Vale Life Magazine Feb-Mar 2019

Vale Life FREE MAGAZINE

Your free magazine for Aylesbury, Thame and the surrounding area

Take me home

www.vale-life.co.uk

www.vale-life.co.uk

w art w music w people w Motors w homes w gardens w theatre w business w fashion w Beauty w health w Food w

Feb/Mar 2019

Cover image: Stuart and Danie by Derek Pelling www.derekpellingphotography.co.uk See page 11

Inside:

Blinkin’ marvellous

Plasma treatment is a real eye-opener

Who’s got your back?

Insurance firm will keep you covered

See our website at: www.vale-life.co.uk

The only drama you need

Polly’s guide to a bangin’ headboard Plus our columnists: Naomi, Polly, Amanda, Cathy, Lynnette,Nicola, Sandra, Shaun, Nigel, Rob, Alan, Sarah and much, much more...

Free local listings for events and businesses

Home of Choice

Chacombe Park is more than a care home. It’s a family home. A beautiful home.

Your home. It’s a home of comfort, personalisation and choice. A place where the little things mean everything – morning, noon and night.

You are always welcome at Chacombe Park. Visit us anytime for friendly advice and a tour. You can also find helpful information on our website.

01295 641805 www.barchester.com Banbury Road, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX17 2JL Residential Care • Nursing Care • Dementia Care • Respite Breaks

2

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

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co e N ith or W bef

Eat, Drink & Dine

INVITES YOU TO CHRISTMAS AT THE CROWN Telephone: 01296 670216 E-mail: info@thecrowngranborough.co.uk Web: www.thecrowngranborough.co.uk

Winslow Rd, Granborough, Buckinghamshire, MK18 3NJ

The Crown, Winslow Road, Granborough, Buckinghamshire, MK18 3NP A mile south of Winslow, within 15 minutes of Aylesbury & Buckingham Within 30 minutes of Bicester, Leighton Buzzard and Milton Keynes

THE BEST PUB IN GRANB

A charming village pub, situated between Winslow and Aylesbury, offering high quality dining in relaxed and comfortable surroundings, as found at Eat, our Drink sister&pub DineThe Old Thatched Inn at Adstock. Real ales available or choose from one of our 50 gins from our Gin Bar! Winslow Road, Granborough, Buckinghamshire MK18 3NJ

A charming village pub, situate Winslow and Aylesbury, offeri quality dining in relaxed and c surroundings.

Bookings now being taken for Parties, Christmas Day and N

Real ales available or choose f our 50 gins from our Gin Bar!

Pub open seven days - Monday: 5 - 9pm, Tuesday - Friday: 12 noon - 11pm, Saturday: 10:30am - 1

Sunday: 12 noon - 8pm. Open12noon every Bank Holiday Monday: 12 noon - 6pm.

Pub open seven days - Monday: 5pmFood toserved 9pm, Tuesday-Friday: to 11pm, - Tuesday - Friday: 12 noon - 2pm and 5 - 9pm, Saturday: 10.30 - 2.30 and 5 - 9pm, Sunday: 12 n Saturday: 10.30am-11pm, Sunday: 12noon to 8pm 01296 670216 www.thecrowngranborough.co.uk Food served: Tuesday-Friday: 12noon toTel: 2pm and 5pm to 9pm, Sat: 10.30am-2.30pm and 5pm to 9pm, Sunday: 12 noon to 6pm

Tel: 01296 670216 Web: www.thecrowngranborough.co.uk Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

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Planning to marry or live with your partner? kiddrapinet.co.uk/nuptialagreements

Cohabitation or prenuptial agreements are designed to protect you should your situation change.

Download our FREE Guide to understanding COHABITATION & PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS Book a no obligation consultation with Anna Ferro today on 01296 432541 4

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

&ADVICE

TRAINED & INSURED

5

RATINGS

SERVICE

QUOTES

QUALITY

We will brighten your world

FREE

..

ng you more time i v .gi for the things yo u love ... a

WOODEN FLOOR SANDING & REFINISHING

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

HARD FLOOR CLEANING & RESTORATION

OVEN CLEANING

I Mop Clean offers a professional and specialist cleaning and restoration service, operating throughout Aylesbury Vale and the surrounding counties, towns and villages for both domestic and commercial customers. We offer a high quality, friendly and professional service with excellent customer care and impressive results for:

• Oven cleaning • Carpet & upholstery cleaning • Hard floor cleaning, polishing and sealing • Wooden floor sanding and refinishing Tel: 01296

399450

Email: clean@imopclean.com

www.imopclean.co.uk

imopclean clean it green

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

5

Rated as

GOOD

by CQC

Individual Care in Beautiful Surroundings Outstanding care in the heart of Buckinghamshire

A place of care for over 50 years, our focus is to tailor your stay with us to your agenda and your needs. If you are in need of recovery after an operation, a break whilst family are away or maybe you are looking for specialist respite care, we would be happy to help in all cases.

First-class rehabilitation

Delicious, nutritious meals

Relaxing environments

“My stay at Chilton House was outstanding in every aspect, staff were amazingly helpful with positive attitudes, the food was excellent, and the physios worked closely with me allowing me to reach my recovery goal.�

Mr A, Berkshire

Chilton House, Chilton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 9LR www.chiltonhouse.co.uk | 01844 265 200 | enquiries@chiltonhouse.co.uk 6

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Welcome to Coco Tamarind Fine Indian restaurant & takeaway at Askett, Princes Risborough

Coco Tamarind serves the finest modern and traditional Indian cuisine, in stylish, comfortable surroundings. The relaxed ambience and efficient service, plus our well stocked bar, will ensure your time with us is a most enjoyable experience, whatever the occasion.

Michael Jackson tribute night with Forever Jackson!

Tuesday, 23rd April from 7pm

5 course meal with entertainment only ÂŁ29.95 Book today to avoid disappointment!

l

l 10% discount on collected takeaways l Free home delivery within 5 mile radius (min order ÂŁ15) Become a Coco Tamarind Member and enjoy discounts and special offers l Please book ahead, we are busy all week!

Order your takeaway or reserve a table online at www.cocotamarindHP27.co.uk or call: 01844 343111 / 01844 346100 Coco Tamarind, Aylesbury Road, Askett, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 9LY

01296 01296622975 622975 07711750917 07711 750917

FF uu nn e re ra al lDDi ri re e cctot orrss 2121- -23 23 High Street,Wendover Wendover, HP22 High Street, HP22 6DU 6DU

bradleyandjones.co.uk bradleyandjones.co.uk time@bradleyandjones.co.uk time@bradleyandjones.co.uk Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

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!

R LI for ing 01 DA you n 29 Y B r ow 6 RO 20 33 C 19 66 H 66 UR E

HO

EASTER CRUISES 2019 4 DAYS DEPARTING 19TH APRIL 2019 From £369* per person

IRELAND & THE ISLES OF SCILLY

Nwith GCMVEaboard R Itreat UEaster U RtheOintimate Polo with an optional T OAn P EMarco FO R O VandE R 4 0 Y E A R S visit to one of Europe’s most fashionable cities, Cork, on the Saturday to spend Easter Sunday on peaceful St Mary’s in the beautiful Isles of Scilly.

Relax and enjoy delicious full board PRICE INCLUDES cuisine, stylish evening entertainment and attentive service.

• Return coach transfers from

New from Crusader!

BRAND NEW FOR 2019!

Treat yourselves to one of our great value short breaks!

‘LOVE LUXEMBOURG’ BRISTOL > RINGASKIDDY (County Cork) > ST MARY’S (Isles of Scilly) > CARDIFF

local pick-up points

• Marco Polo Cruise as stated

for 3 nights SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT BREAK ! full board W!

NEW Warner’s *Based on two people sharing a Castle Hotel fun, marvellous music and divine dining, stays at the Studley ever • Self-service tea & coffee Category 1 Standard Twin Inside Cabin; popular, family-run 3* Grand in pretty Vianden (06.00 – midnight) 4 day travel insurance £25Hotel per person; Taster! in the Luxembourg Ardennes.

Centrally located in this £250 per person non-refundable

NE4 Star Big Band Party!

• Afternoon tea and late This superb early bird getaway weekend, full of fabulous night snacks

• On board entertainment A perfect setting for a deposit medieval required. town complete with fairytale atmospheric, & daytime activities

!

NEW Special Offer!

Warner’s Norton Grange

Full Board New Year Break

short break,

Fresh seaside chalets built by Warner provide peaceful spaces to relax in after a night enjoying a range of excellent live entertainment, as well as a wide range of daily activities.

Norton Grange’s restaurant, Castaways, has a broad menu including local and £599 * per person seasonal produce.

Stratford.

LIVELY AND LATE - New Year Party 2 day break and enjoy big band swing ENTERTAINMENT perfect to see the best of Hollandwith fromsparkling the picturesque This includes freeThe use of theway hotel’s Countdown nightsDutch of live and classical favourites, plus iconic film On Saturday night, resident singer, Lisa, will entertain waterways. Enjoy all the comforts of the attractive 3* river cruise ship, MV leisure facilities and a wonderful music including a tribute to Queen from and theatre music from the Mike James with a great mix of popular songs and we have booked a Esmeralda, as you admire the ever changing scenery floating by. Visiting countryside setting.the dazzling rainbow displays ‘Majesty’, ventriloquism from Gareth Oliver Orchestra.

The orchestra has been fantasticPRICE live band for the Sunday night – old timer Marcell of tulips in the Spring has always been a 1 night half board and more. featured in two major Hollywood films firm favourite of Crusader but why not try this very special Bulbfields Trioen and hisFOR Little Red Rooster Band – always a big hit HELD Date: Sunday May holiday 19th: £159 Full also included. and their has performed with Bob Hope &70s favourites. and take to the water forIsland Easter! tour No overnight sailing. with superb repertoire of 60s and 2019 (no single supplement but limited) 3 nights full board.

Gloria Gaynor but is best known for its DAY 1 Cross the Channel and board at Zaandam INCLUDED Motts area only - noDAY major interchange Date: Monday December 30th: £439 time in the EXCURSIONS Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

2 Optional visit to Zaanse PRICEsupplement INCLUDES but limited) Luxembourg Cityand entertainment in (no single room Accommodation Schans (open air museum with Studley Castle Hotel A4full day excursionHall to Luxembourg City, the charming Star Eastwood Hotel, Nottingham. windmills) – cruise to Amsterdam.

• Return coach transfers from little capital its UNESCO listed Old Town in an Warner’s Norton Grange DAY 3 Full day included excursion 1 Night halfwith board. local pick-up points plus attractive setting. through the glorious bulbfields Channel crossing Date: Sunday May 5th £139 plus a visit to Keukenhof Gardens.

• MV Esmeralda Cruise as (no single room supplement but limited) Moselle River & Scenic Little Switzerland Full hotel payment due 3 months with the near historic Stratford and the castle, has long been abefore favourite with Crusader • Porterage of luggage (port departure.

Cotswolds. customers. Your hosts, the Peverelli family, will ensure you If you are a Warner fan to cabin) Cruise T&Cs apply. then this is a must - come and sample have a relaxing and enjoyable stay.

Highlights include two Note: Some ports, passengers will land • Port taxes evenings of live entertainment, two sparkling breakfasts the latest member of the Warner by launch or tender.

Sunday May 5th, £139 with local fizz, two included excursions and a drink each family! night with dinner.

Enjoy this fabulous, and value for money Enjoy fabulous food and a night A great night of live entertainment getaway one us of Europe’s ‘secret’ corners!of live entertainment 5 DAYS DEPARTING 19TH APRIL plus 2019 From a visit to deliciousbreak food!toJoin for this great value

DUTCH BULBFIELD CRUISE

A local guide will show you the very best of this picturesque area including Remich, the ‘Pearl of the Moselle’ and scenic Mullerthal, known as the Little Switzerland of Luxembourg.

ACCOMMODATION

GRAND HOTEL DE VIANDEN The ever popular, family run 3* Grand Hotel de Vianden is centrally located in the town and its facilities include bar, restaurant, lounge and lift. All rooms are en-suite with TV. Please note that single rooms are small.

Re-join the boat in Hoorn (no stated for 3 nights full board included lunch today). (no lunch Day 3) DAY 4 Full day cruising around HIGHLIGHTS • Afternoon tea on 2 days the IJsselmeer and onto Alkmaar.

• Late night snacks Captain’s Farewell Dinner.

• Hotel for 3 nights with breakfast & dinner • Captain’s Farewell Dinner DAY 5with Early disembarkation • A drink dinner each nightfor (local beer, wine or soft drink) (set menu) the journey back home.

• 2 Sparkling breakfasts with free flow local bubbly • On board entertainment for *Based on two people sharing a Lower Cabin; 5 day travel insurance • Porterage & welcome drink on arrival • £36 per person; £100 per person non-refundable deposit required • Two included excursions as stated above Full payment due 2 months before • departure.

• Cruise T&Cs apply.

• Live musical entertainment on Saturday and Sunday nights 2 nights

Tour of Bulbfields & Keukenhof entrance Porterage Port taxes

Travel Insurance and Single Supplements are not included in above prices.

4 DAYS | FRIDAY 15TH – MONDAY 18TH MARCH 2019 From £299 per person No single supplement* Travel Insurance £34

01296 33 66 66 (Aylesbury)

*limited (Double room for sole occupancy £45)

01255 425 453 (Clacton)

www.crusader-holidays.co.uk

Visit us: Crusader Holidays 4 Buckingham Street, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 2LD

01296 33 66 66 (Aylesbury) 01255 425 453 (Clacton) www.crusader-holidays.co.uk Crusader Holidays Crusader Business Park, Stephenson Road West, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 4HP 8

Visit us: Crusader Holidays info@crusader-holidays.co.uk 4 Buckingham Street, Aylesbury, BucksFacebook.com/CrusaderHolidays HP20 2LD

Crusader Holidays Crusader Business Park, Stephenson Road West, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 4HP

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Contents 10

I do, I do, I do!

40

Who’s got your back?

17

Everybody say cheese!

42

No cost marketing

Be bold Valentine!

43

Random acts of kindness

Go-to-bed matches

44

The only drama you need

Blinking marvellous

52

Take it to the max!

What colour medal?

56

Grow yourself healthy

Food for thought

59

Canine enrichment

30 Ease away your pain

62

You’ll have the time of your life!

31

Listen to your feet

65

The art of popping up!

Mary Poppins on speed!

66

Heart of the community

A night to remember

68

The seasonal table

Keeping kids safe online

74

Coupé or not coupé

77

Matrix money gives Steve a lift

20 24 26 28 29

31 34 37

Our 12 page wedding feature for 2019 Anyone for cake and pickle?!

Could you be a lady in red?

Antiques to light you to bed Plasma treatment is a real eye-opener ‘Go for gold’ says Lisa Lloyd ‘We are what we eat’ says Tracy Massage to the root of the problem Jenney can help with foot pain Heather’s got a brand new bike A midnight walk to celebrate 30 years Sam’s tips for worried parents

38 Join the festivities

Business festival to rock Bucks

Insurance firm will keep you covered Steve’s tips for small businesses ‘Can you be kind?’ says Sherry

Polly loves a bangin’ headboard!

Marie’s guide to interior trends

Naomi’s tips for a garden that keeps giving Dogs need more than a walk

Dirty Dancing and more at Aylesbury Theatre Weekend show is a fabulous fundraiser Celebrating our village halls

Chocolate Pistachio Olive Oil cake - please!

The new BMW X2

Firm puts rally champ in driving seat

Bench unveiled

I

mentioned in our November issue how saddened I was to hear about the premature death of a young friend, 22-year-old Nic Willoughby and the amazing strength and togetherness his family and friends had shown in setting up a fund in his memory to raise vital cash for grass roots sport clubs across the local area.

Nic’s work colleagues at Nuffield Health Centre, Aylesbury, where he was a duty manager, had also banded together and raised funds for a memorial bench in the centre’s garden.

C

ongratulations to the following Dec/Jan edition competition winners! Hopefully your prizes will have arrived by now, please let us know

I was kindly invited to attend the unveiling event in January and joined Nic’s friends, family and colleagues in a packed courtyard garden, for a moving presentation.

A funding page had been set up by Nuffield Gym member, Damian Goddard-Lane and quickly raised more than double the £1,000 target set.

Any surplus funds will go to the Nic Willoughby Fund, I mentioned earlier, set up by Nic’s close family and friends (www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/ nicwilloughbyfund) Speaking at the unveiling of the

if not.

Commiserations to those who weren’t so lucky - read on though for more offers and competitions inside this edition, including the chance

Melissa Nunes speaking about Nic at the bench unveiling

bench, Nuffield Admin Manager Melissa Nunes said: “Nic was a wonderful member of the team and a great friend to many of us. The bench will remind me of our Summer manager meetings, which Nic would insist on having outside, in the courtyard, so he could enjoy the sunshine! I hope anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Nic can sit on the bench

to win: A meal for two at The Bell at Hardwick, a copy of Dragonflies book, a copy of Flora Bee book and four oglee Poglee craft party bags.

Last issue’s prizewinners

were: Meal for two at Prezzo, Thame: Melissa Krzeminski, Wendover A copy of the Southern Railways book: is Bob Langridge, Brill

and take some comfort that he is still there and we will keep his memory alive.”

Nic’s mother Jackie, responded on behalf of the family saying how fantastic it was to see so many people there and how the wonderful tributes in the book of condolence and on Facebook said so much: “For someone so young, he really did make a difference to many people’s lives and I am so incredibly proud of him. I thank staff, members and friends for their donations and heartfelt words. They have been overwhelming.”

Charlie

Editor, Vale Life Magazine Tickets to Banff Mountain Film Festival: Ed Kendrick, Stoke Mandeville What’s That Smell Game: Beverley Blackstock, Aylesbury

To advertise in Vale Life Magazine call Charlie on: 07702 006218 Vale Life Magazine is designed and published by Vale Life Magazine, 23 Glenham Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3WD Telephone: 01844 261579 Mobile: 07702 006218 Website: www.vale-life.co.uk Email: editor@vale-life.co.uk Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of Vale Life. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies, omissions or late changes. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers. Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company www.magprint.co.uk

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

9

Wedding feature Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

I do, I do, I Saying ‘I do’ is the easy part - it’s planning your big day that can cause the heartache! Luckily we have some fabulous local firms who specialise in the minutiae and enormity of weddings. They can organise anything from a single sugar flower to a full blown reception, just read on...

T

his is a busy time of year for many wedding suppliers as newly engaged couples start to plan their big day and want to find out how they can transform their ideas into reality.

Every year new wedding trends emerge and wedding planners must be ahead of the game, keeping an eye on the likes of Pinterest, Instagram, wedding magazines and bridal labels to see what people are looking for, from in colours to floral fashions, food trends and the must have party ideas.

“2019 is all about corals, corals and more coral!” says Wedding Planner Elizabeth of Sapphire Weddings and Events. “The romantic shade works with a summer sunset entwined with organic greens; but also shines through on a foggy Autumn day. It creates a sense of magic and whimsy whilst oozing sophistication.

Simple Bridal Gowns “Meghan Markle shocked and

dazzled the world with her unpredicted, yet stunningly simple wedding gown, last May. Since then, designers have been anticipating a return to minimal and refined wedding gowns for 2019 - but don’t worry, you won’t have to pay a Givenchy price tag to find your perfect boat neck dress; we have some stunning suppliers here in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire!”

(See page 13 for details of White Lace and Butterflies a charming bridal boutique in Great Missenden, focusing on timeless bridal style and offering the most Emma Barker unique and fashion forward wedding dresses with affordable price tags.)

Men Mixing Fabrics “For years now brides have been opting to mix and match their bridal party attire to suit each individual’s style and shape. 2019 is the year of the groomsmen!

Traditional tuxedos have had their day - it’s time to mix and match ties, diversify fabrics and combine

Lola - vintage ice cream van serving delicious, local, luxury ice creams, sorbets, retro ice lollies, waffles, sweets & lots more for your special event.

T: 07590 027138 E: hello@lolaicecreamvan.co.uk 10

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Wedding feature Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

I do, I do...

Aylesbury Wedding Show

Pic by Marcus Charter Wedding Photography

Sunday 10th February 11am - 3pm The Gateway Centre (AVDC offices), Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF.

Free entry, free parking Around 40 varied suppliers

White Lace & Butterlies bride Harriet with groom Andre different textures. Letting each groomsman pick the most flattering jacket for his body type means they’ll feel much more relaxed and comfortable on the big day.

Venues - “Natural, rustic venues have become a favoured option in recent years - barns, farmhouses and yurts lined with wood pallet decor and hay bales

For more details: contact Central Exhibitions Ltd T: 01908 305123 E: events@centralexhibitions.co.uk

www.centralexhibitions.co.uk

Special Occasions and Wedding Fair 16 February 2019 Everything to make your day special - bespoke jewellery, accessories, gifts, stationery from local artists and makers

Thame Town Hall, High Street, Thame, OX9 3DP

Saturday

10-4

www.sallyevansevents.com 01844 273069 hello@sallyevansevents.com Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

11

Wedding feature Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

create a picturesque and intimate setting for a wedding. This year we will see some couples opting for a more industrial/rustic combination.

