Vale Life FREE MAGAZINE
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Mar/Apr 2015
Cover picture: Spring fashion by Emily & Fin at The White Hart Studio, Haddenham: See page 10
Inside:
Ringing the changes
Hardwick pie is very appealing
Spring/Summer fashions
Katy’s guide for what to wear
See our website at: www.vale-life.co.uk
Male grooming
Three chairs for cool new salon
Property news
Wendover buoyant say Christopher Pallet
Free local listings for events and businesses
Plus Katy, Penny, Heather, Naomi, Polly, Amanda, Janice, Jacqui, Cathy, Charlotte, Tracy, Rob, Alan and much, much more...
w ÂŁ50 Entertainer Voucher w Summer lunch for Two at Hartwell House w w David Stopps Music book w Tickets to London Pet Show w
The Old The Old Thatched Inn Thatched Inn Gastro Pub
Gastro Pub TheMainOld Street, Adstock, Buckinghamshire, MK18 2JN hatched Inn
Gastro Pub Main Street Adstock Buckinghamshire MK18 2JN We offer a unique blend high quality dining, hosted in a relaxed Tel of 01296 712584 and comfortable environment, serving locally sourced food
www.theoldthatchedinn.co.uk Open seven
Main Street Adstock Buckinghamshire MK18 2JN
days
Open seven days Lunch from 12 noon - 2.30pm Dinner from 6pm - 9.30pm Serving all day Sunday from 12 noon - 9pm Telephone: 01296 712584 2
Vale Life : Nov/Dec 2014
www.theoldthatchedinn.co.uk
you’ll know you’ve made the rightyou’ve choice you’ll know made the right choice
£55 £55
from from
a month
The Tempus Health & Fitness Studio provides members with access to all the latest treatments, equipment, facilities & personalised training programmes to keep you healthy & relaxed.
a month
The Tempus Health & Fitness Studio provides members with access to all the latest treatments, equipment, facilities & personalised training programmes to keep you healthy & relaxed.
The Oxfordshire Golf Hotel and Spa Rycote Lane, Milton Common, Oxfordshire OX9 2PU t. 01844 278300 f. 01844 278003 e. info@theoxfordshire.com theoxfordshire.com The Oxfordshire Golfw. Hotel and Spa Rycote Lane, Milton Common, Oxfordshire OX9 2PU
DESIGN PRINT WEB
Church View
Established 1992
Funeral Directors
Feel free to contact us to see what we can do for your business, whether it be a complete project or a re-brand of your corporate identity.
The Independent Family Funeral Service
Whatever the size of your business we can help you.
design
folders e-mail
campaigns
leaflets digital print adverts exhibition forms
cost effective web rollers banners SMS Messaging
displays
46 Buckingham Street Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP20 2LL
media
Telephone: 01296 398553
t 01296 432612 e info@comproommedia.com w www.comproommedia.com 18 Edison Road x Rabans Lane x Aylesbury x Bucks x HP19 8TE
6288 CRM_Vale Life Ad_Oct.indd 1
21/10/2014 10:46
Baby & Tots Boutique - Thame High St
iCandy
Prams
Best Price*
Best Aftercare Service Exclusive Packages Save & Pay Option Free Deliver & Build Service**
24 Hour Service
A tradition of dignity, respect & choice
The Lily Pot Floristry for all occasions
l Bouquets and arrangements for any occasion: anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, Christmas... contemporary or traditional designs l Floral Tributes: Option for bereaved to assist in creating floral tributes for their loved ones l Children’s Parties: Combining nature with arts and crafts skills in a fun atmosphere l Seasonal workshops: see website for details and dates
Maxi Cosi Car Seats Coming Soon Clothing 0-4y, Gifts, Changing Bags, Wooden Toys, Lamaze Toys
90 High St, Thame, OX9 3EH - Tel: 0844 504 1736
Email: sales@thebabystudio.co.uk See satisfied customer comments on Facebook - The Baby Studio Ltd *No one can offer a lower price package **Free deliver and build within 15 miles of our store 4
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
4 Lakeside, Watermead, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 0FX Tel: 01296 708095 / Mobile: 07538 296430 Email:info@thelilypot.co.uk Web: www.thelilypot.co.uk
A B C AYLESBURY BULLION COMPANY The Family of Jewellers
11a, High St Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP20 1SH Tel:
01296 423198
Jewellery designed and produced to your specifications, or choose from our extensive range of new, secondhand and antique pieces. l Diamond merchants (certified stones always available) l Antique restorations l Hand engraving
l Valuations: insurance and (carried out on the premises) l Insurance claims advisors l Complete repair service
probate
Servicing of Rolex, Tag, Omega, Raymond Weil, Gucci etc. Batteries fitted and waterproof testing carried out on the premises. Top prices paid in cash for antique and modern jewellery, watches (especially Rolex), coins, gold, silver, platinum and scrap precious metals. Part exchange available.
11a High Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1SH
Tel: 01296 423198 www.aylesburybullion.co.uk
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
5
www.mottsholidays.com
Luxury Coach Holidays
Theatre trips, day trips and short breaks
DayTrips, Theatres & Shows
New Tours with Motts Travel !!! New Tour! Ypres Remembered, 4 Days
New Tour! Exclusive Caernarfon Weekend Special, 4 Days
3 nights hotel half board at the Celtic Royal Hotel Live entertainment, raffle & quizzies. 2 Excursions included. Friday February 19, 2016 £179 Single room £40 Insurance £22.
Grand Place, Ypres
New Tour! 50s & Swinging 60s Weekend, 3 Days
Quizzies, fancy dress parade, tributes to Lulu, Dusty, Petula Clarke Sonny & Cher and many more! 2 Nights at 4 Star Devere Staverton Park - half board. Friday August 14th, 2015 £175 Single room £20 Insurance £20.
New Tour! Fawlty Towers Themed Night! Basil Fawlty 2 Days impersonator
Fun and Edmond Wells laughter with the only 6’ 7’’ Basil Fawlty impersonator He walks Caernarfon Castle the walk and talks the talk. New Tour! One night Last of the Big Bands, 2 Days at the 4 3 Course cabaret dinner, big band Star DeVere entertainment and dancing Orchard Hotel with dinner 4 star DeVere Orchard Hotel. Sunday October 11, 2015 £119 Sunday July 26, 2015 £119 Single room supplement £15 Single supplement £15 Insurance £18 Insurance £18
Our new brochure is packed with great days out - Buckingham Palace Garden tour, Theatres, Railway journeys, Thursford, Air Shows and much more. Please request your brochure at www. mottsholidays.com or call 01296 336666.
Day Trips: March 2015 Wed 4th Cambridge Leisure Day: £19 Thu 5th Knitting & Stitching Show: £30 Tue 17th Hastings Coastal Day: £20 Thu 19th Sewing for Pleasure, NEC: £29 Sat 21st London Shopping: £20 Sun 22nd Birmingham Bullring Shopping: £19 Sun 22nd Sewing for Pleasure, NEC: £29 Easter Sunday (Apr 5th) Bournemouth: £20 Ladies Day at Ascot June 18th: £59/£99 Chelsea Flower Show Thur May 21st: £79 Highgrove Garden Tour Tue July 7th: £49
Highgrove
Motts Holidays 4 Buckingham Street, Aylesbury, HP20 2LD BOOKING HOTLINE: 01296 336666 6
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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A great opportunity to visit some of the best known landmarks & museums. tstravel.com .motOstend w w w Basednin cosmopolitan for 3 : e lin ok o with Bonights breakfast. Fully guided by local Buckinghamshire guide. Friday September 11, 2015 £269 Single room supplement and insurance extra.
DAY TRIPS 2015
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Great rates Amazing results To advertise in Vale Life Magazine Call Charlie on 07702 006218
Spread the word across The Vale: see: www.vale-life.co.uk for details
8 11 12 14 17 19 20 22 24 26
Spring/Summer style
39
Growing for taste
Fascinating finds
42
National award
Elixir of youth
43
Join the cabin crew
Air we go
44
The home truth
One for the boys
46
Property
New cure for fungal feet
48
Business
Time for a paddle?
