HEALTH & BEAUTY – Expert Eye Care Healthy Skin Care, and Ear Care.

past. Thame Museum has reopened.

t is said, the future is shaped by the past. Well, our community has lived I

Thame Museum’s reopening is great news for locals and visitors alike. Enter the main display room of the museum set in the old Court House and you will find display cabinets and panels, set in the arched recesses of the walls that tell the story of Thame through the ages. Focusing on periods, such as the Civil War, that have loomed large in the town’s past. The artefacts span an impressive timescale, from the Anglo-Saxon period to the modern day. The Museum is also acutely mindful of its duties to the present population of the town. It puts together a Handling Collection – these are early 20th century items such as irons, candlesticks, carpet beaters, sewing tools – which are taken to nearby care homes and schools so that the residents can connect in a tangible form once more with their childhoods and formative years. On the subject of children, dressing up boxes bring school trips to the Museum to vivid life. The museum is much more than static displays however. The first post lockdown exhibition is Two Thame Birds. This is the history of two iconic buildings in the town. The Spread Eagle and The Bird Cage. On display are never before seen photographs and archive material. Entrance is free. Based on ‘Midsomer Murders’, the hugely popular television series filmed in the town and surrounding area, the Midsomer Tours have started. These go right through until October. Every Wednesday, at 2pm, in small groups of max. 5 people, the tour starts at the Town Hall and finishes at the Museum. Details are available on the Museum website thamemuseum.org as well as thamemidsomertours@gmail.com The popular monthly talks will continue online until the end of the year. The full programme of talks can be found on the Museum’s website. Thame Museum is entirely run by volunteers. If you would be interested in joining this friendly, welcoming team do get in touch, they would love to hear from you.

79 High Street, Thame, Oxon OX9 3AE Tel: 01844 212801 Email: volunteers@thamemuseum.org

Thame Museum is open from 10am – 4pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

There is full wheelchair access to all areas. Pushchairs are welcome. Admission is FREE.

Government guidelines on Covid restrictions will still apply until further notice.

Invictus Fitness Centre is a state of the art gym that provides the perfect environment for all the family to achieve their fitness goals. The very latest equipment, great classes and training programs to suit a variety of passions, interests and fitness levels. Come and join us.

3 Wenman Road, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3SD info@invictusfit.co.uk 01844 213602 www.invictusfitnesscentre.co.uk

review your before and after photos. When working with “needle-free” technologies, it’s common to see an initial lifting effect with full results developing naturally over a period of three months. This innovative approach is one of the many reasons why people choose ERA for their treatment. Emma adds, “Not everyone wants a sudden improvement that draws attention, many people prefer to come for regular treatments to achieve the kind of results where friends comment that they look really well but can’t quite put their finger on why!”

Emma advises “before embarking on any aesthetic treatment, it’s important to ensure that your skin is in good condition and well hydrated. As an approved ZO Skin Health clinic we are able to prescribe medical grade skincare to help you achieve beautiful skin which glows with natural radiance and addresses common concerns such as pigmentation, rosacea or acne”.

Many people are now choosing to visit aesthetic clinics to help tighten loose skin or lose areas of stubborn fat which remain despite a busy lifestyle or time spent at the gym. Emma explains, “we saw a huge demand for fat freezing and skin tightening treatments once lockdown eased. Cryolipolysis, Cavitation and Radiofrequency are proven technologies to treat excess fat or tone and shape the body. Depending on the type of fat we’re treating, we would either offer Cryoliposculpt® or Endoshape® treatments which harness these technologies in different ways, giving impressive results on the stomach, thighs or buttocks in as little as eight weeks”. When it comes to improving the Pelvic Floor, ERA can also help you and is proud to be the only clinic in Oxfordshire to offer the revolutionary Emsella Chair. This treatment uses clinically proven HIFEM technology to tighten the pelvic floor muscles whilst you sit fully clothed on the Chair. It’s a noninvasive treatment which delivers results after only three weeks. This treatment is recommended for anyone who finds themselves leaking urine post childbirth or as a result of the menopause. It is also effective for treating erectile dysfunction or to improve intimate satisfaction. Emma

ERA Clinic in Thame has become well known as the destination to head to for the latest face and body rejuvenation treatments.