Bare metallic structures provide the perfect blank canvas, which can be transformed into a romantic wedding den with shrubbery, florals and warm lighting.

Ideas, inspiration and help with planning and organisation: 2019 is the year of the Wedding Planner… “Getting married is simultaneously the most wonderful and most stressful experience that couples will share together. You may have an idea on how you would like your day to be, or you may need a little guidance – either way planning and bringing those ideas to life is not always as straightforward as we hope and expect and there are some real advantages to hiring a wedding planner to help with your special celebration: “1. Your wedding must be your wedding! Most venues and suppliers will be catering for a

number of weddings and often have their “usual” way of doing things.

Your wedding should be unique and perfect and a wedding planner will fight to ensure you get everything you want for your special day!

“2. They will keep things on track and stress-free. The perfect wedding doesn’t just happen; it takes many hours of planning and organisation. A good wedding planner will keep everything streamlined and stress-free so you can enjoy the planning and excitement of your wedding without worrying about the little things in the lead up to your big day.

“3. They will keep you on budget. Most couples end up spending more than they intended on their wedding. A wedding planner can help keep your budget on track and will have a network of contacts and alternative suppliers, so can also suggest ways to keep costs down – leaving you with less stress and more to spend on the honeymoon!”

Flowers by Kate Parrott at Polly & Petal

l Speak to Wedding

Planner, Audrey, at Sapphire Weddings and Events for more details on their Wedding Planning services. Go to:www. sapphireweddingsandevents. co.uk Tel: 07712 332054 or Email: audrey@sapphire weddingsandevents.co.uk

Floral trends for 2019 Floral Designer, Kate Parrott at Polly and Petal in Tring has worked both as a florist and wedding

photographer, so knows how to make an impact with her floral arrangements: “I have seen trends really transform within this last year,” says Kate. “In 2019 brides will embrace the big and the bold, with a focus on scent, and in particular the

Sylar

Sylar My name is Sylar and I call myself a psychological Magician. I try to combine to visuals of magic and mysteries of mind reading to bring you a fresh form of entertainment.

For your wedding, I can entertain your guests while you’re being photographed so you can relax and not worry about how your guests are getting on.

For the wedding breakfast I can mingle around tables before and during the meal and perform mini cabaret shows around the table ending with a bespoke performance for the main table.

12

And finally for the evening, I can come slightly early to perform to the day guests and after I can mingle with the evening guests as they arrive.

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

My name is Sylar and I call myself a Psychological Magician.

I combine the visuals of magic and the mysteries of mind-reading to bring you a fresh form of entertainment.

At your wedding, I can entertain your guests while you’re being photographed, so you can relax and not worry about how they are getting on.

At the wedding breakfast I can mingle around the tables before Entertainment and during the meal and perform mini cabaret shows, ending with a bespoke performance for the main table.

And finally, during the evening, I can arrive slightly early to perform for the day guests and then afterwards, mingle with the evening guests, providing entertainment as they arrive. www.sylarmagic.com 07932 664149 sylar@sylarmagic.com

A beautiful Buckinghamshire boutique offering the most perfect bridal experience

WWW.WHITELACEANDBUTTERFLIES.CO.UK Tel: 01494 257490 Email: info@whitelaceandbutterflies.com 76 High Street, Great Missenden, Bucks HP16 0AN

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

13

A DAY TO TREASURE Our charm and historic character offers the perfect setting for your celebrations

BUCKSCOUNTYMUSEUM.ORG/WEDDINGS, 01296 331441 CEREMONIES@BUCKSCOUNTYMUSEUM.ORG

Helen Grace Hats and Fascinators to match your outfit available to buy or hire HG

Bespoke pieces can be designed to perfection HG

Enjoy a one-to-one at our studio in Shabbington and have fun trying on our large range To book an appointment

T: 01844 201017 E: helen@helengracehats.co.uk W: helengracehats.co.uk 14

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Wedding feature Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

distinguished fragrances of home grown British florals.

“An English Rose is an understatement. Fragrant, blousy rose varieties, peonies and sweeterthan-sweet sweet peas all bring a wild, rustic and relaxed feel to a bridal bouquet. Exaggerated in size and wild in style, they complement both figure-hugging and boho style bridal gowns.

Dramatic Floral Installations “Floral installations have always been popular, archways in particular,

Kate Parrott of Polly and Petal

but this year they are set to become even more luxurious. The Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan will have inspired couples getting married this summer with their huge trailing arch, which formed not only the entrance to their ceremony but a dramatic backdrop towards the end, when the bride and groom emerged as husband and wife.

“2019 will be about creating a wow factor, and now more than ever florals are at the forefront in achieving this, whether it is a bold draping garland across a top table (see pic page 12), an extravagant arch (right), delicate hanging flower hoops or an opulent floral chandelier.

“This trend has also moved into the restaurant and retail industry, where prominent floral statements are being used to catch the eye of the public. Instagram has been a huge driver here, increasing the popularity of installations such as floral entrances, interior flower walls, or ceilings strewn with hanging plants, as more and more people share their images of these beautiful backdrops.”

A dramatic Polly and Petal flower arch Polly and Petal has recently collaborated with beauty specialists Tring Beauty Box to create a stunning floral Valentine’s display on the front of their salon: “It brings drama, allure, and above all, love to the Beauty Box,” says Kate.

Your wedding should be the most special day of your life, but it will take an awful lot of organisation! There are venues to consider for the ceremony and for the reception, the catering to think about, flowers, stationery, transport, entertainment... and we haven’t even got to the dress yet! l Polly and Petal Floral Design & Wedding Photography, Tel: 07877 The wedding vows are what it 963035, www.pollyandpetal.co.uk is really all about though. When

‘Award-winning wedding & celebration cake design and afternoon tea event styling; specialising in custom cakes and dessert tables for all occasions.

Quintessential English floral bone china, embroidered table linen, vintage lace and handmade bunting for your perfect setting.

We offer a friendly and flexible hire service.

You are welcome to view our collection with no obligation. We can deliver and offer free cutlery hire with orders over £50.

We even do all the washing up!

Contact us today to make an appointment.

uk.pinterest.com/vintagechinatea floralvintagecrockery

se H le ug ct e io n!

Tel: 07875 552132 Email: sally@floralvintagecrockery.co.uk www.FloralVintageCrockery.co.uk Wealden House Kitchen is based at Tetsworth, near Thame and caters within a 60 mile radius E: tara@wealdenhousekitchen.com W: www.wealdenhousekitchen.com

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

15

Wedding feature

HOHO RWO RWO OHO DO D ERWO SETAT S TAT OED EE S TAT E

Your Your love love story story begins begins here here Your love story begins here VENUE You can settle into Horwood Estate for your You can settle into Horwood Estate for your whole wedding day in our stunning suites, three VENUE whole wedding day in our stunning suites, three bar areas and gorgeous grounds.

Thefor venue You can into Horwood Estate yourisis bar areassettle and gorgeous grounds.

The venue licensed to holdday bothin outdoor and indoor civil whole wedding our stunning suites, licensed to hold both outdoor and indoor three civil ceremonies.

Whether you chooseThe ourvenue beautiful bar areas and gorgeous grounds. is ceremonies. Whether you choose our beautiful Pytheas Gardens or ouroutdoor traditional Manor Lounge licensed to hold both and indoor civil Pytheas Gardens or our traditional Manor Lounge your ceremony will beyou enchanting. ceremonies.

Whether choose our beautiful your ceremony will be enchanting.

Pytheas Gardens or our traditional Manor Lounge FUNCTION your ceremonySUITES will be enchanting.

FUNCTION SUITES We have fantastic suites which can hold up to We have fantastic suites which can hold up to 190 guests for your wedding breakfast and up to FUNCTION SUITES 190 guests for your wedding breakfast and up to 250 for the eveningsuites celebrations.

Your wedding We have fantastic which can hold up to 250 for the evening celebrations.

Your wedding breakfast will be a truly unforgettable dining 190 guests for your wedding breakfast and up to breakfast will be a truly unforgettable dining experience, and the celebrations. sumptuous meal will be 250 for the evening Your wedding experience, and the sumptuous meal will be created ourbefantastic in-house chefs.dining breakfastby a truly unforgettable created bywill our fantastic in-house chefs. experience, and the sumptuous meal will be created by our fantastic in-house chefs.

HOHO RWOOD RWOOD HORWOOD E SETAT S TAT E EE S TAT E

At the top of an elegant, tree lined driveway and nestled within 38 acres of landscaped gardens set against the At the top of an elegant, tree lined driveway and nestled within 38 acres of landscaped gardens set against the backdrop of the stunning Buckinghamshire countryside, is Horwood Estate, a truly magical wedding venue. backdrop of an theelegant, stunningtree Buckinghamshire countryside, is Horwood a truly magical wedding venue.

At the top of lined driveway and nestled within 38 acresEstate, of landscaped gardens set against the backdrop of the stunning Buckinghamshire countryside, is Horwood Estate, a truly magical wedding venue.

WEDDING PLANNING GROUNDS VENUE GROUNDS You and your guests can enjoy drinks and canapés You and your guests can enjoy drinks and canapés in the delightful rear gardens of Horwood Estate.

GROUNDS in the delightful rear gardens of Horwood Estate.

The beautifully manicured lawns and picturesque You and your guests can enjoy drinks and canapés The beautifully manicured lawns and picturesque ornamental fountain provide the perfect Estate. in the delightful rear gardens of Horwood ornamental fountain provide the perfect backdrop for your photos. lawns and picturesque The beautifully manicured backdrop for your photos. ornamental fountain provide the perfect ACCOMMODATION backdrop for your photos.

ACCOMMODATION In addition, we can offer 185 stunning en-suite In addition, we can offer 185 stunning en-suite bedrooms for your overnight guests. Your ACCOMMODATION bedrooms for your overnight guests. Your guests will also enjoy discounted ratesen-suite on their In addition, we can offer 185 stunning guests will also enjoy discounted rates on their accommodation. bedrooms for your overnight guests. Your accommodation. guests will also enjoy discounted rates on their accommodation.

WEDDING PLANNING Throughout your plans, you will enjoy the Throughout your plans, you will enjoy the dedicated services of our fabulous wedding coWEDDING PLANNING dedicated services of our fabulous wedding coordinator who willplans, be on hand help the you plan Throughout your willto ordinator who will be onyou hand toenjoy help you plan your dreamservices day. of our fabulous wedding codedicated your dream day. ordinator who will be on hand to help you plan PACKAGES your dream day.

PACKAGES We offer a range of exceptional packages, We offer a range of exceptional packages, designed with wonderful weddings in mind.

PACKAGES designed with wonderful weddings in mind.

We offer a range of exceptional packages, designed with wonderful weddings in mind.

ENQUIRE NOW TO GET ENQUIRE NOW TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON OUR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR LAST MINUTE ENQUIRE NOWPACKAGE TO GET LAST MINUTE PACKAGE MORE INFORMATION ON OUR LAST MINUTE PACKAGE

H O R W O O D E S TAT E H O R W O O D E S TAT E

T: +44 (0)1296 722 100 T: +44 (0)1296 722 100

E : horwood. weddings@devere.com E : horwood.

H O R W O weddings@devere.com O D E S TAT E

W: devere.com W: devere.com

M U R S E LY ROA D LITTLE HORWOOD MILTON KEYNES MK17 0PH M U R S E L Y T:R +44 O A (0)1296 D L I100 T T L E E :Hhorwood.

O R W O weddings@devere.com OD M I L T O N K EW: YN ES MK17 0PH 722 devere.com 16

Vale Feb/Mar M Life U :R S E 2019 LY

ROAD

LITTLE HORWOOD

MILTON KEYNES

MK17 0PH

Wedding feature

C h e e s e Tow e r s

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

with The Deli at No.5

Everybody say cheese!

T

he wedding cheese cake or cheese tower has really come into its own over the past few years, but it is not a new idea - it can in fact be traced back to the ancient Greeks! Cheese moulds have been discovered which were made some 2,000 years ago - into which the ancient Greeks would put cheese, wine and honey and then bake them, before stacking them on top of each other.

These days people choose a cheese tower for many reasons they might want to do something different, they’re not wild about fruit cake, they are cutting back on sugar, or because they just love cheese and want to get some visual value out of the cheese course.

A tiered wedding cheese cake tower of hand-selected artisan cheeses, makes a fabulous centrepiece with a difference for your wedding breakfast or evening reception and would be fashioned

Joe & Hannah

The Deli at No.5

in the style of the traditional tiered wedding cake, more usually made from iced fruitcake.

Traditionally the happy couple were supposed to kiss over the cake and if it didn’t topple then it was a sign of a happy, strong union which would stand the test of time.

There are certain cheeses that lend themselves better to a wedding cheese cake stack than

others because of the way it is constructed. If you go to your local cheesemonger or deli they will be able to suggest which cheeses would work best for you.

A good balance and contrast of cheese types - hard, soft, blue - with different flavours, colours, textures and intensities is ideal and will satisfy most tastes.

Here at The Deli at No 5 in

Thame, we offer the opportunity for the bride and groom to come into the shop after hours and enjoy a glass of fizz whilst tasting and choosing cheeses to compile their very own bespoke wedding cheesecake.

Once you have decided which cheeses you would like, we will mock up the cheese cake and send you photos, so if any tweaking is necessary it can be done well in advance of your special day. l Joe and Hannah run delicatessen and homeware store The Deli at No5 at 5a Buttermarket, Thame, OX9 3EW, pop in or contact them via: hello@thedeliatno5.co.uk Tel. 01844 214229 www.thedeliatno5.co.uk

Wedding Packages from just £295.00*

Web: www.mjdphoto.biz

Tel: 07773 683158

Email: enquiries@mjdphoto.biz

*see web site for full terms and conditions Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

17

HALLS CARS F-C CC_Layout 1 08/10/2018 16:08 Page 1 HALLS CARS F-C CC_Layout 1 08/10/2018 16:08 Page 1

Wedding feature

HALLS CARS F-C CC_Layout 1 08/10/2018 16:08 Page 1

HALL’S CARS CARS HALL’S HALL’S CARS PRIVATEHIRE HIREAND ANDCHAUFFEUR CHAUFFEURSERVICE SERVICE PRIVATE

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Planning a Honeymoon?

Speak to your local experts Adams Travel

Your Local Independent Travel Agent 11 Market Square, Aylesbury Tel. 01296 873017 aylesbury.adamstravel@gmail.com www.adamstravelaylesbury.co.uk

your big day arrives and all that meticulous planning pays off your commitment to each other will be what starts the biggest adventure of your life!

For richer not poorer is the way to begin that adventure though, so the planning has to be done carefully and the first thing on the list is BUDGET. Decide a budget and stick to it! This could be your maximum amount but a good idea is to aim slightly lower and keep something back for those unexpected little add ons! Make a list of all the things that are necessary and that you both want but also make a list of all the things that you do not want or are not necessary. This will help keep things on track.

There is a lot of help out there so make the most of it - bridal magazines, local magazines such as Vale Life, websites and wedding fairs are all a great source of specialists. If finding enough time is a problem, a Wedding Planner can be a solution. They have experience and contacts and can take the pressure off you.

Wedding suppliers are there to help and guide you. They are specialists in their field and will do everything possible to make your day perfect. Shop around to get comparisons and be open to ideas that you may not have considered.

Remember that this is your day though, so do not be persuaded into anything that you are really not sure of.

If you can start planning at least a year ahead it won’t be a moment too soon, as venues, entertainers and wedding services can get booked up well ahead and the sooner you let your wedding guests know to ‘save the date’ the clearer their diaries are likely to be.

In years to come you and your partner will look at the photographs, remember your day and forget all the preparation .

Your Wedding day is a celebration of your love for each other and no amount of planning can change that!

Useful Tips: 1: A week day wedding: Many venues offer a discounted rate for having your wedding on a weekday, rather than st the weekend. Other suppliers such as photographers and florists may also offer weekday discounts.

2: Buy your wedding dress at a sample sale: Many wedding boutiques hold seasonal sample sales, when they sell off last season’s styles. Savings can be up to 70% off the original price. Take it home, organise a dry clean and some alterations and you have saved yourself a small fortune.

3: Trim your invite list: If you haven’t seen third cousin Rosie for 15 years, just invite her to the evening reception. By reducing your day time guest list the catering and drinks bill becomes that much easier on the pocket, you may even get away with a smaller, less expensive venue.

4: Save postage: Hand deliver as many invitations as possible and email your save-the-dates.

5: Replace Champagne for your toast with Cava or Prosecco: No one will notice at this stage of the celebrations.

6: Get crafty like Kirsty Allsop: Make your wedding favours - homemade wedding marmalade, fudge or chutney, with a personalised label on each jar makes a lovely keepsake.

For all your beauty needs

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18

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Wedding feature

Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 2BW Tel: 01844 213661 or email events@spreadeaglethame.co.uk

We are hosting The Thame Wedding Fair on Sunday 24 February 2019, between 11am-3pm Our stunning venue will be dressed to impress, with some of our function rooms set-up as they would be on your special day, and others used to showcase suppliers.

Exhibitors will include DJs, florists, chair covers and more!

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

19

with Lynnette Jackson

Personal stylist and image consultant Lynnette passes on tips and tricks for looking your fashionable best, plus the latest news on the high street trends...

Be a bold Valentine!

B

eing a Colour and Image Consultant, I see how people light up when they are wearing their right colours – so I encourage people to add a little colour to their wardrobes.

One really fabulous colour to add is red. The colour of love!

Red is actually a lot more wearable than many people think – and the key is knowing which red works best for you.

Your best red The beginning and end of choosing the right shade of red (whether that’s a lipstick, a jumper, a scarf or anything else) is your skin undertones: warm, cool or neutral.

If you have warm undertones then you may look good in oranges,

Blouse: Michael Korrs (via House of Fraser), £175

Skirt: Marks & Spencer, £45 20

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

salmon pinks, browns, creams, etc.

A rich juicy red tomato-coloured shade would work wonders for you, like this blouse, right, from Michael Korrs If you have cool undertones you look good in blues, greys and fuchsia pinks – then a red which is on the bluer end of the spectrum is the one for you. Think of a ruby red jewel colour, like this skirt, left, from M&S If you have neutral undertones you might be a tad confused on whether you are warm or cool (as you might be able to wear blues and salmon pinks), then great red shades for you will be claret (like this coat from Hobbs, top right) or geranium, or even strawberry colours for a real statement

Coat: Hobbs (via John Lewis, £269)

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

21

Silk T-shirt: Mos Mosh (via Lolly & Mitch, Tring), £109 How to wear red – subtle, bold or just a dash?

The easiest way to wear red – combine with one other colour Wearing a bold colour like red with just one other colour is your easiest option. Whether that be with black or grey for a darker more intense look, or white for a lighter more spring like vibe, or with denim for an easy and relaxed look (like this silk tee from Lilly & Mitch, left) Be bold – and wear head to toe If you are comfortable with a bold colour, then this Valentines Day celebrate Red and wear it head to toe. The classic way is with a dress (like this dress from M&Co). But for a more current look then you could consider a jumpsuit - a trend that has been around for a while

Dress: M&Co, £38

.

Eye-catching, different, handmade, Fairtrade, reclaimed, recycled... hand-picked from the four corners of the globe, come and see... .

Beautiful items for you and your home - gifts, homeware, clothing, jewellery, furniture, bags, accessories, buddhas, gemstones, crystals, home fragrance and much more...

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

and showing no signs of going away just yet. They are an easy style to build an outfit around – just add shoes, jewellery and a bag and you’re done. Although, its not always easy to get the fit right – so it is something that I would encourage you to try on before you buy (or make sure that the store has a good returns policy) – But I promise you, if you are prepared to look, then there is one out there for you! This relaxed jumpsuit from Next is a great start to your jumpsuit hunt!

Scarf: Marks & Spencer, £15

Jumpsuit: Next, £50

A subtle way of wearing red – try accessories If red is normally not your colour or you are afraid to stand out, then opt for a red accessory. It often really brightens up your outfit and adds extra interest. How about his scarf from M&S – which is perfect for Valentine’s as it even has hearts on it! Or these stiletto shoes (from Dorothy Perkins) which are bound to set pulses racing And if accessories are to much - how about a perfectly matched red lipstick?

Red lipstick is a source of strength. When you put it on you immediately feel more poised, more self-assured and empowered.

I often reach for a slick of red lips on days when I need a boost, it’s my own personal mood changer.

I need to point out that everyone can wear red lipstick – any age, any face, any colouring, daytime, night time, any time. So long as it’s

the right shade of red for you, then I say go for it!