49
Information is key
Read all about it
52
The big and the small
Join the tour
55
A day at the races
Fashionable foliage
56
Ringing the changes
58
Having a bit of a do?
Adding value
61
New Life for old inn
Back street joys
68
Prepare to laugh-a-lot!
Katy Dyer reports on the latest fashions Sally’s guide to buying antique furniture Amanda tries a Perfect Peel Tracy Kiss is cleared for take off! Risborough’s cool new male grooming centre Cold laser treatment comes to Chinnor Chiltern club has kayaks on the canal Ripping yarns from local authors Time to sign up for Tour de Vale Take a leaf out of Polly’s book
30 Inside and out 32 37
‘We like a challenge’ say North Mill Stoves Charlotte’s tips to boost your sale price Cambridge Street is a hidden gem
Give it up for Gabs
C
Gabrielle enjoys a panini while having chemo
C
ongratulations to the following Feb/Mar edition competition winners! Hopefully your prizes will have arrived by now, please let us know if not. Commiserations to those who weren’t so lucky - read on though
ancer is such a horrible disease and seems to effect so many people these days. Fortunately if detected and diagnosed in time many cases can be cured and research is improving our chances all the time. Vale Life client Gabrielle Harris, who ran London Cows, a stylish furniture and homeware business, from her home in Stoke Mandeville was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer at the beginning of October 2014. She has been undergoing treatment and writing an
for more competitions inside this edition, including the chance to win: Summer lunch for two at Hartwell House; Tickets to The London Pet Show; A copy of ‘How to Make a Living from Music’ book; £50 voucher for The Entertainer
Naomi’s guide for the sweetest fruit Exciting times for paving firm Indoor barbies suit British weather Housing trust battles homes shortage Local market remains buoyant Advice and information for local firms Digital data point is clever idea Pet supplies store delivers the goods News on local Point to Point meetings Refurbed pub has appealing pies Kirsty’s Kitchen does catering too! Kingswood pub gets the Oakman Inns treatment Python show is the full monty
engaging and amusing blog about her experiences at: http:// gabrielleharrisblog.blogspot.co.uk Gabs is nearing the end of her treatments now and is doing well. She’s had 17 chemotherapy sessions so far and her last one is due next week. Gabrielle’s friend Eddie King has been doing a series of 18 x 18k fundraising runs to match her chemo sessions and completes his last one on March 22nd. He is raising funds for Ovarian Cancer Action. If you have a moment please take a little read of Gabrielle’s blog, it is brave, determined, poignant and very funny and then make a quick visit to: www.
Toyshop, Aylesbury. Last issue’s prizewinners were: Dinner for two at The Village Gate: Judith Shaw, Tring Family ticket to Hell-Fire Caves: Jenna Pettit, Westcott Tickets to The Edible Garden Show: Sara Cutter, Stone
justgiving.com/GabrielleHarris which is Ed’s donations page. He was hoping to raise £5,000 but has already reached £7,733 an amazing achievement. Wouldn’t it be great to push it up to £10,000 and give Ovarian Cancer Action a real boost? The money goes towards medical research and raising awareness - many women do not know the symptoms which can lead to late diagnosis. Good luck with your last run Ed and of course to you too Gabs!
Charlie Charlie Trott, Editor
Renata Hadley, Wingrave Karen Scott, Stoke Mandeville Overnight stay at Chiltern View with meal at The Red Lion, Britwell Salome: Amanda Dunton, Aylesbury Oxfordshire churches book: Elaine Barker, P. Risborough
£50 voucher for Gourmet Burger Kitchen: Rachael Maskery, Leighton Buzzard; Diane Walker, Wendover; Charlotte Biswell, Brill Tickets to Arcadia at The Waterside Theatre: Nigel Roach, Wingrave
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 : Mar/Apr 2015
7
Spring fashion feature
with Katy Dyer
Personal stylist and fashion expert Katy scours our local boutiques and passes on tips and tricks for looking your best, plus the latest news on the high street trends
New season
M
arch is here, London Fashion Week has been and gone so we are now truly into Spring. If you are looking to add some splashes of Spring/Summer style to your wardrobe, whether it’s a couple of new pieces or a whole new wardrobe, look no further here is your essential guide to what to look for to bring your style up to date for the new season.
pinks. On the blue-green spectrum, there’s teal, turquoise and aqua. Great in accessories and touches on individual pieces. There is a lot of yellow - gorgeous for summer, but not necessarily everyone’s favourite. Light brights will look great if you have lighter colouring or the deeper tones if you have warmth to your look. There are shades from vanilla right through to rich golds. Try it you never know...
Flat out Love them or not, flats are back in a big way. Ballerinas to brogues, loafers to leather slippers. Looking great with skinny jeans as well as just-below-the-knee pencil skirts, find a pair that will work with lots of outfits in your wardrobe and get the best pair you can, based on your budget, as shoes really can make or break an outfit.
White out With summer comes lighter, brighter clothes and this year is no different. White is fresh and clean, and can really set off bright shades as well as being a perfect match for deeper neutrals. Remember that lighter colours accentuate, so think about whether tops, trousers or dresses will work well for you.
What colour spring? For SS15 the colours are certainly those of spring, including floral oranges, apricots as well as mid-tone
Into the blue: M&S Collection Coat £79, M&S Collection Top £25, M&S Collection Short £35
What’s back? In a word, fringe. Continuing from a trend that started in the Autumn, fringing on garments and accessories is still in vogue. Add in small doses in accessories or in detailing on bags. The cut of clothing is also becoming looser - great if you’re curvy. If you have a straighter figure, look
ModernRomance: Autograph Jacket £69, Autograph Top £35, M&S Collection Trouser £35
M&S Kimono £39.50
for more tailored garments with a little structure.
Autograph Nude Drawstring Bag £99
Stars & stripes The star patterns are vintage florals and oriental prints. Also look for laser cut-out pieces and even lacework if you prefer a slightly more romantic look. In the bag Two key trends in handbags for 2015 - the
Next Mini Skirt £30
8
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
M&S Collection Blue Drawstring Bag £29.50
drawstring bucket and the backpack. Find a style that works for you, perhaps introducing a statement colour to add interest to your look. You could also take the opportunity to upgrade your practical backpack to something more stylish with a touch of luxury. Spring really is a great time to experiment with your look, as it is easy to add smaller touches of colour with camisole tops, light scarves and neat hair accessories or sunglasses. Make a splash by reworking pieces you already own or refreshing your wardrobe with a shopping splurge. l Katy is holding Spring/Summer 2015 Style Events this March. To receive your invitation contact katy@ katydyer.com or call 07815 923 019 Katy Dyer is an award-winning personal stylist and image consultant. Based in Thame, she can help you discover the confidence to change or develop your personal or professional style and image - whether it’s a new career, a new stage in your life, finding the right outfit for a special occasion or to completely reinvent your look and make the most of you. For more details about the products and services available, visit: www.katydyer.com or email: katy@katydyer.com
Confetti BridalWear of tring
87 High Street, Tring, Herts, HP23 4AB 01442 828653
Emily & Fin White Hart Studio Brides! Come to our bridal catwalk event
and see our beautiful new ‘White Rose’ collection Tuesday 26th March 6.30pm-8.30pm, at Confetti Bridalwear, Tring Champagne and nibbles! Raffle with sparkly prizes! FREE ENTRY but limited spaces, so please call to pre-book your places
The Orient: Autograph Jacket £75, M&S Collection Trouser £35, Necklace £18 Next Floral Clutch £14 Mint Velvet Lucia Print Maxi Shirt Dress £109
www.confettibridalwear.co.uk
Next Collarless Coat £60 Next Block Heel Sandals £30
Next Mesh Pointed Flats £28
Next Pointed Flats £30
Image Style Colour Corporate
Wardrobe Review Personal Shopping Group Consultations Workshops
Gift vouchers also available Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
9
Fashion, Jewellery, Gifts & Interiors l White Hart Studio, 15 Churchway, Haddenham, HP17 8AB Tel: 01844 292308 Open Tue-Sat 10am-5pm & Sun 11am-4pm Website: www.whitehartstudio.com
Emily & Fin
Alice Pig
Emily & Fin British London Fit Quality Past Present Unique Original Thoughtful Flattering Current Timeless Alice’s Pig Brixton New British Vintage Modern Wonderland Siblings Beauty Colliding Quality Unique Fit Culture Surprise Braintree Natural Independent Timeless Beautiful Affordable Sustainable Innovative Determined Simple Unique Jeans
10
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Braintree
Also Bohemia Needle Yerse Jewellery Accessories
Emily & Fin
l
Column: Sally Turner‘Fascinating finds’
Buying antique furniture
I
strongly believe that now is a good time to buy antique furniture. It often costs less than a reproduction and good quality antique furniture design can sit well as a feature in a modern setting or a country cottage.
