Midsomer Murders, the popular ITV series, celebrates 25 years this year. There have been 22 series and 128 episodes since Midsomer Murders began in 1997, and a new series is currently in production. It is quite simply one of the bestselling TV series ever to emanate from the UK, and it is estimated that a billion people globally have seen it in over 200 countries.
Thame is one of the most filmed locations in the fictional Midsomer County. To celebrate 25 years of Midsomer Murders and Thame’s role as a major filming Midsomer location, Thame Museum are holding an exhibition devoted to the history of Midsomer Murders, highlighting
filming locations in Thame and surrounding area, and providing insights into the story behind the show. Entry to the exhibition is free.
Amongst the topics covered will be - the history of Midsomer Murders and how it began in 1997; the books on which it is based; the main actors who have appeared in 128 episodes to date; some of the bizarre ways in which people have been murdered and the weapons used.
There will be displays of images depicting different scenes used in the series, including some of the 23 Thame venues used as filming locations, as well as locations in nearby villages.
Thame Museum Exhibition
Saturday 25th June until Friday 30th September. Entry is free. www.thamemuseum.org/2022/06/ the-making-of-midsomer-amurderous-exhibition/.
Midsomer Guided Walking Tours
start at Thame Town Hall every Wednesday at 2pm until 26th October, and every Saturday at 2 pm during the Midsomer Exhibition. The tour lasts around 75 minutes. Tickets are £10 per person. Book online at ticketsource. co.uk/thamemidsomer. or at Thame
Town Hall Information Centre in person or by phone on 01844 212833 or at Thame Museum during opening hours –please check websites www.thamemuseum.org/, www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/
More than 1,000 people have taken the Midsomer Tour of Thame since they began in 2017. Two thirds of tour income is donated to local charities, and over £4,000 has been donated to date.
A beautiful day in July saw the welcome return of the Thame Town Music Festival. Sixty-five acts played over ten venues throughout the town. A whole variety of musical genres featured as music filled the air.
Folk, reggea, rock, hip-hop, punk. There was something for everyone.
Thousands of music lovers all having a great time, the atmosphere was buzzing, culminating in the headline act, Big Country taking to the stage.
The crowd singing along to hits such as ‘Look Away’, ‘Fields Of Fire (400 miles) and In a Big Country.
Hopefully a Thame fixture, here’s looking forward to 2023.
The winner of the Thame Food Festival bursary has been announced following its reinstatement, thanks to sponsorship by Pinkster Gin. The winner for 2022 is Hartley’s Cookery School, based in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire.
The bursary was established a few years ago to celebrate and promote any newly formed artisan food business within a 30-mile radius of Thame. To be eligible the successful businesses need to have been going for a year or less. After much consideration the final two applicants met with the judging board to discuss their business, their future vision and explore how they would potentially look to utilise the opportunity.
Simon Hartley, Chef and owner of Hartley’s Cookery School said;
“I am delighted to be receiving this bursary and the support of the
team at Thame Food Festival. Since opening our doors at Bradmoor Farm in January it’s been amazing to welcome and cook with our first guests at the school. We want to be a community-led business and have so enjoyed building relationships with other food producers and suppliers. Our vision for the school is to share my knowledge and passion for food in a relaxed environment, offering funfilled courses for all abilities. Whether you’ve never picked up a knife or are a seasoned foodie, there’s something for everyone!”
The bursary includes an award of £1,000, a free pitch at this year’s Thame Food Festival, content in the festival programme, the opportunity to have an interview in the Food Glorious Food marquee and help with PR and social media. Previous winners have included Ozi Lala, who has gone on to win Great Taste awards for his unique food products and the original winner was Lisa Hartwright of Tess’ Brilliant Bakes. Both of whom are going from strength to strength and still play an active part in the food festival too.
Patron and event co-ordinator Lotte Duncan said
“We are delighted to be in a position to offer a bursary again – thanks to Pinkster Gin. As a Community Interest Company, supporting young
businesses that have the same ethics as the festival is an important part of what we try to do. It was such a pleasure to meet Simon and his partner and hear what they are trying to achieve by giving people friendly, fun cookery courses while learning about the provenance of their food.”
Hartley’s Cookery School is based at Bradmoor Farm in Haddenham. Originally established by chef and owner Simon Hartley in 2022, he is keen to use the school to share his knowledge and passion for food. His experience has taken him around the world, from working in luxury dining to Michelin-starred restaurants.
The aim of Hartley’s Cookery School, is to offer cookery class and chef table experiences which explore food, why certain ingredients or techniques are used and how to prepare and cook it. While also creating an environment that is fun and appealing for everyone –whatever their ability.
For more information, please contact hartleysdiningcompany@gmail.com
The 11th Chearsley Village ‘Classic & Vintage Fun Day’ will take place on Sunday 11th September at the Chearsley Cricket Ground on Winchendon Road, just outside the village.
This year’s show will open for the general public at 11.00, and close at 17.00 and, as in previous years, entry and parking are free of charge.
In addition to a wide selection of classic and vintage vehicles on display, visitors will also be able to enjoy a flypast courtesy of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Arts and crafts and other stallholders will be present and there will also be entertainments for youngsters as well as a programme of live music. The wide range of food and drinks available will include real ales and a ‘Gin & Pimms’ tent, as well as a barbecue and a selection of food trucks. Tea and home-made cakes will be served in the pavilion.
Funds raised during the show will be invested in the development of Junior Cricket at Chearsley Cricket Club and donations to selected charities will also be made.
I have been excluded from my late father’s will and I want to know if I can challenge the will even though I am an adult?
Generally speaking, a person is free to make provision under a will in any way they choose to, but if you have been excluded from a will, or not left as much as you expected you may be able to bring a claim under the Inheritance Act (in England and Wales).
The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 allows certain categories of person to bring a claim against the estate of a deceased
Claims are limited to those who were financially dependant on the deceased or who might reasonably have expected an inheritance or were left less than expected. (It may also be possible to challenge where there is no will and the estate will be distributed under the rules of intestacy). A claim can only be brought by limited categories of persons. These are;
l Children (both minors and adults), including adopted children and stepchildren l Spouses and civil partners l Former spouses/civil partners who have not re-married
l Someone cohabiting with the deceased for at least two years immediately before the deceased’s death
l Someone who was being at least partially maintained by the deceased immediately before their death.
You will need to act quickly if you wish to bring a claim and you should usually issue a claim within six months of the grant of probate being made. It may be possible to bring a claim outside of this time period but it becomes very much more difficult so we would advise that you take legal advice as soon as possible if you think you may be entitled to bring a claim.
The Court will consider all the circumstances when deciding what, if any, award to make When the court considers the claim, it will have to look at all the circumstances and consider not just the current landscape but also the future position. This means that the court will want to know about an applicant’s financial needs and resources as well as that of all the
person where ‘reasonable financial provision’ has not been made for them.
beneficiaries and consider this in light of the overall size of the estate. The court will also consider any responsibilities the deceased had towards any beneficiary of the estate and will consider the conduct of the parties. If the applicant or any beneficiaries have a physical or mental disability this will also be relevant.
The court can award ‘reasonable financial provision.’ This means such financial provision as it would be reasonable in all the circumstances for the applicant to receive for their maintenance. In order to decide this the court will look at the applicant’s living and housing costs/expenses and will require detailed information about historical and future expenses. It is important to note that the court will not be making a moral judgment about the deceased’s bequests but making an objective assessment as to the applicant’s standard of living and whether reasonable financial provision has been made for them, in all the circumstances.
The court considers matters differently for spouses and civil partner claims, which are not limited to reasonable financial provision. They do not need to show that they are in need or were financially dependant on the deceased.
You will need to take legal advice as soon as possible. If you are advised that a claim may be worth pursuing, you will need to gather detailed financial information to support your claim. It is not always necessary for a claim to go to court and it may be that matters can be negotiated or an agreement reached at mediation. In fact, most cases do not reach court and are settled before then but it may be necessary to issue claim to protect your position.
Do you have a legal question for Lightfoots Solicitors? Contact us at media@lightfoots.co.uk and you could feature in our column in Thame Out magazine.*
*All situations are different and the answers provided should not be relied upon as tailored advice.
Unfortunately, we can all become involved in a dispute as part of our business or in our private lives. When we do, we need specialist practical and creative advice to help resolve that dispute without making the situation worse. Our Dispute Resolution team comprises of experienced solicitors who can advise you on the most cost effective way to resolve your dispute, using all processes such as mediation and arbitration, however, they will also work hard to protect your interests.
We can advise you on:
l Debt recovery
l Recovering possession from tenants
l Inheritance Act claims l Consumer Disputes
We may also be able to provide assistance with other types of disputes and please do not hesitate to contact us for a no obligation chat. Find out more about our Dispute Resolution services on our website: lightfoots.co.uk/dispute-resolution
Our sensitive and experienced Wills & Probate team offer a full service to help you plan for the final stages of life. We have helped many clients with will writing, probate and administration of estates to ensure their property and possessions go to the ones they love.
Our wills and probate services include:
l Will writing
l Planning for the cost of nursing & care homes
l Probate & administration of estates l Contentious wills & estates
Find out more about our Wills and Probate services on our website: lightfoots.co.uk/wills-poa-tax
Hilary
Westall with more exercise
advice.
If the unprecedented heatwave over the last few weeks has seen you ditch your fitness routine and head for a lie-down in the shade, nobody would blame you for it. Soaring temperatures, which are likely to become more common as our planet continues to get warmer, mean we need to adapt to living, working and exercising in the heat.
The longer, warmer days are usually the perfect opportunity to spend more time outside and enjoy exercising in the fresh air. But when the conditions are hotter than normal, you could put your health at risk if you don’t take some precautions. As a general rule, exercise stresses the body in a positive and beneficial way. But aggravating this stress by exercising in extreme heat, or without sufficient hydration, puts excessive pressure on our body’s defence mechanisms and can result in heat exhaustion, or even heatstroke.
When we exercise, our demand for oxygen increases. Our breathing rate increases and our heart pumps more blood around the body to help our muscles work. As a result, we produce more heat and our core temperature rises. Blood vessels dilate to allow for heat loss and to regulate our core temperature and we start to sweat. When sweat evaporates, it takes heat with it so if we’re in a hot environment this process is accelerated, mainly by us sweating more.
However, there are benefits to working out in the heat, which include:
A chain reaction of adaptations occurs when exercising in the heat. For example, plasma volume expands and heart function improves.
Your body becomes better at cooling itself down, making it easier to work out in the heat. When you add heat to exercise it increases the stress load on your body, which can play a role in future performance. For example, competitive athletes will have an advantage in the heat if they’re already used to training in it.
The mental health benefits of exercise are well known and exercising in the heat can take your fitness to another level, helping you become comfortable with the discomfort of training. Your body is working harder, but so is your brain, which has positive benefits all round.