So regardless of your colouring, your style personality or even the shape of your lips, there’s a red lipstick out there that’s ideal for you. My current favourite is Red Velvet from Colour Me Beautiful.

So – be bold this Valentines, and wear the colour of LOVE! l Lynnette Jackson is an award-winning Personal Stylist and Image Consultant. She can help you look good whatever your size, shape, age or budget! Web: www. mycolourandstyle.com Facebook.com/mycolourandstyle Tel: 07971 198047

Lipstick: Colour Me Beautiful, £14.90 Shoes: Dorothy Perkins, £30

Stay Warm This Winter!

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Pre-Packed Coal

For Open Fires & Multifuel Stoves

Visit Us For:

- Large Selection Of Fruit & Vegetables - Extensive Freezer Selection- Home Produced Lamb & Beef - Top Brand Pet Foods & Animal Feeds - Chiltern Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil -

P E Mead & Sons Farm Shop Wilstone, Nr Tring, HP23 4NT 01442 828478 www.pemeadandsons.co.uk Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

23

C u r i o u s Wo r l d

by Nicky Gregory

‘Go-to-bed’ Match Box

T

hese little match boxes were popular with the Victorians in the mid to late 19th century and were used to get you to bed without the use of a candle.

The boxes which held the matches had a glass paper striker, usually on the base and were mainly made of metal, wood or ivory, some were painted.

They had a small finial (often ivory) on the top into which you would put your lighted match, taper or piece of straw. It was considered dangerous to take a lighted candle too near the voluminous drapes of a four poster bed and the light from a ‘go to bed’ would give just enough time to see yourself to bed in the cold short days of winter.

They were sometimes known as protective match boxes and were originally introduced, because the phosphorus matches of the 1830s were likely to spontaneously combust if they were too near

C1870 Tunbridge Ware – Match and Taper Holder

C1880 Brass Owl 19thC Victorian Walnut heat, or knocked, which would ‘strike’ the match.

The match boxes C1890 German Painted Metal before the 1830s were even more dangerous as they contained together in one box. The matches small bottles of sulphuric acid and were ignited by dipping the tips into matches tipped with potassium the acid. Some are stamped ‘Berry chlorate, gum and sugar, all

Win Oglee Poglee craft party bags!

S

ending party guests home with bags of sugary treats is a no no these days!

Instead check out the new collection of pre-filled Craft Party Bags from Hertfordshire firm Oglee Poglee (www. ogleepoglee.co.uk), they are just bursting to the brim with brightlycoloured shapes, cards, paper, glitter, sparkles and even rainbow crayons!

Oglee Poglee Party Bags are aimed at boys and girls aged 3 to 10 years and are perfect for letting children unleash their imaginations, giving hours of postparty fun.

Oglee Poglee Craft Party Bags put the emphasis on open-ended creative play and there are all sorts of exciting themes to choose from… think Unicorn, Superhero, Cupcakes, Space Adventure amnd more...

You can send party guests home happy with an Oglee Poglee Craft 24

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Nicky Gregory

Curious world

Patent’, the inner ring would store the acid and the outer ring the matches.

They became obsolete with the introduction of friction matches, invented in 1826 by John Walker, an English chemist and druggist from Stockton-on-Tees.

‘Go To Beds’ were also used to light the sticks of sealing wax used for sealing letters and putting seals on documents. When Safety matches were invented, around 1870, ‘Go To Beds’ were no longer necessary. l Nicky Gregory is the owner of Antiques@Wendover, The Old Post Office, 25 High Street, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6DU T: 01296 625335 E: antiques@antiquesatwendover.co.uk Web: www.antiquesatwendover.co.uk

ANTIQUES AT… WENDOVER A Dateline ANTIQUES CENTRE Est. 1987 A QUALITY ANTIQUES CENTRE offering town and country antiques in a Tudor, brick and timber house, with wall paintings and inglenook fireplaces.

Park in the Courtyard at the rear, where you will find Garden Antiques, a Tea Room, the Barn Courtyard Shops and an Artist’s Studio.

We are open every day from 10am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday and from 11am to 5pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Party Bag for around £4 per bag.

If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning four Oglee Poglee ‘Under the Sea’ Party Bags, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Which is the world’s largest ocean?

Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email by 4th March. l www.ogleepoglee.co.uk

This brass pig hinges at the neck to hold matches. It is mid-Victorian and has a striker on its base. £95 The Old Post Office, 25 High Street, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6DU Tel: 01296 625335 Email: antiques@antiquesatwendover.co.uk Website: www.antiquesatwendover.co.uk

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All profits to The Hospice of St Francis Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

25

B e au t y s p ot

Health & Beauty

by Amanda Trott

Blinking marvellous Technological advances in the beauty industry mean that more and more can Amanda Trott be done for our looks without the need for surgery. One local beauty clinic in particular is at the forefront of aesthetic science and can really open your eyes... Beauty Spot

A

lways at the cutting edge of technology, Karma House Clinic is the local place to go for the latest up to the minute treatments.

Nestled in the Buckinghamshire countryside, at Stone, with beautiful views across open fields, it’s hard to believe you are just outside Aylesbury. The state of the art clinic has a discreet, private location with plenty of parking and is the perfect place to visit for expert skin care, facial aesthetics and medical and cosmetic tattooing.

Their new kid on the block treatment-wise is Plasma Elite; a handheld device used to lift and tighten loose skin, targeting areas such as eyelids and eye bags, lines and wrinkles, crepey skin and even acne scarring and stretch marks. It is completely non invasive and offers an alternative to traditional, surgical skin tightening procedures allowing less down time and discomfort.

Elyssa Rose, Aesthetic Specialist at Karma House invited me to see the results for myself. Being a lady of, ahem, a certain age, I’d recently noticed that after applying my eye make up, I’d open my eyes, to see my handiwork was disappearing as the skin above my eyelids seemed to be migrating South!

Keen to perk up my peepers, I suggested that maybe my eyelids were a good starting point. Elyssa started by marking up the parts of my eyelids that she wanted to treat and then applied a numbing cream to the areas, which she left to work it’s magic for a few minutes.

Non-surgical blepharoplasty is more commonly known as the non-surgical eyelid lift, and is a safer alternative to actual cosmetic surgery. Rather than using a laser or cutting away excess skin, plasma is used to create an arc of electricity that targets skin cells. The device looks similar to an electric toothbrush with an extremely small and slender probe on the end, which never makes contact with the skin.

Oxygen and nitrogen are mixed, and the electrostatic energy produces the plasma which then causes trauma to the area, leading to an increase in collagen production and a shrinking and tightening of the skin. Small dots are created which over the course of a few days, scab over and then gradually fall off.

Once I was sufficiently numb Elyssa slowly and carefully followed the pattern which she

26

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Before

After

had previously marked out. The anaesthetic cream made the procedure bearable and Elyssa frequently checked to see if I was coping with the discomfort.

Although this procedure isn’t painless, I would say it is only a little uncomfortable at times. After she had completed each eyelid I was left with a series of reddish brown dots. Alyssa explained that I would possibly experience some swelling over the next 24 hours which could last for a couple of days and would then see the area begin to scab.

She gave me an aftercare pack and told me to follow the instructions carefully so as not to cause any infection. Healing can take a week or more, so make sure you keep your social calendar free for several days, as applying make up or anything else to camouflage the area is a big no-no, which could introduce bacteria, leading to infection.

The following morning I noticed a little swelling but other than feeling tight, my eyelids weren’t at all painful. I did feel a little self conscious though, as I looked as if I was sporting rather badly applied dark brown eyeshadow!

I hid myself away for 48 hours but was pleasantly surprised to find that by day five, my eyelids were practically scab free, and although still a little red, were nearly completely healed.

Several days later, a friend remarked that she thought my eyes looked different and without

a doubt I could see my eyes looked lifted with less excess skin over the eyelids.

Some people only need one treatment, but in most cases a follow up is usually required to achieve the desired result. Collagen production can continue for as long as a year after treatment, so often the results continue to improve over the following weeks. Alyssa asks that her patients return after 12 weeks for a check up and to discuss further treatment if necessary.

Six weeks later I can already see the benefits of the Plasma Elite and although very pleased with the results, after a catch up with Alyssa have decided to have a follow up treatment in six weeks time.

If you are looking for a lift and would like to try Plasma Elite, I would highly recommend a visit to Karma House, not only are the team trained to the highest of standards, they are warm and welcoming with your very best interests at heart and no matter what sort of treatment you are having, you will be guided caringly through every step. l Karma House Clinic 32 Bishopstone Road, Stone, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8QX Tel: 01296 614441 Email: info@karmahouse.co.uk Web: www.karmahouse.co.uk l To contact Amanda please email:

editor@vale-life.co.uk

Life bites

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

by Sarah Virág

Feeling adventurous!?

W

ant to know what I love? People who break a few rules!

“Good for you!” I think to myself.

Now, just to be clear; I’m not talking about throwing all caution to the wind and behaving like a frivolous teen. Nor am I suggesting that you cast aside the serious concerns, responsibilities and decision making of daily life.

But if you look around, and pick up on the people you secretly admire or follow, what might they have in common?

Don’t we all know someone a little more risqué, outspoken or gregarious in our own circle?

Someone who isn’t afraid to speak out, speak up and do things differently? We may even secretly hanker to be a teeny bit more like them.

Here are 3 great reasons for exploring the more extrovert side of your nature; 1. A Spirit Of Adventure Keeps You On Your Toes When you’re eager to explore

Sarah Virág Confidence Coach

and be bold, it’s amazing how many unexpected doors open for you over the course of a lifetime. Don’t be afraid to step up and ask for what you want. Nor to try new things often. A receptive, ‘open’ mindset is one of the greatest attributes you can cultivate.

2. You’ll Get More Enjoyment Out Of Life Worried that breaking a few rules will diminish what others think of you?

Remember this; when you

constantly censor yourself to please others – no one wins. You’ll notice that the most joyful among us are usually quite free spirited.

So, walk the road less travelled.

Learn to take a few more calculated risks.

Forgive the cliché, but life is meant for living. So dive in and enjoy it!

3. It Feels Good To Be Authentic None of us wants to go through life upsetting others. But nor can we try to please everyone

Thame Therapy Clinic Complementary Health Therapies from Experienced Practitioners 23 Upper High Street, Thame, OX9 3EX Tel: 01844 215555

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Everyone All in the comfort of your own home

Over 12 years of salon experience Tel: 07479 939461 www.mobilehairdesign.com charlotte@mobilehairdesign.com • modern cutting techniques • colours (all types) • • colour correction • blow dry • curls & waves • • perms • sets • hair extensions • special occasions •

else at our own expense. Ask yourself these questions: “What makes me happy?”

“What do I want to put out into the world?”

“How can I add value to those around me whilst being the authentic me?”

Follow that passion, break a few rules – and, above all, enjoy the adventure!

That’s being YOU. …and P.S. You are fabulous! l Sarah Virág BA (Hons) is a

confidence coach, writer, former global events manager and author of Amazon #1 bestselling book ‘Wings for Life‘ (available at www. amazon.co.uk/dp/1720076804).

Website: www.sarah-virag.com Email: sarah@sarah-virag.com FB: /SarahViragConfidenceCoach Instagram: @sarah.virag

Reflexology for adults and children Ailments which can benefit from reflexology sessions include: Headaches and migraines l Stress & anxiety Digestive problems l Menstrual problems l Tiredness & fatigue l Aches & Pains l l

I’m an experienced Reflexologist treating all ages and a wide variety of ailments in my treatment room at Great Kimble.

Tel: Rebecca Holmes on 07713355428 Email: rebeccaholmes7@gmail.com website:www.chilternhillstherapies.com

Louise Coates Independent Hair Stylist 079121 20025 / 01296 433233

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Creative Cutting - Colouring - Styling - Perming I am fully insured and based at First Impressions, 18 Bourbon Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 2RR I look forward to welcoming clients old and new.

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

27

Health and Fitness

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

M e n ta l H e a lt h & W e l l b e i n g

by Lisa Lloyd

What colour medal?

W

ith a new year being the time to set new resolutions, I’ve been intrigued to hear how people approach this challenge.

There are some who don’t set goals. There are others who aim to be healthier, for example reducing smoking, drinking or eating, and doing more exercise.

In other words, a focus on physical health. But what about our mental health? Even when our wellbeing feels good, it is important to be proactive. Preventing emotional overload is common sense. We’re so good at planning the future, reflecting on the past and running around meeting the demands of daily life, that our brains become ostrich-like.

What do we really need? Think bronze medal achievement… How about exercising simply because it’s an opportunity to be outdoors, experience flow or nurture

Still your mind and breathe yourself? Research shows that fresh air, natural light, exercise and being in the moment is good for our mental health. The difference a daily 20-minute walk can make is huge. And for those of you who “don’t have time,” compare your productivity afterwards with days you sit at a desk or stay inside.

Silver medal: Breathe from your

diaphragm (imagine a balloon in your tummy), making your outbreath longer than your inbreath to promote relaxation. This is great for kids when they’re emotional; challenge them to blow up an imaginary balloon to see how big it can get.

Gold medal: Use all your senses to experience being in the ‘here and now’, to still your mind and reduce emotional arousal. Whether that’s in the shower, boiling the kettle or on a walk, it means leaving your phone on silent. Mindfulness apps such as Head Space or Smiling Mind can help to provide a focus for relaxation and calming the mind and evidence shows regular use works.

If you’re anything like me, sleep hasn’t been top of the agenda and now is a good time to establish healthy patterns. Avoid eating late, drinking alcohol some nights, screen time for at least 30 mins

Lisa Lloyd

It’s Time for Change

before bed (the blue light emitted suppresses melatonin which is needed to induce sleep). Instead, establish a new routine that promotes relaxation e.g. having a bath, reading, listening to music.

This isn’t fluffy. It’s about feeling good. And it works. I regularly see clients who are stressed, anxious and depressed and these strategies are the first that make a difference.

2019 resolution… don’t just survive… THRIVE! l Lisa LLoyd Mental Health & Wellbeing: Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Trainer & Consultant at It’s Time for Change www.itstimeforchange www.linkedin.com/in/ lisapsychology/

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Health and Fitness

Kiss & Tell

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

with Tracy Kiss

Food for thought!

W

hat an incredible start to 2019 for me!

I had BBL (buttock implant) surgery at Christmas and spent the six week recovery period, resting up and studying hard for my Nutrition Advisor exams, which i am happy to say I passed - hoorah!

With New Year only a few weeks behind us, many resolutions will already have fallen by the wayside.

The pressure to make drastic and dramatic change is off, but as we look forward to Spring, it’s still a good time to make gradual lifestyle adjustments to live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives.

So I’d like to share a few helpful dietary tips, picked up in my nutritional studies and research.

When trying to lose weight the common misconception is for people to cut out carbohydrates and ban all bread, pasta, potatoes and rice - but it’s an essential source of energy that our bodies struggle

Similarly many perceive skipping without. Instead we should look to meals as a way to lose weight by balance our portion sizes in order to ensure we’re getting enough of cutting calories, when in actual the ‘good stuff’ and limiting, but not fact it disrupts blood sugar levels and leads to energy crashes, excluding, what isn’t so figurefatigue and heightened cravings. friendly.

We’re best off eating smaller more Therefore we should base our meals around starchy carbs, manageable portion sizes, little and often throughout eat plenty of fruit the day combined with and vegetables, up being more active, to our intake of fish burn calories, boost and cut down on circulation and fuel saturated fats and our appetites in a sugars. Basically, more healthy and if it comes in the consistent way. form of a ready My top tip is not meal, take-out box, Healthy eating to deny yourself a food sweet packet or from group but instead make a vending machine then healthier swaps to get the most just walk on by! from your nutrition and keep your More often than not we confuse thirst for hunger as our bodies read body, and immune system at its best. the signals as one and the same Start by cutting down on the thing. Drinking, or sipping on a amount of junk you buy, saving glass of water prior to each meal treats for the weekend which you will help you to feel fuller and less can counteract with a nice walk likely to overeat or indeed snack.

Tracy Kiss

Kiss & tell or trip to the park after a hearty dinner with the family.

Switch white bread, pasta, cereal and rice for wholemeal and wholegrain options, and if you can’t cope without dairy then opt for the lower-fat options to cut down on calories.

It’s not about denying yourself everything you love but being more wise to what goes inside; you are what you eat so why not be the very best that you can! l Read Tracy’s blog at: www.tracykiss.com or follow her on: Twitter: @misstracykiss or Facebook: /TheTracyKiss

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Health and Fitness Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

D e e p t i s s u e m a s s ag e

with Mick Mcleary

Ease away your pain

M

ick Mcleary, bodyworker at Thame Therapy Clinic explains why deep tissue massage is an essential part of unlocking the pain caused by old scar tissue…

“Our physical bodies sometimes take a hit and go into pain,” says Mick. “Often the cause is recent and clear, eg a fall, or an accident, or lifting something heavy. But there are other times when we experience body pain and there is no obvious cause.

“People who have this type of pain often say: ‘ I picked up a pencil and my back went’ or ‘my elbow started hurting for no reason’, or I get sciatica when I drive the car’ and so forth.

“These pains invariably come from a longer standing imbalance in the musculo-skeletal system which is now a chronic weakness in one part of the body. This weakness has

forced the body to over-compensate elsewhere and now pains are appearing for no reason and movement is stiffer, harder work or painful.

“The underlying problem is often deep scarring of the myofascia, which is where deep tissue massage

can be so useful.

The myofascia or fascia are the tough muscle sheaths which connect all our muscles to the skeleton and allow muscles to glide smoothly over each other. When we take a hit, collagen is laid down by the body and this combines with the fascia to create a super hard scar that behaves like hardened steel and effectively shuts down movement and flexibility.

Modern science has shown that fascial scar tissue can withstand up to 2000lbs/psi of pressure and is implicated in 85% of all musculoskeletal pain!”

Mick has learnt a massage technique utilising a specialist Bodytool tipped with the gemstones Quartz and Greenstone/Jade. This tool allows him to scan and treat old scar injuries with more ease, depth and precision.

“By asking about past injuries, surgery and accidents I can map

Mick Mcleary Bodytool Therapist

out a patient’s key sites of injury, adhesions, scar tissue, visible scars, and pain. Then with the Bodytool I glide easily around and through the muscle tissue until I come across something that is not quite right.

I then use the Bodytool to work out the problem within the tissue.

Sometimes this uncomfortable for the patient, but as soon as I stop working the tissue, the pain disappears too. Old hard scar tissue starts to soften and once again your body moves better.” l Mick Mcleary works at Thame

Therapy Clinic on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Phone 01844 215555 to make a booking or for more information see: www.thametherapyclinic.co.uk

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

f o ot h e a lt h

Health and Fitness

with Jenney Klose

Listen to your feet!

I

t’s hard to believe another year has gone by already, there’s been so much happening here at Feet First! We often start the New Year with a determined focus on healthy living but whilst we might resolve to eat better and exercise more regularly, many of us don’t give any thought to our poor old feet!

Our feet work very hard for us, every day and need some TLC. They are the foundation on which we stand, sit, walk, run, dance and exercise and this can take its toll.

Despite the millions of aching feet out there, many of us don’t seek the medical attention we need for relief. Foot pain is never normal, and you shouldn’t be resigned to teetering around on sore feet - just because it isn’t sandal weather, does not mean that we should neglect the appearance and health of our feet.

Routine visits to a Podiatrist can help prevent and alleviate pain or simply maintain your feet to prevent problems, and ensure your feet are

ESWT – soundwave treatment for Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis

comfortable and ready to keep you moving.

Podiatrists, formerly known as Chiropodists, are footcare specialists, medically qualified to degree level to deal with a wide range of foot problems, and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

At Feet First you are treated in our well equipped and recently refurbished clinic at Thame by our team of highly qualified and experienced Podiatrists, all

T h i s fa r m i n g l i f e

passionate about foot care.

Our aim is to keep you moving and we will do all we can to achieve this, using a combination of innovative technology, professional expertise and care.

We provide a wide range of services for all your footcare needs, from nail care to dealing with corns, calluses and ingrown toenails, to specialist treatments for fungal nails, stubborn verrucae, achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis and high risk diabetic feet.

Often, joint pains and injuries further up the body can be caused or exacerbated by poor foot posture (flat feet, pronation, high arches).

Podiatrists understand the causes of soft tissue and joint stress and can treat a variety of issues, from tired aching feet and legs to heel pain, ankle pain, forefoot pain, bunions, knee, shin and leg pain and get you back on track, pain free and mobile.

We also have specialist equipment to help sporting types with achilles tendon and foot pain

Jenney Klose Podiatrist

problems and can undertake gait analysis, to examine the structure, alignment and movement of feet and lower limbs to identify posturerelated or movement related problems in people with injuries and muscle fatigue.

We also have a small shoe shop with a stylish range of wide fit shoes for those with wider feet.