by changing the brass handles to turned wooden knobs. If buying an 18th Century walnut desk or chest, make sure the holes at the back of the drawer front match the handle holes at the front, as some antique oak pieces have been veneered Top tips... later to enhance their Quality and value and these holes are condition are key. sometimes veneered over. A well made piece Antique pieces of walnut with good colour and can be expensive so seek original fittings and advice when buying. patination is worth If a piece of furniture paying a higher price has been stripped (had for. its original top surface Flemish oak Court Always look removed) or been badly Cupboard, circa 1660. re-polished, leave it carefully at the construction of a piece alone, or do not pay much of furniture. If buying a chest - are for it, as the original colour and the drawers dove-tailed or pinned patination is very, very important. and do the drawers run well? Some table tops may vary in Check whether handles are colour from their bases as tops original - look behind the front of often fade in the sunlight - don’t the drawer to see if there are any worry about this. As long as the signs of a central hole, or extra base is original it’s ok. Tilt the table holes where other handles could over and look for the age mark, on have been in the past. During the the underneath of the top, left by Victorian period many desks and the platform. The platform attaches chests of drawers were modernised the base to top. That shadow mark
Sally Turner
George I walnut Batchelor’s Chest, circa 1720
will usually show if the top and bottom are not married Finally, if buying a chair, remember to try sitting on it before buying - you’d be surprised how many people don’t do this! When furniture buying. .. Always get a receipt stating age and authenticity and if buying from a dealer, choose a member of one of the antique trade associations such as lapada or bada. We are closing our Wendover shop on May 2nd after 27 years, so we have for sale, at cost price, many beautiful pieces of furniture and some inspiring restoration
Fascinating finds projects for budding restorers. l Sally Turner is an antiques expert with many years of experience. She buys and sells antiques and jewellery. After her shop closes on May 2nd Sally can be contacted via email on: enquiries@sallyturnerantiques.com She will continue to trade online at: www.sallyturnerantiques.com and will be available to undertake probate and insurance valuations if needed l Sally Turner Antiques, Hogarth House, High Street, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, HP22 6DU Tel: 01296 624402 www.sallyturnerantiques.com Open 10am-5pm Mon-Sat (closed Wed and Sun)
To help you celebrate this Easter every Trollbead Purchase will be automatically entered into our
ANTIQUES AT… WENDOVER
to win a Daffodil Tassel bead!
A Dateline ANTIQUES CENTRE Est. 1987
free prize draw
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 Shop, 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. Competition closes 4th April 2015 *Excludes ‘X by Trollbeads’ range
Hester Clarke Fine Jewellers
Independent Family Jewellers since 1892 Goldsmiths House 10-14 Cambridge Street Aylesbury Bucks HP20 1RS www.hesterclarke.co.uk
01296 482963
Acanthoceras Rhotomagense (Cretaceous period) 95 million years old £110 The Old Post Office, 25 High Street, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6DU Tel: 01296 625335 Email: antiques@antiquesatwendover.co.uk Website: www.antiquesatwendover.co.uk Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
11
Amanda Trott
l Column
Health & Beauty
If putting acid on your skin in the form of a chemical peel sounds alarming, fear Amanda Trott not! Our skins vary in sensitivity of course but in the hands of a professional Beauty Spot you should only feel a mild tingling and then - rejuvenation! Sounds easy...
S
ummer is rapidly approaching and with it comes holidays, wedding invitations and maybe the odd trip to social events such as Ascot or Henley, if we are lucky. Most of us want to look our best but sometimes, no matter how good our beauty regime may be, feel our skin just isn’t looking as good as we would like. Ageing brings enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles, acne can often leave unsightly scarring and pregnancy and imbalances in hormones can lead to uneven pigmentation. Although there are many good face creams, exfoliants and masques available, sometimes we need a little more help achieving desired results. If that is the case, The Perfect Peel could be your answer. The Perfect Peel is a revolutionary peel that will transform your skin into looking younger, healthier and clearer in just one week. It is a blended peel rather than the traditional single acid peel and contains a combination of five acids to give optimum results; it can be used on all skin types and requires no pre-peel skin preparation; it takes less than 15 minutes to apply and is virtually pain free - what’s not to love?! Nikki Zanna from Whitethorn Fields Medi Clinic in Stoke Mandeville explained the benefits. “The Perfect Peel blends glutathione, kojic acid, TCA (trichloroacetic acid), retinoic acid, salicylic acid, phenol, and a blend of minerals and vitamins. Kojic acid is a powerful lightening agent and has been proven to increase collagen and elastin production, resulting in brighter and tighter skin. TCA, phenol and retinoic acid reduce wrinkles and correct pigment problems, while salicylic acid exfoliates the skin and reduces inflammation.” She went on to say: “Glutathione is the ultimate antioxidant, 12
Vale Life : Mar/Apr Feb/Mar 2015
Nikki Zanna of Whitethorn Fields Medi Clinic applies the Perfect Peel
penetrating deep into the skin to fight oxidant damage and is the anti-ageing answer to premature wrinkling. Our bodies naturally produce glutathione but as we age, our levels decrease due to sun exposure, environmental stress and ageing.” Glutathione has also been proven to reverse melanin’s metabolism, lightening dark pigmentations. The Perfect Peel will improve the overall tone and texture by lightening and brightening your skin. It will also remove or reduce sun damage and age spots, reduce pore size, soften fine lines and wrinkles, stimulate the production of collagen resulting in firmer skin, slow down the ageing process and prevent wrinkles. It will also reduce or eliminate Hyperpigmentation, sun damage and acne scars, improve acne skin conditions and Melasma (darkening
of the skin caused by pregnancy). What’s more, it is a non-invasive relatively painless treatment that entails only 5-7 days of peeling. Although there is a visible improvement in the texture of the skin at this point, it is generally about 28 days later when all the active ingredients have had time to do their work, that you really get to see the best results. Eager to see the benefits myself, I visited Nikki at Whitethorn Fields. Nikki is an Aesthetics & Skincare Nurse and Independent Nurse Prescriber offering nonsurgical cosmetic treatments and professional skincare advice. She is a Registered Nurse with 22 years experience in various medical and surgical specialities and has been practising aesthetic medicine since 2010. She has been at Whitethorn Fields Medi Clinic for two years. After cleansing my face of any makeup, Nikki started to apply the
first layer of the peel in horizontal lines across my face. To gauge my skins sensitivity she asked me to tell her, on a scale of 1 to 10, how uncomfortable it felt. All I could feel was a mild tingling so she went ahead with the 2nd layer working up and down my face in a vertical motion. She carried on and applied another 4 layers of peel to my face, criss-crossing and dabbing in circular motions, to be sure she had covered my face with the solution evenly. Once completed, other than looking bright and fresh my skin looked completely normal. Nikki gave me a home care kit and explained what I needed to do over the next few days to look after my newly peeled skin: “Use the first retinol wipe tonight and then rinse well tomorrow morning, do the same tomorrow night and then once you start to peel, you can then use the moisturiser. You may well start to itch as the skin starts to peel and you will probably look a little red and feel slightly sore, so you can use the moisturiser to help alleviate that, but don’t over use as you need the skin to be dry enough to peel.” True to form, on day three my skin did start to peel, it looked very similar to the type of peeling you get if you have been sunburnt and by day four it began to feel quite raw, tight and itchy but by day five the peeling had started to slow down and the redness and irritation had begun to subside. With Vale Life off to publication at this point, I’m afraid you’ll have yo wait until our May edition to see he results. So far so good though! l Amanda is a talented and experienced, Vidal Sassoon trained hair stylist. If you would like to experience the Kebelo Smoothing System, or to have your hair cut, styled or coloured by Amanda she is available in Thame from Mondays to Thursdays at Eclipse Hair Design. Call 01844 260062 to book or arrange a free consultation.