Before you set out, you might want to consider taking a cold shower and leaving your hair wet to get your core temperature down before you start.
Drink plenty of water
Staying hydrated is really important to replenish what you’ve lost in sweat. If you’re exercising for prolonged periods of over an hour and sweating a lot you’ll also need an electrolyte sports drink to replace the salt you’ve lost.
When it’s hot, try exercising when it’s cooler in the early morning or late evening. 10am to 3pm is the hottest time of day during the summer. You’ll also need to take time to rest, hydrate
and cool down, so drop the intensity accordingly. If you’re out walking or running, carry fluids with you and try to pick a shady route!
Even when it’s cloudy you’re at risk from the sun’s rays so apply a high factor SPF sunscreen before heading outside. Choose one that has both UVA and UVB protection. Sunburn not only increases your risk of skin cancer, but it also affects your body’s ability to cool down.
If your clothes are heavy or tight, your body won’t be able to cool down as effectively so choose breathable, lightweight, light-coloured fabrics to reflect the sun and that allow sweat to evaporate. You should also wear a hat.
It’s always important to listen to your body, but even more so in extreme temperatures so give yourself time to get used to the heat. If you start to feel dizzy, nauseous or more fatigued than normal, stop and take a break. It can take a few weeks to adapt to heat so don’t push it – start slowly with shorter, less intense workouts, and as you get used to it your body will start responding better to it.
Hilary is a Level 3 Personal Trainer and Pilates teacher. She runs Pilates, circuits and stretch classes in Chinnor and can be contacted on 07812 097562,
email: hilarywestall@gmail.com for further details.
Agracefully aging face is a beautiful thing, but there are changes that occur with age that we may like to slow down.
Age affects every nook and cranny of the body. Along with the wisdom, experience, and accomplishments that come with getting older, there are changes that occur in our outward appearance. Changes in our faces are most at the forefront.
We all have a finite amount of collagen which begins to deplete from the age of 25 onwards,” explains Emma
Rothery, ZO skin specialist and founder of ERA Skin & Laser Clinic. “The more we can do to keep this topped up, the better our skin will age.”
Dozens of changes take place as the years add up such as;
l Foreheads expand as hairlines retreat
l
Ears often get a bit longer because the cartilage in them grows
l Tips of noses may droop because connective tissue supporting nasal cartilage weakens.
There are also structural rearrangements going on behind the scenes. When we’re young, fat in the face is evenly distributed, with some pockets here and there that plump up the forehead, temples, cheeks, and areas around the eyes and mouth. With age, that fat loses volume, clumps up, and shifts downward, so features that were formerly round may sink, and skin that was smooth and tight gets loose and sags. Meanwhile other parts of the face gain fat, particularly the lower half, so we tend to get baggy around the chin and jowly in the neck.
And, of course, there are the wrinkles. Those deep ones in the forehead and between the eyebrows are called expression, or animation, lines. They’re the result of facial muscles continually tugging on, and eventually creasing, the skin. Other folds may get deeper because of the way fat decreases and moves around. Finer wrinkles are due to sun damage, smoking, and natural degeneration of elements of the skin that keep it thick and supple.
Even if you have great genes and look much younger than you are, age-related changes in our facial appearance are unavoidable. Those changes reflect our joys and challenges in life. One approach is to simply celebrate our age and appearance for what they are.
Not everyone is comfortable with that, and some might like to postpone embracing those changes.
The team at ERA Skin & Laser Clinic specialise in non-surgical face and body rejuvenation treatments which are clinically proven to stimulate and awaken the bodies natural collagen production, helping to restore plumpness to the skin, gently lifting jowls and address fine lines and wrinkles.
Here’s how 2 of their most popular treatments work.
HIFU: Non-Surgical Facelift utilises focused ultrasound energy to generate a stimulating thermal effect in the deeper layers of the skin. This remodels and rebuilds collagen and elastin, two essential skin proteins that serve to strengthen and lift the skin while improving its elasticity and firmness
The other is 3D Dermaforce which introduces tiny gold plated needles into the skin. These needles transmit radiofrequency which momentarily heat the tissues, stimulating optimal denaturing of the skin’s proteins. The result is a doubling of collagen levels, a five-fold increase in elastin and boosted hyaluronic acid levels.
With both treatments, new collagen fibres start to form 30 days post treatment and results continue to develop naturally over 3-6 months. There’s no downtime and the results speak for themselves.
Clinic Owner Emma says “When embarking on skin rejuvenation treatments, the best results come from using a combination of products
and treatments. The rejuvenation treatment helps to keep your skin fit, but you will be able to supercharge those results if you also invest in medical grade skincare.” Having one without the other is like having a personal trainer without exercising in between. “you’ll definitely get results, but they could be even better!” concludes Emma
If you’d like to awaken your collagen naturally, book a free consultation to find out how HIFU or 3D Dermaforce could benefit you. The clinic is open Monday – Saturday from 10am.
Thame Out readers will receive a complimentary 3D Visage Skin Analysis (worth £95) with all facial consultations before 30th September. Mention Thame Out when booking.
High Street, Thame
3EH
Find ERA on Instagram and Facebook
ERA Clinic is located through the archway between Wally’s Toy Shop and Andrew Murray Estate Agents. Ample parking available.
“We all have a finite amount of collagen.The more we can do to keep this topped up, the better our skin will age.”
The benefits of Eyedream Contact Lenses from Ivan R Cammack Optometrists.
I remember the first time I went to the Opticians when I was 9 years old. My mum, who has always worn specs, took me for a check-up because my teacher noticed I was squinting at the blackboard. My first pair of glasses was a blue plastic NHS
pair which I never used at school because they were horrid!
I have been short sighted ever since, and I remember going back to see my optician every year to find that my glasses needed to be made stronger each time I went.
And then my eyes stopped changing, but that was not until I had finished at university. And now I’m ‘minus five’ and I’m pretty sure that my eyesight is even worse than my mum’s.
At my recent visit to Ivan Cammack in Thame the Optometrist I saw talked
eing a wax removal clinic brings all sorts of emergencies to our door, from beads stuck in children’s ears to painful ear infections.
The most serious of all is a type of sudden deafness called ‘sudden sensorineural hearing loss’ (SSHL for short).
Sudden deafness can occur for several reasons. Sometimes it can be caused by common conditions like wax obstruction, or fluid in the middle ear, both of which are not considered a medical emergency. Occasionally there can be an unexplained rapid loss of hearing, normally just in one ear, due to a problem in the inner ear. There can be a sudden loss or ‘pop’ or a slow deterioration over a few days and is considered a true medical emergency. It can be accompanied by tinnitus, dizziness, and a feeling of fullness. Normal sounds may seem strange, almost robotic.
If you lose your hearing suddenly, don’t delay. It is important to establish whether you have had a ‘sudden sensorineural hearing loss’ (SSHL). Sometimes people put off seeing a professional because they think it is just wax plugging the canal. Although some people will recover spontaneously from SSHL, delaying diagnosis can decrease the effectiveness of treatment.
Sereta Parker of Oracle Ear Care talks to Andrew Rudge about his experience of SSHL.
Where were you and what were you doing when you first noticed something was wrong with your hearing?
I was out walking with my wife and daughter’s dog when I suddenly felt a loss of hearing in my left ear.
The hearing in my left ear
completely gone and I had no sense even when I touched the ear.
I thought the cause was due to a buildup of wax which I had experienced before, but I had never lost the hearing completely.
How did you feel when I told you about sudden hearing loss and you saw your hearing test results?
After visiting Oracle Ear Care, and looking inside my ears, I was very concerned that the problem was not wax. I was given a hearing test immediately and, seeing the results, I realized this was something that could be very serious.
What happened next? What treatment did you receive?
Oracle Ear Care contacted my G.P. and, since the treatment is time critical, I was put on a high dose of steroid tablets the very same day.
The tablets were unsuccessful, so I had an emergency Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) appointment at the John Radcliffe Hospital where I received an injection of steroid directly into the ear through the eardrum. I was told the normal outcome was a third of patients had no recovery at all, a third had partial recovery and a third had full recovery. After several days I did experience some improvement in my hearing. I had another steroid injection through the eardrum but unfortunately this had no further effect on my hearing.
Several audiograms showed that, at certain frequencies, my hearing had been severely affected. My current position is that my hearing is reduced in my left ear, and I also have constant tinnitus which I did not have prior to this happening.
What advice would you give to someone who has lost hearing suddenly?
My advice to anyone who experiences anything similar is to seek immediate medical treatment. If it is SSHL, it is crucial that steroid tablets are taken
immediately, or a steroid injection is given immediately, otherwise a total loss of hearing could be permanent.
I am convinced that if I had not visited Oracle Ear Care as soon as I experienced hearing loss, I would have lost my hearing totally in my left ear.
The causes of sudden deafness are varied, and 90% of people will never know what happened to their hearing due to the complexity of the inner ear. However, there are new ways of imaging with MRI to determine whether there has been a bleed or inflammation in the inner ear. Work is being done to try to develop new ways to dispense drugs into the inner ear to treat SSHL. One way is to push drug infused particles into and throughout the inner ear using magnets. The aim is to diffuse the drug evenly throughout the inner ear making it more effective.
The most important point to make is it is time critical; prompt action is needed to get the best chance of saving your hearing.
If you are concerned, please do not hesitate to call.
Opening hours:
Monday 9-5pm
Tuesday 10-8pm
Wednesday 9-5pm
Thursday 10-8pm
Friday 9-4pm
business or service
Out magazine.
to homes
a number of selected
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The autumn season of exhibitions at fitch&fellows begins on the 6th September
What kind of alchemy is at play when you start putting different elements together to create art? It all comes down to choosing which bits! fitch & fellows in the Buttermarket is starting their autumn season of exhibitions on
September 6th with Putting It Together showcasing Mosaics, Metalwork, Collage and Mixed Media pieces by a group of artists both local and from around the country. Every piece of work is comprised of lots of different elements and Susannah, owner of fitch
Rachel Higgins (Metalwork)
& fellows, will be encouraging visitors to look closely to see what exactly has gone into the making of each piece. “I love watching visitors react, when they begin to look closely, and can pick out all the different things that go into work like this”. Go and check it out! On until the 1st of October.
Also happening in September, Susannah (as Chair of Bucks Art Weeks) has been Putting It Together creating another event, overseeing a collaboration between Bucks Art Weeks and the National Trust. The weekend of the 17th and 18th of September, Stowe NT is the setting for a super exhibition of the best of the Bucks Art Weeks artists. On this Stowe NT Open Weekend, the public are welcome to visit the exhibition and all the delights of the grounds for
free. And any visitor to the exhibition is welcome to cast their vote for their favourite pieces from the 60 on show in 12 categories. Your votes will be added to those of a small panel of professional art and craft judges and the winners will be announced at 3pm on Sunday afternoon. Go and cast your vote! If you miss the exhibition at Stowe it moves, the following weekend, to Waddesdon NT for the south of the county to enjoy. September 24th and 25th.