has been busier than ever. Jane Dale went to meet clinic owner Emma Rothery to find out which treatments have been most in demand since lockdown eased and what options are available if you’re looking to rejuvenate your face or body this year. Emma says “when it comes to facial rejuvenation, we find people tend to sit in one of two camps. Those who are happy to have injectable treatments and those who prefer to try a less invasive option first. When we originally set up the clinic we were very aware of this, which is why we invested in the latest technologies such as HIFU and Radiofrequency, which are clinically proven to lift and tighten sagging skin without a needle in sight. We of course also offer traditional treatments such as Botox®, Dermal Fillers & Profhilo®. This means that when you book your face consultation here at ERA you can be sure we will discuss all the options with you, not just those involving a needle! If you do choose an injectable option, you will be in safe hands as those treatments are carried out by Dr Arora, a medical doctor with over 10 years’ experience.

ERA stands for Enhance, Rejuvenate and Anti-Ageing. So it’s no surprise that the clinic has created it’s own signature non-surgical facelift treatment. The ERA Lift harnesses the latest needle-free technologies to tighten sagging jowls and increase mid-face volume whilst improving overall skin quality and tone. This is made possible because these technologies stimulate natural collagen and elastin which deplete as we age. Thread veins and any areas of pigmentation are also addressed as part of the treatment using laser and IPL. A typical ERA lift treatment requires six treatments over three months and results are said to be most impressive. Emma says, “At ERA, we pride ourselves on our results and will always invite you back for a post treatment review to

says “since launching this treatment we’ve been so thrilled with the improved quality of life our patients have achieved. Many are now pad free when doing exercise, happy to go on a long car journey without worrying about where to stop, or simply able to spontaneously sneeze or cough without having to worry about leaking. If you’ve tried kegel exercises without success or simply don’t have time to do them, Emsella is the perfect choice”.

When it comes to rejuvenation, even the feet don’t get forgotten at ERA! As well as offering luxury pedicure treatments by Champney’s trained therapist Sue, the clinic also offers laser treatment for Onychomycosis, more commonly known as fungal nail infection. Fungal nail infections cause a darkening and a thickening of the nail and are notoriously difficult to treat. This is because the infection lies under the nail which makes it difficult to reach. Traditional treatments involve anti-fungal tablets which can have a harmful effect on the liver or liquids which need to be reapplied frequently. ERA’s laser therapists are all Level 4 laser qualified and use an Nd:YAG laser to treat this common condition, which penetrates the nail and kills the bacteria beneath. Nd:YAG Laser procedure is a quick and effective treatment requiring only one treatment session per week for six weeks, after which time healthy nail can be seen. Whether you are ready to book a treatment or just curious to find out which treatment would be right for you, the clinic is always happy to help. Emma says “we offer free thirty minute consultations for all of our face and body treatments. We don’t charge for our consultations as that simply doesn’t align with our clinic values. Before embarking on any aesthetic treatment, we want you to ensure you’ve made a fully informed decision about your treatment. For us that means seeing you in person in the clinic, showing you the room you’ll receive your treatment in, introducing you to your therapist and taking time to explain all of your treatment options to you. To find out more about how ERA can help you, visit the website www.eraclinics.co.uk or call 01844 698441 to book your free rejuvenation consultation.

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

that I’m not suitable”. A familiar cry when I offer my patients the chance to experience the freedom to see without specs. “But I’m not sure I could stand having something in my eyes”, is another response to my suggestion. This fear is quickly dispelled by a simple demonstration. “So how about I pop a pair of lenses on to your eyes, so that you can see to try on new frames? That will quickly squash your worry about lens comfort - and you’ll be able to clearly see the styles you are trying.” This is often the beginning of a spectacle wearers journey into the joy of contact lenses. A journey which opens up the choice to see without lenses steaming up, the chance to enjoy a more active lifestyle without the encumbrance of glasses, the opportunity to see and be seen as you would wish to, without your face being framed. With the fear of discomfort assigned to the “that was an unnecessary worry” folder, and with the realisation that lenses are easy to apply and remove (with a little expert coaching), then all you need to do is trust your Optometrist to design or select the best contact lens product for you. Becoming a contact lens wearer involves a few short appointments, beginning with a fresh Comprehensive Eye Examination to ensure good eye health and an accurate prescription to work from, and then a Contact Lens Assessment to ‘see off’ any eye-reasons that you should not proceed. You might then be offered the chance to test drive some lenses selected from our sample stock, and finally we will place an order for ‘your contacts’, which take a few days to arrive. Wearing Trial day, where your lenses are applied for you and then you head out for a couple of hours culminates in a teaching session, to give you the knowledge and confidence to handle and manage your