Smarter skincare “I regularly get asked for the magic solution when it comes to skin. Skinade incorporates a lovely mix of skin health boosting benefits. It tastes good, it is easy to maintain and you will see the results within a short period of time.” Dr. Kathryn Taylor-Barnes, The Real You Clinic.
Skinade is a revolutionary skincare product that works from the inside out to help rebuild and strengthen the collagen matrix below the skin’s surface, boost natural levels of hydration and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Developed by leading UK scientists and manufactured in Britain, Skinade’s unique formulation contains high-grade collagen and essential micro-nutrients feeding your skin from within.
www.skinade.com
Does it work? Scan code for 100% real and Trustpilot verified, independent customer reviews
The Anti Ageing Clinic
The Caci Retreat
My Beauty Doctor
St Albans AL2 2JA
Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AA
St Albans, AL1 3NG
Louise Onisha Claremont Holistics & Wellness Tring HP23 5DE 2015 Vale Life : Feb/Mar
13 19
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
l
Column: ‘Kiss & tell’ with Tracy Kiss
Air we go!
A
drenaline is a fabulous thing isn’t it? The heart pounds, palms sweat, breathing speeds and suddenly the cheesiest grin is plastered all over your face. I’ve been dared to try sky diving but my fear of heights and falling means just the thought of it sends me into a tizz! I suppose it’s the lack of certainty as you plummet towards the ground knowing that if something were to go wrong then any minute could truly be your last. So in an attempt to quash my fears I’ve given indoor sky diving a go at AirKix in Milton Keynes. Up to now the closest I’ve come to a wind tunnel is blow-drying my hair on the boost setting by mistake. Eek! AirKix opened at Milton Keynes Xscape in 2005. Worldwide more than five million people have now flown inside their specially designed wind tunnels, which move around 1.2 million cubic feet of air every minute. Wind tunnels were first invented to study the lift and drag forces acting on aircraft surfaces, allowing stability and control to
TRUST
Tracy in flight! be measured precisely - ideal for testing the aerodynamics of aircraft, cars and Formula One racing designs. The wind tunnel works by blowing or pulling air out of a pipe and can be as small as a tabletop or as big as several buildings in size, so I’m rather confident that I’ll meet the height and size requirements. Around 200 people fly at each AirKix destination every weekend - all ages from four years to an awe-inspiring 95 year old and from all walks of life - ex-servicemen to celebrities and disabled charity groups. Being a first time flyer I chose the KixStart experience comprising two minute-long flights with an instructor.
I was taught to enter and exit the tunnel, maintain neutral belly flying, turn left, right, up and down, before being flung up into the top of the tunnel with the instructor spinning me around! It was the most exhilarating and incredible experience ever. I was kitted up in a Superman flight suit with ear plugs, goggles and a helmet and couldn’t remove a large grin plastered all over my face the entire time. I felt like a dolphin - swimming through air instead of water; the force from the wind tunnel was immense sending me effortlessly soaring as my face rippled merrily in the wind. It was fascinating to fly unaided, and so insightful to understand how aerodynamics work on the body, as dropping your hips
Tracy Kiss
Kiss & tell sends you downward, tightening your stomach takes you up, bending one leg spins you round and straightening both legs takes you forwards. I have the flying bug now and hope that I may take to the skies this summer for an outdoor skydive. It just goes to show that fears can be conquered, and that testing boundaries in life is what proves just how capable you are! l Read Tracy’s blog at: www.tracykiss.com or follow her on: Twitter: @kisstracy4 Facebook: /TheTracyKiss
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*treatments must be taken by the same person at the same time and on the same day. Cheapest treatment is half price. Offers finish end of April.
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OPI, Shellac, lours o c x lu Viny b availa le NOW *Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
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www.bodyandsoulaylesbury.co.uk
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Bow House is proud to celebrate the fact that they have been short listed for two prestigious awards Private Dentistry and also Dentistry Awards for...
Best Practice Best Marketing Best UK Practice Treatment carried out by Dr Edward Masheder BDS MFDS RCS PGcert IMPLANTS
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We offer a full range of treatment such as:
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• Sedation • Tooth Whitening (ZOOM!) • Injectable Wrinkle Treatment Before
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State of the art technology Late Evenings & Saturday Morning appointments available
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Simply call now for a friendly no obligation chat Tel: 01442 890 384 Bow House a Centre of Dental Excellence, 75 Western Road, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 4BH
T 01442 890 384 E info@bowhousedental.co.uk W www.bowhousedental.co.uk 16
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Ladies have long enjoyed being pampered in stylish hair salons while guys got short shift in a barbershop with greasy combs and hair on the floor. Happily for local chaps a new Risborough business is now offering a unique male grooming experience in the most luxurious surroundings...
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smart blue door between the charity shops at the clock tower end of Duke Street, Princes Risborough, leads upstairs to Three Chairs, local stylist Ryan Bartlett’s unique concept in men’s hair, for which he has created the most fabulous male grooming salon, combining the relaxing, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere of a sitting room with a masculine gentlemen’s club vibe. There’s chunky leather sofas and chairs, a chic industrial edge to the solid vintage cutting chairs, a pool table and bar and the beautifully renovated 17th century beams and floorboards of the Grade II listed building - it looks great! It’s the perfect backdrop for the blend of values, skills and craftsmanship Ryan is utilising in combining modern hairdressing techniques with traditional barbering. “I’m trying to bring a bit of London style to Princes Risborough,” he says. “I worked at Man Made Grooming Rooms in Marylebone, where celebrities such as Daniel Radcliffe have their hair styled and could have beauty treatments like Botox there too if they wished!” Three Chairs isn’t going quite that far yet. Ryan and stylist Luke cater for haircuts, head shaves, beard designs and trims, face shaves and facials: “We have 40 minute appointments for men’s hair, whereas you will usually get 20 minutes in a traditional barber,” says Ryan. The perfect complement to Three Chairs is Kenny Botting’s KB Neckties also based at the salon. Kenny, right, is a skilled tailor. He undertakes men’s tailoring alterations and repairs and handcrafts original bespoke made to measure ties and bow ties. Choose your own mix of fabrics or even have your initials hand embroidered on the back - a fabulous present for Father’s Day, comes in a stylish box. From £25-£55. l www.kbneckties.co.uk Tel: 07712 610825
Ryan
“We start with a consultation and a hair wash with head massage, then we’ll cut and style your hair and give you product advice and a lesson on styling or blow drying your hair so you know how to use any products and will be able create your look again at home. We also have later opening hours, so it’s easy for clients to come in after work. “Clients can relax here and enjoy the atmosphere,” says Ryan, “have a drink and a game of pool and socialise a bit. I want there to be a friendly, sociable, club feel, rather than a rush in and out service.” Ryan grew up locally and went to Risborough School. He was keen on art and interested in hair styling from an early age: “I’d cut hair for friends and family and worked in some local barbershops. I then went to Saks Academy in Covent Garden and learnt general hairdressing skills and went on to work at Man Made before developing the idea for Three Chairs. “At the moment the staff is just me and Luke,” says Ryan, “but I’ll be looking to take someone else on later in the year. It has to be the right person though, it took me a year to find Luke. He’s from Holmer Green and was a Senior Stylist at Tony and Guy in Wycombe. I remember him giving me a really good haircut a few years ago and us getting on really well. “We’re offering something a little bit
different here but people seem to really like it. I’m planning on doing some pop-up shops at Penn Festival and Kop Hill Climb and we’re going to stage a charity poker night at the salon and have the occasional music nights. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for details.” Ryan has developed his own Three Chairs product range which includes: Salt Mist Spray, Fibre Gum, Hair Moulding Cream, Pomade, Shave and Beard Oil and Matt Grooming Clay, all smartly packaged in his Three Chairs branding and available at the salon. Salon prices range from £8 for a Head Shave or Beard trim to £10 for a Gentlemen’s facial, or £20/£25 for a haircut with Ryan/Luke. l Three Chairs Grooming, 2 Duke Street, Princes Risborough, HP27 OAT Tel: 01844 347312 Mob: 07852 907793 Email: info@threechairsgrooming.co.uk Web: www.threechairsgrooming.co.uk Open: Mon & Fri 10am-7pm, Wed & Thur 1pm9pm, Sat 8am-4pm. Closed: Sun & Tue. Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Providing the ultimate salon experience
Spa treatment offer! All through April you can enjoy £10 off a Philip Kingsley Hair & Scalp Spa Treatment at Eclipse Hair Design (only £30 - reduced from £40).