Celebrating The Unusual In Creative Craftsmanship
How to keep your divorce out of court and keep costs to a minimum with Family Mediation and Mentoring LLP.
Fortunately, the days of having to go to court to get divorced are long gone. Courtrooms are now the exception, rather than the rule. Nowadays, the issue for most couples, is what process should they use to help them agree everything and stay out of court.
Getting divorced involves 3 main steps;
l Dealing with the paperwork (now digital) to obtain a divorce.
l Working out a future co-parenting plan if you have a child or children.
l Reaching a fair financial agreement that can be sent to the court so that it can become a formal court order
One of the most cost-effective ways of dealing with these issues is by using family mediation which is a process that helps couples reach an agreement on everything so that they never have to go near a courtroom.
Dealing with the paperwork to obtain a divorce
Since 6 April 2022 it has been possible to obtain a divorce using the new no fault divorce process.
A couple can now file a joint application for a divorce using the new online portal. This helps to keep everything as amicable as possible. However, it is possible to file a sole application using the same portal.
In mediation we will explain how this online process works so that you
can deal with the online application yourself. You do not need a lawyer to do this.
The new process takes 30 weeks, on average, to complete so many couples start the online divorce process and then concentrate on the other issues that need to be considered.
If you have a child or children, you will want to sort out what time they will spend with each of you.
The terms “custody” and “access” no longer exist. No court has to make any orders about children. If parents can agree on the future arrangements for their children, then no one else will interfere with that.
So, the question is, how do you sort out what those arrangements will be?
In mediation we will discuss with a couple all the elements that are normally included in a parenting plan. We will go through each point so that a couple can discuss and agree what the future plan will be. That plan can then be drawn up into a formal parenting plan if that is what the couple would like but this is not a requirement.
The government are still offering a £500 voucher to help parents with the costs of using mediation to help them agree future arrangements for their children. We are an authorised provider for this scheme.
We are also qualified to conduct child inclusive mediation which means we can speak with children as part of the mediation process. This enables children to have a voice in the process, it is not asking them to make a choice between their parents. Parents have found the feedback from their children very helpful when making decisions about what their future co-parenting arrangement will be.
It should also be highlighted that the needs of children change over time and mediation provides a good forum to come back to if any parenting plan needs to be revisited to suit any changing circumstances.
When a couple get divorced, they need to sort out their finances. Most couples would prefer to reach an agreement about this rather than go to court where a Judge must make an order about what will happen.
Whatever process a couple choose to use to help them reach an agreement they are aiming to create a document called a “Financial Consent Order”. This document sets out the agreement reached, it is signed by everyone and then it can be filed with the court. It is then looked at by a Judge and once approved by the Judge it becomes a legally binding order.
In mediation we will help you reach the agreement that can then be converted into the Financial Consent Order. To do this everyone has to provide full financial disclosure.
If we need experts to help with issues like valuing property, tax, business valuations or pension reports then we can involve them in the process too so that a couple have all the information they need to help them make informed decisions about reaching a fair financial agreement.
If necessary, lawyers can also be involved in meetings, this is called Hybrid Mediation.
Everyone can speak with their lawyer, if they want to, before any final agreement is drawn up and sent to the court.
Our business, Family Mediation and Mentoring, is owned by 2 specialist family lawyers, Claire and Rachael, who decided they didn’t want to litigate anymore but instead, help couples reach agreements and stay
out of court. They now work solely as accredited mediators specialising in all areas of family disputes.
We provide;
l Online and face to face meetings
l Appointments from 8am – 8pm
l An easy-to-use online booking service
l A free call with us to answer any initial questions
If you think we can help you or someone you know then call us on 0800 206 2258 or email us at hello@familymandm.co.uk
Alternatively, go to our website which contains lots of helpful information and you can use our online booking system to book a free call with us at a time that suits you – www. familymediationandmentoring.co.uk
The Clifden Arms in Worminghall. A stunning venue for weddings and events.
Nestled in the heart of the English countryside is the village of Worminghall. Here you will find the Clifden Arms. Dating back to medieval times this independently owned public house is steeped in history and full of character.
Perfect for life’s special events such as birthday and anniversary parties, christenings and especially weddings, the Clifden Arms is something of a
hidden gem and a location full of charm. The Clifden Arms boasts a beautiful garden with stunning views over the countryside.
Fully licenced to hold marriages either in the“Pixie Hut” in the garden or in the lovely spacious marquee. Your special event has to be perfect, none more so than a wedding. Fortunately, the Clifden Arms have a dedicated Events Manager, Jodie Hartree who along with owner Gill
Porter-Smith will work closely with you, bringing your ideas to life for a truly memorable event.
A fine selection of local ales and locally sourced food complete the package. Adjoining the pub are some beautifully refurbished bedrooms. A real bonus for guests wishing to stay over.
The Clifden Arms have three wedding packages available. These can be adapted to suit your exact requirements. The team will ensure that everything is perfect and your special day runs smoothly.
Please call Jodie on 01844 338090 or email events@theclifdenarms.co.uk for more information or to arrange a walk around the site.
you would like to know how family mediation can help you sort everything out and keep you out of court, call us on 0800 206 2258 or email us
familymandm.co.uk
For the first time since records began, the number of babies born to mothers who are unmarried or not in a civil partnership, has overtaken the number born to mothers in such relationships.
While birth mothers automatically have parental responsibility of their child, their unmarried partners do not. Parental responsibility involves the right to make decisions about matters such as their child’s education, religion, medical treatment and name.
B P Collins’ family and wills, trust and probate teams offer key advice around parental responsibility when you’re not married or in a civil partnership; and how to best protect your child should anything happen to you.
If you wish to obtain parental responsibility, you will have to either jointly register the birth with the birth mother and be named on the birth certificate; enter into a parental responsibility agreement with the mother or, where that cannot be agreed, obtain it by a court order.
We urge parents to reach an agreement without involving the courts, primarily because it is always in a child’s best interests to have parents who are in agreement about all issues involving their children, no matter what the status of their relationship might be.
If parents are unable to talk directly then we would suggest working with a mediator or relationship counsellor, who can facilitate that agreement. If, however, this isn’t possible then a court application may need to be filed, the first stage of which would be an initial conciliation meeting aimed at helping parents reach an agreement. There is a presumption that a court should not impose a solution unless there really is no other choice.
Where children have lived with both parents who subsequently separate, they are likely to continue to have homes with both parents, although probably spending more time with one parent.
Both parents have responsibility for the provision of a home and to support their child, however one parent may need to make direct payments to the other for their child. You may find mediation helpful or want to make use of the range of counselling services available to help you through what is often a very difficult time. Once you have reached an agreement, you could consider seeking a consent order from the court confirming that. We can assist with this application which can help to ensure that both parties stick to the agreement in the future.
Inheritance rights for children born outside of marriage or a civil partnership
Under the English law of intestacywhere someone dies without leaving a Will - biological and adopted children are treated in the same way irrespective of their parents’ marital or civil partnership status. However, making a Will enables you to control who your property and assets pass to and when, and appoint guardians for minor children of whom you have parental responsibility. You may also be able to minimise the inheritance tax due from your estate. We can discuss the options available to you.
We are a cross practice firm with extensive teams of family and wills, trust and probate lawyers. Some of us have lived close to or in Thame all our lives, so we know the local area and its residents well. We’ve got many years of experience advising on a variety of family situations and we will always offer you tailored advice.
If you would like to arrange an appointment, please contact B P Collins at our Thame office on 01844 397397
Opened in December 2021, Floralia Perfume Boutique is a welcome addition to Thame
Avril called her business Floralia after the ancient Roman spring festival in honour of the Goddess Flora, it is still celebrated today in parts of France.
Avril inherited a love for flowers and scents from her Mother, whose stories of growing up in the Caribbean were often nostalgic for the wonderful floral fragrances of the islands.
She developed a passion for niche perfumery in her twenties. Having lived in the Mediterranean for many years Avril became fascinated by nature’s olfactive wonders and began learning about perfumery and its raw materials as a hobby.
Avril soon learned to love the smaller, niche perfumes and dreamed of owning a small boutique where these could be celebrated for their art-form and individuality, hand-made procedures and environmentally friendly ethos.
She finally realised her dream during the Covid-19 pandemic. With retail in her blood (a shopkeeper’s daughter), plus her passion for perfumes were the perfect combination for her to start her first business.
Floralia is all about carefully crafted fragrances. From the North Street
outlet, you will find a selection of quality niche, small-batch environmentally-conscious perfume brands from across the world. The focus is on quality perfume materials using hand-crafted methods.
Floralia’s carefully sourced luxury and artisan perfume blends are gender neutral, eco-friendly, vegan and cruelty free. The packaging is also recycled.
One brand that is particularly close to Avril’s heart is the Caribbean inspired perfume , “Nateeva”. Beautifully packaged that includes a bespoke poem, it’s an ideal anniversary gifts for a loved one.
Floralia is the only retailer throughout the UK and Europe to hold this wonderful range.
Floralia understand that finding your perfect perfume is a very personal process and can at times be overwhelming. Our skin changes as we age, so some fragrances work better for teenagers and some for older customers, for example
Avril can guide you through the range and discover scents that resonate well with you and suit your budget.
At Floralia, gender-neutral fragrances encompass the entire fragrance wheel, from the deep oud of Sexycrush by Maison J.U.S (100ml, £165), zesty citrus of Bohemian Lime by luxury Australian perfume house Goldfield & Banks (100ml, £135), fresh florals such as Une Fleur d’Oranger by French perfume house, Obvious (£95 for 100ml), and the sweet and indulgent Gourmand, by UK perfume house, Olfactive O (30ml, £65) and amber fragrances such as Oriental Rose by Abbey Perfumery (50ml, £25).
The lower ground floor features quality home fragrances. If you are looking for a thoughtful gift or something special for your home or workplace, then come and discover Floralia’s range of luxury candles and diffusers.
As with their perfume fragrances, Floralia carefully research and source home fragrance products from ethical and small batch producers.
Brands in stock include KULT, Holistic London, Ilara Candle Company and the Home County Candle Co.
Floralia will be hosting various events over the coming months. On October 13th for example is the Perfume Mood and Personality Evening.
In association with UK perfume brand “Olfactive O” and local supplier of fine wines, “GinVino”
Check the website for other evening events such as perfume master classes. Floralia is available for hire as well. Ideal for a private consultancy, birthday or private perfume party perhaps?
Avril is also available for private wedding consultations.
If you can’t call into Floralia, Avril sells online – samples are available for £4 (2ml). She can also send out free scent cards.
Discover the wonderful fragrances at Floralia Perfume Boutique. You know it makes scents.
Spear Travels own Julie Kendrick was named Godmother of a river cruise ship in Budapest. She explains all to Thame Out.
