers will explain their products and tempt you with their artisan delights. Tasting evenings make for a great work event, gift box, party or simply an evening with friends!’ Kevin is keen to point out the flexibility of their online orders. Most websites expect you to order in bulk. Not so with BeerGinVino. Here you can curate your own box with a mixture of items. From one bottle to any number you chose. In conversation with Kevin, you can tell how much he loves his business. His enthusiasm warms you like a full bodied red. I don’t think his best ‘fizz’ is as bubbly as he is.

If you are looking for Christmas gifts or company gift boxes for a Christmas party perhaps, BeerGinVino can help. Get in touch.

BeerGinVino The Hatchery, Unit 5 Bradmoor Farm, Stanbridge Rd, Haddenham, Buckinghamshire HP17 8JX 01296 792 958 info@beerginvino.com www.beerginvino.com

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Traditional Christmas Puddings ®

PUDDING LANE began as a home based family business and over the years has proudly, and with a constant dedication and devotion to quality, become the finest producer of the traditional ‘boiled-in-the-cloth Christmas Pudding. Each and every Pudding is individually mixed, weighed out and shaped, tied up in natural Calico with string, then boiled in the cloth in the traditional method for many hours in old style gas fired ‘coppers’. They are then hung individually on a line to naturally dry, age and mature.

PUDDING LANE ®

d www.puddinglaneuk.com d sales@puddinglaneuk.com

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FOOD & DRINK

Trotting along to the After the nightmare of the Government’s first lockdown, The Black Horse in Thame was back in the saddle and thriving. Jim Sherwood sampled a Sunday Roast.

Black Horse

hat a joy it was when pubs and restaurants re-opened after the first lockdown. Especially when my local did so. My visit to The Black Horse (accompanied by my wife and daughter) was not the first since lockdown restrictions were lifted, but it was our first Sunday roast. The Black Horse didn’t disappoint A warm welcome and attentive service are a staple ingredient at The Black Horse. These days of course there is the added pressure of Covid restrictions to consider. The team has received new training and new processes are in place so that staff and customers alike are all safe, relaxed and happy. Staff all wear masks or visors and the pub ask that you wear masks upon arrival and when you are moving around the building. The Black Horse has lost a few tables to ensure safe social distancing and clear screens are in place to further separate diners. Yet, despite this, that bustling atmosphere of a popular restaurant has been retained. Wether you are eating or simply drinking, you will receive table service. For customers, this is surely one of the best things to come out of the current situation. The latest restrictions mean that all guests must vacate the building by 10pm, to facilitate this The Black Horse now have table turnaround times: parties up to 3 people will have a 1.5 hour table time, parties of 4-6 will have a 2 hour table time. The owners feel confident this won’t impact on your enjoyment and allows them to take bookings safely and with sensible social distancing. Maximum booking size – in line with government guidance – is for a maximum of 6 guests per table.

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To make up for the early closing, The Black Horse is now open earlier. Serving breakfast from 9.30 – 11.30 from Monday to Saturday. You can enjoy everything from a simple croissant and coffee to a full English. Plus Breakfast classics such as Egg Benadict, Smashed Avacado, and Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs. The Black Horse benefits from an intriguing set of rooms from cosy snugs to a roomy main restaurant area and outside courtyard. We dined in the main restaurant area. Roast Chicken for me, a particularly succulent ‘melt-in-the-mouth’ Beef enjoyed by my daughter and Duck for my wife. All accompanied by a smooth Argentinian Malbec. Sweet was Cheese and a Mango and pineapple Crumble. The Black Horse has just introduced two new menu’s A Christmas menu and a special Christmas Day menu. The Christmas menu is 32.50 per person (add a glass of prosecco for £5.00) and offers you three courses, coffee & mince pie. Call in or go online for details. The Christmas Day Menu is a six course extravaganza with Buck’s Fizz for £95 per head (£40.00 for children aged 12 or under). The menu:

Jerusalem Artichoke Soup Girolle Mushrooms & Toasted Almonds Starters f Salmon & Crab Plate. Crab Blinis, hot smoked salmon, salmon tartare, salmon eggs, horseradish crème fraîche. f Roast & stuffed romano pepper. Bulgur wheat stuffing, roast fennel & fennel purée Mains f Fillet of British Beef with Black Truffle Sauce. Truffled Mousseline Potatoes, Roast Shallot, Braised Chestnuts, Butternut Squash, Black Trumpet Mushrooms. f Beetroot Wellington with Black Truffle Sauce. Truffled Mousseline Potatoes, Roast Shallot, Braised Chestnuts, Butternut Squash, Black Trumpet Mushrooms. f Holly Farm Free Range Bronze Roast Turkey. Chestnut stuffing, slow roasted vegetables, bread sauce & port gravy.