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his luxurious treatment lasting 45mins, provides the perfect opportunity to relax, enjoy a head massage and walk away with a refreshed and cleansed scalp along with shiny, healthy, bouncy, beautiful hair. Featuring multi-award winning Elasticizer and Scalp Masks, the Philip Kingsley Hair & Scalp Spa Treatment is a must have for anyone wanting to improve the condition of their hair and scalp.
The Treatment Step 1: Scalp Mask Refresh, Stimulate, Cleanse, Revive Choose either Exfoliating or Stimulating Scalp Mask • Exfoliating Scalp Mask - for flaky, itchy, irritated and/or oily scalps to exfoliate, moisturize and soothe the scalp. • Stimulating Scalp Mask - intensive, stimulating treatment for optimum scalp health. Rich in vitamins and minerals and ideal for fine or thinning hair. Scalp Mask is applied all over the head directly onto the scalp.
STEP 2: Elasticizer Repair, Shine, Manageability, Bounce A multi-award winning, super moisturizing intensive pre-shampoo treatment, Elasticizer is generously applied through mid-lengths and ends adding shine, suppleness, elasticity, bounce and strength to all hair types. STEP 3: Seam Absorption, Penetration, Moisture Steam is applied for 10 - 20 minutes depending on hair texture, to improve penetration of the Scalp Mask and Elasticizer, delivering long lasting moisture into the hair shaft.
Step 5: Finish Shampoo, Condition, Results The appropriate Philip Kingsley shampoo, conditioner and scalp toner for your hair texture needs are used to wash and condition as usual.
Step 4: Massage Relaxation Head massage for 5 - 10 minutes helps to improve circulation, whilst aiding relaxation and lymphatic drainage.
NB This treatment improves the condition of your hair and scalp and is then washed out to leave your hair feeling silky, shiny, bouncy and beautiful. It does not weigh your hair down afterwards!
Male Grooming
history of men’s grooming - a salon brand created for men to provide you with a great new experience and show you new ways of incorporating style into your everyday lives. If you haven’t tried American Crew before or would like to find out more about their products and how to use them, just pop in to the salon and ask at reception.
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t Eclipse Hair design we care just as much about you guys as we do our ladies. Our stylists have regular training and refresher sessions with an award-winning barber, to ensure our barbering skills are up to scratch, and we are adept at creating male styles with clippers and scissors, whether it’s a traditional cut or edgy modern style requiring contemporary grooming products such as: Fiber, Alternator, Forming Cream, Pomade, Defining Paste, Boost Powder or Styling Gel. For Eclipse men we stock American Crew products - America’s most popular male grooming range. American Crew is more than just a lifestyle brand, it’s a landmark in the
Eclipse Hair Design, 56 North Street, Thame, OX9 3BH Tel: 01844 260062 Web: www.eclipsehair-design.co.uk Email: info@eclipsehair-design.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @eclipsethame and Facebook Eclipse Hair Design
STOP PRESS... online booking service - see: www.eclipsehair-design.co.uk 18
Like us on Facebook for up to date information and promotions: Eclipse Hair Design
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Health & Fitness
Column: Fitness Focus with Debby Luxton
Laser cure for fungal feet
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ith more of us taking part in sporting activities and enjoying spa visits and leisure breaks, it is no surprise that the transmission of fungal foot infections is on the increase. Podiatrist Debby Luxton advises wearing sandals, slippers or flipflops around pool and spa areas and in changing rooms to avoid infection. If you are unfortunate and find one or more of your toes is looking strange - a thickening of the nail, yellowing discolouration and perhaps crumbling, you are fortunate that a cure has recently been found, as previously there was not much you could do! “One of the most common complaints I see in my podiatry clinic is onychomycosis… or fungal nail infection,” says Debby. “In the UK 1.2 million people have a fungal nail infection and it is more prevalent in the over 60s. In about two thirds of the cases I see there is also a fungal skin infection, commonly known as
Athlete’s Foot, which can be itchy and sore for the patient. Although onychomycosis is not considered to be a life-threatening disease, it is not simply a cosmetic
Before
After treatment
problem. It is usually long lasting and highly contagious. It can cause pain, especially if the nail is thickened and wearing comfortable shoes can become a problem. Furthermore, onychomycosis is a risk factor for the development of bacterial cellulitis of the lower legs, particularly in patients with diabetes or a suppressed immunity. Up to now fungal nail infections have been difficult to treat effectively and have proved to be frustrating for both the patient and the practitioner. Topical treatments really only work when the infection is very minor and affects just 10%
Thame Therapy Clinic Complementary Health Therapies from Experienced Practitioners 23 Upper High Street, Thame, OX9 3EX Tel: 01844 215555
www.thametherapyclinic.co.uk
YOGA FOR EVERYONE Scaravelli inspired Yoga Classes Reduce Stress Improve Strength Flexibility and General Wellbeing
YOGA THERAPY
One to One Myofascial Yoga & Movement For injury and post surgery Help with posture, spine & alignment Contact Carolyn: 07817 830390 Email: caz@cazyoga.com Web: www.cazyoga.com
of the nail or less - even then if it is also in the nail bed, which it usually is, topical treatment is unlikely to reach it and oral medication has proved to be unsafe for many patients. An exciting new development that we are offering at The Laser Nail Centre at The Luxton Clinic, is the Cold Laser. Lasers have been used before to treat fungal nails but they have been thermal lasers which can’t get right into the nail bed as it would be too painful for the patient. The Cold Laser not only gets into the nail bed and effectively targets
Undergoing Lunula Cold Laser treatment
Debby Luxton Podiatrist
and kills the fungal infection, it also fortifies the body’s natural defence mechanisms to ensure healthy nail regrowth. It is safe and effective for fungal nail infections, it has no side effects or adverse reactions and with only 4 painless treatments clinical trials demonstrate 95% of patients have new growth of a healthy nail. As a podiatrist, I’m delighted to be able to finally offer my patients an effective treatment for this common and unpleasant condition. I think it’s going to make a huge difference to a lot of people. l Debby Luxton BSc(Hons)
HCPC Registered Podiatrist The Luxton Clinic, 57 Lower Road, Chinnor, Oxon, OX39 4DU Tel: 01844 352200 Email: ouch@theluxtonclinic.co.uk Web: www.theluxtonclinic.co.uk
Thai Orchid Massage and Spa www.thai-orchid-massage-and-spa.webs.com Traditional Thai Massage, Swedish Massage, Aromatherapy Body Massage, foot massage, herbal hot compress, back, head & neck massage 1 hr Aromatherapy/Swedish Full Body Massage £40 1 hr Traditional Thai Massage £45
Reflexions Health & Leisure Centre
Tel: 01296 330311 Mobile: 07587 172659 Buckingham Road, Watermead, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 0FY
EAR WAX REMOVAL If you are troubled by excessive ear wax causing discomfort or loss of hearing, CV Health Aural Care Service can offer you a very effective treatment at its Haddenham Medical Centre. Micro-suction is the most up-to-date procedure for removing obstructions in the ear and compared to syringing, it is safer, quicker, better tolerated and more effective. What does it cost? CV Health offers a competitively priced service at £80.