Emerald Cruises are small ship experts. Whether you’re in search of the relaxed pace of a Europe river cruise, an enchanting voyage through Southeast Asia, or a journey along some of the world’s most stunning coastlines on board a luxury yacht –Emerald Cruises’ collection of river and yacht cruises will take you to the very heart of each destination.
Seven years ago this August, we celebrated our very own Julie Kendrick being named Godmother of Emerald
Cruises Star-Ship, Emerald Sun in Budapest. We’ve spoken to Julie about her experience and what it means to be Godmother of a river cruise ship.
Julie, seven years on from the christening, what does it mean to you to be Godmother of Emerald Sun?
In all of my many years in travel and all of the wonderful experiences I have had, the ones that have been the ‘pinch me moments’ are the ones where I have sat on the dockside watching the bottle being smashed as a ship had
been christened. These have made me feel extremely privileged and led to my secret goal in life of becoming a Godmother to a ship. I was therefore truly honoured and delighted to be chosen as Godmother to the Emerald Sun (following in the footsteps of Twiggy who was the first Godmother for Emerald Cruises the previous year). Emerald Sun with her innovation and style brings immense enjoyment and everlasting
memories for everyone who sails on her and to not only part of that experience
to be Godmother means I am an Ambassador for her and a brand which I believe to be leading the way in putting stylish and iconic vessels into the river cruise market.
Tell us about your experience of being hosted on board
Amazing service, fantastic food and a super friendly crew that I felt were part of my family!!
It was a lovely, sunny day in Budapest and I was quite nervous about the bottle smashing. It was a very surreal experience whilst the vicar blessed the ship and then I said a few words and released the bottle…and yes, it did smash first time! It was one of the most memorable experiences in my 30 years in the industry and a true privilege.
What do you enjoy about river cruising?
On a river cruise, you can sail right into the heart of the iconic destinations you visit, taking in a number of cities and experiences all at once – and only unpacking the one time. I really like the vast amount of choice from an itinerary point of view – you can explore France, Germany, Portugal, Hungary and even Southeast Asia, plus the casual feel to cruising.
Why is Emerald Cruises Spear Travel’s number one choice for river cruising?
Emerald Cruises truly embrace the small ship experience. They’ve been awarded Which? Recommended Provider for River Cruising for the third year running, alongside their sister brand, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Whichever part of the world you choose to cruise to with Emerald Cruises, their generous inclusions ensures you have everything you need for a holiday of a lifetime; guests can discover each destination through enlightening excursions, experience delicious dining on board, and enjoy peace of mind with your return flights, transfers and more all taken care of – they even include all gratuities so you really can relax and enjoy your holiday, knowing everything is taken care of.
Award-winning, innovative and contemporary, Emerald Cruises’ fleet of Star-Ships are far from ordinary. Star-Ships sailing the Danube, Rhine and Rhône are home to an indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling windows and a retractable roof. In the evenings the pool innovatively transforms into a cosy cinema – its my favourite place on board!
Emerald Cruises is currently running incredible offers across their 2022 and 2023 Europe river cruises.
Experience the Delights of the Danube on board Emerald Sun.
The Danube River journeys through the very heart of Europe, calling in at not only some of the world’s most elegant, vibrant and influential cities, but also beautiful, undiscovered and quaint towns and villages.
Experience the beauty of Budapest, the culture of Vienna and the fascinating history of medieval Germany on one waterway. Sail from on an 8-day Danube Delights river cruise calling at Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Dürnstein, Melk, Passau and Regensburg. Prices start from £1,645 per person on sailings departing from September 2022 –October 2023 (price and ship based on 30 October 2022 departure).
As an independent travel agent, Spear Travels
give you the best impartial travel advice.
Extensive travel knowledge
Widest choice of great holiday deals
Options best suited to your travel needs
friendly, convenient service
for money
Financial security for your holiday booking
Greyhound Walk, Thame,
White hart Studio Opening Day. Jane (right) and the much missed Jane Ray in 2003.
Winter 2020. Jane ‘hands on’ preparing for Christmas
Jane always sourced some unique items. A huge beautiful French mirror
Winter 2018
White Hart Studio first featured in Thame Out magazine 14 years ago. Sadly the closed sign will now be a permenant fixture.
W inter 2008 and White Hart Studio owner Jane Davies introduces Thame Out readers to her fascinating shop in Haddenham.
The idea for a shop came when Jane and husband Vaughan moved to White Hart House in June 2003. Next door to her home was a building housing three empty shops.
In the first shop Jane displayed the painted furniture she had created for her daughters nursery and now no longer used. She put a telephone number in the window for people to phone if they were interested in purchasing them. To her surprise, the response was amazing, and all four pieces sold straight away .
It was a girl friend that suggested Jane open a shop. And White Hart Studio was born. Named after her home, the word ‘studio’ was attached as a memory to her late father who owned Phoenix Studio (an Antique Business back in the 1970’s)
With help from Jane’s best friend Jane Ray (who sadly passed away in 2013), White Hart Studio opened its doors for the first time on Friday 17th October.
To start with, it was just one room with a few bits of furniture, interiors and gifts. The desk, chair and till were
all bought from local car boots. Here she met Pete Wallington who restored Antique furniture. From the second they met, they became firm friends, he did a lot of the building work at the shop. They still remain friends to this day.
Over the next few years the shop grew from one room to two with the end room rented out for a while to a gallery. The gallery left, so Jane decided to take over that space to sell clothes.
Finally, in 2011, Jane opened a large garden room complete with log burner.
This became a very popular room in winter, especially when Jane held her Christmas shopping evenings.
Jane’s family has recently moved from Haddenham and the shop has been up for sale. She is ready to say goodbye to White Hart Studio and to Haddenham.
She has enjoyed all aspects of her job, the trade show visits all over the UK and Europe, meeting customers and more recently embracing social media.
Most of all, it’s the incredible staff she cherishes most. “They have all been amazing and I count Sue and Claire as great friends,” says Jane. I’m still in contact with Angie who many of you will know worked Sundays and only left when she moved to Somerset,” she adds.
Once the shop shuts Jane says she’s going to take a year out to travel, but who’s to say there might be another White Hart somewhere, someday. Watch this space.
Thame Out wishes Jane well in all she does in the future. One of the magazines longest and most loyal advertisers, White Hart Studio will be missed in more ways than one.
So, you’ve got the ball rolling with the house on the market, and your first viewing is booked in – it’s an exciting time! But the next step is one of the most important when it comes to selling your home – and that’s the preparation that goes on behind the scenes before a potential buyer’s visit. Remember, first impressions count, so making sure you’ve covered all bases when prepping is what will really charm a buyer into putting their offer in.
It can be hard to know where to start – and stop! –when preparing for viewings, but over the years we’ve whittled it down to a curated list of 7 tried and tested tips that will have buyers falling in love with your home in 20 minutes, tops.
On the day of the viewing, try to make sure that the visitors have somewhere to easily park their vehicle. This is a point that often gets overlooked, but you want to make the visit as smooth and hassle-free as possible for the potential buyer so that you’re instilling an optimistic mindset from the off.
No matter what, we always recommend that you start your preparation with the spot viewers will see first – your outdoor space. Begin by giving the front garden some basic TLC by trimming the hedges, moving the bins out of sight, jet washing patios and driveways and, if you think it’s needed, reviving the front door with a fresh lick of paint.
Once you’ve tidied the entrance, turn your attention to the back garden by mowing the lawn and adding a few potted plants for a subtle splash of colour. Still think you can do more to prep your outside space? Check out our garden styling tips to add that extra ‘wow’ factor.
At a viewing, potential buyers may open doors, look into cupboards, turn on lights and just generally check that everything is in proper working order. So, making sure that all your furniture and décor looks great and works as it should is key.
Make good on repairs and update any lacklustre décor by filling in picture frame holes, covering marks on the walls, fixing broken cupboards and doors, refreshing the grout in the kitchen and bathroom, and replacing expired lightbulbs.
When preparing your home, you really want to highlight all the best bits in the most presentable way – and creating an aspirational lifestyle set-up with a bit of styling will enable you to do just that.
Start by bringing finesse to the dining table with your best serve ware; then use strategically placed mirrors to bounce light around the rooms, add fresh towels to the bathroom and adorn the walls with your favourite artworks to create a focal point. We’re big fans of styling up a space to sell, and you can find even more tips on our website.
Of course, making sure the house is looking spick and span goes without saying, but in the eyes of a potential buyer, you really want to take your home to the next level not just in the way it looks, but the way it feels. An easy way to do so is by creating a well-loved, lived-in feel that’s a real feast for the senses.
We advise bringing welcoming aromas into your house with scented diffusers in each room or, if you’re a keen cook, try out the time-tested hack of preparing a batch of freshly baked goods and letting the comforting scent wander through the house.
If you have a fireplace, set the logs alight to give the living area a cosy feel, and turn on lamps and any accent lighting to create a welcoming atmosphere. If it’s not too cool outside, open the windows to let some fresh air flow through, too. And remember to remove family photo graphs and replace them with fresh flowers – this will let visitors more easily envisage themselves in your home.
furry friend for the day. Before the visitors arrive, it’s also worth airing out the rooms and adding a diffuser or two to neutralise any pet odours.
Knowing your audience is always a huge help when prepping your home for viewings. Your estate agent will already have done a little background research on who will be viewing your house and would have asked them questions about what they’re looking for specifically. It may be that they’re searching for a space with a fantastic garden or a large kitchen, in which case you can focus your efforts even more on these areas when prepping your home – for instance, try moving furniture around to showcase a room’s spacious potential or create a seating area in the garden so visitors can enjoy the view.
We understand that pets are part of the family, but the people viewing your house may not share the same outlook, and what’s more, they might be allergic. So, if you can, it’s best to let a neighbour or relative look after your
As you’re familiar with the area, it’s also a great idea to offer up more information to your estate agent on all the best parts of your local surroundings so they can pass this on to potential buyers during the viewing. Tell them about the proximity to your favourite shops, the best schools, peaceful countryside walks and hidden gems that others may not know about.
If you have queries on how you can best prepare for a house viewing or have any general questions about marketing your home, then please do get in touch with our team – we’re always more than happy to help! Simply contact us by phone on 01844 399292 or send us an email at darren@collegeandcounty.co.uk, and a member of our friendly team will get back to you directly.
You can reach me, Darren Hunt MNAEA, 01844 399292 or at darren@collegeandcounty.co.uk, and I’ll very much welcome the chance to chat through your potential plans.
Darren Hunt MNAEA, Sales Director
Nobody likes to see a tree cut down, but occasionally there is no choice. This Horse Chestnut at Princes Risborough Tennis Club is a prime example as Matt Vaughan, director of Four Seasons Tree Care explains.
At Four Seasons Tree Care we enjoy a lot of variety in our work - from delicate and careful pruning jobs on specimen garden trees up to larger scale tree removal jobs.
We cover it all with experienced and highly skilled staff that you can trust to do the work properly.