The dark days of winter and lockdown are receding. It’s time to take to the great outdoors with help and advice from Optometrist Ivan R Cammack. Contact lenses are a brilliant alternative when spectacles get in the way.

contacts safely - so that you can go solo and begin to experience the promised new freedoms, where you can choose the days you use specs, and the days you do not. Your contact lens wearing journey begins with a promise: that you will enjoy a new way of seeing the world; is developed by our expertise into a visual reality experience; and is then supported with life long aftercare and support to keep your contact lens wear on track and to keep your eyes in good health. At this time of year, a good reason for using contact lenses is to protect your eyes from the sun. Modern soft contact lenses give all round protection from UV light, whether the sun is directly in front of you, or is above or to the side, where sunglasses can be less protective. Imagine, good all round vision, and good all round UV protection with soft contact lenses - and then you can add the stylish benefit of your favourite designer sunglasses brand when the summer sun makes you squint. A well made, technically appropriate pair of spectacles will be the best way of providing for your vision needs in many situations. Contact lenses are a brilliant alternative, for the times when specs get in the way. Don’t wait for us to suggest them - ask your Optometrist whether you can where contact lenses. It just might change your view.

T. 01844 212048 E. info@ivancammack.com

Thame: 01844 212048 Chinnor (01844) 351564 Wendover (01296) 625892

Katie Cooper went from a high pressured job working for a well known fashion house to a Pilates teacher. It proved to be a good move for both body and soul.

on attending for 10 years. Her work was taking quite a toll on Katie’s body and those Pilates sessions really helped her both physically and mentally. Taking time out to have her first baby led to a momentous decision. Katie decided to retrain as a Pilates Teacher. She qualified in 2020 and currently runs classes from studios in Tring and Dunstable. Thanks to lockdown measures, Katie has been teaching remotely. Now, Katie is bringing her classes and expertise to Thame. She is based in Thame Massage and Well-being Centre, just off the Upper High Street, next to Greens of Thame. Her pregnancies (Katie has two children now) have led to her passion for working with pre and post natal women and she is a strong advocate for how Pilates can be so beneficial throughout pregnancy and beyond. Of course, Katie will be giving classes for all who would benefit from them. Beginners, mixed ability and one to one classes are available, as well as the Pre Natal and Post Natal classes. No one body is the same, which is why Katie looks at every client and their body as unique and individual. Generally, Pilates aims to strengthen the body in an even way, with particular emphasis on core strength to improve general fitness and wellbeing. Katie’s Pilates classes have something to offer people of all ages and levels of ability and fitness. All are welcome - from beginners to elite athletes. Regular Pilates can improve posture, muscle tone, balance and joint mobility, as well as relieve stress and tension. Injured, feeling stiff? Does your body need to re-calibrate? Email Katie at katiecooperpilates@gmail.com. Or see her website, www.katiecooperpilates.com where you will find more information and can book a welcoming and friendly Pilates class.

Listen and learn about ear wax removal with Oracle Ear Care.

Closely affiliated with Rotherham NHS Ear Care and Audiology Services, Oracle Ear Care Training delivers gold standard microsuction and irrigation training to other health professionals. Sereta Parker and Jo Green of Oracle say, ‘We have just completed our first course and it was fantastic! The feedback from the students was amazing and we feel confident that we have prepared the students well for the challenges they may face.’ Although the students have passed their initial assessment, they now have to get their ‘flying hours’ under mentorship. ‘I am looking forward to travelling to other clinics to mentor students in their own practices. Teaching is in my blood and where my passion lies’, says Sereta. Sereta’s other passion is earwax. Soft, sticky, crumbly or hard, we all have earwax whether we like it or not. It does a very important job lubricating the skin of the ear canal, catching dust and dirt and, more importantly, giving us protection from microbes which may cause infection.