Call now 01494 555204 Monday to Friday ( 9 am to 5 pm) or email for an appointment: c.v.health@nhs.net Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Column: Fitness Focus with Cathy Court
Health & Fitness
Time for a paddle!?
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discovered kayaking quite late in life; once my children were more independent I had time to sneak off once a week and do something new for myself. I’d always found the brightly coloured kayaks hanging on the walls at our local pool an exciting sight and thought it was time to give it a go! My first lessons were in the pool, so I could get used Exercis to the feel of the boat and practise capsizing. But with the canal on our doorstep, I quickly progressed to paddling up the Wendover Arm, combining exercise with enjoying the great outdoors. Very soon I was hooked and with a group of like-minded kayakers, I set up the Chiltern Canoe Club with the sole aim of getting more people paddling. We knew there was lots of interest in kayaking and canoeing locally but with no clubs around catering for beginners, there was no cheap way for them to try it out. We were lucky enough to be awarded a couple of grants (from
Cathy Court
Chiltern Canoe Club
Kayaking at Chiltern Canoe Club, Tring Dacorum Olympian fund and Sport England), which allowed us to buy a good selection of boats and equipment. We also got an early boost by winning the Herts Sports Partnership Best Newcomer Club 2011. Now, four years down the line, we also have a canalside base and offer a selection of junior and adult classes, parties and river trips throughout the year. We also run Taster Sessions in the summer months and work with various scout
Hypnotherapy & Psychotherapy Has helped many people in many ways. It could be just the help you need!
Angie Elbourn
DHP. MNRAH Reg Hyp. Reg CNHC Over 25 years experienced therapist
CNHC are the only regulatory body for the profession of hypnotherapy that is recognised by the Dept of Health. Tel: 07775 677796 Website: www.hypnohelp.co (just .co not uk) Email: Angie.hypnohelp@hotmail.co.uk
Kate Walker
Mobile Chiropodist BSc (Hons) Hcpc Registered
General Foot Care l Verruca Treatment l Ingrowing Nails l Biomechanics l
Tel: 078875 51591
Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
groups. Last year we got 194 local adults and children paddling! There are several different types of kayaking and canoeing so everyone can find something to suit them. Slalom or marathon racing offers a high speed, competitive option or if you prefer to take things at a more leisurely pace, kayak touring and open canoeing may suit you. For more of a thrill, give white water or freestyle kayaking a go. You can start paddlesport at
any age as long as you can handle a paddle; our juniors normally start at around 10 years old but our oldest club member started kayaking when he was 81! It’s a fantastic sport for families to take up and we’re seeing more joining up together so they can use their new skill on holiday and on weekend trips. All our coaches are British Canoe Union accredited and we run courses based on BCU star schemes. If you are interested in taking up kayaking or canoeing, contact me, Cathy Court at chilterncanoeclub@ google.com to find out more. l Chiltern Canoe Club, Tring: Contact Cathy: 01442 824023 E: chilterncanoeclub@gmail.com Facebook: /Chiltern-Canoe-Club
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Column: Penny Harper ‘Thoughts of a small town girl’
Loving the good life T wo years ago I accidentally moved to the country. My lease is just up for renewal and as I type this, huddled around a fan heater for warmth, wrapped in a shawl and listening to the wind rattle through every crack in a building that’s got more holes than Swiss cheese, I need to decide whether to stay or whether to move into a little modern house with no critters, no mud, and double-glazing.
CONS: Forgetting you put the two eggs you collected from the coop this morning in your pocket is a recipe for disaster. You will realise your mistake when you thrust your hand into your pocket in the middle of the supermarket, leading to dramatic egg squishage. It will also look like you have stolen them and takes quite a bit of explaining! Neglecting to check your wellies for dead rodents before you pull them on with great force in the
to embarrassment when the postie picks your pants off the driveway and pops them through the letter box. If you’re returning home at night, you need to have your head torch ready to go or you run the risk of going head over heels over the log pile as you veer off course trying to find the front door. You have to dispose of a LOT of dead critters (namely, shrews) brought in by your cat, and do this as promptly as possible. Plonking it in your pocket to dispose of later will result in you forgetting the Watching for blue tits aforementioned dead shrew, until you are say, sat in a courtroom on jury service and reach into your morning results in much mouse squishage. For those who are unsure pocket for a tissue to rescue a as to how bad this is, be warned: all sneezing colleague. Tisshrew?! the mouse’s insides will come out of PROS: its bottom and into your boot. On a cold, crisp night you can You need to be constantly on your guard when gardening to avoid see every star and every galaxy far, far away because there’s no light chickens attacking your bum. pollution. Your washing machine is not You can watch blue tits running located inside your house but along the windowsill, tormenting rather, in the shed. This can lead
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Penny Harper
Small Town
Girl
the cat. You can grow all your own veg, or forage for food if you can’t be bothered, or are on a tight budget. You have plenty of space to run around in and plenty of places to explore and discover. You can lie in a field and watch the clouds float past without worrying you’re going to be smacked in the face by a Frisbee. You can feel the stress of the day melting away as your car winds its way up the hill towards your sanctuary. I’ll give it another twelve months.
DAY NE S* E O PAS FRE EST GU
A BETTER WAY TO GET ACTIVE THAME LEISURE CENTRE Everyone can benefit from exercise, whatever your age, whatever your ability.
For more information and to claim your guest pass, visit www.better.org.uk/thame In partnership with
District Council
*Customers using the gym must complete a pre exercise questionnaire and book an induction prior to use. Booking is essential for racquet sports and group exercise, and is subject to availability. Only one named person per pass, use for one day only up until the date specified. Only valid to non members. Centre and swim safely rules apply. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Subject to capacity. We reserve the right to refuse entry. Better is a registered trademark of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise. Registered address: Middlegate House. The Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6SX IPS Registered No. 27793, Inland Revenue Charity No. XR43398
GLL_PCR_Thame_Advert_BetterWayToGetActive_190x125_fv.indd 1
21 Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015 09:13 09/03/2015
l Column: Read all about it! Book reviews by The Book House, Thame
Nannys, oldies, wolves and rabbits
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ne of the greatest privileges as a bookseller, is to follow a customer’s journey to becoming a published author with a prestigious publisher. Author Kay Langdale has made that journey (with all of us watching) a few times, and ‘Away from You’ is her fourth published novel and third with publishing giant Hodder & Stoughton. It starts with a problem many working mums will recognise - how to balance the demands of career and home. Monica has been waiting for an opportunity to resume her career meaningfully after motherhood’s imposed time at home, so when she gets offered a three-month placement, she can hardly contain her excitement. The slight fly in the ointment - it means going to L.A. She now faces the dilemma of knowing that for the sake of her career she must accept it, and knowing that for the sake of her family she should stay at home with husband Daniel, nine-year-old daughter Ruby and toddler Luca. Luckily for her, Daniel understands
the dangers of asking Monica to live with the unanswered question ‘What if…’ and so they set out to solve the problem pragmatically, appointing a housekeeper/nanny to help during her time away. Finding the right housekeeper is not easy, and when that person comes along, she does not want childcare duties. Seeing her career opportunity about to disappear, Monica summons all her powers of persuasion and Ursula agrees, reluctantly, to her three month job as a nanny. But why does Ursula want to distance herself from children? Kay weaves deftly back and forth between her characters and we feel empathy for all of them even as the anguish rises to the fore. Brilliantly maintaining the readers growing sense of unease, Kay keeps you guessing til the end.
Another customer/author (this time from our Oxford shop) is Sir Muir Gray, who has used his background as one of Britain’s most senior medical figures to write ‘Sod Seventy’ - a practical and uplifting
approach to living longer and, more importantly, better. Age UK wants everyone to ‘love later life’ and this highly readable book, which draws on the latest science, helps plot the course for how we can achieve it. Decline is not inevitable and the message of this book is that prevention is as relevant at seventy years old as at twenty. Armed with the advice in this book, most of us can prevent or postpone many problems which we think are caused by ageing but are, in fact, caused by loss of fitness, mental complacency or preventable disease.