We aim to keep you moving healthy feet, happy body! l Feet First, 13a Upper High

Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3ER Tel: 01844 261023 Email: enquiries@feet-first.org Web: www.feet-first.org

by Heather Jan Brunt

Mary Poppins on speed!

I

’ve never been a gym bunny.

Exercise, for me, has to be a part of my daily routine with a purpose, like walking to work or to visit a friend.

My primary form of exercise has always been walking but I have cycled on and off over the years. My last bike was a second-hand rustbucket with three dodgy gears.

My children are much more professional about it, both are fully immersed in cycling culture and have taken part in several charity rides. Their next challenge is in May and when I ventured that I might like to start cycling again, they told me to go for it and to join them on their spring ride!

And so, on New Year’s Day I ordered a brand new bike - with a difference. I bought an electric bike. I can hear the protests from here! Cheat! How can that be exercise? But hey, my bike is a Pendleton Somerby ebike, yes ‘that’ Pendleton, Victoria Pendleton, Olympic athlete and gold medal cyclist. If she can give her name to an electric bike and sing its praises, it can’t be that bad surely.

Heather on her Pendleton Somerby ebike

And it isn’t bad at all. In fact, it’s absolutely blinkin’ fabulous and I have barely used my car since getting it, which must be good for the environment right?

The best thing is knowing you don’t need boundless energy to go out and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. It really is a total doddle to ride and it’s got me out and about almost every day. And even if I am not using excessive energy, I am still using more than if I was driving. I only switch the electric battery on when there’s an incline in the road (which is, to be fair, pretty often).

I feel like Mary Poppins on speed as I sit upright on my bike, shopping basket on the front, and

sail up hills with minimum effort.

It’s a revelation to arrive at my destination cool, calm and still wearing all the clothes I put on at the start of the ride. In the past I’ve had to stop and strip off layer after layer as the effort required to cycle meant I got hot and sweaty.

But that’s one of the selling points of these fabulous eclectic bikes – commuters don’t need to change and/or shower when they get to work.

Of course, getting back on a bike again has reminded me of some of the less savoury aspects of cycling – such as potholes on the roads and on the pavements/cycle paths, and I’ve been bumping about so much my daughter has recommended I wear a sports bra to protect my assets!

With the roads so heavy with traffic now, it’s good to see more cycleways, but one thing we are definitely still very short of, is secure places to leave your bike.

Even with massive heavy D-locks and multiple chains it takes a strong nerve to leave your bike unattended for several hours while

This farming life Heather Jan Brunt

toddling off to meet a friend for coffee and ice cream.

I love the freedom I feel on my ebike, the sociability (people smile and say hello as you pass them), and the ease with which I can get into the towns and villages. I feel much more ‘connected’ as I get to know the routes and see familiar things.

And so, how likely is it that I will be joining my children on their charity cycle ride in May? Well they both seem convinced I’ll be there, and even if they complete the longer route without electrical assistance, faster than I can tackle the shorter route on my ebike, I will still feel exhilarated and part of a great community event. l Follow Heather Jan Brunt on

Twitter @HJBjournalist

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

31

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Fitness focus

Health & Fitness

with Kelly Langmaid

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Bone trouble - what can we do?

A

ccidents and injuries can cause all sorts of pain and problems in our bodies.

A broken foot that heals badly can then go on to cause us chronic back pain, or even neck pain as our body tries to compensate.

Often our only option is an operation to rebreak and repair it.

That means days, sometimes even weeks off work. Great in thought, but the reality is that surgery is a huge trauma for our bodies.

What if I told you that we can sometimes change the alignment of our bones and put them back in to their correct place…. without surgery. Sounds crazy right?

Since her initial discovery in 1973, Sharon Wheeler from Seattle in the USA has been exploring the curious phenomenon of BoneWork.

Bones are designed to be able to roll and move, but a direct impact can cause adhesions between our bones. Adhesions of two surfaces which are not normally attached to each other and then connect structures that should not be connected. So, the surface of our

Before treatment

After treatment

bones can get stuck together. This can cause dysfunction and chronic pain.

In BoneWork, deep manual pressure is precisely directed through the adhesion to release the stuck bones. The bones are now free to move, or “roll” into a better relationship within the structure of the body. This also means that misaligned joints can go back to their normal position and start to function normally again.

shape and contour. So badly healed breaks in the bone, or scars in the bone, transform towards normal in moments. Results appear to be permanent.

The images above are of a broken foot that went undetected for two years. The hospital put a boot on the foot, to try and straighten it out. When that didn’t work, they said the only other option was surgery. After a 2-hour Bonework treatment, the foot is flat and the ankle is now straight and the client was able to walk on it again. However, such a dramatic change needs to be supported with rehabilitation and strengthening exercises to maintain the

But what if the bones are warped or crooked? Bone Change is a method of direct pressure into the surface of the bones. This technique is designed to address

Kelly Langmaid UK Body Mechanix change. The client now has the option to refuse surgery and enjoy her improved quality of life as her foot/ankle continues to strengthen.

There are only 35 qualified Boneworks practitioners in the UK. UK Body Mechanix offers this specialised treatment at both Karma House in Stone and The Belmore Centre in Aylesbury. l For more information about

Boneworks please call Kelly Langmaid on: 07971 001318.

Or visit the UK Body Mechanix website at: www.UKBody Mechanix.com

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33

supported by

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Supporting total Hospice care for local families affected by life-limiting illness

www.fnhospice.org.uk

01296 429975

This is a charity event raising funds for Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity, Registered Charity Number: 1119499

A night to remember!

It’s the fundraiser of the year for our local Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity and, as 2019 marks both the 10th Midnight Walk and the 30th Anniversary of the Hospice, there’s a personal invitation to everyone who has raised money for the Hospice to date to come back and join in this special event...

F

lorence Nightingale Hospice Charity’s Midnight Walk began in 2010 with 550 ladies walking up to 12 miles and raising £65,000.

Since then, Midnight Walkers have walked an estimated 35,000 miles and raised nearly £600,000 for Florence Nightingale Hospice – providing much needed support to patients and their families across Buckinghamshire, and parts of Oxfordshire and Bedfordshire.

It is the Charity’s biggest fundraising event, but more than that, it is a very special night for everyone who takes part, whether they are walking in memory of someone they love, or just enjoying the spectacular and unique experience of walking through the night for a great cause with close friends and family.

Last year, men were invited to join alongside women, and more than 150 men took up the offer. The 2018 Walk also saw many family groups with more children taking on the challenge than ever before.

2019 marks the 30th Anniversary of the Hospice, as well as the 10th Midnight Walk. One of the themes for the 30th Anniversary celebrations is reaching back down the decades to reconnect with the many thousands of people who have raised money for the Hospice – whether during the original Vale of Aylesbury Hospice Appeal in 19861989, or in the 30 years since.

In this milestone year, Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity would like as many people as possible who have done the Midnight Walk before to reunite and join staff, Volunteers and fellow fundraisers, on Saturday 22nd

34

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Midnight Walk 2019 Saturday 22ND June at Aylesbury College, Oxford Road.

Registration from 10pm Walk starts at 12am Registration is £20 per person which includes commemorative Midnight Walk T-shirt, medal and light breakfast at the Finish.

June, to celebrate the lives of loved ones and to pay tribute to the work that the Hospice has done over three decades, in providing comfort to those in need of palliative care and emotional support at the end of life.

“The Midnight Walk is such an inspiring event to take part in and plays a huge role in our fundraising for the Hospice,” explains Lee Lloyd, Head of Fundraising at the Charity.

“We hope that this 10th Walk will be bring Hospice supporters of all ages together, to walk alongside the people who their efforts have helped over the years.”

In 2019, Walkers can choose from the 5 mile or 10 mile circular routes – both starting from Aylesbury College at midnight with entertainment along the way.

All Walkers will receive a free commemorative Midnight Walk T-shirt, as

well as a medal and complimentary breakfast at the end of the Walk.

For more information and to sign up, please visit: www.fnhospice.org.uk/midnightwalk or call: 01296 429975. l Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC) Unit 2 Walton Lodge, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 7QY Tel: 01296 429975 Web: www.fnhospice.org.uk Facebook: /florencenightingalehospice Twitter: @fnhospice Registered Charity 1119499

G o o d h e a lt h

Health & Beauty

with Sandra Smith

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

That’s stretching it!

T

here’s something about a good stretch that is invigorating, a kind of natural and gently reviving stimulant. In fact, it’s so satisfying, why limit yourself to an occasional stretch when a regular routine of simple movements could have a positive impact on your mobility, improve posture and even reduce stress?

‘Stretching increases flexibility and range of movement,’ states Pilates instructor, Katrina Rance, ‘while improving circulation and releasing stress – muscle tension is common around the neck, shoulders and upper back. It may also help heal existing back injuries.’

Muscles contain elastic tissue; lengthening these and associated soft tissues results in a number of changes regardless of your age or lifestyle. Beginners or those with a sedentary regime, however, should start slowly, getting used to static stretches which are performed without movement. How long

Katrina Rance

should each stretch be held?

‘This question causes a lot of debate amongst exercise therapists but general thoughts are that anything less than 10 seconds is only just allowing the muscle to relax and lengthen. For any real benefit, hold for 20-30 seconds.

This is all relative to the individual level of involvement in sport and fitness.’

Fitter individuals might opt for other options: passive stretching often involves equipment; active uses the strength of opposing

muscles; Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is advanced, performed by a Physical Therapist and often part of rehabilitation; isometric is more demanding and not recommended for children or young adults.

No matter your choice, Katrina stresses that bouncing is to be avoided and pain should never be a by product.

‘Stretch gently and slowly, so it’s pleasurable, relaxing and beneficial. If a muscle is stretched to the point of pain, the body reacts by employing the stretch reflex.

This prevents serious damage to muscles and tendons, causing them to contract and avoid over stretching.’

In addition, if concentration causes you to hold your breath, remember breathing helps relax muscles and promote blood flow which delivers oxygen and nutrients around the body, so it’s crucial to breathe normally.

Whether you are new to

Good Health

Sandra Smith stretching or already understand its value, there is much to be gained from practising for a mere 10 minutes per day. And without the need for specialist equipment or clothing, it’s accessible, too.

So remember, if an occasional stretch revives you, then imagine how a regular, dedicated schedule could enhance strength, promote a healthier attitude and even instil calm into your life. www.katrinarancefitness classesbucks.com l Sandra Smith is a freelance

writer, follow her on Twitter: @TheCurrentMrsS or visit her website: www.TheCurrentMrsSmith.co.uk

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35

Nick Andrews

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

E d u c at i o n m at t e r s

by Nick Andrews

Training for a vocation

I

t is sometimes said that ‘people make places’, well then perhaps teachers make people. There may be something in that.

I recently met with Karen Mitchell, Principal of the Buckinghamshire College Group, (which consists of Further Education campuses in Aylesbury, Amersham and High Wycombe) at her office in Aylesbury, to find out more about our local Further Education (FE) college.

Karen immediately began reflecting on her own school life.

“It was a dreadful experience, I wanted to be a PE teacher but didn’t get the qualifications and grades.” So, Karen then went to the local college and undertook a childcare qualification, which led her into nursing for 18 years, mainly in trauma and A&E. At this time, she was bringing up two children, Stuart and James – both

now in their late twenties.

Her link with Buckinghamshire College group began at Aylesbury College in 1998 when Karen joined as a part-time Health tutor. Rising through the ranks she now runs a three-site college group with more than 8,000 students of varying ages, studying a very wide range of vocational subjects.

Karen is passionate about what she does. “We have the capacity to transform lives here. This is technical, professional and vocational skills-based learning

at all levels, including A-Level equivalents, apprenticeships and higher education. We provide access to opportunities and build the confidence of our learners – some of whom may have struggled in other environments”.

The College serves both employers and students – the local area review of 2016 set out an agenda of what was needed locally by employers and this ultimately led to the merger of the two colleges.

Karen’s job is not made easier by funding levels in the FE sector.

A report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies highlighted the scale of the issue: per-student spending in FE and sixth-form colleges is around 8% lower than in secondary schools with spending per student in FE having fallen by around 12% in real terms since 2010.

“FE has not only been the sector most squeezed since 2010, but it follows a long-running pattern

Education Matters of being treated less generously than other parts of the education system”.

Nonetheless, this determined educator continues driving her team to keep on providing the same real opportunities for our young people and adults to succeed, that she herself received back in the 1980s.

It may be that a more vocational qualification would be suitable for your child. There are Open Evenings at Aylesbury College on: Wed 6th February 4:30-7pm Sat 11th May 10am-1pm and Thur 20th June 4:30-7pm when you can meet and discuss anything to do with vocational education with one of the tutors.

Telephone 01296 588 588 or see: www.buckscollegegroup.ac.uk for more details. l Nick Andrews is a retired headmaster who now works as an educational consultant and can be contacted on: nickubiq@gmail.com

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

d i g i ta l da n g e r s

by Samantha Hollier

Keep kids safe online

C

an I have the iPad?’ seems to be the stock phrase in my house, closely followed by, ‘can I use your phone?’

These are not the utterings of a deprived teenage son or daughter but those of my four-year-old.

Yes I am a parent that allows their child to use an internet ready device with not much supervision.

Am I mad? Don’t I understand the dangers I am putting my vulnerable child in? Shouldn’t he be out playing with sticks and mud?

The answer to all is yes! Yes I am mad, but yes I understand the dangers and yes, he really should be outside... but then so should I, instead of checking my Facebook profile, tweeting about a great recipe or giggling at a picture on Instagram, or worse playing a game, to finish just one more level!

The world we live in has changed dramatically. When the internet launched I didn’t even have a phone, let alone a computer. Today the first question I get asked in my job is,

‘can I use your Wi-Fi’ followed by, ‘well that password is rubbish!’

Internet safety is something everyone talks about and quite rightly so. We are bombarded with messages of fear, of what could happen to you if you send a picture of yourself across the web, or if you speak to a stranger. We hear about grooming gangs and exploitation, and this is levelled towards the most precious people in our lives, our children.

But, if we take the time to build a healthy relationship with the internet, could things be different?

I have been a youth worker for

more than 20 years and today, every single youngster audibly rolls their eyes when you mention internet safety. They have heard the stories.

They have seen the videos. They know how to turn their privacy setting on. They even know how to hack into the neighbour’s Wi-Fi if their parent turns theirs off!

Yet, they still make mistakes.

They still get into situations they do not know how to get out of. They still need our help to navigate the complex, online ‘reality’ they are living in. They are still children.

So what can we do? You are the experts when it comes to your child, but here are some suggestions that may help support you and them.

1. Talk to your child about what they are doing online, if you don’t ask the question you will never know.

2. Ask them to teach you about the social media they are using. Ask what the platforms do and what they use them for.

3. If they do come across

Samantha Hollier something they are concerned about or are asked to share something inappropriate, reassure them and report it to CEOP – which also has a huge wealth of support available for you at: www.ceop.police.uk/ safety-centre/ 4. Model good behaviour – you cannot expect your child to put their phone/internet ready device down if yours is in your hand all the time.

5. There are other resources to help you talk to your children (including engaging videos for all ages and needs) on the NSPCC website: www.nspcc.org.uk l Samantha Hollier is the founder

of Digitally Yours, a non-profit organisation to build empowered relationship with the internet. You can find out more on her website, www.digitally-yours.co.uk

Pardon my English! Win a copy of Flora Bee book A local dialect ‘Call My Bluff’ by Jacot de Boinod Can you guess the right definitions of the following words?

1) Grufty

(Hertfordshire dialect)

A) grumbling, holding a grudge B) dirty, unwashed C) angry, furious

2) gorkin’

(Hertfordshire dialect) A) quarrelsome, contentious about trifles B) walking unwillingly C) of an idle and inquisitive person who stands staring for prolonged periods at anything out of the common

3) Wusser

(Buckinghamshire dialect) A) the narrow kind of barge for canal work B) the last and least willing sheep to be sheared C) the youngest of a litter of pigs

4) Uck-bats

(Berkshire dialect) A) freckles B) broken bricks C) paper or rag chewed into small pieces by mice

l Adam Jacot de Boinod was a researcher for the

television series QI and is the author of The Meaning of Tingo and Other Extraordinary Words from around the World, published by Penguin Books. Having researched our rural dialect, he is setting a fun ‘Call-My-Bluff Quiz for Vale Life readers - mind your language now...

A

t the bees’ training school, every day is a new adventure and a new lesson to learn.

But when Flora Bee goes missing, it creates a huge panic in the bees’ world.

All her friends form search parties and vow to find her.

But will they be able to make it in time?

The Adventures of Flora Bee: Bee School is a new children’s book by Rhodri Davies. Rhodri, who lives at Seer Green near Amersham, works in Aviation education and has been making up stories for youngsters since his son was small.

A series of tales about the adventures of Flora Bee came about whilst the author was watching small Bees ‘learning to fly’ in his garden.

If you’d like to be in with the chance of winning a copy of this

colourfully illustrated children’s book, please email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@ vale-life.co.uk What do Bees collect from flowers and turn into honey?

Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email by 4th March. l The Adventures of Flora Bee: Bee School - ISBN: 9781528919401 www.austinmacauley.com Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

37

ANSWERS: 1B) dirty, unwashed (particularly of the neck and face) 2B) walking unwillingly 3A) a narrow kind of barge (also called monkeyboat or fly-boat) 4B) broken bricks

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

d ow n to b u s i n e s s

with Philippa Batting

Join the festivities!

Y

ou may have already heard the exciting news about the upcoming Buckinghamshire Business Festival; the first-of-its-kind event for our county, that runs from March 4th-15th.

Featuring a wide range of skills workshops, networking events, the Buckinghamshire Brexit Summit, the Buckinghamshire Business Expo and more, the festival celebrates the enterprising heroes of the Entrepreneurial Heart of Britain.

There are many reasons for your business to get involved, including the numerous networking, upskilling and learning opportunities present, but another important reason is one we can all support: community.

The Buckinghamshire business community has long been a beacon of enterprise and thrives as a diverse, creative, interconnected eco system. But it is also part of a

wider social community, putting money in people’s pockets and providing them with the selfworth of employment, and raising taxes to pay for vital services and infrastructure projects.

The Buckinghamshire Business Festival feels like both a culmination and a beginning; a culmination of past successes and hard work that deserve celebrating, and the beginning of new partnerships that can take businesses to the heights they are striving for.

So, how can businesses get involved? They can get their own events added to the festival schedule, and attend one or more of the events taking place across the two weeks. There’s quite the schedule to choose from.

The Buckinghamshire Business Expo offers networking

opportunities in abundance, with more people and businesses under one roof than you’ll find anywhere else in Buckinghamshire this year.

The Buckinghamshire Brexit Summit will offer conversation, reflection, presentations, information, resources and more on what businesses can do to succeed in a post-Brexit world.

A series of jobs fairs will bring businesses face-to-face with people of all ages, experience levels and skills types who are looking for their next career move. This will be a mix of students looking for a first step into work, those looking to use their experience and skills in a new environment, those looking for a career sea-change, and those coming back from retirement with plenty to offer.

Businesses and service providers such as Blaser Mills, FM Training, Thames Valley Police, Solid Silver Solutions, Elaine Begley PR, Digital Marketing Implementation

Philippa Batting Down to business

Services, and Buckinghamshire Libraries are either running their own events or partnering with Buckinghamshire Business First on a workshop.

The aforementioned are all poised to reap the rewards of collaboration and promotion as a part of the Buckinghamshire Business Festival. There’s still time for your business to join them.

For more information, visit: www.bbf.uk.com/bucksbusinessfest call: 01494 927130 or email: info@bbf.uk.com l Philippa Batting is MD of Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF), working to support and facilitate success within the business community. Membership is free - visit: www.bbf.uk.com

serviced office space & business support 01844 211080 follow us twitter.com/sanderumcentre www.sanderumcentre.co.uk hello@sanderumcentre.co.uk 38

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Commercial property services

Chandler Garvey offers a full range of commercial property services to owners and occupiers, from a network of five offices in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. Each client is highly valued and we work hard to build lasting business relationships. Please see our website at: www.chandlergarvey.com for more information or call our Aylesbury office on 01296 398383 or email: tc@chandlergarvey.com with your enquiry.

PRESS RElEASE

To Let

The Future Centre, Aylesbury – First floor offices 5,505 sq ft

CHAnDlER GARVEy MARkET nEW COMMERCIAl Buy TO lET OPPORTunITy In AylESBuRy

Newly refurbished first floor offices of 5,505 sq ft ( 511.41 sq m) with 45 on-site car spaces.

The property forms part of a larger business unit, constructed during the late 1980s, and benefits from a private entrance, kitchen area, WCs and showers.

Alan Chandler, Director of Chandler Garvey has been instructed by Kingston Space Ltd to It has new suspended ceilings with recessed lighting, carpeting market the Space Business Centre, a development of 27 units located in one back to back throughout and an eight person passenger lift.

To

terrace and 16 units in the other. The units are of modern construction, having been built in retail Cambridge Street,floor.