Opening Times: Restaurant: Mon-Sun: 12pm to 10pm Breakfast: Sat 9-11.30am Pub Mon-Sat: 11am to 10pm Sun: 12pm to 10pm (Sunday roasts available until 6pm)

f Fillet of Isle of Gigha Halibut. Wild Mushroom Fricassée, Herb Purée & Champagne Sauce. Blackcurrant Sorbet Desserts f Homemade Christmas pudding. f Cherry Compote & Brandy Anglaise. f Raymond Blanc’s poached winter fruits. Quince, Apples, Pears & Blackberries with a Citrus & Red Wine Syrup and a dash of Champagne. f Chocolate Delice. Crispy Feuillantine Base, Chocolate Ganache, Praline Panacotta Cream & Hazelnuts. Truffled Coulommiers Cheese & accompaniments. Filter coffee or tea & mince pie

The Black Horse work closely with the finest suppliers to bring the very freshest ingredients to your plate. You will find a well-stocked cellar with wines from across the world alongside craft ales and beers. There is always a guest ale on tap. If gin is your thing then you’ll be sure to find your favourite tipple on the drinks menu, expertly mixed by friendly bar staff. The Black Horse is currently searching for a local guest Gin to add to the collection. Young diners are well catered for as well. The Black Horse have two specially created menus that are guaranteed to tickle tiny taste buds. See you at The Black Horse for an overdue seasonal celebration.

The White Brasserie Company The Black Horse, 11 Cornmarket Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2BL 01844 219050 thame@whitebrasserie.com blackhorsethame.com

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ENTERTAINMENT

New for 2021 from the New Theatre 9to5 THE MUSICAL 26 - 30 JANUARY 2021

QUEEN EXTRAVAGANZA FRIDAY 15 JANUARY 2021 Queen Extravaganza, the official Queen tribute band produced by Roger Taylor and Brian May, returns to the UK in 2021, following sell out shows across the globe. The band, who began touring back in 2012, are made up of a rolling cast of gifted musicians who have been hand picked by Roger Taylor and Brian May. Queen Extravaganza are renowned for touring all over the USA, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Brazil and Europe and have earned much love and respect from their ever growing fan base. In this spectacular show,

the talented musicians play the music perfectly and in some instances are more polished than Queen themselves. This 90-minute show features more than 20 Queen classics drawn from the band’s biggest hits: Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites the Dust, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Under Pressure, We Will Rock You, We Are the Champions, A Kind of Magic, Radio Ga Ga, Somebody to Love and Killer Queen as well as other fan favourites. “It’s our own official tribute band” says Roger Taylor.

Tumble outta’ bed and stumble to Dolly Parton’s rip-roaring musical - direct from 5-star reviews and sold-out audiences in the West End! Dolly Parton’s smash-hit musical is the most fun you’ll have in the theatre all year. Expect a rip-roaring score by the Queen of Country herself! 9 to 5 the Musical tells the story of three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the women manage to reform their office - or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit? With an Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by the Queen of Country herself, Dolly Parton, and a book by the iconic movie’s original screenwriter Patricia Resnick, this hilarious new production is about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business!

ROSS NOBLE: HUMOURNOID SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2021 What happens when pure comedy takes human form? What happens when a creature is created and bred to do stand up? Nobody knows because that isn’t a thing. What is a thing is Ross Noble doing a show. You can come and see it. This is it.

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

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Playing at The Oxford Playhouse THE SHOW THAT MUST NOT BE NAMED SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER This is an entirely improvised adventure into the famous world of witchcraft and wizardry! Our witches and wizards will show a brand new story entirely made up on the night based on your suggestions. This pre-Christmas adventure will take you into the magical world of potions, spells and fantastical creatures!