Now someone we would very much like to be a customer, is author Nicola O’Byrne, whose wonderful picture book ‘Use Your Imagination’ has just come into paperback. Published by the inimitable Nosy Crow (look out for their books, they never fail) it’s a fabulous romp for the imaginative child. Rabbit is BORED. What shall he do? Luckily, Wolf has the perfect solution. “Why not write a story?” he suggests. Well, Rabbit is just delighted - what a brilliant idea! And so Wolf teaches Rabbit to use his imagination to create the perfect story! Rabbit is DESPERATE to know what happens when it suddenly becomes clear that Wolf is very hungry - uh-oh... Bright illustrations, different fonts, a giant pull-out all add up to great fun for ages 4+ ! l The Book House, 93 High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3HJ Tel: 01844 213032 anybook@thebookhousethame.co.uk www.thebookhousethame.co.uk Open Mon-Sat: 9am-5.30pm
Children love books!
Children Learning to Succeed
Come and choose from the best children’s bookshop in the county:
Maths & English Tuition
in Aylesbury
THE BOOK HOUSE
93 High Street, Thame, Oxon OX9 3HJ Tel: 01844 213032 Open Mondays-Saturdays 9am-5.30pm
Website: www.thebookhousethame.co.uk Email: anybook@thebookhousethame.co.uk We also sell books for grown-ups... and fantastic cards as well as gift stationery and toys. 22
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Call for a FREE assessment!
07762 886 951 aylesburytown@firstclasslearning.co.uk
l Column: Catherine Stoker Learning process
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
A bursary could help if times are tough financial hardship. Most awards work on a sliding scale and can cover up to 100% of the fees. There must be strong evidence supporting a case for independent school being in the best interests of the his month, I thought it child, such as stretching academic, might be useful to address sporting or musical ability or in the question of bursaries. some cases nurturing through tricky Diversity across the state family issues. school sector allows parents more Applying in tandem with the usual choice than ever. Across The Vale Learning process timescales for a scholarship is best. we are lucky to have Grammar Catherine Stoker Details of this can be found on the Schools to stretch the more academic; a Free School with smaller parents often come knocking at our school website. If your child has proved class sizes and an extended school door seeking advice. themselves via the admissions day; Comprehensive Schools with It breaks my heart speaking process and a school feels they’re specialisms in a range of curriculum to parents whose children need an appropriate candidate for a areas; as well as the excellent confidence boosting, smaller class bursary, most have a means testing new UTC with a more employer sizes; an environment to nurture process to assess eligibility. Details focussed curriculum. their talents; or an individual of income and expenditure, as well Despite this apparent plethora approach to their classroom as capital assets such as property, of choice, there will inevitably be needs. However, they don’t meet disappointed parents when the admissions criteria for the right state cars etc. are all taken into account. This assessment often involves a dreaded email arrives in March with school and they find the cost of home-visit. The definition of ‘low’ news of school place allocation. independent education prohibitive. income varies significantly from Seeking avenues for financial In these situations, bursaries are assistance from an independent often worth a try. These are financial school to school and on whether you’re seeking day or boarding. It’s school, in preference to their state awards, which can also be added best to discuss your situation with school offering, is a time when to scholarships, in cases of proven
Independent education consultant Catherine Stoker advises parents to ‘look beyond the league tables’ when choosing the right school...
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schools individually. Around £20 to 30,000 per annum is a rough guide and you’re unlikely to be considered for financial assistance with income over £50, 0000. If your child is currently in independent school and you’ve fallen on hard times, for example through redundancy or divorce, where there’s been a significant change in financial circumstances, it’s always worth approaching the school to discuss this. Most schools are happy to listen and if they feel appropriate and budget constraints allow, will do what they can to help. If your child has been excelling in their contribution as a ‘paying customer’ to date, this will strengthen your case. Good luck! l Catherine Stoker is Managing
Director of the Independent Education Consultants, offering advice for parents on all aspects of education - from choosing a school, transition, to career planning and applying to university. For more details, visit: www. independenteducationconsultants.co.uk Blog: http://futureschoolsfairs.blogspot.co.uk
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Sunday 7 th Stoke Ma June 2015 ndevi Stadium lle www.tou rdevale.co m
The mix96 Tour de Vale Bike Ride is a fun, family event that raises vital funds for WheelPower, The Stoke Mandeville based charity which transforms life through sport...
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YOUR REG ISTRATIO WheelPo N FEE TO wer, Stoke : Guttman Mandeville n Ro Buckingha ad, Stoke Mand Stadium, eville, mshire, HP21 9P or enter P online at www.tou rdevale.c om
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his year why not take up the mix96 Tour de Vale Bike Ride challenge! You can pick one of three routes: 15 miles (25K), 37 miles (60K) or, new for this year, 62 miles (100K), starting and finishing at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, so there is something for cyclists of all abilities. The rides lead you through pretty villages and stunning Buckinghamshire countryside with warm welcomes along the way at Tour de Vale refreshment stops. Last year 1,834 registered cyclists took part in the ride raising an awesome £46,500 to help disabled people, so apply to take part now for this year, as places are limited! The 2015 event is on Sunday, June 7th. It’s not a race, but microchip timing will monitor your speed and distance. All riders must wear helmets and complete their tour by 5pm. Thousands of men, women and children become disabled due to an accident or illness every year and like many people who are born with a disability, they need to use a wheelchair. Based at Stoke Mandeville, birthplace of the Paralympic movement, WheelPower helps and encourages disabled people to play sport and lead healthy, active lives through a range or sports programmes and events. You can support their work by entering this year’s tour and getting friends and family to sponsor your efforts. It’s easy to enter - either fill out an online entry form at: www.tourdevale.com or print off and post in an entry form. Call: 01296 395995 or email: info@wheelpower.org.uk
No. 265498
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and a form can be posted to you. Preregistration costs £15 per adult. Children under 16* go FREE (*under 16s must be accompanied by an adult), Handcyclists are FREE too. On day entry costs £30 for each rider. All participants are asked to raise some I enclose a cheque/postal order (payable to WheelPower) Please my Access/Visa/Switch number: sponsorship indebitsupport of the WheelPower charity, so ................................................................................................... ask your family, friends and work Start Date ................................ Security No ............................. colleagues Expiry (many companies match their Date ............................. Issue Nowill ................................. Name ................................................................... employees’Cardholder’s fundraising), your local shop, gym Signed ....................................................................................... or anyone Date else............................................. you can think of! There are prizes for best team fancy dress and most Entry Fee: sponsorship, now! Adultsso £15,get Under going 16 FREE Fee on the day £30 Each You canEntry also raise funds securely online at I enclose payment for Entry fee. Adult £15.00 (£30 on day) £ .......................................... www.wheelpower-raisemoney.org.uk Additional Donation £ .......................................... Sport has the power to transform lives Total £ .......................................... Entry Fee: and has tremendous benefits for people with disabilities: improved health and physical strength; increased self esteem and confidence and improved social opportunities, all of which result in a better quality of life and independence. Disabled people are far less likely to be physically active though - according to Sport England’s Active People Survey 2013 only 18.5% of people with a disability regularly
by
play sport compared to 39.2% of the general population. WheelPower helps ● People to find a sport they love ● Raise awareness of wheelchair sport ● Increase the number of disabled people leading healthy and active lives ● Increase the number of sporting opportunities for disabled people ● Build on the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire more disabled people to play sport.
I enclose a cheque/postal order (payable to WheelPower)
6 Tick herePlease if youdebit are amy Access/Visa/Switch number: Thousands of men, women and children become disabled due to an UK tax payer and wish ................................................................................................... accident or illness every year and like many people who are born WheelPower to reclaim Start Date ................................ Security with No ............................. the tax on your donation a disability, they need to use a wheelchair. WheelPower, the (at no cost to you) Expiry Date ............................. Issue Nonational ................................. charity for wheelchair sport provides, promotes and develops
opportunities for disabled Cardholder’s Name ...................................................................
people to participate in recreational and competitive wheelchair sport.