The pictures here show the team carrying out the sectional felling of a large Horse Chestnut tree that had become unsafe. We were called in to assess the tree after it shed a very large limb in the gales earlier this year.
The tree was probably around 150 years old and after stripping the heavy Ivy growth we found that the main stem and buttress roots were colonised by two types of decay fungus. Kretzschmaria deusta, sometimes called Brittle Cinder was found around the base of the tree and Ganoderma applanatum, sometimes called Artist’s Fungus was found through the main stem up to around 4 meters height. These two fungi had been present in the tree for some years slowly decaying the buttress roots and main trunk. These fungi work in different ways, Ganoderma breaks down the lignin in the cells of the timber leaving the softer more pliable cellulose behind. Kretzschmaria takes out both lignin and cellulose at the same time.
These fungi had probably entered the tree years or even decades ago. They often find their way in via damaged roots or old pruning cuts on the tree starting as microscopic spores carried on the wind or water in the soil. The upper parts of the tree seemed pretty normal and healthy which is why this type of structural decay can go unnoticed until it is too late. This also demonstrates why it is important to clear Ivy from the base of trees, especially larger, older trees when surveying trees for safety. So, there really was no viable option for safely retaining this tree. The risk for the surrounding gardens, car park and tennis courts was just too great - decisive action was needed.
One large limb moves effortlessly over the tennis court Into the ‘drop zone’
As the tree had been protected by a Tree Preservation Order, we made a planning application to the council with details of the tree’s condition. Consent to remove the tree was duly granted.
Due to the sheer size and weight involved we brought in a crane to assist with the work. We all enjoy working with cranes because they make the really big jobs so much easier and safer. Large sections of tree are lifted out in minutes and placed carefully into the ‘drop zone’ ready to be cut up and chipped. We were also able to use our cherry picker to access the tree. This also adds to the efficiency and ease of working. It is certainly easier to use a large chainsaw standing comfortably in the basket of a cherry picker rather than working from a rope and harness !
The limbs are secured with heavy slings as the weight is taken up by the crane. The sections are then cut, lifted and swung into clear space. The job is completed in little more than a day and after picking up the saw dust, everything is left in a very tidy condition. Apart from the large stump you would hardly know anything had happened.
This final section weighed just under 3 tons and Chestnut is one of the lighter woods that we deal with!
Too big for the chipper – This wood is picked up with a grab loader and taken back to our yard. It will be used as biomass for heating and electricity generation.
For a company that you can trust with your trees – call Four Seasons Tree Care. A consultation is free and we always provide honest and professional advice.
Many tree owners ask how can the health and vitality of my trees be improved? –The answer lies in the soil.
Matt Vaughan has built a career out of managing trees and as owner of the successful local company, Four Seasons Tree Care, he has seen a lot in the last few decades. His career as a tree surgeon began in 1987, the year of the Great Storm. In this article Matt talks about the lessons that were learned from that event and how 35 years later he has formed a new company, Geo Tree to deliver a more holistic approach to tree care founded on this new understanding of trees and soils.
The story really began on October 16th 1987 as the Great Storm raged across the southern half of the UK. Kew Gardens lost over 700 trees and Tony Kirkham, Head of the Arboretum has cited this event as a turning point in the way they manage the trees at Kew, methods now incorporated into what Geo Tree offers.
One of Kew’s trees in particular, a Turners Oak, planted in the 1770’s had quite literally been lifted in the ground by the force of the wind and dumped back down again. Prior to the storm this tree was showing signs of stress and severe decline. The storm ‘damage’ was thought to be the final nail in the coffin and this tree was scheduled to be felled.
However, as the program of clearing and replanting got underway this tree began to show signs of renewed vigour and growth. The decision to fell was reconsidered. Year on year this tree has continued to improve. The reason for this is fairly simple. Nature had actually decompacted the soil around the tree by physically lifting it in the ground.
This allowed increased drainage and aeration thus improving soil structure.
The living microorganisms vital to a healthy soil ecology then increased which directly benefitted the growth and function of this tree’s root system.
A program of soil improvement and decompaction began, work which is a cornerstone of Kew’s approach to tree management and now also at the heart
Gently boosting the vitality and resilience of this incredible, veteran Oriental Plane tree.
of what we do at Geo Tree. Technology and machinery has developed over the years and Geo Tree has invested in the very latest equipment for soil decompaction and inoculation – the Geo Injector Pro, developed by the German manufacturer, Vogt.
The Geo Injector uses compressed air to decompact soil around trees and inoculates the rootzone with various
bio-stimulants. We use biochar, terramol, symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi, seaweed extracts, worm casts and other organic, natural products. Many of these products have been trialled and developed by the leading UK specialist company – Carbon Gold.
Geo Tree has treated many trees in this way and we generally find a marked improvement in overall tree vitality, resistance to disease and resilience to drought stress. Out of all the products that we use it is probably biochar that is the key ingredient. It does so much good work in the soil and benefits trees and shrubs hugely. Biochar is a stable form of carbon derived from green waste or biomass.
Ours is sourced from a sustainable UK producer. When we inoculate the soil with biochar we are improving soil drainage, aeration and water holding capacity. It also improves the nutrient uptake of roots and is readily colonised by a host of beneficial microorganisms that are vital to a healthy soil. Aside from this, biochar will also enhance the soil’s ability to sequester carbon from the air. It actually helps our planet to move carbon out of the atmosphere and back into the soil – Amazing but true and all part of the Geo Tree ethos!
Another key component of the soil inoculation is mycorrhizal fungi which is usually lacking in degraded and compacted soil, and even in many
Recent work on
at Ascot
important
garden soils. Mycorrhizal fungi forms a symbiotic relationship with plant roots and without it trees and shrubs simply could not grow. This symbiotic connection between tree and fungus is crucial to the process by which trees gather nutrients but it is also crucial to how trees defend themselves against pests and diseases. There has been a huge rise in pest and disease problems affecting trees across the UK over recent decades. Geo Tree can offer a much-needed and effective response.
If you are a tree owner and think that our service sounds interesting –Please get in touch. We would be pleased to hear from you.
Emily Brontë
It’s a magical season, beloved of writers and artists. So, let Hartwell Nurseries explain how you can get the most out of your autumn garden.
It’s starting to feel quite autumnal with the days getting shorter, the weather turning cooler and the rich golden and amber hues taking over our gardens.
Even though it might be getting chillier outside, there is still plenty to do in the garden before the winter weather sets in.
Here are just a few tasks to get you started in caring for and preparing your garden for autumn:
l Clear out tired summer plants and replace with winter pansies and violas. How about underplanting these with early flowering spring bulbs such as iris and snowdrops? This is also great for supporting early pollinators.
l Plant your spring flowering bulbs, including tulips, hyacinth, crocus and daffodils.
l Plant fruit trees.
l Remove dead leaves and cut back tired perennials.
l Give your lawn its final mow of the year and an autumn dressing of feed and weed.
l Roses will still be alive bringing summer colour into your autumn garden. Stop feeding and keep cutting these back to give you continued colour into November.
l Put a net over your pond to stop falling leaves rotting in the water.
l Harvest your fruits and vegetables. Eat straight away or how about putting your garden produce to good use and making your own fruit jams or vegetable soups and warming casseroles?
l Save tomatoes by taking off all the leaves and just leaving the fruit.
l Plant hedging to not only get instant impact and privacy, but to also support the wildlife.
l Make the most of the last remaining dry days and clean, paint and sweep your outside areas.
l Keep topping up bird feeders. At this time of year, birds need fatty, high-energy foods.
Autumn is the best time to plant a fruit tree. The ground and air temperatures are cooler, which makes it less stressful on the trees and allows them to establish a healthy root system more quickly. Plus, the autumn months give fruit trees the chance to settle into their new space over the winter before coming alive in the spring. Tree-mendous!
Hartwell Nurseries have all you need to carry out your autumn garden checklist and create dazzling autumn displays. The team are always on hand to answer any questions you have on making the most of your outdoor space this season.
Nurseries
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
8RZ
When Diane Stratford started searching for a new kitchen in the home she shares with her husband Tony in Princes Risborough, she had to take a couple of deep breaths.
They certainly needed and wanted one – they’d lived with the existing one for over two decades – but the idea of having to deal with disruption, added to the idea of managing the project and dealing with tradespeople really put them off.
Nevertheless, they began the search for the right company to help them, coming across Ridgeway Interiors online in the process.
Their project wasn’t a ‘like for like’ replacement – over the last 22 years, their dining room had become a corridor and they were keen to open it up to create more of a kitchen/diner, so they needed a company that could achieve that for them.
When Ridgeway Interiors told them that they could take care of it, Diane thought they were definitely worth a call. She’d been to some of the big national brands and hadn’t been particularly impressed, but based on their budget, she thought they
may have to settle for a lower quality kitchen in order to be able to pay for the additional remodelling works.
Then she went to the Ridgeway Interiors showroom, and instantly saw that the quality of the furniture was a cut above. Her husband agreed.
The icing on the cake? Ridgeway Interiors would take care of it all, something that frankly, the big brands didn’t seem to want to touch. Even with a big brand installation, Diane would still have to manage everything else, from plastering to plumbers, from electricians to painters. She’d even have
to connect the washing machine and dishwasher herself! With Ridgeway Interiors, everything was taken care of.
In the end, when it came down to choosing a company, there was no question. The quality of product coupled with the complete project management meant Diane didn’t even bother approaching a national retailer for another quote.
They started the design process, and were clear that they didn’t want a ‘trendy’ kitchen that would be out of vogue in five years’ time – kitchen designer Sarah took all of that into
“A
a
account and came up with several ideas, as well as explaining the potential limitations of the existing building. Using CAD software, she showed Diane & Tony how much better the layout would be with the dividing wall removed, creating the usable space they wanted.
And it didn’t stop there. Sarah listened to feedback and discussed changes with the couple, making updates to the kitchen design until they were 100% happy with their finished plan.
Once the design had been agreed, work began, with our project manager Brendon overseeing the whole process, and Diane not lifting a finger.
Diane and Tony chose a kitchen from Ridgeway Interior’s German range, in a laser soft matt graphite, with luxury integrated appliances.
The breakfast bar on the island was designed to provide a sociable place to sit and eat, while the extra tall units maximise the use of space all the way up to the ceiling.
Importantly for Diane and Tony, their dining room is now accessible and usable as part of the kitchen, creating flow between the two rooms and bringing more overall light into the house.
Here’s what Diane said about the whole process:
“Everything fitted and worked perfectly for the space it was designed for. Even the little things were resolved and Dan, the in-house kitchen fitter, was absolutely key to this.
He made me feel like he cared as much about my kitchen as we do.
I completely trusted Dan who was utterly in control, and on hand even after completion.
The whole process took six weeks. I work from home and yes it was sometimes noisy, but everything was under control – small problems that cropped up through no fault of Ridgeway were dealt with swiftly and efficiently.