If the ear wax is not able to ‘escape’ from the ear, either because the ear canal is narrow or the wax has been pushed deeper into the ear with a cotton bud, hearing aid, noise plug or music bud, it can build up to a point where it completely seals the ear canal. If a sound cannot enter the ear canal, your world will become muffled and you may experience tinnitus, pain and even dizziness.

Technology has moved on from the old-fashioned syringe! Years ago, the GP or nurse would use a large syringe full of water to try to propel the wax out of your ear. Nowadays, with the introduction of microsuction, the procedure is much safer. The clinician works with an ENT microscope ensuring detailed vision while using gentle suction to remove the wax. Sereta says, ‘Microsuction works well if the ears have not been overtreated with drops. It is not necessary to soften the wax in most cases. However, if you have used a copious amount of drops and the wax is still there, gentle irrigation with water is generally the best way to remove it’. Oracle offers both microsuction and irrigation ear wax removal. If you think you have a problem, just give them a call on

Testimonial: A fantastic training provider in Ear wax removal. As a pharmacist, with very little experience in this field, Oracle provided me with the theory and practical training required to perform ear wax removal, using both microsuction and irrigation techniques. Through observations, hands on practical experience and the opportunity to ask questions throughout both days, I learnt, very quickly, the processes/ techniques required and the overall operation of running a clinic. After completing the two day course, I feel confident to set up an Ear Wax removal service and am excited to see Jo and Sereta again to complete my competencies. This is one of the best training courses I have ever been on. The attention to detail throughout the course was impressive. Thank you for your expertise and fantastic delivery of training.

ORACLE EAR CARE 2 East Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3JS

Sunshine. Our friend and our enemy. Susan Forster at MeadowView Aesthetics explains how we can protect our skin this summer.

50. Nimue’s most advanced SPF. Offers high protection against the following causes of premature ageing: UVA, UVB, Infrared, High Energy, Visible Light, Pollution, Environmental stress factors.

Dual focus: high broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and anti-ageing benefits. Reduces and prevents the visible signs of photo ageing. Formulated to aid in DNA protection and repair. Lightweight and non-oily.

A lightweight face or body cream that protects the skin barrier against harsh environmental elements such as extreme temperatures and wind.

A multi-functional spray offering skin health results in addition to an invigorating and refreshing effect. Contains a natural UVA screening compound, whilst hydrating the skin and offering protection against light induced skin ageing.

During summer, we also tend to produce more sweat and more oil, which may lead to further skin problems. Interestingly, our skin cell production is also more rapid during the summer.

l Sunburn l Acne breakouts l Melasma and pigmentation l Dry, inflamed and irritated skin l Prickly heat (or heat rash)

At MeadowView Aesthetics I offer a range of products and services that can help you to prevent and treat sun induced damage. Some of my most popular treatments are; Harmony ClearLift™ a comfortable, nonablative alternative to traditional laser skin resurfacing, achieving skin lifting and rejuvenation. Its ground-breaking technology can counter the signs of photoageing in the face and firm the skin in the neck and décolletage. It is also painless, suitable for all skin types and adaptable for treating delicate areas. The result is rejuvenated skin that appears firmer and plumper – sometimes even from the first treatment – in as little as 20 minutes with minimal downtime and discomfort. IPL Facials removes the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation by targeting the melanin in the darkened area, clearing all layers of the pigmentation and revealing even-toned, unblemished skin. ClearSkin is the first technology to combine a non-ablative laser with simultaneous contact cooling and vacuum technology to treat acne safely and effectively. The laser penetrates the skin and destroys P.Acnes bacteria while causing thermal damage to the sebaceous glands. This reduces sebum production while the skin remains intact. With unique cooling technology, there is virtually no pain and treatment is comfortable. Nimue Advanced Facials are active, yet gentle and safe treatments that facilitate dermal rejuvenation. These treatments deliver superior results, reducing pore size and achieving softer more refined texture, elasticity, radiance and skin vitality.

l If you do not feel heat from the sun you will not get sunburnt l Applying SPF once is enough l If it is cloudy, you do not need sunscreen l You cannot get sunburnt in water l Any sunscreen will protect against UVA and UVB

For more information please visit:

or contact MeadowView at

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