Aylesbury Let 2009. The sizes range from 367 sq. ft. up Four to 908new sq. ft. and units, are fitted with a mezzanine The total accommodation on the estate is 19,541 sq. ft. The site benefits from tax and stamp An exciting new development of four retail units, located on the site duty savings, cheaper than renting, commercial investment yields be higher than yields on of the former Odeon cinema, at will the junction of Cambridge Street residential buy to lets, all units are business rates (smallAylesbury. business rate relief), and and the A418exempt / New Street, The units are in close proximity to the main retail centre of there is a dedicated unit and visitor parking.

Aylesbury and within a three minute walk of Hale Leys shopping

centre and Friars Square centre andLtd justare a few yards from The freehold is owned by Aylesbury Vale District Council andshopping Kingston Space the long Marks and Spencer’s High Street store. leaseholders, with over 130 years remaining. Units are available from £64,000 plus VAT.

The commercial units form part of the Churchill Retirement Living

with three units of 543 sq ft (50.4 sq m) and one of 1,014 All units are let on monthly licences andScheme, are now producing a gross annual income in excess sq ft (94.2 sq m) which is currently being used as a sales office. of £300,000. Further details from Alan Chandler / 01296 Units 2, 3–&ac@chandlergarvey.com 4 will be available in approximately 2-3398383. months time.

To Let

6 Millennium Point, Broadfields, Aylesbury – 6,623 sq ft A modern industrial warehouse unit situated on the Broadfields Estate, just off the A41 Bicester Road. It is adjacent to a large Tesco Superstore and close to the retail park occupied by companies such as TK Maxx, Halfords, Next, Dunelm Mill and Marks and Spencer.

The unit is of steel portal frame construction with profile cladding and attractive externals.

The property benefits from a forecourt which provides generous car parking, roller shutter door, an eaves height of approximately 6m and well fitted first floor offices.

For Sale

10 Chenies Parade, Little Chalfont – 1,230 sq ft Retail premises, a former butchers, in a popular and busy parade which includes outlets such as Tesco & Costa Coffee.

Now available for sale due to retirement, the shop has been trading as a butchers for nearly 54 years and remains fitted out as such ie. Sales counter, fridge, freezers, preparation area etc.

Call our Aylesbury Team - Alan Chandler and Terri Clarke on: 01296 398383 Lettings | Acquisitions | Investments | Valuations | Property Management Rent Reviews and Lease Renewals | Development / Planning Advice | Business Rates

A new perspective on property

www.chandlergarvey.com

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

39

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Who’s got your back?

Life is a risky business! We never quite know what is around the corner and things do go wrong.

Insurance is a way of covering ourselves, so if the worst should happen your insurance company will come to the rescue with funds to cover your losses and help and support in your hours of need...

W

hen you buy insurance, you transfer the cost of a potential loss to the insurance company in exchange for a fee the premium. Insurance companies invest carefully, so they can grow the funds taken and pay out when there’s a claim. Most of us have experience of travel, motor or even home insurance but there are many other forms, especially if you run a business.

Local independent, J. Bennett and Son insurance brokers, was established in 1908 and has grown over the years, both organically and through acquisition, to become one of the largest independent insurance brokers in the South of England.

They are based in an old but stylishly converted furniture factory at Piddington, between Stokenchurch and West Director Mark Nicholl Wycombe but also have offices in Oxford and meeting rooms industry for more than 40 in Thame, where Director Mark years. “It’s not advisable to Nicholl (who has lived and go on the internet and buy worked in the town for many the cheapest policy you can MD Peter Sutcliffe years) is your key contact. find, unless you know that it “Several of our staff live in provides the cover you need Thame,” says Mark. “As does Simon, the and that should you need to claim, you will grandson of our founder Jake Bennett. We be quickly and efficiently dealt with. It’s very are very involved in the town as a company difficult to know though, without a lot of and sponsor the cricket club, the football club research and reading of terms and conditions, and the rugby club!” which is where we come in.

J. Bennett & Son’s success is due as “As an independent broker we are not tied much to their friendly, personal approach, to any one insurer, allowing us the freedom to as it is to their specialist knowledge and recommend the right kind of cover for each professionalism. They use their expertise to of our clients. We do the leg work for you! tailor a policy to suit your individual needs, “Should the situation arise, getting your because every business is different. claim sorted efficiently and speedily is key Each client has a dedicated account and support essential, but often a client manager, who will make it easy to switch doesn’t know if the insurer will be any good from your existing insurer, if you have one. at this aspect, until they actually make a claim.

They offer flexible payment options, bespoke That’s where our knowledge can really be insurance solutions, specialist knowledge and of help - you don’t want to find yourself impartial advice. standing by the smouldering ruins of your “Price is important but insurance is more home or business, wondering if you are about value,” says Managing Director Peter properly covered!

Sutcliffe, who has been in the insurance “We see it as a partnership. If one of

40

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

our clients rings up with a problem, the director will be on the end of the phone and/or popping out to see them that day. It is a personal service and we are there to act for you as your personal broker - you won’t be left waiting on the line to speak to a call centre, we will be there to help guide you through your claim.”

“We deal with a lot of local businesses,” says Mark. “From sole traders to small and medium sized firms and all types of professions, from brushmakers to hot air balloonists, leisure centres, garages, manufacturers, contractors and tradesmen, each with policies tailored to suit their specific needs. These could cover buildings and contents, liability and indemnity, stock cover, cyber cover, commercial motor insurance and much more. We also specialise in areas of personal insurance such as high value home insurance.

“With a new client we like to have an initial chat to find out what their needs are and how we might help. We don’t try and sell you a policy but we can advise on the best options and explain the pros and cons if required. We see it as a partnership, we are here to help, to build trust and create an ongoing relationship - not to make a quick sale. We have clients who have been with us for many years and family businesses who have dealt with us for generations because they appreciate the service we provide and that is our aim.”

Mark has worked in the insurance industry for 35 years, so is extremely experienced.

He was based in Thame with Osbornes Insurance for 17 of those years and dealt with many local businesses in that time. He joined J. Bennett & Son in 2013 as a Director and now looks forward to once again being more active in the Thame and surrounding area. You can contact him as below. l J. Bennett & Son, 9 North’s Estate, Old Oxford Road, Piddington, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 3BE Tel: 01494 450 450 Email: mark@jbennett.co.uk Web: www.jbennett.co.uk

01296 329875 www.gt-business.com

Group success Law firm hits 60

F

ounded in December 2017 as an invitation only networking group for senior leaders of professional businesses in Aylesbury Vale, The Aylesbury Group (TAG) quickly established itself with 24 members joining at the first meeting!

Just over a year on, the group has more than 40 annual members and regularly has 40 to 50 attendees at monthly meetings on the 1st Tuesday of the month at The Watermead Inn. “We are delighted that TAG has developed into such a great business network of like-minded senior professionals,” says TAG Chairman, Paul Bolton, of business development consultancy Bolton Services Limited. “To see and hear so much interaction between members’ businesses is fantastic.”

During our first year, in addition to our ‘normal’ monthly meetings, we have held special events, including TAG Socials,

C

Rt Hon David Lidington MP addressing TAG last year

Sponsors’ Events and our first annual Banner Event.

“We also held Speaker Events and were delighted to have a very special guest speaker in the Rt Hon David Lidington MP, giving us his views on some local, national and international issues.

“We look forward to welcoming our local MP back for a TAG Round Table Business Surgery in 2019, which will of course be a very interesting year for all businesses!”

“We look forward to developing TAG further in 2019.

To find out more about The Aylesbury Group please see: www.theaylesburygroup.co.uk

hampagne corks have been popping at Kidd Rapinet to celebrate sixty years in business!

Merriment and congratulatory messages were many, but the legal services company will not be resting on its laurels.

An early adopter of IT systems and always at the forefront of technical advancements and solutions to support its commercial clients, Kidd Rapinet never sits still.

The foundations were set back in 1958 when John Kidd, Michael Rapinet and Peter Badge met at a law society dinner and agreed to merge – creating both a London and out of London (Slough) office, something that just didn’t exist at that time.

Today, the firm, run by 22 partners across six offices serves a wide range of local businesses with company and commercial legal services and also carries out property, private client and family work. The firm

employs 42 solicitors (including partners), supported by licensed conveyancers, legal executives, trainee solicitors, paralegals and legal secretaries.

Throughout its sixty years the firm has prided itself in being able to provide top quality advice in a way that clients can understand and the company’s new website: www.kiddrapinet. co.uk now offers a plethora of downloads and free information.

The firm also gives valuable support to charities - the Aylesbury office and the local Florence Nightingale Hospice started the Aylesbury solicitors Bake Off competition (The ASBO Award) in 2013, which has been held annually since, with Kidd Rapinet finally winning the Judges award last year!

While Kidd Rapinet has embraced modern technology its success may be more due to retaining the same core values that its founding partners instilled when they set off back in 1958!

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

41

ARTICULARLY PHONE NUMBERS AND Business OUR EMAIL ADDRESS

tern Directories h ow ’ s B u s i n e s s ?

web. www.chiltern

with Steve Bridson

I No T Ecost D marketing?!

T here are many ways to spend a lot of money marketing your business.

Large corporates splash out millions each year. However, small businesses may only have a few hundred pounds to play with – so the challenge for small business owners is how to get your name out there for as little as possible.

There are many strategies you can employ that don’t cost the earth but will help raise your profile and generate business. You have to be sensible, find out what works for you and then do more of it.

Over the next few issues I am going to tell you about different strategies that have been successful for me, both in my own businesses, and when working for my clients.

Get networking!

using their contacts to find business opportunities for their fellow members.

4N (www.4networking.biz) also requires a membership fee, it’s national and you pay £15 to attend each meeting.

An alternative option for ladies in business is Athena (www. theathenanetwork.com). A national networking group with local monthly meetings. You pay for a year’s membership and also for the meetings you choose to attend.

Locally there is also the very informal Thame Ladies Network and Wendover Ladies Network which are Facebook groups with occasional meetings.

There are also networking events run by the Local Enterprise Partnerships, the Chamber of Commerce, Bucks Business First... and a plethora of other local groups run by individuals or companies in most towns.

If you want to go networking, it’s

Steve Bridson Bucks Business Advice

worth trying out different groups to find what suits you. Personally I attend a BNI group and Business Buzz.

You need to commit to building relationships with the people you meet but it can be very rewarding and you may find that as well as building great business relationships, you will form some strong friendships too!

support network of likeminded tel. 0771281 LEASE CHECK THIS individuals,PROOF who are in the same CAREFULLY, boat as you. There are lots of tel. 075000482 different networking events ARTICULARLY PHONE NUMBERS AND offering a variety of things to suit web. www.chiltern different personalities and varying OUR EMAIL ADDRESS budgets.

NEW SHOWROOM NOW OPEN Networking For those in a small business, networking is an exceptionally ESSonly getting powerful WIRofELnot Eway E R F CHbuilding a yourself noticed SWITbut

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They range from the informal, such as Business Buzz (www. business-buzz.org) where there is no commitment - you just turn up once a month, pay £5 and chat with other attendees, to the more structured, such as BNI (www. bni.co.uk) which operates with an annual membership, weekly meetings and a focus on members

l Steve Bridson is a specialist in

Business Growth and runs Bucks Business Advice Ltd. E:steve.bridson@ buckbusinessadvice.com www.linkedin.com/in/stevebridson/

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

by Cathy Soughton

Ice houses

Peterloo Massacre, Manchester

W

e take fridges and freezers for granted these days but for our ancestors (or at least those who could afford it), keeping food cold and having ice cubes in drinks was a much more complicated process.

You may have seen an item in the news recently that an enormous egg-shaped brick cavern had been rediscovered near Regent’s Park, close to the Jubilee line tunnels, which turned out to be one of the largest ice houses built in London.

In the days before the invention of refrigeration, ice houses stored ice which was subsequently used to keep food and drink cold.

The earliest ice houses in England date from the 1660s. During a winter freeze, chunks of ice were carved from lakes and canals and stored for future consumption. Various types and designs of ice house exist but many were brick lined, domed structures with most of their volume underground with a drain to take away any melt-water. The Regent’s

Hughenden Manor Icehouse Park ice house had been built in the 1780s for commercial use and it originally stored ice taken from the River Thames when it iced over.

In the 1820s enterprising ice merchant and confectioner William Leftwich began importing tons of high quality, crystal clear ice from Norway, which he transported up the new Regent’s canal to be lowered into the ice store, where it remained frozen for long periods of time.

Safe enough to be used in drinks as well as keeping food chilled, the ice was chipped off, wrapped in hay and shipped by horse and cart to restaurants and private houses.

The ice houses in London were

A d ro p o f s h e r ry

commercial enterprises but in rural areas, they were smaller in scale and usually the preserve of country houses. Very much a status symbol, they were built usually on the north side of a house and near the kitchen. Some were utilitarian, others more picturesque with thatched roofs. Generally brick built they were usually constructed with two thirds of the house submerged below ground for insulation and the remaining third above.

In Buckinghamshire a number of ice houses were built; many have since been demolished but some surviving ones have listed building status. At Waddesdon Manor an ice house was built near the aviary. Largely hidden from view, (and not open to the public), it is covered with man-made outcrops of rock. Other ice houses survive at Wycombe Abbey, (probably built

by Capability Brown for the Earl of Shelburne) and at private properties in Amersham and Great Marlow.

One that is open to the public is at Hughenden Manor, now a National Trust property near High Wycombe, it was formerly the country home of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.

During the Second World War, the

manor was home to a top secret map-making operation codenamed ‘Hillside’. Around 100 personnel were based there, drawing up maps used for bombing missions, including the ‘Dambusters’ raid.

The old Victorian ice house was requisitioned as a dark room to process aerial photographs taken for reconnaissance. Apparently new recruits were invited into the icehouse to have a wartime picture taken and got a surprise ice bath in the process; positioned under an icy water outlet in the brick ceiling, someone pulled a lever at the exact moment the camera snapped! The recreated ice house can be viewed during a trip to Hughenden Manor. l Cathy Soughton is a professional

genealogist and architectural historian, providing local family history and house history research.

W: www.bucksresearch.co.uk, E: soughton@bucksresearch.co.uk T: 07787 185962 Family History Gift Voucher For an unusual Christmas present, why not give a gift voucher for Family or House History research undertaken by a professional qualified genealogist.

Contact Cathy as above.

by Sherry Hostler

Random acts of kindness

T

he 17th February is Random Acts of Kindness Day, and even though we shouldn’t really need an excuse to be kind, this day gives us a reason to be nice to a random person just for the sake of it!

I’m as guilty as the next person when it comes to sometimes being too involved in my own dramas to worry about other people. I do try not to be though, and if I can help someone I always will. Is that a trumpet I hear blowing?

Before I start polishing up my crown too much though, let me tell you about the time one of my acts of kindness caused a major security alert on Chiltern Railways after a West End shopping trip…

It had been a long and tiring day, finding a gift for my husband’s birthday and I was exhausted.

As my train finally pulled in to Aylesbury Vale Parkway I noticed an elderly woman on crutches trying to get off the train. I asked her if

Sherry Hostler

A drop of Sherry

she needed help, and she gratefully took hold of my arm while I held her spare crutch and her bag for her and we slowly manoeuvred onto the platform.

“Will you be ok?” I asked her She nodded, but then asked if I could possibly help her down to the taxi rank too.

After a slow descent down the ramp I made sure she was safely ensconced in her cab, and with a warm glow after my good deed, I trotted off to my car. It was only as I

opened the boot to put my shopping inside, that I realised it was still on the train! The train that was just leaving the station to head back into London...

We all know what happens to unattended baggage on trains, hence the security alert, and needless to say my husband never did get the jacket he wanted for his birthday!

My point is this though... if we’re honest with ourselves, no matter what our circumstances, we’re all just doing what we can to get by.

With that in mind, how nice would it be to receive a kind word or gesture from someone else, maybe even a complete stranger, to brighten up our day?

Let’s then pay that forward..

Send a card to a friend just saying ‘you’re great’. Take the rubbish bins out for a neighbour. Donate old blankets to a shelter. Run an errand for someone. Hold a door open.

Smile... it’ll make you feel better too, I promise. l Sherry Hostler is a freelance

writer and blogger. She loves dogs, red wine and snowboarding, but not all at the same time. You can find her at www.adropofsherry.com Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

43

Homes & Gardens Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Step inside

by Polly Gibbs

Merchant Suite by Skinner & Skinner for Town House Co - Liston Suites

The Only Drama You Need In Your Life Is Your Interior

Bring it with Statement Headboards Is anyone else tired of the minimal chic, cookie cutout hotel look?

If like me you’re hankering after something different, individual with serious soul, then read on, because when I experience a sharp intake of breath and my heart skips a beat, I know I’m onto something good.

Following on from wallpaper and lampshades, I predict statement headboards are the next big thing....

A

s winter swirls around, why not re-imagine the humble headboard as an artwork and breathe new life into your nest. Creating a standout headboard really defines a bedroom and gives it a visual focal point in the same way a fireplace does to a lounge, bringing atmosphere and drama to the space. It’s transformative.

44

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Great interiors surprise, delight and create wonder; they jolt you from the mundane.

Cue Skinner & Skinner, architect and interior designer, husband and wife duo Dominic and Claire, responsible for designing the Liston Suites in Corfu, whose interiors stopped me in my internet researching tracks.

This is what I have been searching for; brave, bold fabrics on custom-made headboards that dominate and define the

Polly Gibbs Step inside Polly Gibbs, Creative Director at Coco Design, shares her down to earth approach to interiors, from design secrets to trends and everything in between.

Step inside

by Polly Gibbs

Charles Huntington Flooring

Homes & Gardens Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

throughout their projects. This is design intelligently thought out and lovingly created, with attention showered on every detail. The result is a blurring between hotel and home - and it doesn’t hurt that they’re located in a sunny clime either.

Uber comfortable Greek Coco-Mat beds are topped with locally made headboards that tell a story, making the chosen fabric absolutely key. The Durrell suite for example, (see image page 46) is an ode to British conservationist Gerald Durrell (as depicted in ITV’s •Expert Advice The Durrells, filmed on location at Danilia, Corfu), who lived on •Professional Fitting the island from 1935-39 and later •Very founded JerseyCompetitive Zoo. for Residential andthe The vibrant fabric used for Commercial work headboard naturally features flora and fauna, while a selection of •Carpets to suit all Durrell’s books nestle between Budgets objects, adding to the cosy homely •Free Quotes atmosphere.

(10% of the profit from booking •No Obligation this suite is donated to the Durrell •Free ParkingTrust. Visit Wildlife Conservation Continued on page 46

Charles Huntington Flooring

•Expert Advice •Professional Fitting •Very Competitive for Residential and Commercial work •Carpets to suit all Budgets •Free Quotes •No Obligation Achillon•Free Suite byParking Skinner & Skinner for Town House Co - Liston Suites

Charles Huntington Flooring

space, plus, joy of joys, unlike most with genuine Corfiot personality chain hotels, you won’t find a single that echo the location for a truly • VINYLS • SISAL • STAIR RODS homogeneous CARPETS design repeated per culturally immersive experience. room. TheSAFETY duo createFLOORING interiors Dominic explained how TAPES • WOOD • BINDING

important localisation is to them, it’s part of their creative DNA, with local artisan products and site specificity woven ingeniously

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Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm Saturday 10am until 4pm. Any other time by appointment

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Any other time by appointment Opening Times: Monday toto Friday 10am until 5pm Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm North Mill Road Bledlow Bucks HP2710am 9QP 01844 342400 info@northmillstoves.co.uk www.northmillstoves.co.uk Opening Times: Monday Friday until 3pm Saturday 10am until 4pm. Any other time by appointment Web: www.charleshuntington.co.uk Saturday 10am until 4pm. 10am Any other appointment Saturday until time 4pm. by Any other time Tel: by appointment 01296 337181 Mob: 07767370067 Tel: 01296 337181 Mob:337181 07767370067 Tel: 01296 Mob: 07767370067 Web: www.charleshuntington.co.uk •Free Parking 23 DUCK FARM COURT, STATION WAY, AYLESBURY, HP20 2SQ Unrivalled customer service through the commitment of our family team.

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Contact us to book your free home survey or to visit our showroom to see the stoves in action.

comforts Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

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Homes & Gardens

Step inside

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Durrell Suite by Skinner & Skinner for Town House Co - Liston Suites

by Polly Gibbs Lear Suite by Skinner & Skinner for Town House Co - Liston Suites

Headboard detail Continued from page 45 www.townhouseco.co.uk to book).

I think the Lear Suite is a really great example of how to modernise an existing square headboard. It feels so fresh and inviting, with a pattern that’s decorative without being overpowering. The vertical navy bands are a really nice touch that make it super smart, while crisp white linen and plain walls

heighten the fabric’s impact. Flanked by monochrome parrot lamps that are a nod to the rooms’ namesake Edward Lear, who specialised in drawing birds from life, a practice he continued during his stay on Corfu.