Everyone at Ridgeway Interiors was incredibly hard working and truly committed, and I can’t recommend them enough.
If you’re considering a new kitchen, don’t make assumptions that they’ll be too expensive, just give them a call! You have absolutely nothing to lose.”
Unit 8, Rycote Lane Farm, Rycote Lane, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2NZ
Phone: 01844 279900 www.ridgewayinteriors.co.uk
We take care of everything so you don’t have to.
inter installations are already being booked in at tillynilly Creative Interiors, but there is still availability for customers to install new or extra window coverings. Coverings that will make a huge difference as the temperatures drop.
The range of bespoke hand finished curtains from tillynilly include linings that offer extra thermal protection and interlinings for extra depth – both good to keep the heat in or out when the summer comes back around.
Other layers on windows in addition to curtains could include roller blinds or wood venetians.
Curtain tracks and blinds are available with a motorised operation
where required – using hard wired or rechargeable power.
The first floor showroom is open to view fabrics and wallpapers, or to discuss your new décor. Why not shop for cosy wool throws and cushions, as well as those finishing decorative touches for your home.
Spacious workroom facilities sit alongside the lovely bright showroom and client viewing area.
It is here customers can discuss project ideas and benefit from the design guidance of tillynilly’s team.
tillynilly only work with the finest fabrics and materials and they provide a personal design service that’s second to none.
Designing interiors for both the home and workplace. Their experienced team can arrange a survey, measuring and installation service for you.
Call in and see for yourself how a tillynilly interior can improve your interior.
Check the website for current opening times
www.tillynilly.com
Audley Barn.
Wow! What a hot sun-drenched summer that was. Thankfully for visitors to Stratton Audley Barn, their spacious outdoor area and famous icecream proved to be a great attraction.
This independent, family run business nestled in the pretty village of Stratton Audley and surrounded by lovely countryside provides a super escape from life’s stresses and strains.
With autumn approaching, our priorities move from outdoor to indoor living and the home.
At Stratton Audley barn, you will find that unique selection of gifts, fashion accessories and greetings cards. For the home, soft furnishings and beautiful decorative accessories as well as carefully selected pieces of painted furniture for your living, dining or bedroom. You will find accent chairs and consoles to side tables chests and plenty to accessorise them.
You will find items from companies such as Yorkshire based Coach House Interiors, Grand Illusions homewear from Dorset, Biggie Best and Gisela Graham. As always, Barn Owner Sara searches for items not easily found on the average High Street.
As the seasons change, so does Stratton Audley Barn. Sadly, no more ice-cream from the 1st of October. However, the 1st of October is when you will see the arrival of some unique Christmas items, sourced
especially by Barn owner Sara, as the Barn gears up for the festive season.
One thing that doesn’t change at Stratton Audley Barn is the chance to sample the lovely homemade cakes and light lunches as well as a selection of hot and cold drinks. (food served from 12.00 - 2.00pm and from Tuesday to Saturday).
With ample free parking, Stratton Audley Barn has everything for the home and more.
Dedication, expertise and craftsmanship goes into every job from Kingsey Furniture & Interiors.
The home is Kingsey Furniture & Interiors domain. Having built up a fine reputation for quality kitchens, the company is adept at bringing the same design process to bedrooms, dining rooms, home offices, playrooms and so on.
Whatever the project. From a complete kitchen diner redesign, to a single fitted wardrobe for the bedroom, their commitment to the work is absolute.
There are plenty of well known national kitchen suppliers advertising on television. All perfectly capable of fitting an inexpensive kitchen into a simple space using standard sized cabinets. But not all jobs are that simple and not all spaces are a standard size and of course customer requirements vary enormously.
This is where Kingsey Furniture & Interiors come in. The tougher the challenge, the better. From the very first contact, Kingsey will be with you throughout the entire process.
So what exactly does this mean and what exactly does this process entail?
Using a kitchen design as an example, An inordinate amount of work is carried out well before commitment from the customer and before any deposit is requested.
The initial meeting determines the concepts for design, the colours, materials, door styles, white goods, specific storage needs, whether access panels are required and more. A CAD (computer aided design) drawing, showing the initial designs are then discussed and adapted from feedback to ensure all your needs are met both practically and aesthetically. Mood
boards and sketches are often created to bring the design to life and if a tour of the workshop helps explain the detailed cabinetry, then this too is no trouble.
With any colour or finish possible for the furniture, a meeting to agree the final colourways for flooring, cabinetry, handles, walls and worktops is led by the creative team. Kingsey have a comprehensive collection of worktop samples in their showroom. If further help is needed to understand the full detail of the pattern or grain, Kingsey will take you directly to the stonemasons to view larger samples of the quartz available, or to choose your natural stone slabs. For many designs, complimentary technology also needs consideration so whether
you are looking for spotlights that have speakers within, TVs that pop up from sideboards, hidden chargers within worktops or wardrobes, don’t worry, Kingsey will do all the research for youthe whole project is truly considered. Individual bespoke production drawings are then finally produced for the workshop as well as service drawings for the lighting, electrics, plumbing and flooring. Whether you are using your own tradesmen or not, these improve their accuracy and efficiency and as you would expect from Kingsey they speak directly with the trades to answer any queries and project manage.
Kingsey Furniture & Interiors have one great advantage over High Street outlets and that is their 7,500 square foot on site workshop. Home to an exceptional team of skilled craftsmen and creative designers with over 200 years of experience between them.
The workshop is fully equipped with all the latest machinery to make sure your kitchen or furniture can be produced to the exceptional standard Kingsey is known for. The finest
materials for the job are a prerequisite at Kingsey Furniture & Interiors, quality and the longevity of their cabinetry is what sets them apart. Not just the elements on show, but down to the cabinet carcasses, hinges. Drawer runners as examples are stronger than most suppliers. Kingsey kitchens, bedrooms and furniture is built to last.
If customers would like to visit and see their furniture build in progress, they are most welcome.
Throughout the process, the team at Kingsey will do everything in their power to achieve their customers dream kitchen, dining room, study and bedroom. Sometimes that might include offering an alternative solution to a particular problem. Kingsey personally invest in delivering the best for their customers. It’s not so much working for their customers, but working with them.
Don’t worry however, the cost won’t be extortionate, just apposite to the task in hand. The end result will be a project that you the customer and Kingsey Furniture & Interiors will be proud of.
Areal foodie destination, Thame Food Festival is returning on the 24th & 25th September with a myriad of demonstrations from some of the country’s leading chefs and bakers. Within the line-up is the 2021 winner of the Great British Bake Off - Giuseppe Dell’Anno and MasterChef Winner –Eddie Scott.
They will also be joined on the Big Cookery Stage by other Great British Bake Off contestants including Jurgen Krauss, Rosie Pointer, Val Stones and of course Stephen Carter-Bailey who has supported the festival for several years. Plus other illustrious chefs and bakers such as Dave Mooney, Alex Hollywood, Noma and Zena Kamaing who came to the public’s attention in Jamie Oliver’s Cookbook Star. This mix of both national and local leading lights are all keen to reveal their love of food by creating tempting dishes, while giving us their foodie insights and thoughts.
Thame Food Festival is serving up a chef studded line-up this September, including the latest winners of the Great British Bake Off and MasterChef competitions.
Alongside the Big Cookery Stage is a new feature for this year. The Festival Village - which will be an interactive area of cooking and masterclasses for both adults and children with Fun Kitchen workshops for the kids and our Food Glorious Food Tent - where you can listen to interviews with some of our fabulous Artisan producers. This area will form a hub of dynamic activity, while there will also be the usual important features including:
A delicious mix of sweet, savoury, hot, cold, vegan, vegetarian and flavours from right the way around the world. There is bound to be something delicious to suit every taste! Many producers are already booked, but
fortunately the scale of the showground lends itself to allowing plenty of space for more to join.
The core of Thame Food Festival is always about the food and drink. However, no festival is complete without live music which will again be both in the Artisan Village and also from the Live Music Stage sponsored by local Thame business - Adactus. Alongside will be the ever-popular Pop-Up pub by FestivAles featuring a fantastic range of local award-winning brews. Then for the shopaholics, step into the shopping marquee of eclectic home and kitchenware which will be returning with Humble Country.
will return with local charity Thomley entertaining the children with lots of art and fun things to do. And once again, there will be dog shows and demonstrations by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People with all money raised goes directly to the charities. Plus the ever popular Flotsam and the Fool circus skills workshops which will encourage the younger visitors to try juggling, spinning plates and more.
Lotte Duncan, Patron and Organiser of the event said;
“It is a real honour to have both Giuseppe Dell’Anno from The Great British Bake Off and Eddie Scott from Masterchef. In fact, we are so delighted to be joined by so many fabulous chefs and bakers. Work is well under way to making the Food Festival a very special end to the Summer.
With so much going on and such a significant chef and baker line-up over both days it is going to be difficult to choose which day to attend! Advance entrance is £12 per day (accompanied children under 16 go free). Come eat, drink and do! Join for a fun, fabulous, feasting family day out!
The dream of opening his own restaurant has finally come true for Mahraj Chowdhury, with the opening of the RajBhuj Restaurant
Raj
The new owner of RajBhuj Indian Restaurant in Stone is a very familiar face to the people of Thame. Mahraj, better known as Raj, was a local councillor and for many years, a popular ‘front of house’ in local Indian restaurants.
He knows the area and the locals well. Raj has lived in Thame for 32 years. A former Lord Williams School pupil, his four boys all attend local schools.
Raj hails from a family steeped in Indian cuisine. His father owned and
ran Indian Restaurants in Middlesex during the 1970’s and 80’s.
Many of the dishes at the RajBhuj are inspired by his Mother and more recently by his Wife.
Keen to run is own restaurant, It has taken quite a while for him to find the right location. He believes the RajBhuj in Stone is perfect.
Situated on the A418 between Thame and Aylesbury, the Restaurants is ideally placed to serve a sizable area. It will benefit from passing trade as well.
Raj wants to make RajBhuj a special destination for curry lovers. A great deal of investment has gone into the redevelopment of the property. RajBhuj benefits from a huge car park. Just as well, as the restaurant can seat up to 90 diners.
It’s a welcoming and buzzy atmosphere. Raj and the team, resplendent in their gold and black waistcoats and ties provide a knowledgeable and friendly service.
Naturally takeaway customers are also catered for. Deliveries are available to local villages as well as to Aylesbury, Haddenham and Thame. (10% discount on collection).
The menu features some old favourites as well as some unusual ‘house specials’. A generous list of specials includes dishes such as Hans Raj Hans (Pieces of duck breast marinated, chargrilled with onions, ginger and garlic). Salmon Roopchan (Salmon marinated and chargrilled served with a thick honey based sauce). Goan Sea Bass (Shallow fried Sea Bass with herbs served in a Goan style spicy coconut creamy sauce. Chicken Mango (Pieces of chicken in a mild sauce with mangoes).