Previous adventures have told magical tales of heists at Gringott’s bank, unionising dementors, hufflepuff horcruxes, naughty house elves, time travelling goblins, exploding hippogriffs, weird Welsh dragons and trolley witch conspiracies… Join us as we magic you

CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD: THE ALL BALLS AND GLITTER TOUR

The star of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing is taking to the road with his debut solo tour! Join Craig as he talks about his life from Australia to the West End to Strictly, reveals a wealth of backstage gossip with his trademark wit and candour, and

SUNDAY 14 MARCH 2021

to a corner of the wizarding world forbidden and never seen before! No two adventures are the same. What will yours bring? And what name will you give ‘The Show That Must Not Be Named’? Age guideline: 9+

DIAL M FOR MURDER 9 - 13 MARCH 2021 The genre-defining thriller for all time. Can you ever get away with the perfect crime? A brand-new production of the blueprint for the modernthriller, Dial M for Murder is back. TV and stage favourite, Tom Chambers, (Top Hat, Strictly Come Dancing) stars as the charismatic and manipulative Tony Wendice, a jaded ex-tennis pro who has given it all up for his wife Margot. When he discovers she has been unfaithful his mind turns to revenge and the pursuit of the ‘perfect crime’. Made famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s worldrenowned film of 1950, the iconic Dial M for Murder will leave you spellbound as Tony becomes more tangled in the web of his own making. Also featuring Christopher Harper (Coronation Street) and Michael Salami (Hollyoaks), this ultimate masterclass in suspense is guaranteed to entwine you with its spine-chilling twists and turns. Dial M for Murder is the definitive seatgripping drama that is not to be missed!

gives a very special performance of some of the music which has been the soundtrack to his career. Book now for a fabulous evening of entertainment!

Oxford Playhouse Ticket Office: 01865 305305 www.oxfordplayhouse.com Thame Out .61

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Santa Claws Our pets need protecting at Christmas, explains Vet, Duncan Rogers

torsion. The stomach twists and air, which may have been gulped down along with the food, becomes trapped, creating a life-threatening pressure in the gut. Dogs should eat normal-size meals, and large dogs should wait a couple of hours before being taken on a ‘blow-the-cobwebsaway’ walk.

Hang decorations out of paw’s reach

hile no one would want for one moment to exclude the family pet from the festive fun – or to exaggerate the risks – there are things from which our cats and dogs need to be protected at Christmas. Here are some simple steps any owner can take to keep their pet healthy and safe and, of course, happy over the holiday period.

cake, Christmas pudding, Stollen and mince pies should all be treated as risks. Chocolate is one of the commonest causes of pet poisoning at Christmas – remember, chocolate intended for humans contains theobromine which can prove fatal. Sadly, despite our warnings and education some chocolate-poisoned pets will need veterinary treatment over the Christmas period.

Food The temptation to load Christmas-time dog and cat bowls with extra portions, and, worse, titbits from our own plates is one that should be resisted. Animals have quite different dietary needs to people; many pets are overweight (around 1 in 3 dogs and 1 in 4 cats), and owners should be wary of feeding them anything from their own Christmas meals. Grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas can cause kidney failure in dogs and cats, so Christmas

Leftovers To prevent a raid on the rubbish, seal any Christmas dinner leftovers in a bag and leave it in a securely lidded dustbin. With their keen sense of smell, our pets will sniff out all sorts, and swallowed bones, in particular, may need emergency treatment to be removed.

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Overfeeding and exercise For larger dogs, a heavy meal followed by some energetic exercise can be a risk factor for a condition known as gastric

Decorations All pets use their mouths to explore unusual items, and, occasionally, objects are accidentally swallowed. To ensure that decorations remain where they belong – and not inside the dog or cat – it is best to hang them out of paws’ reach. Wrapping paper, packaging and batteries, along with any small discarded children’s toys, should be removed from the floor as soon as possible. The Christmas tree should be secured in a stable, heavy-based pot to prevent a pet from toppling it, and cats should be surpervised when around it. Wires for the lights should be protected to prevent them from being chewed. Excitement The hubbub of Christmas can be stressful for pets, and remember that they do not understand what is going on. It helps if you stick as closely as possible to your usual routines. Cats and dogs should always have a hideaway to retreat to if things get too noisy or the room too crowded. Smaller pets, such as hamsters and gerbils, should be moved to a quiet area if the house is expected to get busy. The golden rule Never give a pet – any kind of pet – as a Christmas present. Unplanned pets end up in rehoming centres, and there is too much activity and too little time to give a new family member the time they need to adjust and to settle.