The suite contains some of Lear’s actual paintings.

(10% of the profit from booking this suite is donated to the Edward Lear Society. Visit www. townhouseco.co.uk to book).

Set on the ground floor of an

18th Century building oozing historical significance, the Collas Suite, (image page 49) was the former office of John Collas, whose father Demetrios Collas was the Mayor of Corfu (1899-1911). The headboard, in a cheerful fuschia and orange is set within an alcove giving it a real sense of presence.

The wavy pattern is replicated in the kitchen cabinetry, giving visual harmony, while the bespoke fabrics and furniture are reminiscent of

older times, linking history with modernity.

Many companies will be only too pleased to customise a headboard in your chosen fabric, like this Puffin design (page 49) in a lovely Zoffany fabric. The Headboard Workshop are really helpful, with a good selection of styles and over 150 fabrics to choose from, or use your own.

Hopefully these ideas demonstrate how to embrace pattern and colour

High quality bespoke kitchens and furniture, handmade by skilled craftsmen in Buckinghamshire Complete Kitchens | Bedrooms | Wardrobes | Cupboards | Shelving | Storage Solutions | Furniture | Desks | Offices

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Unit 23, Kemps Farm, Chapel Road, Ford, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8XG Tel: 01296 706030 Email: mark@markwilliamsonfurniture.com Website: www.markwilliamsonfurniture.com 46

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Homes & Gardens

Farm Shop open Thursdays 11am-6.30pm & Saturdays 10am-2pm Fresh organic veg, slow-reared free-range meat & more...

Events throughout the year & ‘pop-up’ Seasonal Suppers Visit: www.sandylanefarm.net for more information Find us in Tiddington (between Thame & Wheatley) OX9 2LA

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

47

‘The Art of Wood Burning’

JØtul “fighting the cold since 1853”

The most comprehensive showroom in Oxfordshire Over 75 stoves and 15 under fire on display Kiln dried and Eco logs

Jøtul – logo

HETAS registered. Ample free parking.

Boundary Business Park, Wheatley Road, Garsington, OX44 9EJ Showroom open Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-1pm For technical advice it is advisable to make an appointment

01865 361505 www.manorhousestoves.co.uk Featured stoves from JØtul 48

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Step inside

by Polly Gibbs

Homes & Gardens Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

from Uzbekistan, there a so many wonderful fabrics to choose from.

4. Details - think about adding piping, buttons, contrasting stitching, fabric borders/frames/ runners, studs, textures or fringes.

Good to know: If the headboard is floorstanding make sure you allow for the skirting. Also note, patterned fabrics will require larger quantities to allow for the pattern repeat.

For more inspiration browse the Curious Coco dedicated ‘Statement Headboards’ Pinterest board and follow @thecuriouscoco on instagram for a kaleidoscope of design inspiration.

Source List skinnerandskinner.co.uk townhouseco.co.uk durrell.org edwardlearsociety.org coco-mat.com theheadboardworkshop.co.uk pinterest.co.uk/curious_coco/ instagram.com/thecuriouscoco l Polly is an award-winning designer, Decorex100 interiors influencer & Amara Interiors Blog Award Finalist.

If you’ve got a rockin’ interior or design dilemma, message her and it could feature in the next issue.

E: polly@curious-coco.com W: www.curious-coco.com Insta, Twitter, FB: @TheCuriousCoco

Collas Suite by Skinner & Skinner for Town House Co - Liston Suites

in a really simple yet effective way.

Here’s a few further tips to get the best outcome: 1.Shape - consider the silhouette on the wall with shapes from baroque grandeur, decorative deco to fluid curves, or stick with smart masculine lines if curves are just not your thing. Mark it out on the wall, or use a paper template to get a sense of scale.

2. Size - ideally the headboard will be around 5cm wider than the bed

to allow for the additional width bedding adds to the bed frame. This is all about impact so don’t forget to make allowance for the height of your pillows and cushions.

3. Pattern - it’s totally about the right fabric. Headboards are a brilliant opportunity to celebrate artistic heritage, world cultures or your favourite travel destination.

Don’t be afraid to be bold; from Indian block printed textiles to Oriental silks, Suzani or ikat fabrics

A quote that not many painters and decorators can match.

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WE HAVE SOME AMAZING TRADE DEALS AVAILABLE THIS MONTH Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

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Homes & Gardens Advertising feature

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Helping you move Dandara’s innovative ‘Assisted Move’ scheme helps new home buyers at Saint’s Hill, Saunderton...

Saint’s Hill is an outstanding collection of family homes set amongst the stunning Chiltern Hills.

S

elling a home and buying somewhere new can be a challenge, especially when you’ve found the perfect place but still need to sell your existing property, to complete the purchase.

This is when Dandara’s ‘Assisted Move’ scheme comes to the rescue and has proved successful, locally, at its Saint’s Hill development in Saunderton, Buckinghamshire.

Customers who have found their potential perfect new home, at Saint’s Hill, are able to fix the purchase price. Dandara then instructs two or three independent estate agents to value their existing property and agree a selling price likely to achieve a prompt sale.

Once the marketing price has been agreed, Dandara will instruct the agents to begin marketing the existing property.

As soon as an acceptable offer has been received and agreed, customers can formally reserve their new home at Saint’s Hill.

Upon legal completion of the new home at Saint’s Hill and the existing property, Dandara will pay the agent’s fees.

Advertising feature

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Nestling in the Chiltern Hills, Saint’s Hill has beautiful two, three and four bedroom family homes, ready to move into, from £515,000.

Speaking about the scheme, Greg Kaye, Head of Sales said, “Assisted Move has been a real success at Saint’s Hill by helping our buyers fix the price of their new home and sell their old one. It takes some of the stress out of the process and Dandara pays the

estate agent’s fees!”

‘Assisted Move’ is subject to terms and conditions. To find out more about this innovative scheme, as well as the incredible new homes at Saint’s Hill, call: 01494 863134, visit www.dandara.com or drop into the Saint’s Hill Show Home, which is open Tuesday to Saturday (five days) from 10am to 5pm.

Two, three and four bedroom homes are currently still available, priced from £515,000.

The stylish interiors at Saint’s Hill are perfectly suited for modern family life.

Homes & Gardens Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

A NEW YEAR, A NEW OUTLOOK! In a new home in the stunning Chiltern Hills, 41 minutes from London Marylebone

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S H OW H O M E O P E N F O R V I E W I N G S B Y A P P O I N T M E N T Call now 01494 863 134 to arrange your appointment to view at Saint’s Hill, Slough Lane, Saunderton, HP14 4HN For full details regarding specific plots please speak to Hamptons International

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

homestyling

by Marie Westerman Roberts

Take it to the max?

Maximalists courageously douse their homes in colour and patterns, preferring warm, inviting nooks to the stark spaces we’ve become used to. Fear not there’s an oaty alternative and plain wood is still good to go...

H

appy 2019 everyone!

We have a fresh new year ahead of us, its such a lovely feeling isn’t it, especially as it means the latest up and coming trends are being predicted and embraced.

A new year really is the time when we humans like to reboot and restart. It’s a refreshing feeling to be looking ahead, get some new and good vibes in and toss some (not all of course) of the old ones out.

But be careful, don’t throw too much out, the number one trend for 2019 (according to Elle Décor among others) is sustainability.

“Being strategic and purposeful about your purchasing behaviour is a key ingredient to a sustainable ethos” they say. So remember to ask yourself who you are purchasing from and what values they uphold. Also what kind of materials are they using to make the items you are considering buying - is it sustainably sourced and ethically produced? This is so important and something we must all start paying more attention to.

Hand in hand with sustainability goes Biophilia, which is the other trend we are set to embrace. The biophilia hypothesis also called BET suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. It’s a love of life and all that is alive and perhaps the reason we love to feature natural, organic materials such as wood floors, stone, and are drawn to daylight and plant life.

These two trends add up well with the prediction (from more than one expert) that we are going to see more wood in our homes this year, and lots of it too.

It could well be pine or a similarly sustainably-sourced wood, which will look 52

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

good with this year’s colour - beige.

Beige is the new grey, according to style gurus - but there may be extra trend points if, instead of beige, you refer to the colour as ‘oats’. I think our hallway is going to have this shade soon (I just need to convince my husband, it’s absolutely necessary, first).

In short, the top tips for 2019 trends seem to be; Interiors: Pine and other wood that is sustainable. Preferably unpainted Wall colour: Beige or oat. Or for the bold and the brave: Red, mustard yellow and pink, preferably in combination, will make a welcome change from 2018’s muted minimalism. ‘More is More’ or ‘Cosy Maximalism’ will be your new watchwords, if you wish to live in a bright and beautiful new world.

Colour detail: Red - preferably a red chair.

Forms: Round soft shapes (sofas, mirrors

Marie Westerman Roberts

tables etc) Weirdest idea of the Year: placing your books in the bookcase with the backs facing inwards (completely weird, but trendy).

Plant of the Year: Pampas grass (or other dried flowers), maybe not in the front garden though!

This year’s detail: Ceramics and shiny metals like chrome and silver.

Trend of the year in house selling ads: Dogs should be in the picture and beds should be made! l Marie Westerman Roberts is an experienced home stager and the owner of Scandihome Home Staging Services.

For more information visit: www.scandihome.co.uk email: marie@scandihome.co.uk or call: 01844 390017 You can also follow her on Instagram @ scandihomeuk for inspiration and ideas

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Lots to see! QuaLity products

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Free parking

safe as houses

Homes & Gardens

with Nigel Grace

Frustrating but expected!

I

should know by now! Our offer was accepted – and with no chain it shouldn’t have taken long to get the legal work sorted, so we could get cracking with the exciting bit. But this of course has not been the case – six weeks on we still haven’t exchanged contracts. Issues with boundaries and other bits have slowed us right down.

However, all has not been lost as this delay has allowed us to get three vital documents in place.

Firstly we have commissioned two critical surveys – a Full Building Survey and an Asbestos Survey. If you are doing major work on any property you really need these. Neither are expensive – in total they cost less than a thousand pounds, but they can save you a fortune - you might even decide to walk away from the project or renegotiate the buying price if the news is not good.

A building survey is usually carried out by a chartered building surveyor, who undertakes a detailed

inspection of the property to identify any potential problems it has. Even though I am a building professional, I always get a survey done as it gives me an independent view of the property and allows me to feel confident that all the major issues have been identified.

A Full Building Survey is not to be confused with a Homebuyer’s Survey, which tends to be used for newer properties and don’t go into the detail that a building survey does. On an older property they would probably not pick up major issues, such as: damp, dry rot and structural issues, that exist. Our project has all three but that was not unexpected!

Over the past 10-15 years the building industry has become aware of the potential issues that asbestos can cause. Left undisturbed asbestos does not present a significant health risk – if at all, but that can change if you start ripping it up or drilling into it. Asbestos results in countless deaths every year, but don’t be too scared as a

lot of these deaths are the result of exposure back in the days when we didn’t know the harm it could do and construction workers were openly exposed to asbestos dust and fibres. Regretfully I know and have worked with people who have died as a result of asbestos - previous generations were sadly not aware of the dangers.

Now it is a legal requirement to do an asbestos survey. If you are doing major refurbishment or demolition work on a property you need to have a Refurbishment and Demolition (R & D) Survey and ensure that this is handed to your builder or contractors before they start work. This will show the locations and types of asbestos, if any, that you have in your property so your builder can take the appropriate precautions or arrange removal if necessary. Please don’t skimp on this – we paid less than £300 for our survey and we now know where all the asbestos is in the house – although fortunately there is very little.

Nigel Grace

Safe as houses

With the results of the two surveys we have been able to prepare a third vital document – the Scope of Works. This will be handed to our contractors so they can understand which works we want carried out in each room of the property and to the outside.

From this, and a site visit they can give us prices to complete the work.

So, I am hoping that soon the outstanding legal issues will have been resolved, contracts exchanged and discussions with our contracting team finalised so that building can commence – but time will tell! l Nigel Grace MRICS is an experienced chartered quantity surveyor, who has built and redeveloped many houses himself.

If you need help or advice on your project contact him on: nigel@ nigelgracelimited.co.uk

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Homes & Gardens

In the garden

with Naomi MacKay

Grow yo It’s not just fresh fruit and veg that you can grow in your outside space, you can help nurture a healthier you too, says Naomi MacKay...

A A great place to relax and destress

s I write this in January, lots of my friends are sporting new Fitbits on their wrists and actively counting steps, being mindful about the amount of activity they do, in a bid to become more fit and healthy.

A truly admirable ambition.

But many of us are forgetting that we have our very own gym and health spa just outside our back door – yes, the garden!

We know that gardening is good

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Homes & Gardens

In the garden

with Naomi MacKay

ourself healthy for you, and plenty of research has been done to confirm this – it’s no coincidence that the major flower shows have all started to feature wellbeing gardens – and that the new RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford, which is due to open in 2020, will have its very own Wellbeing Garden.

The Horticultural Trades Association has also brought in a new Gardening is Good For You campaign to help garden centres and growers to help customers really appreciate the health benefits that the garden can afford you.

Gardens are good for us in so many ways Health spa Gardens are the perfect place to relax – and research has shown that even just being in or looking at gardens and green spaces

can relieve stress, and improve wellbeing and creativity. If you have a beautiful garden that you can walk out into, you’ll have your very own personal sanctuary – somewhere to grow healthy food, encourage wildlife, and have

Grow your own healthy diet

sociable time with family and friends.

Eat yourself healthy The beginning of the year sees most of us resolve to lose weight – or at least eat more

healthily. Grow your own and you’re giving yourself so many healthy advantages. If you garden organically, your food will be free of chemicals, plus you’ll have your five a day at your fingertips, Continued on page 58

‘Saving Tomorrow, by Recycling Today’

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

In the garden

with Naomi MacKay

Bees love lavender

Encourage wildlife Continued from page 57 you’ll be able to enjoy the taste of homegrown and homecooked food – and probably start to enjoy cooking and eating far more.

Encourage wildlife It’s not hard to design a garden that will attract birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife.

Developing an all-year-round wildlife-friendly garden can satisfy our own creativity and give a feeling of achievement. Spending more time outside and being closer to nature can reduce stress and improve our wellbeing. It’s also known that contact with plants and the soil can enhance our health and boost the immune system, too.

Year-round health Winter Jasmine By creating a garden that looks great all-year-round you’ll not only have a beautiful outlook but more opportunities to be tempted outside throughout the year to stay active and grow yourself healthy.

To give your garden structure and form choose plants that offer more than one season of interest.

In particular, pick evergreen plants and architectural shrubs with green, coloured or variegated foliage that also produce seasonal flowers, and perhaps fruits or berries too.

Plant these to form the backbone to your garden, giving it structure, and adding height at the back of borders.

Use their bold shapes and sizes boring fences, cut down noise from to obscure eyesores and cover roads and neighbours, and create a sense of privacy and seclusion.

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• Tree Felling Photinia ‘Red Robin’ • Pruning • Pollarding • Crown Reductions • Re-Shaping • Fruit Trees • Stump Removal PROFESSIONAL TREE SURGEONS • Hedge Cutting • Tree Felling Tree felling; Pruning; Pollarding; Crown Reductions; • Firewood Logs Re-Shaping; Fruit Trees; Stump Removal; Logs; • Pruning • Free Quotations Hedge Cutting; Firewood; Free Quotations and Advice and advice • Pollarding

Plant Suggestions: Choisya ‘Sundance’ Hebe ‘Red Edge’ Skimmia x confusa ‘Kew Green’

Rowan or Mountain Ash has beautiful Winter berries

Skimmia japonica ‘Fragrans’ Photinia ‘Red Robin’ Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ Japanese spotted laurel - Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ Osmanthus x burkwoodii Elaeagnus x submacrophylla ‘Limelight’; Euonymus

l Naomi MacKay is a Bucks-based freelance writer and editor who

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

• Hedge Cutting • Firewood Logs

Farm Shop open Thursdays 11am-6.30pm & Saturdays 10am-2pm Fresh organic veg, slow-reared free-range meat & more...

Events throughout the year & ‘pop-up’ Seasonal Suppers Visit: www.sandylanefarm.net for more information Find us in Tiddington (between Thame & Wheatley) OX9 2LA

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

a n i m a l m ag i c

with Lucy Ellis

Canine enrichment?!

A

tired dog is a happy dog” – such a simple yet effective mantra, however many new owners complain that their dog is still restless even after hours of exercise. The answer is usually that they have created a very fit, but very bored dog. A truly happy tired dog is one that has been exposed to mental stimulation and interaction as well as physical exercise.

Behavioural problems such as chewing furniture, clawing the walls, obsessive grooming, pacing and other “unwanted” actions often occur in unstimulated dogs.

Just imagine how you would feel if all you did everyday was go to the gym – no books to read, TV to watch, internet to browse or games to play? Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise to produce a contented hound, and using their brain can be as tiring as a walk for many breeds.

Canine enrichment doesn’t have to be an onerous task, simply taking a different route or letting

your dog sniff every smell on a walk provides them with mental stimulation. As well as crossing the road in a different spot, walking the wrong way first, or detouring to the post box, you can use obedience commands on your normal walk to exercise your dog’s brain – asking him to walk to heel, sit and wait before crossing a road or leave a certain smell.

You could always try taking your dog to a training class, whether

Pet Industry Federation Independent Retailer of the Year!

Aylesbury 01296 706403 Winslow 01296 715697 www.uniquepets.co.uk Chamberlain Road, Aylesbury / High Street, Winslow

Top quality food & accessories for all your pets, from dogs, cats and horses to rabbits, wild birds, small mammals, chickens, fish and reptiles.

Expert advice, tailored feeding plans, hydrotherapy pool, puppy socialising, dog training classes, pet photo studio, professional dog grooming and pampering service and much more...

Aylesbury

01296 706403

Call 01296 706403 or pop into shop to book your grooming appointment

that’s obedience, trick-training, loose-lead walking, recall, agility or flyball – by asking your dog to learn and obey commands, while behaving nicely in a social environment, you are fatiguing him mentally as well as physically. An hour’s class usually tires a dog as much as a far longer walk.

Alternately you can teach your dog to do tricks – whether that’s a paw high five, balancing a biscuit on her nose, rolling over or chasing her tail. The point is that your dog doesn’t know it’s just a trick, all she knows is that you are asking her to do something, which you deem to be worthy of a treat if she gets it right.

Some of the best brain games are devised at home and can be cheap and cheerful. Whatever your dog responds to - treats, toys or your touch - there is a game which will entertain him. Foodoriented dogs will go mad for treat dispensers, toy-focussed dogs can be sent on a scavenger hunt where favourite items are hidden and

Lucy Ellis

Animal Magic retrieved, while affectionate dogs can be asked to do things for a bit of a fuss. You can either create your own activities or buy any number of brain games designed for canine enrichment. For more ideas, visit Unique Pets’ Canine Enrichment day in February.

Top tips - Keep the sessions short and sweet, ending on a positive note to keep your dog wanting more.

- Alternate your ideas as variety is the key to contentment.

- You can use mental stimulation exercises to stave off frustration during periods of confinement due to illness or bad weather. l Lucy Ellis is a writer and

blogger who with Jenna Tomlins runs Unique Pets (Aylesbury & Winslow), independent pet shops, www.uniquepets.co.uk

Win a copy of Dragonflies book

A

ccessible and appealing, with clear, readable text and beautiful photographs and diagrams, Dragonflies & Damselflies by Dennis Paulson, one of the world’s leading experts on the subject, offers a complete guide to the evolution, life cycles, biology, anatomy, behaviour, and habitats of these fascinating and beautiful insects.

Dragonflies & Damselflies includes profiles of more than 50 of the most interesting and spectacular species from around the world.

Learn about the Great Cascade Damsel which breeds only at waterfalls and the mesmerising flight of Blue Winged Helicopters and how the lava of the Common Sanddragon can burrow into sand like a mole!

If you’d like to be in with the chance of winning a copy of this

stunningly illustrated nature book, please email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Who composed the flight of the bumble bee?

Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email by 4th March 2019. l Dragonflies & Damselflies will be published on March 26th by Ivy Press. www.quarto.com Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

s h ow t i m e

with Shaun Nolan

Going back to school

I

didn’t leave school that long ago, but that doesn’t stop me from feeling nostalgic about my time there. Luckily for me – and for you, too – The Court Theatre in Tring are giving a chance to relive those glory days with a new production of The History Boys

by Alan Bennett (running February 19th to 24th). And to make it even more exciting, I’m in it!

Directed by my friend Max Guest, The History Boys follows the lives of a group of school boys preparing themselves for their Oxbridge entry exams. But it’s more than just a story about the education system.

It’s also a beautiful portrait of the lives of young people, looking at love and sexuality, as well as identity searching and friendships.