The menu also boasts 10 vegetable dishes. Where possible, meat, vegetables and spices are sourced locally.
A passion for serving quality Indian Cuisine runs in the family, and now Raj has the opportunity to bring quality cuisine to the area.
To reserve a table or order a takeaway, please call 01296 748634, 01296 748593, or order online at www.rajbhuj.co.uk
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, all al fresco this autumn at The Black Horse in Thame. Nicola Rogers dined out.
With some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded, it’s fair to say this summer was a hot one.
Outdoor dinning space is at a premium. Unlike our continental neighbours, we are unaccustomed to eating al fresco and are not really geared up for it.
Fortunately, here in Thame, you will find the Black Horse. Their recently revamped courtyard garden area is a breath of fresh air. When the temperatures dip in the autumn, it will provide a lovely sun trap to start your day with the papers and a lovely breakfast.
This is a surprisingly spacious area. The courtyard area can seat up to 70 people enjoying breakfasts, lunches and evening meals.
We were a table of four on a sultry August evening.
As always, we received a welcome as warm as the evening from all the staff that looked after us. The service was excellent.
Drinks ordered ( a bottle of RoséPinot Grigio Blush. and two pints of Timothy Taylor), a convivial atmosphere and before long, we were tucking into our food.
The Black Horse serves a menu of seasonal home-cooked favourites with a French twist.
Starters included Moroccan mezze with harissa aubergine, globe artichoke, falafel with coconut cashew cream, houmous selection, pomegranate, cherry tomato salad & atbread)
Freshwater trout gravadlax with Dijon mustard, dill, cucumber julienne & lemon crème fraîche.
Grilled squid with chilli, grilled courgettes, slow-roasted tomatoes, fennel, rocket & frisée salad, balsamic dressing.
Finally a Chicken liver parfait, butter, homemade red onion marmalade & toasted brioche.
Our mains included Pan-fried sea bream with bouillabaisse sauce. Fried squid, sunblush tomatoes, French beans, Parmesan, grilled artichokes, sautéed potatoes & croutons
Sticky beef with coconut rice - slowcooked beef in a ginger, soy and lime sauce, crispy onions, buttered kale.
Plus two succulent fillet steaks with Béarnaise sauce, fries and salad.
One of us managed to squeeze in a dessert special of strawberry soufflé and ice-cream (ok, that was me).
The Black Horse is a pub and brasserie for all seasons. As autumn morphs into winter, chilly days and evenings mean we seek out the comfort of an environment with a convivial atmosphere and brasserie that is simply brimming with character.
Cosy snugs in the bar make for a perfect spot to enjoy a pint, whilst the airy conservatory and artfully decorated barn brasserie are attractive spaces in which to spend a leisurely meal with friends and family.
There’s something for everyone at The Black Horse. Inside and out.
l BYO - Bring your own wineNo corkage payable when you bring your favourite bottle of wine with you when dining on Monday.
l Happy Hour - Join us for Happy Hour 5pm-7pm Monday to Friday Selected Drinks 2 for 1.
l Steak night (from 5pm every Wednesday) For every two steaks ordered, Enjoy a bottle of house wine and three complimentary chefs extras special condiments
l Sunday roast - Join us for a fabulous Sunday roast with all the trimmings.
Fine Food.
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hope, as you read this article, you’re enjoying a pleasant Autumnal sunset, looking out onto a scene of glorious rustic browns, gold and crunchy leaves, glass of wine in hand.
As I write this article we’re just coming to the end of a scorching week where the UK reached its highest temperature on record. In these extreme weather events that we seem to be experiencing more frequently, it’s impossible not to think about climate change and all the damage being caused to the planet - global warming, melting ice caps, shrinking glaciers, rising sea levels, increased heat waves.
Just the thought of it makes me reach for another glass of wine, and that got me thinking. Climate change is going to cause massive disruption to things we currently take for granted. One relatively early casualty is likely
to be what we drink. Got a favourite wine? Don’t expect it to taste the same for the rest of your life, some wines may cease to exist in the coming decades.
Climate change is already hitting vineyards. Rising temperatures and increasing water scarcity could make it harder to produce all of your favourite drinks. The taste of wine relies on different factors impacting the grapes, such as the soil, temperature and the altitude, and climate change is altering a lot of these. Wine might not disappear completely as grapes can be grown in hotter temperatures but the chances of your favourite French wine tasting exactly as it does today in a decade’s time are falling.
European wine producers are already experiencing impacts of climate change and have had to adapt the way they make wine. Zurich’s Köb
says: “The harvest time for white and red wines has been moved forward several times in past years. Very dry summers reduce grape harvest volumes and if the grapes receive more sun and more heat they start to become more sugary. More sugar in grapes means a higher alcohol level and less acidity, which makes for heavier wines and changes the taste.”
Let’s all do our bit to bring down carbon emissions, limit global warming and tackle the root causes of climate change, otherwise the time may come when we’re producing full bodied reds in Iceland, which, should it come to that, will be the least of our problems.
Climate effects on wine producers by our wine expert, Jerome Harlington.
The men and women of this great country will need answers. Answers that they know they need, answers to questions they never knew existed. And when that moment comes, who better to show the way, to provide those answers, than the people’s man of the people, Al Murray The Pub Landlord?
Steeped in the deep and ancient barroom wisdom of countless lock ins, the Pub Landlord is there to show the way. Wherever you are, he will - within sensible travel limits and theatre booking policy - come, offering people thirsty for common sense a full pint of the good stuff.
Two of the world’s biggest bands Boyzone and Westlife come together, for the very first time featuring Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy.
This specially adapted theatre production will include many of their greatest hits. The catalogue includes a record breaking 18 Number 1 singles and 9 number 1 albums, and combined record sales of over 60 Million Units.
Expect to hear World Of Our Own, Mandy, Queen of My Heart, Picture Of You, Words, No Matter What, Uptown Girl, Flying Without Wings, You Raise Me Up, Going Gets Tough, Swear It Again, Father and Son, Love Me For A Reason, My Love and many, many more Brian McFadden featured on all Westlife’s number 1 singles and albums and has since had a solo Number 1 Album. Keith Duffy has recently finished touring with Boyzone on their final ever sell out arena tour.
Let your soul sing with the dazzling multi-award winning DREAMGIRLS at New Theatre Oxford in 2022!
Direct from the West End with an extraordinary story and the unforgettable, spine-tingling vocals that send audiences wild, this spectacular musical production features the classic songs And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going, Listen, I Am Changing and One Night Only.
Meet The Dreams – Effie, Lorrell and Deena – three talented young singers
It has been 32 years since Scottish twins Craig & Charlie Reid aka The Proclaimers emerged.
Since then, their enduring appeal across generations has carved a niche for themselves where pop, folk, new wave, and punk collide as the emotional honesty, political fire, wit and sing-along raucousness of their songs and their extensive touring has enlightened and entertained fans throughout the World.
The Proclaimers’ songs are timeless, capturing a gamut of human emotions, written with poignancy, emotional honesty, political fire, and wit. Their
in the turbulent 1960s, a revolutionary time in American music history. Join the three friends as they embark upon a musical rollercoaster ride through a world of fame, fortune and the ruthless realities of show business, testing their friendships to the very limit.
Nicole Dennis will play the iconic role of Effie White. Her credits include Dear Evan Hansen, Dreamgirls (West End production) and finalist on ITV’s The Voice in 2019.
songs feature at weddings, funerals and everything in-between and there is one song, an early celebration of falling head over heels in love that is known the world over and has become a staggering global anthem.
He’s back! It’s been a busy few years for Jason since his last smashhit stand up show but fans of his Absolute Radio show will know this nationally acclaimed comedian hasn’t changed a bit.
Like Me is Jason’s latest comic offering set to hit the road, and is sure to be ‘expert observational comedy’ (The Guardian) mixed with ‘comic gold’ (Mail on Sunday).
Manford, in short, is a total pro - THE TIMES Engaging and Witty - THE SUNDAY TIMES Manford successfully straddles the line between contemporary stand-up and old-school mainstream entertainment - THE GUARDIAN
Jason said: “After the fun we had on my last tour ‘Muddle Class’, I’m excited to get back on the road with my new stand up show, ‘Like Me’. In these trying times it’s always important to be able to get away for a couple of hours and exercise the old chuckle muscle!
‘First & Last’ (BBC One), ‘The Masked Singer’ (ITV1), ‘What Would Your Kid Do?’ (ITV1), ‘Olivier Awards’ (ITV1), ‘Scarborough’ (BBC One), ‘8 out of 10 Cats’ (Channel 4), ‘The Nightly Show’ (ITV1), ‘Sunday Night at the Palladium’ (ITV1), ‘Live at the Apollo’ (BBC One), ‘Have I Got News For You’, (BBC One), QI (BBC Two) and ‘The Royal Variety Performance’ (ITV1) have all helped establish Jason as a nationally known comic.
Comedian Jimmy Carr knows that terrible things happen in life – but he believes the best way to cope is to make jokes about those events and not to worry about political correctness. His audiences have been warned.
Why go and see it?
One of the UK’s most well-loved comedians returns with his biggest tour yet.
Jimmy’s brand new show contains jokes about all kinds of terrible things. Terrible things that might have affected you or people you know and love.
But they’re just jokes - they are not the terrible things.
Having political correctness at a comedy show is like having health and safety at a rodeo.
Now you’ve been warned, buy a ticket.
banned and we were all silenced! But now the time has come to lift our voices once more as Gareth Malone brings his new tour, ‘Sing-Along-AGareth!’ to venues across the UK this autumn.
Audiences will get to enjoy an evening of songs that Gareth has sung on TV over the last 15 years, and many of the tracks that were performed by him along with the hugely successful ‘Great British Home Chorus’ - which saw thousands of people around the country sing with Gareth from their kitchens, bedrooms and living rooms during the pandemic, including:
Walking On Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
Ordinary World - Duran Duran
Somewhere Only We Know - Keane
Stand By Me - Ben E. King
Wake Me Up – Avicii
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel
Fields Of Gold – Sting
Along with a unique medley of party songs created by Gareth!
Playing piano, guitar and bass, Gareth will keep everyone entertained throughout the show as he creates songs on the spot and helps the audience to write their own songs, discovering some hidden talent along the way. This is a feel-good evening of upbeat fun tracks we all know and love, which everyone can easily sing-along too. And you’ll be able to download the song list in advance to practice. Whether you are coming with a choir or as sing-along solo, all are welcome to join Gareth in this celebration of community and song.
Prohibition era, New York. A city full of mobsters, showgirls and dreamers. Rival gangster bosses Fat Sam and Dandy Dan are at loggerheads. The custard pies are flying and Dandy Dan’s gang has gotten the upper hand since obtaining the new-fangled “splurge” gun. Now, Fat Sam and his bumbling buffoons are in real trouble!