I play Posner, the youngest of the group with a crippling crush on the top lad of his class, Dakin. Posner is also a passionate singer in his spare time, so if you come along, you might catch me singing a few classic

Shaun and fellow cast members of The History Boys at the Court Theatre

tunes, too… Tickets are available from The Court Theatre’s website, as well as at the theatre itself.

At the Limelight Theatre, in-house company Unbound are presenting a staged reading of Moliere’s classic comedy The Hypochondriac (8th Feb). I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this group are absolutely hilarious, so if you haven’t been to see them yet, now’s a great chance to do so. And if you really fancy getting involved over there, why not audition for their next show? On Sundays 10th and 17th of February,

they’ll be auditioning for their new production of The Doctor’s Dilemma by Bernard Shaw, directed by the wonderful Hannah Rogers, to be staged in June. If you’ve been wanting to be in the spotlight for a while, now’s your time to shine!

If you’re looking towards the lights of London though, I have a lot to recommend. If plays are your thing, may I suggest Cost of Living at the Hampstead Theatre (running until March 2nd) which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama last year, Home I’m Darling by Laura Wade now at the Duke of York’s Theatre until April 13th, and the new stage adaptation of All About Eve starring Lily James and Gillian Anderson at the Noel Coward Theatre (Feb 2nd to May 11th). But if musicals are your bag, three big hitters are landing this month. American juggernauts Come From Away (from Jan 30th) and Waitress (from Feb 8th) land at the Phoenix and the

Shaun Nolan Showtime!

Adelphi respectively, while the musical adaptation of Only Fools and Horses starts performances at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on February 9th. Come From Away is the true story of a diverted plane on the day of 9/11, and Waitress is based on the cult classic film with music by pop star Sara Bareilles.

I have friends who have seen both shows and they say they’re sensational. I can’t wait to finally see them for myself this month. l Shaun Nolan is a freelance writer

and producer who also writes his own fictional stories and scripts. You can find him at @shaunycat on Twitter and if you want your show mentioned in this column, tweet him and let him know!

2019 Brill’s annual adorable art fair raises vital funds for our school. Over 70 artists exhibit and there is a packed programme of creative workshops for children.

Saturday 23rd March 10am - 5pm

Sunday 24th March 10am - 4pm

Weekend tickets £2.50, under 16s free.

For more information/workshop booking visit:

brillart.org Brill School, The Firs, Brill, Buckinghamshire. HP18 9RY @art_onthehill 60

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

/brillartonthehill

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

classical lass

with Nicola Lisle

A classic Springtime

T

his is, I think, a very uplifting time of the year.

Those post-Christmas blues are now hopefully well and truly behind us, and spring is on the not-too-distant horizon. On top of that, there’s some lovely classical music events coming up in the Vale over the next few weeks.

The Chiltern Arts Festival (www.chilternarts.com) is back for its second outing, following a successful inaugural event last year.

Running from 9th-16th February, this truly is a feast for classical music lovers.

The City of London Sinfonia opens the festival at St Peter’s Church, Berkhamsted, performing Bach’s Double Violin Concerto and Brandenburg Concerto No.3 plus works by Mozart, Bartok, Steve Reich and Philip Glass.

Other festival highlights include acclaimed pianist Steven Osborne performing works by Schubert, Debussy and Prokofiev at the Church of St Peter & St Paul,

Pianist Viv McLean Great Missenden, while the outstanding Kosmos Ensemble is at The Gatsby, Berkhamsted, for a Concert and Dinner event on the Wednesday.

The Aylesbury Opera Company (www.aylesburyopera.org.uk) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and marking the occasion in style, with a production of Saint-Saëns’ biblical epic Samson et Dalila, which is at The Court Theatre, Tring, on 28th February and 2nd-3rd March.

Thame Chamber Choir (www. thamechamberchoir.org) is also celebrating a special anniversary this year – its 20th – and the opening concert of 2019 is at St Mary’s Church, Thame, on 16th March. Pianist Anna Markland joins the choir for a programme of music inspired by classic tales.

Featured composers include Schumann, Ravel, Vaughan Williams, Bob Chilcott and Eric Whitacre, and the conductor is Duncan Aspden.

If ballet is more your thing, head to the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury, at the end of February to catch Moscow City Ballet, performing two classics – Swan Lake (28th February) and The Nutcracker (1st-2nd March).

Just over a week later, on 10th March, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and violin virtuoso Jennifer Pike are at the Waterside performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.3, Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending and Elgar’s

Nicola Lisle

Classical Lass Enigma Variations.

On 2nd March, the Amersham Concert Club (www.amersham concerts.org.uk) welcomes back the Adderbury Ensemble and pianist Viv McLean performing works by Beethoven, Mozart and Schumann. Other highlights coming up include Aylesbury Symphony Orchestra (www. aylesburyorchestra.co.uk) performing music by Delius, Tchaikovsky and RimskyKorsakov at St Mary’s Church, Aylesbury, on 9th February, and Lord Williams’s Festival Chorus (www.lordwilliamsfestivalchorus. org.uk) singing Mozart’s Requiem and Vivaldi’s Gloria at Thame Leisure Centre on 16th March. l Nicola Lisle is a freelance writer and author specialising in classical music, genealogy and social history.

Follow her on Twitter @NicolaLisle1 and send her a tweet if you would like your event mentioned in this column.

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You’ll have the t Music, comedy, drama and dance are all on offer at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre this Spring, from the acerbic wit of Nish Kumar to Ben Fogle’s tales of adventure, the music of Pink Floyd, Paul Carrack and Abba, classic theatre, spectacular dance and The Royal Philharmonic in concert…

Dirty Dancing - Monday 25th to Saturday 30th March; Photo by Alastair Muir

A

classic movie meets an iconic play at the Waterside this March with Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage (Monday 25th to Saturday 30th March) following one of Britain’s most celebrated comedies, Abigail’s Party (Monday 18th to Saturday 23rd March).

Jodie Prenger leads the cast in Abigail’s Party, Mike Leigh’s groundbreaking comedy classic, and is joined by Vicky Binns (Coronation Street, Emmerdale) as Angela, Calum Callaghan (Mr Selfridge) as Tony and Daniel Casey (Midsomer Murders) as Lawrence.

Welcome to 1970s suburbia and its heady mix of free-flowing cocktails, classic disco and cheese and pineapple sticks! As tensions rise and tempers flare at Abigail’s soirée, the sheen of respectability is torn away by the warring couples with hilarious and potentially disastrous consequences.

Jodie Prenger explains the production’s appeal: “It’s uncomfortable and deliciously dark. It’s full of those moments you don’t really want to watch, but you can’t look away!”

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This is Jodie’s third time at the Waterside having previously starred in Spamalot and Lloyd Webber/Don Black musical, Tell Me On A Sunday. She is a big fan of performing live: “There is something magical about going to the theatre. You’re sat amongst hundreds of people and you never know what’s going to happen. Switching on the TV, you know what you’re going to get. With theatre anything can happen.”

Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage mambos into town the following week, promising an entirely different cocktail of passion, romance, dance, drama and that all important lift!

Cast members Kira Malou (Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman) and Michael O’ Reilly (Johnny Castle) are looking forward to taking on their iconic roles: “Everyone is so familiar with the show, that we’re just excited to do it justice.”

So what can audiences expect? “The script follows the film scene-by-scene,” says Kira, “but has a few little, extra surprises too!’

So when it comes to nailing the lift – is it

an easy task? Kira says: “It’s a huge pressure because everyone is waiting for that lift. It’s such an iconic moment in the film. But when it comes to recreating it, I trust Michael. I trust that even if I fall he’ll have my back, but touch wood nothing’s gone wrong yet!”

Michael is a fan of the other lift: “The fun bit is when we do the lift in the water,” he says, “which is done by visual effects. That’s fun because it’s where you get to mess it up and go wrong!”

Mastering the lift isn’t the only physical demand, Kira has another challenge: “I’m a trained dancer, but I have to appear like I’m not,” she explains, “I have to reverse everything I’ve been taught and make it look bad, but not like I’m trying to be bad!”

Michael agrees that it’s demanding: “It’s a very dance-heavy show, but I don’t think I realised quite how dance-heavy, until we started rehearsals. There are a few numbers back to back and you’re dripping with sweat!

Physically it’s a tough show but that’s why we do it - we love that challenge.”

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time of your life!

Kira Malou (Baby) and Michael O’Reilly (Johnny) in Dirty Dancing - Monday 25th to Saturday 30th March; Photo - Alastair Muir

Whether you fancy a laugh at Abigail’s Party or a swoon with Dirty Dancing, make sure you your get your March theatre fix sorted! Book online at atgtickets.com/aylesbury (bkg fee) or call: 0844 871 7607 (bkg fee. Calls cost up to 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).

Kira Malou (Baby) and Michael O’Reilly (Johnny) in Dirty Dancing - Monday 25th to Saturday 30th March; Photo - Alastair Muir

l Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG Telephone Booking: 0844 871 7607 Website: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury

Coming up at Aylesbury Waterside Your at-a-glance guide to what’s on...

Mercury – Ultimate Queen Tribute Blake – Live in Concert La Voix – Live, Loud and Fabulous Ben Fogle Hancock’s Half Hour Brit Floyd – Another Brick in the Wall Animalcolm The Musical Thank You For The Music Paul Carrack Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Nish Kumar

Jodie Prenger and Calum Callaghan (standing) with Rose Keegan, Dan Casey and Vicky Binns (seated) in Abigail’s Party at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre from Monday 18th to Saturday 23rd March

Comedy Club (Second Space)

Friday 8th Feb Saturday 9th Feb Friday 15th Feb Tuesday 26th Feb Sunday 3rd Mar Monday 4th Mar Wed 6th to Thur 7th Mar Friday 8th Mar Saturday 9th Mar Sunday 10th Mar Sunday 17th Mar Friday 22nd Mar

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

63 53

The ink said

Ink Paintings and Micro Stories by Gabrielle Turner

An excellent year

M

r Crabtree squinted at the thin black text on the label. ‘Do-maine Mu-sig-ny,’ he read out loud. ‘Grand cru.’ He opened the card. ‘To the best maths tutor Max has ever had,’ it read. The words ‘best’ and ‘ever’ were underlined.

‘Best wishes, Jacqueline Ross.

P.S. Do enjoy the wine. 2012 – an excellent year!’

Lenny was more of an ale man if he drank at all, and at the end of every term he had more bottles than he knew what to do with. This one languished in the cupboard until his first date with a woman he’d met on Tinder. He hadn’t expected to meet anyone so soon.

He knew one thing at least: he 64

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

shouldn’t arrive empty handed.

How bloody unimaginative, Mags thought as she placed the bottle with a dozen others in the larder.

Red wine was what they always brought. Why was it never something she really wanted, like a bottle of Bristol Cream or an Amazon gift card?

She was glad of the opportunity to purge her kitchen cupboards at the annual church raffle. ‘Five or a zero, three for a pound,’ the vicar’s wife sang out cheerfully.

Stuart pulled out an 85 on his last ticket and had to choose between a litre of jasmine bath liquid and the dusty wine. ‘No contest,’ he said reaching for the bottle with a glint

in his eye.

‘Mu-sig-ny,’ he mused to himself some days later. Stuart had always been interested in wine.

So interested, he’d been sober for seven years. Something made him type the words from the label into Google. He gasped. A LeRoy. 2012. £17,000.

At that very moment, his teenage daughter opened the boot of the car to find the bottle, wrapped in an old carrier bag and swaddled in a nearly new scarf, as if to conceal it. She carried it into the house fearfully and whispered, ‘Mum, is this what I think it is?’

Stu heard the familiar breathless chug of a bottle being upended and emptied at speed into the sink. He ran downstairs. ‘This had better be good Stuart,’ his wife snapped. ‘Go on then.’

Gabrielle Turner The ink said l Gabrielle Turner is a writer and artist at the Phoenix Studio near Thame. As @theinksaid on Instagram she writes daily micro-stories inspired by her abstract ink paintings. Also at www.theinksaid.com and www.gabrielleturner.co.uk

The art of popping up!

The Chilterns MS Centre’s Pop-Up Art Weekend, supported by Michael Anthony Estate Agents, is a fabulous, free, fundraising event.It’s back at the Centre this year on March 9th & 10th and all are welcome..

O

n Saturday, 9th and Sunday, 10th March, the Chilterns Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Centre will be hosting their annual PopUp Art weekend and once again Michael Anthony Estate Agents are proud sponsors of this fabulous fundraising event for the second year running.

The free event will wow visitors with a stunning range of artwork, from paintings and photographs to ceramics, jewellery, sculpture and much more. The quantity and quality of artists exhibiting this year is better than ever and with live demonstrations from some of

the artists there will be plenty to see and do. Details on the event and the artists taking part will be available at: www.chilternsart.org. uk.

To date more than £100,000 has been raised by this event alone which has helped the Centre provide an incredible 2,750 hours of physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, oxygen treatment, occupational and complementary therapies to people in the local community, and their families, living with MS. After the excitement of the 2018 event, when local service personnel from RAF Halton helped the event to go ahead by clearing the

snow, organisers are hoping for better weather this year. Despite the indifferent weather, 2018 was the centre’s best ever year, but the team are hoping to smash that fundraising total this year!

The Chilterns MS Centre provides a hugely valuable service to people living with MS, and their families, in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and the surrounding area. It plays an important part in empowering people with MS to manage their symptoms and live healthier and happier lives with more than 330 people attending for treatment every week.

“The work that the Chilterns MS Centre does for people with MS is outstanding,” says Michael Donnachie, Senior Partner at Michael Anthony. “We are delighted to be associated with the Pop-Up Art weekend event again and can’t

wait to see all the people visiting the Centre to see the amazing art on display; it promises to be a colourful and enlightening couple of days.”

Harriet Karia, Head of Fundraising and Communications Nathan and family at the Chilterns MS Centre, says: “Everyone at the Centre is delighted to have Michael Anthony Estate Agents back on board, supporting our Pop-Up Art Weekend. The support of local businesses is essential to a successful weekend, and we wouldn’t be able to showcase the artists’ work without them. Entry is once again free and all are welcome Registered charity 800853 to come along and number browse and buy the artwork on show.

“Let’s hope for better weather, this time, although it didn’t stop visitors coming and spending on 16/11/2018 11:4 art in the name of a good cause last year.”

ART EXHIBITION & SALE Saturday 9 March 10am - 5pm Sunday 10 March 10.30am - 4pm at the Chilterns MS Centre, Wendover

www.popupartweekend.org.uk

11508-PopUpArt-A5-Flyer.indd 1

Socialising: Chilterns MS Centre Atrium

ART EXHIBITION & SALE Saturday 9 March 10am - 5pm Sunday 10 March 10.30am - 4pm at the Chilterns MS Centre, Wendover

l The Chilterns MS Centre, Oakwood Close, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5LX Tel: 01296 696133 Email: Fundraising@ chilternsmscentre.org Web: www.chilternsmscentre.org Facebook: /ChilternsMSCentre Twitter: @ChilternsMS

www.popupartweekend.org.uk Registered charity number 800853

11508-PopUpArt-A5-Flyer.indd 1

16/11/2018 11:48

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Community

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

G o o d to g i v e

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

by Diane Rutter

Heart of the community

V

illage Halls are an integral part of rural communities.

Key moments in many lives – weddings, birthday parties, christenings and funeral teas - have all taken place in a local village hall or community building.

Many of you will have seen in the press, the rise of loneliness and social isolation up the political agenda during 2018. Building on the work of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness in 2017 there is now a Minister for Loneliness, Mims Davies; a government strategy – ‘A connected society: A strategy for tackling loneliness’ and new funding through the £9m Big Lottery Loneliness Fund. The Campaign to End Loneliness has said that 10% of people over 65 in the UK experience chronic loneliness at any one time. In Buckinghamshire this equates to approximately 9,400 people.

But social isolation and loneliness are not a new phenomenon.

For years our village halls and

Diane Rutter

Good to give Event at Chearsley’s new village hall. Photograph by Sharon Sampson interest - veterans support groups, crafty cuppas, cinema nights, bridge clubs, lunch clubs, yoga, choirs, youth theatres, bhangra dancing… the list goes on and on.

Our fantastic network of village halls and community buildings rely wholly on the dedication and commitment of local volunteers to ensure that they remain vibrant and sustainable. Many halls would welcome more help and you could play a part – whether it be taking bookings, providing some admin, accountancy support, specialist skills or becoming a member of the management committee.

If you would like to find out more about how you could become

community buildings have been quietly and consistently providing a space for communities to come together, delivering activities to the communities they serve - providing connections, opportunities to meet new people and much needed social interaction.

To mark our recent National Village Halls Week (22-28 January) it seems wholly appropriate to shine a light on the breadth, scale and richness of the wonderful work of our village halls and community buildings which are absolutely the beating heart of the community.

From Akeley to Iver; from Oakley to Slapton there are community groups and activities to meet every

s l ow c h i lt e r n s

part of the movement to tackle social isolation and loneliness through volunteering at your local village hall or community building/ either get in touch with them direct or contact Community Impact Bucks (communities@ communityimpactbucks.org.uk).

Want to volunteer for a community group in a committee member role but not sure where to start? Book your place at our Trustee Recruitment Fair on 9th May from 6pm to 7.30pm at The Gateway Conference Centre, Aylesbury. More details at: www. communityimpactbucks.org.uk l Diane Rutter is acting CEO of

Community Impact Bucks: Tel: 0300 1111 250 www.communityimpactbucks.org.uk

by Neil Matthews

Roland’s model world

N

ot many accountants can say they’ve made millions of people happy, but Roland Callingham from London was an exception. It apparently started in 1928 when his wife is said to have made a short but moving speech, suggesting that either the indoor model railway went, or she did! The model railway moved outdoors.

And so began the work that led, in 1929, to the opening of Bekonscot in New Beaconsfield.

Ninety years and 15 million visitors later, the world’s oldest model village is about to open for another season (Feb–Oct 10am–5.30pm daily; Nov–Dec weekends only; www.bekonscot.co.uk).

The name amalgamates parts of two towns where the Callinghams lived: Beaconsfield and Ascot. It’s actually a model 1930s community, comprising: Bekonscot Town, the mining village of Evenlode and 66

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Bekonscot, however, are the model trains which snake through the shops and churches and cricket pitches and windmills. You also get the chance to ride on a miniature gauge 1 railway adjacent to the village. In an age of Netflix, VR headsets and escape rooms, Bekonscot is still a winner for children of all ages.

While in Beaconsfield:

Bekonscot Hanton, the latter with its own aerodrome. A few more modern shops and buildings have been added over the years (the world’s smallest Marks and Spencer in 1990), while other fictional shops are based on puns (Leekey the plumbers). There’s a model of Green Hedges, the Beaconsfield house where Enid Blyton lived, complete with Noddy in his car on the driveway. The stars of

• Find famous locally-based authors – there’s decorative ironwork about GK Chesterton and Enid Blyton (who both lived here) in the Town Hall’s grounds, and a plaque in honour of Terry Pratchett (who was born here) by the library in Reynolds Road. Many other authors stayed in or passed through the town.

• A feast for your eyes awaits at Worboys Antiques, at the end of London Road in the Old Town

Neil Matthews

Slow Chilterns

(09.30-17.30 Tue–Fri, 10.00–17.00 Sat, by appointment only Mon).

Worboys has been selling and restoring antiques for 40 years; its speciality is beautiful clocks and barometers.

• Try a slice of German and Swiss cuisine at family-run Jungs on the Broadway in the New Town (08.00-18.00 Mon-Sat, 09.00-17.00 Sun) - its handmade continental cakes and pastries are hard to resist. l Slow Travel: the Chilterns and the Thames Valley, by Helen and Neil Matthews is available now via: www.bradtguides.com www.slowchilterns.com

o u r c r e at i v e va l e

with Sandra Smith

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Stage for young talent

I

n the nine years since the eye catching Waterside Theatre transformed Aylesbury’s cultural core, audiences have been entertained by a diverse variety of shows, musicals and entertainers. Not surprisingly, sell outs and five star reviews have become the norm but even so, thanks to forward thinking, this venue is now also home to Vivo D’Arte, a School of Theatre Arts where students bask in the opportunity to rehearse and perform within a professional environment.

Vivo’s Managing Director, Dan Cowtan, shares his enthusiasm about this new collaboration.

‘The partnership is important; Waterside has a passion for what we’re trying to do, they don’t just look at it as a venue they are hiring out. They buzz about it as much as me.’

Although auditions are a necessary part of the application process, the former opera singer,

Dan Cowtan who also runs a props company and works with composers, stresses that no one should be daunted by this.

‘We call it an audition workshop which takes place in a group so children don’t know they are being auditioned. We can recognise certain personalities and get to know them quickly.’

With an age range of 7-18, students are not only given the skills to perform on stage but offered other opportunities,

such as backstage roles, too.

Weekly sessions take place on Saturday mornings with a performance at the end of each term. A choreographer and musical director are included in Vivo’s regular company core.