Enter Bugsy Malone, a penniless one-time boxer and all-round nice guy. All Bugsy really wants to do is spend time with his new love, Blousey, but will he be able to resist seductive songstress Tallulah and stay out of trouble long enough to help Fat Sam to defend his business?
Alan Parker’s world-famous movie which launched the careers of Jodie Foster and Scott Baio, becomes a spectacular theatrical experience for the very first time. Packed with instantly recognisable songs from Oscar winner Paul Williams including My Name is Tallulah, You Give a Little Love and Fat Sam’s Grand Slam, Bugsy Malone is a joyously uplifting masterclass of musical comedy!
Join Harry Hill as he test drives his latest idea of what a joke is. Laugh with him as he succeeds, distance yourself from him as he fails, track him down in the bar and get a selfie, ask him if he’s bringing TV Burp back, phone your mum and get him to wish her a happy birthday. Let’s Mattress!
1960s England and a wind of change is blowing through the land.
It has even reached the sleepy village of St. Mary Mead. There’s a new housing estate to make the villagers curious and fearful. And even stranger, a rich American film star has bought the Manor House.
Jane Marple, confined to a chair after an accident, is wondering if life has passed her by. Then there is a vicious murder, and Miss Marple must unravel a web of lies, tragedy and danger.
This adaptation of Agatha Christie’s famous novel brings real emotional depth and psychological insight to a thrilling story of revenge and the dark secrets that we all hide.
Starring Susie Blake as Miss Marple (Victoria Wood’s As Seen on TV, Coronation Street, Mrs. Brown’s Boys), Sophie Ward (A Very British Scandal, Holby City, Land Girls) and Joe McFadden (Holby City, Heartbeat and Strictly Come Dancing 2017 winner).
Delve into the world of words with Something Rhymes with Purple on stage, based on Gyles Brandreth and Susie Dent’s awardwinning podcast.
Expect theatrical antics from the show’s affable hosts as they bring their infectious love of words to the stage with all the trademark repartee and wordplay of the podcast.
Combining much-loved podcast segments including ‘Susie’s Trio’, Gyles’ poetry, the bizarre origins of sayings, lots of myth busting and a deep dive into our language and expressions, each show will focus on a different theme and will be recorded to make up special live episodes of the podcast.
Uncover the hidden origins of language, understand how and why we use the words we use, enhance your vocabulary, and test your knowledge with two of the wittiest and finest wordsmiths.
Bold and achingly beautiful, the epic story of Clorinda, exposes a world of violence, resilience and love across the boundaries of culture and time.
Internationally celebrated Shobana Jeyasingh Dance presents this explosive union of opera, dance and film in a thrillingly inventive new production.
Inspired by Monteverdi’s masterpiece, Il Combattimento, in this visceral production the fiery Saracen female warrior Clorinda battles the Crusader Tancredi in ancient Jerusalem, ferociously defiant in the face of danger. The second half brings us bang up to date, catapulting Clorinda into the 21st century as a woman still determined to tell her own story in her own way.
Shobana Jeyasingh Dance is one of the most dynamic and distinctive forces in UK dance.
The performance on Tuesday 15 November will be followed by a free Post Show Talk with Shobana Jeyasingh, chaired by Susan Jones, Professor Emerita (English Literature) at St Hilda’s College Oxford and Director of Dance Scholarship Oxford (DANSOX).
3
The Official RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
Series Three Tour
- 8 Derren Brown: Showman
Fastlove - A Tribute to George Michael
- 15 Saturday Night Fever
Public Service Broadcasting
Boyzlife
Adam Kay - This is Going to Hurt...
The Proclaimers
Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Living Dangerously
Steeleye Span 50th Anniversary Tour with the Acoustic Strawbs
Will Young
10cc
The Stylistics
Squeeze
November
Justin Live - The BIG Tour
The Australian Pink Floyd
Jason Manford: Like Me
Anastacia - I’m Outta LockdownThe 22nd Anniversary
Bellowhead
Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra
Jimmy Carr - Terribly Funny
The Mousetrap
- 26 Beautiful. The Carole King Musical
Lost In Music - One Night at the Disco
SING-ALONG-A-GARETH
- 3 Dec Pre-Performance TalkWelsh National Opera - La bohème
OXFORD PLAYHOUSE
Peake:
The Billy Joel
Dawn French Is A Huge T***
Islands In The Stream at
Al Murray’s Gig For Victory
Theatre
What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Tribute To Tina Turner
Music
Hofesh Shechter Company
Basie & Beyond
Youth Jazz Orchestra
- 17 Happy Meal
Oxjams
Oxford Jazz Masters Series
James Taylor Quartet
Luke Wright
17 Jacqui Dankworth And Charlie Wood
19 - 20 Buzzing By Debbie Bird
- 24 Bugsy Malone
21 - 22 Look No Hands Lila Clements
23 - 25 Adult Children & All Kinds Of Limbo
27 - 1 Oct Spike By Ian Hislop And Nick Newman
- 28 Little Boxes
- 30 The Lesson
October
Harry Hill: Experiments In Entertainment 3 – Work In Progress
Evening Conversations
Born To Exist
- 5 What Songs May Do Rendez-Vous Dance
- 8 Our War
- 8 Alice In The Universe
Flo & Joan
Something Rhymes With Purple Featuring Gyles Brandreth And Susie Dent
10-15 The Mirror Crack’d By Agatha Christie
- 5 Nov Grey Man On Demand
Playing Latinx
Weapon Of Choice
Agatha Christie And Poisons
The Two Of Us
David O’doherty Whoa Is Me
18 - 22 The Two Popes
Self-Defence For Time Travellers
Celebrate Opera
- 29 Pigs Might Fly
Braintastic! Science
Ed Gamble Electric
Simon Evans The Work Of The Devil
Austentatious
The Improvised Jane Austen Novel
- 5 Dinner With Groucho
- 12 Othello
Paul Chowdhry
- 16 Clorinda Agonistes
16 The Annual Charles Simonyi Lecture Scientific Mythmaking And Race
17 - 18 Henning Wehn
It’ll All Come Out In The Wash
25 - 8 Jan Cinderella Pantomime
THE PLAYERS THEATRE – THAME Www.Thameplayers.Co.Uk
The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, Ox9 2Dp
September
6 -10 Lucky Stiff
25 New Foxtrot Serenaders
30 Lou Fowkes sings Billie, Etta, Adele, Aretha
October
1 Floyd in the Flesh
9 Moon AgeDavid Bowie Tribute Band
22 Shadowing Hank
28 Doing Shakespeare
29 Celine Dion - The Vegas Years and
Beyond
November
4 - 6 Our Town, Our Story
11 The Boodlums’ Cul-De-Sac Show
WATERSIDE THEATRE
0844 871 7607
September
1 La Voix - The Eighth Wonder Of The World!
1 The Thirty-Nine Steps at Norman Bragg Studio, Aylesbury
2 Friars Aylesbury: Big Big Train
3 The Zoo That Comes To You
3 Thompson Twins’ Tom BaileyFriars Aylesbury
4 Calling Planet Earth
8 Black Is The Color Of My Voice at Norman Bragg Studio, Aylesbury
9 Extreme Championship Improv
11 Dave Gorman: Powerpoint to the People
13 Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited
14 Waterside Tea Dance with Mr Wonderful
14 Tim Peake: My Journey To Space
15 Saba Douglas-Hamilton: In The Footsteps Of Elephants
15 Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
16 Waterside Ceilidh with Ceilidh Tree
17 The Diana Ross Story
21 Lilies on the Land
21 Go Your Own Way - The Fleetwood Mac Legacy
22 Dementia Friendly ScreeningHigh Society
23 Bucks Radio 80s Night
24 Marillion
25 Solve-Along-A-Murder She Wrote
29 National Theatre Live: Much Ado About Nothing
29 Dawn French Is A Huge T***
Thank You For The Music
October
1
The Steptoe & Son Radio Show
at Norman Bragg Studio, Aylesbury
1 Russell Kane Live: The Essex Variant!
5 An Evening of Mediumship with Psychic Tony Stockwell
6 National Theatre Live: Jack Absolute Flies Again
7 The Searchers & Hollies Experience
14 Ministry of Science LIVEScience Saved The World
16 X-treme Magic
18 - 22 Macbeth
19-22 Gary Barlow A Different Stage
25 - 26 Little Red Riding Hood
25 - 29 SPIKE
28 DJ Dan Blaze’s S.E.N.D All Ages Family Party
28 DJ Dan Blaze’s S.E.N.D Night Club Experience
November
6
One Night of Queen - Performed by Gary Mullen & The Works
7 The Psychology Of Serial Killers with Jennifer Rees
8 Woman to Woman - Beverley Craven, Judie Tzuke, Julia Fordham & Rumer
9 Steve Steinman’s Anything for Love - The Meat Loaf Story
10 Dementia Friendly ScreeningThe Band Wagon
10 Ed Gamble: Electric
11 Al Murray’s Gig For Victory
12 The ELO ExperienceElectric Light Orchestra
15 Blood Brothers
15 A Christmas Carol
22 - 26 Jersey Boys
September
7 Volunteer Fair. Discover volunteering opportunities in Thame at this new event.
15 - 17 September Street Fair Don’t miss this spectacular annual fun fair! Thame’s High Street is transformed into a mini theme park with everything from massive fairground theme park-like rides to halls of mirrors and hook a duck stalls.
24 & 25 Thame Food Festival
Held at Thame Showground, this festival features over 120 artisan food producers and stalls alongside demonstrations from many leading chefs and bakers including Master Chef and Great British Bake Off stars plus masterclasses and workshops. With children’s activities, a fun dog show and live music – there’s something to appeal to the whole family.
October 7 - 8 October Charter Fair
A smaller fair than the one held in September, taking over just the Upper High Street car park with rides, bumper cars and candy floss.
7 - 9 French Market
Stall holders travel to Thame from France selling a range of local crafts, hot food, soaps, and more.
10 - 16 Thame Art Crawl
A pop-up art exhibition in the windows of Thame town centre businesses, with an exciting display of artistic talent from professional to up-and-coming artists.
10 Murder in Midsomer! A Murder ous Mystery Dinner A Fantastic evening with the Thame Players doing a Murder Mystery over a 3 course dinner in the Fothergill Hall at the Spread Eagle.
16 Thame Wedding Fayre at the Spread Eagle Hotel between 11am and 3pm Free Entry and a glass of Prosecco or Juice on arrival
21 Madonna Tribute and the 80\’s The Spread Eagle Hotel. A Fanastic night out and one for the ladies or gents to get dressed up.
An impressive annual community fireworks display, raising funds for the PTFAs of the three local Thame primary schools.
5 Thame Charities Fair
Promoting and showcasing Thame’s charities.
13 Service of Remembrance
Thame’s Service of Remembrance starts from Thame Town Hall and then parades to the Memorial Gardens for a short service.
A Great night out with Luke Crawford playing the great Freddie Mercury