‘One of the main things is I will never let the product drop,’ insists Dan who ran the school at other venues before beginning discussions with Waterside three years ago. ‘This sounds clichéd but I think we’ve proved that. We always go further than we need to.

I’m looking for high end.’

Past students have gone on to audition at the Royal Academy of Music, while graduates at Central, Guildhall and LAMDA reflect the highest quality training and acting disciplines at Vivo’s heart. Add to the mix a stunningly designed building and professional environment and the accolades must surely be waiting in the wings.

Meanwhile the benefits extend

Creative Vale

Sandra Smith beyond budding actors. Lee Duffy, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre General Manager share’s Dan’s excitement for this venture: “Being able to nurture home grown talent within our very own venue walls is incredibly rewarding,’ says Lee. ‘With Vivo D’Arte’s expertise and passion, the delivery is set to be second to none.” www.vivodarte.co.uk l Find out more about Sandra Smith’s work as a freelance writer by following her on Twitter: @TheCurrentMrsS or visiting her website: www.TheCurrentMrsSmith.co.uk

Concert at church

L

ast October Crendon Chamber Orchestra celebrated 21 years of music making at St Mary’s Church in Thame with a very special concert and an almost sell-out audience of all ages.

March 2nd will see the orchestra’s first concert of 2019 and gives one member the opportunity to actually direct the orchestra. Violinist Chris Nurse, who normally sits next to the leader, has directed many different types of ensemble over the years and on this occasion will be conducting proceedings from the podium!

The programme has variety as always and begins with Mozart’s delightful Divertimento in F. Next is Benjamin Britten’s song cycle Les Illuminations which is written for high voice and strings. On this occasion Simon Walton, tenor, will be soloist. Those who came to the

last concert will recognise Simon as the orchestra director on that occasion, the orchestra is nothing if not versatile! A little known but very melodic Serenade by Russian composer Vasily Kallinikov is the penultimate work before ending with Dvorak’s tuneful Serenade, always a firm favourite.

The concert is on Saturday March 2nd, at St Mary’s Church Thame, from 7.30pm A second concert takes place on Saturday May 18th to include Grieg Holberg Suite, Bartok Divertimento, a Lullaby

by Gershwin and probably the Charterhouse Suite by Vaughan Williams.

Tickets for both concerts: Adults £13.50, Students £5, under 14 free, on the door or from Foregolf, Buttermarket Thame. For queries or additional information contact 07801 591730.

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The Seasonal Table

I

Chocolate, Pistachio & Olive Oil Cake

absolutely love the combination of pistachios and chocolate together - and recently I have become obsessed with olive oil cake. So I dug out one of my mum’s old recipes and added a little bit of me, by replacing sugar with muscovado, to add an almost toffee richness to this delicious fudge-like texture cake. This is pure indulgence and decadence and could soon become your go to cake for any occasion - and everyone knows how romantic chocolate is, so as we’re close to Valentine’s day, this is the perfect treat for your loved one….

For this I am using a springform tin and if you do, make sure you line the tin with parchment. The mixture is quite runny and will spill out if you skip this step!

Ingredients & Method • 200g dark chocolate, (70 per cent cocoa solids) • 125ml strong-flavoured, extra-virgin olive oil • 185g dark muscovado sugar 68

by Virginie Bonvalet

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• 1 tsp vanilla extract • ½ tsp sea salt flakes • 40g ground pistachios plus some crushed to decorate • 5 large eggs, separated

pistachios and give it a final stir.

Beat your egg white with an electric whisk until foamy and add the rest of the sugar. Continue beating until you have firm peaks.

Preheat your oven at 180°C (fan one at 160°C/ Fold the chocolate into the egg white, using a metal spoon or spatula, gently though, so as mark 4). Grease a 23cm heart springform tin not to kill all the lovely little air bubbles. and line with non-stick baking paper. (Of course you could use a round tin instead).

Transfer to your baking tin and bake for 40 45 minutes - you will know when it is cooked Now melt the chocolate ‘au bain-marie’ (by breaking the chocolate into pieces and placing if you prick it with a fine skewer and it comes out clean. them into a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water).

Let it cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack, still Once fully melted, whisk in the oil, in a steady in its tin, and then ease the sides of the cake stream. with a metal spatula or the back of a knife and spring it out of the tin. Sprinkle with crushed With a fork break the sugar clumps a little and add 1/2 the sugar, a little at a time, pistachios and cacao powder to decorate… continuously stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. You might need to All photographs, recipes & words ©Virginie reduce the heat, you don’t want it to cook, just Check out my brand new website melt.

Add the salt, vanilla extract, egg yolks and

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Win a meal at The Bell, Hardwick

T

he Bell at Hardwick, just off the Buckingham Road, a couple of miles north of Aylesbury, is a picturesque, beautifully refurbished, 17th Century freehouse.

Originally two lacemakers cottages, the building dates back to 1678 and still boasts the original oak beams, inglenook fireplaces (with an open fire and a wood burning stove) and delightful walled garden you might hope for in a traditional country pub.

The pretty hostelry was beautifully renovated in 2014 - the original oak beams were sandblasted and now look fabulous and the attractive bar area sports a new flagstone floor, whilst the cosy dining snug has been comfortably carpeted. Outside a courtyard patio and barn to the rear gives al fresco dining options or space for functions, whilst inside a new extension provides pleasant and airy restaurant space.

The Bell closed briefly last year but new landlords Tom Horton and Andrew Sewter, who lives in

Hardwick, took over in November freshening up the place once again and bringing in a new team, headed up by chef Nick Porter and general manager Cullum Boland.

“It’s a lovely pub,” says Tom, “in a great setting. We are gradually developing the restaurant menu and can also cater for business events, wedding receptions, parties, functions and wakes, in our dining room or, when warmer, on our patio. There is also space for a small marquee at the front or back, should we need it. We are family friendly and dog friendly and have Sky Sports and free WIFI.”

Being a freehouse The Bell is able to keep beer prices reasonable whilst stocking a varied selection of beers, lagers and cider from St Austell Tribute, Sharps Doom Bar (£3.25 pint), Hellweathers IPA and Watling Street to Peroni, Pravha, Guinness (£3.80 pint) and more, there’s a special gin menu and a reasonable wine list.

The Bell’s menu is still in development but sports a good choice of tasty fare from Burgers, Fish & Chips and Steaks to Cured Pork Belly with Bubble ‘n’ Squeak Croquette, Baked Apple & Red Wine Jus; to Roast Fillet

of Hake with Chorizo, Chick Peas & Coriander; or Spelt, Barley & Butternut Squash Risotto with Pistachios & Pea Shoots, plus there’s a good vegetarian and gluten and dairy free selection and the lunchtime sandwiches include a fishfinger butty - ‘yes please!’

If you’d like to be in with the chance of winning a meal for two and a bottle of house wine at The Bell at Hardwick, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question, to: editor@ vale-life.co.uk Who is head chef at The Bell?

Winner to be drawn at random from correct entries and notified by email by March 4th, 2019. l The Bell at Hardwick, Lower Road, Hardwick, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4DZ T: 01296 640005 E: enquiries@thebellhardwick.co.uk W: www.thebellathardwick.com Open: Mon to Thur 11am-11pm, Fri/Sat 11am-Midnight & Sundays 11am-10pm.

Restaurant: Wed-Thur 12noon-9pm, Fri/Sat 12noon-9:30pm & Sundays 12noon-6pm

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£25.95 per person includes 3 course dinner

Lunch Every day 12-2pm Dinner Monday to Saturday 6pm till 11pm Sunday 6pm till 10pm

FIND

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Experience the Authentic taste of India Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Roa d to t h e f u t u r e

Ro

with Alan Candy

Snow-go on the roads?

Tailor your driving to suit the conditions

W

e don’t get that many days in the UK when snow is a problem but perhaps because of that we are not very good at dealing with freezing conditions on the roads when they do arrive.

Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is encouraging motorists to ensure they – and their vehicles – are ready for the potential challenges of driving in winter.

GEM road safety officer Neil Worth answers questions on

Alan Candy driving safely in times of snow: What is a safe speed for driving in snow?

Experience shows that it is not your speed that’s the problem, it’s how you lose the speed in order to stop in an emergency, or to negotiate a sharp bend, or pull up safely at a junction. If there is snow on the road, your braking distance will be vastly increased

compared to what you’re used to on a dry road.

The faster you go, the more

distance you will need to stop safely. Be sure to keep assessing the risk.

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The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (I/100km) for the 2019 Mazda CX-5 range: Combined 36.7 (7.7) - 49.6 (5.7)^. CO2 emissions (g/km) 150 - 128^. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO figures with other cars tested to the same technical 2

procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. ^There is a new test used for fuel consumption and CO2 figures. The CO2 figures shown however, are based on the outgoing test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. Retail sales only, subject to availability for vehicles registered between 18.12.18 and 31.03.19 at participating dealers. T&C apply. *4.1% APR Mazda Personal Contract Purchase available on all new Mazda models. Finance subject to status, 18s or over. Guarantee may be required. Mazda Financial Services RH1 1SR. Model shown: 2019 Mazda CX-5 165ps 2WD GT Sport Nav+, OTR from £31,095. Model shown features optional Machine Grey Metallic paint (£680). OTR price includes VAT, number plates, delivery, 12 months’ road fund licence, first registration fee, 3 year or 60,000 mile warranty and 3 years’ European Roadside Assistance. °Test drives subject to applicant status and availability. Details correct at time of going to print. Not available in conjunction with any other offer unless specified. Lodge Garage, trading as Lodge Garage Mazda is a credit broker not a lender for this financial promotion. We can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers and may receive a commission from them for the introduction.

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oa d to t h e f u t u r e

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

with Alan Candy

Winning formula!

Prepare for the winter with our Free Winter Health Check BMW X5 BMW is claiming to set the standard for the Sports Activity Vehicle with the new fourthgeneration X5. Combining what they call ‘an elegant and strong design’ with supreme on-and off-road ability, the new X5 has an even greater blend of premium luxury performance and comfort – at a price. The new model starts at a hefty £57,495.

BMW say it’s a winning formula, with previous generations selling in excess of 2.2 million examples since the first X5 launched in 1999.

On sale in the UK from June 2019, the all-new X5 demonstrates the latest BMW advances in technology, design and safety, with the highest level of autonomous

If it’s actually snowing and settling, then you must slow right down. Try to maintain momentum by anticipating when you’ll need to slow down and speed up.

capability yet seen on a BMW X model. A choice of TwinPower and M Performance petrol and diesel engines are matched to a new eight-speed Steptronic gearbox and the latest version of xDrive for maximum comfort, capability and performance.

With a wheelbase 42mm longer than its predecessor, an increase in vehicle length of 36mm, an extra 66mm of width and a 19mm increase in height, the new BMW X5 has both an imposing appearance and generous levels of space for passengers and their luggage.

The top X5 M50d costs an eyewatering £71,475 and accelerates from 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds, with a notional top speed of 155mph.

in snow?

Take a hot drink flask, snacks, a blanket, rug or sleeping bag to ensure you can stay warm if you get stuck.

If you need to leave your vehicle, then it’s a good idea to How can I expect my rearensure you have boots, a warm wheel drive car to behave on snow? coat and reflective jacket with you.

It may well accelerate poorly, Check out GEM’s advice on I’m afraid. Front wheel drive cars will be much better at pulling off winter driving techniques. You’ll find a video, leaflet, tips and a in conditions of low traction. free eBook download at: What are the best roads to www.motoringassist.com/ winter-driving use when it’s snowing?

Follow GEM on Twitter @ It may sound unhelpful, but the best advice is not to drive at all if MotoringAssist for the latest industry news. you don’t need to.

Gentle hills can become Take advantage of Thame Cars free Winter Health Check (see impassable, and even busy panel right) and ensure your motorways can quickly turn into vehicle is in tip top condition for car parks during a snowfall. tackling the cold weather.

What emergency equipment should I take if I have to drive Continued on page 73

Quality assured, value guaranteed Our Free Heath Checks assess 57 key components of your vehicle

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Roa d to t h e f u t u r e

with Alan Candy

No reservations over new Jeep A rich heritage, advanced technology, quality craftsmanship and premium design have all been brought together to create the new Jeep® Cherokee – the evolution of the most capable midsized SUV that’s just as comfortable with the demands of modern city living as it is with adventures off the beaten track.

Boasting new, distinguished looks

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The new Jeep Cherokee will be offered in the UK in Limited and Overland trim levels and with the 2.2-litre MultiJet 195 hp engine with automatic transmission. Prices will be announced closer to the car’s introduction which is thought to be later this year.

‘Born to be wild’ will be the chosen theme for the launch!

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72

capability and a distinctive design.

With four advanced engines mated to an enhanced and highlyefficient transmission, a choice of three all-wheel drive systems and independent front and rear suspensions the evolution of Cherokee ensures outstanding ride and handling characteristics and benchmark offroad capability.

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We come to you at home or work

that remain true to the brand’s DNA, and user-friendly technology, the new Cherokee offers greater comfort, connections, safety, convenience and protection.

Jeep says it is the right choice for a customer who lives “urban adventures”, searching for a vehicle offering both comfort and function, while ensuring benchmark off-road

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Watch out for cyclists when opening your car door!

Let’s go Dutch!

The Department for Transport has announced that vehicle drivers and passengers will soon be encouraged to use the ‘Dutch reach’ when opening doors from the inside.

A number of cyclists are ‘T-boned’ by blind-sided drivers and passengers who unthinkingly open a door without looking.

Pioneered in the Netherlands, the Dutch reach is a method of opening a car door with the left hand (right hand for nearside passengers) when preparing to get out of a vehicle.

This requires them to look over their shoulder, meaning they are far more likely to see any approaching cyclist – and can therefore delay opening the car door until after the cyclist

has gone past.

GEM Motoring Assist road safety officer Neil Worth said: “We support the introduction of the Dutch reach. After all, cyclists are vulnerable, and we welcome this move to provide them with better protection.

For drivers and their passengers it’s a small and simple change, but it could make a big difference for the safety of cyclists who might be riding past.

“We also welcome the DfT’s announcement of new Highway Code guidance for drivers to give more room when overtaking cyclists.”

Follow GEM on Twitter @ MotoringAssist for latest industry news.

Using the opposite hand to reach for the door handle reminds you to look over your shoulder for before pushing the door open

l l l l l l

Labour rate more than 50% less than m ain dealers Quality service and repairs Adv anced diagnostics Local collection and deliver y / Loan car av ailable MOTs/Windscreens/AirCon Recover y av ailable ProTechCars Ltd, Unit 20 Fleet Marston Farm, Fleet Marston, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP18 0PZ Tel: 01296 655799 / Mobile: 07774 604149 Email: service@protechcars.com Website: www.protechcars.com

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Telephone: 01844 353388 l Bosch Car Service Centre l MOTs including Class VII (3.5 tonnes) l Servicing, repairs, tyres, exhausts and air

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l High ceilings and long ramps enable us to service

long wheelbase vans, campers and trucks

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

o n t h e roa d

with Rob Auchterlonie

Coupé, or not coupé...

BMW X2

T

he motoring world today has more niches than Casanova had on his headboard – and BMW have added another one.

Their neat X2 – a bit of a flattened X1 if you like – is dubbed a Sports Activity Coupé because its lowered roofline gives it a coupe –like profile but comes with the slightly raised driving position of an SUV. But only slightly, and certainly less than a similarly sized SEAT Ateca.

It’s a bit of a marmite car to some in terms of its looks, but you can’t deny it has a fair helping of on road presence, particularly in M Sport guise as sampled here.

And it was a case of ‘out with the

BMW X2

74

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

Rob Auchterlonie

ON The Road RayBans’ to counteract the orangey hue of the interior leatherwork, and the orange glow ambient panel lighting (which can be changed for other hues).

That trademark BMW double kidney grille sits atop a large lower grille to give it an aggressive stance, and it sits on a set of 19 inch M Sport alloys.

BMW X2 Its doors are not oversized and there’s a distinct curve to the B pillar which means your entry point into the cabin isn’t that big if you’re a big fella – or lass.

And a grumble from a front seat passenger revolved around the

lack of adjustment of the seat belt.

Fixed high, it fell across her neck and was particularly uncomfortable.

The solution is to raise the height of seat squab to compensate which is ok if your body is of a stocky nature but not necessary if you’re

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

o n t h e roa d

with Rob Auchterlonie BMW X2

For all your vehicle repairs, servicing & MOT testing a first-class service at competitive prices We are opposite Tesco Broadfields, Aylesbury Family run garage All makes & models l Servicing & repairs l MOT Testing (class 4 & 7) l Tyres l Exhausts l Brakes l Air-Con Regas l 4 Wheel Alignment l Cam belts l l

See our website for offers and services

2a & 3a Broadfields Court (opposite Tesco), Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 8BU Tel: 01296 432552 www.tandeaylesbury.co.uk

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

o n t h e roa d

with Rob Auchterlonie

BMW X2 taller.

BMW’s sDrive 2.0i is a very acceptable engine, with plenty of torque and it’s quick out of the blocks. There is a tendency to invoke a bit of torque steer but otherwise the handling is in the main predictable, even if the steering feels a touch light in some situations.

In this guise it comes with a seven speed automatic gearbox and is front wheel drive. Opt for the xDrive 20d version and you get an eight speed auto box and four wheel drive.

Overall it’s a well refined package, though a firmer and slightly less comfortable ride shows up when the roads are less than perfect, which is the case in most of mainland UK these days.

By dubbing it an SAC, you might be expecting a higher driving position, but in truth its not much higher than your average hatchback. The range of adjustment available makes it a very comfortable driving environment though.

The interior has that high quality feel you’d expect from a Beemer, which still retains a look that they mastered many years ago but which is brought bang up to date with a decent infotainment 76

Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

system and BMW’s iDrive rotary dial, located between the seats, to operate the screen with its sharp graphics, and detailed satnav. And there’s a heads up display, that is clear but unobtrusive, dead ahead of the driver.

Headroom in the back is compromised a bit by that lower roofline and while five aboard might be a bit of a squeeze, four can travel with a decent amount of room to themselves.

The boot is a good size and if you need that extra bit of space the rear seats are split 40/20/40.

It has similarities with its X1 stablemate, also a useful machine, but offers a bit more panache and style.

Fastfacts BMW X2 sDrive 20i M Sport X SAC Price: £35,400 (£41,360 as tested) Engine: 2.0 litre, four cylinder, petrol Power: 192hp Torque: 280Nm Transmission: seven speed automatic Top speed: 141mph 0-62mph: 7.7secs Economy: 47.9mpg CO2: 134g/km

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Why not check you are getting the best deal?

For No obligation help and advice call Lesley on: 01296 415950 / 07557 123926 or email: lesley@tracerfinance.co.uk

Matrix money gives Steve a lift

S

teve Hill Rallycross will once again be sponsored

by Matrix Fire and Security of Aylesbury for the 2019 Rallycross Season.

Six times National Rally Champion, Steve, switched to Rallycross in 2009 and has been steadily improving his results and moving up the rankings each season.

The move to Rallycross has reduced Steve’s outgoings but it is still an expensive sport and he relies on sponsorship to compete.

Local entrepreneur Ben Lewis, owner of Matrix Fire and Security, Aylesbury has always been interested in motorsport and for the last two years has supported Steve in his pursuit of podium positions.

Steve’s car is an owner designed and self-built Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10. With a current power output of 600 BHP, it is capable of 0-60mph in less than two seconds - faster acceleration to 100KPH than a Formula One Race car!

Above: Steve Hill in action Left: Ben, left, and Steve with picture.

Steve competes in the British Rallycross Championship and has

performed consistently, over the past nine years, achieving many wins and podium places. According to the Rallycross press he’s ‘the man to beat!’

Matrix boss Ben believes in, “local business supporting local business”and having grown his firm from a small concern to a sizeable and successful company, Ben is now keen to give something back

to the community, by supporting other local enterprises. Ben and Steve are also directing a share of the sponsorship to Thames Valley Air Ambulance, which is a worthy cause close to both their hearts.

In recognition of the support Matrix is giving, Steve recently presented a signed photograph of his car, complete with stylish Matrix logos, to Ben at the new Matrix offices on Bicester Road, Aylesbury.

When not racing Steve can relax, safe in the knowledge that his car and workshops are secured

by Matrix Fire and Security systems, whilst their ongoing support helps to keep Steve Hill Rallycross on track for another season of success.

l Steve Hill Rallycross www.facebook.com/ stevehillrallycross l Matrix Fire & Security Ltd, Security House, 119a Bicester Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 9BA T: 01296 614440 E: info@matrixfireandsecurity.co.uk W: www.matrixfireandsecurity.co.uk

Independent Truck, Van & Car Repairer

Servicing l Inspections l MOT preparation l all makes & models l mercedes specialists l Breakdowns l Recovery service l Class 4/7 MOTs l courtesy vehicles l Mobile on-site servicing l

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2019

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