Signed ....................................................................................... Date .............................................
Disabled people are far less likely to be physically active - only 18.5% of people with a disability regularly play sport compared to 39.2% of the general population (Sport England’s active people survey 2012).
6 Tick here if you are a
Thousands of men, women and children become disabled due to an WheelPower helps UK tax payer and wish Car Parking Adults £15, Under 16 FREE accident or illness every year and like many people who are born WheelPower to reclaim 6 For health and safety reasons parking at the stadium will be restricted for the the Increase tax on your donation with a disability, need to healthy use a wheelchair. ● the number of disabled peoplethey leading and WheelPower, the Entry Fee on the day £30 Each (at no cost to you) exclusive use of disabled participants. Tick if disabled parking is required. national charity for wheelchair sport provides, promotes and develops active lives I enclose payment for Entry fee. opportunities for disabled people to participate in recreational and Conditions competitive wheelchair sport. Adult £15.00 (£30 on day) £ .......................................... ● Increase the number of sporting opportunities for disabled people I acknowledge that the Mix96 Tour de Vale Bike Ride is a sponsored charity ride Disabled people are far less likely to be physically active - only 18.5% Additional Donation £ .......................................... and I pledge to raise as much sponsorship as possible. ● Raise awareness of wheelchair sport of people with a disability regularly play sport compared to 39.2% of
the general population (Sport England’s active people survey 2012). The ride is not a race and all riders must obey the highway code and the Total £ .......................................... ● Build on the legacy of the WheelPower London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic wearing of a suitable cycling helmet is compulsory. I understand that if I am helps Car Parking Games to inspire more disabled people to play sport in doubt about my health or have a medical condition that could affected by 6 be For health and safety reasons parking at the stadium will be restricted for the ● Increase the number of disabled people leading healthy and exercise, I should obtain my doctor’s approval before participatingexclusive in the use Mix96 of disabled participants. Tick if disabled parking is required. active lives lives and has tremendous Sport really has the power to transform Tour de Vale Bike Ride. Conditions
Tour de
Vale Bike Ride Tour
de7th June 2015 Sunday Stoke Mandeville Stadium Bike Ride www.tourdevale.com th
Vale
Sunday 7 June 2015 Stoke Mandeville Stadium
l WheelPower, Stoke Mandeville Stadium, www.tourdevale.com Guttmann Road, Stoke Mandeville, in the Mix96 Tour de Vale Bike HP21 Ride and Bucks, help us transform lives through9PP sport. Tel: 01296 395995 Fax: 01296 424171 Email: info@wheelpower.org.uk Website: www.tourdevale.com Charity No. 265498
● Increaseimproved the number of sportingand opportunities for disabled people benefits for people with disabilities: health physical Cycling can be dangerous and I accept that the organisers ● Raise of wheelchair sport strength; increased self esteem andawareness confidence and improved responsible for personal injury, accident, loss or damage caused or sustained The ride is not a race and all riders must obey the highway code and the ● Build on thein legacy of the London as a result of my participation. I agree that I will abide by the rules set by cycling helmet is compulsory. social opportunities, all of which result a better quality2012 of Olympic life and Paralympic wearing of out a suitable I understand that if I am Games to inspire more disabled people to play sport doubt about that could be affected by WheelPower for participating safely in this event. Riders underin16 must bemy health or have a medical conditionand independence. exercise, I should obtain my doctor’s approval before participating in the Mix96 I acknowledge cannot be held that the Mix96 Tour de Vale Bike Ride is a sponsored charity ride and I pledge to raise as much sponsorship as possible.
accompanied by an adult. Entries limited to 2,000 places on a first come first Tour de Vale Bike Ride. served basis. Please take part Cycling can be dangerous and I accept that the organisers cannot be held responsible I understand that WheelPower may take photographs of me taking partforinpersonal this injury, accident, loss or damage caused or sustained as a result of my participation. I agree that I will abide by the rules set out by event and permit them to use the images for promotional purposes. WheelPower for participating safely in this event. Riders under 16 must be by an adult. Entries limited to 2,000 places on a first come first 6 WheelPower will contact you by post and email to provideaccompanied further served basis. information about the Tour de Vale Bike Ride. We would also like I understand that WheelPower may take photographs of me taking part in this to email you our newsletter which contains information onevent our and permit them to use the images for promotional purposes. work - if you prefer NOT to receive this please tick this box.6 WheelPower will contact you by post and email to provide further
RETURN WITH YOUR REGISTRATION FEE TO: WheelPower, Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Guttmann Road, Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, HP21 9PP or enter online at www.tourdevale.com
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2014 2015
Please take part in the Mix96 Tour de Vale Bike Ride and help us transform lives through sport.
information about the Tour de Vale Bike Ride. We would also like to email you our newsletter which contains information on our work - if you prefer NOT to receive this please tick this box.
RETURN WITH YOUR REGISTRATION FEE TO: WheelPower, Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Guttmann Road, Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, HP21 9PP or enter online at www.tourdevale.com
Charity Reg No. 265498
Charity Reg No. 265498
22 24
Sport really has the power to transform lives and has tremendous benefits for people with disabilities: improved health and physical strength; increased self esteem and confidence and improved social opportunities, all of which result in a better quality of life and independence.
Supported Supported by Supported by
Supported andby
and
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Step inside by Polly Gibbs
Interiors Edition: Urban Jungle Foliage has been reinvented for a new generation - so let the outdoors in, for a home alive with botanical bliss...
Y
ou may recall I mentioned ‘Fashionable Foliage’ as an emerging trend in the Nov/ Dec issue; well, it has literally exploded, with an abundance of leafy patterns everywhere from the catwalk to the High Street this spring. From crisp contemporary silhouettes to full on ‘Hawaii Five-O’ pattern, discover a myriad of bold prints to play with. Inspired by flora and fauna, leafy, floral and insect designs are appearing on everything from sofas to lampshades. Take Marks and Spencer’s new Kyoto and Fern ranges (below) for example, each oozes charm and comfort, working equally well in contemporary or
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Kyoto range (M&S Home)
traditional settings. Leafy greens will literally pop against dark grey walls and compliment dark blues, aubergine and whites perfectly. The Botanical Photographic Print bedding is also worthy of note as it is whimsically romantic (from £39.60), and the Thistle Mirrored velvet cushion is a steal at £15 (M&S: www.marksandspencer.com / 0333 014 8000). Florrie+Bill offer a range of refurbished vintage cocktail chairs and their new Botanical collection in Hello Yarrow, Polka Polka or Laburnum, (see picture facing page). Designed and illustrated by Abigail Borg, they are in keeping with the latest trend for floral prints with a mid-century vibe (£595):
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
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Apsley Dining Table (Oka Direct) The Botanical Collection (Florrie + Bill) www.florrieandbill.com / 01530 481798). Oka Home (Milton Park, Abingdon) have some key furniture pieces, including the Apsley dining
table above, featuring ornate fleur de lys motifs, just perfect for the look (£2,555. www.okadirect.com / 0844 815 7380). But so far we’ve just flirted with
this trend really, a touch of bedding, a sofa and some cushions. To inject some serious colonial chic check out House of Hackney (www. houseofhackney.com / 0207 739
3901, see images overleaf) whose luxury collections could be straight from the set of Indian Summers (ITV). Be transported faraway to Continued on page 29
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Home Emporium
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Helping you give new life to your home. 55 North Street, Thame, Oxon OX9 3BH • Tel: 01844 212327 71 Woodside Road, Amersham HP6 6AA • Tel: 01494 727700 www.jackandatticus.co.uk • scott@jackandatticus.co.uk
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Visit us at our new studio 55 North Street Thame OX9 3BH Shop online for accessories and gifts www.tillynilly.com/store 28
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Step inside by Polly Gibbs
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Continued from page 27 lush tropical climes with their Palmeral and Pampas prints, available in lampshades, wallpaper, fabric, sofas, chairs, cushions, kitchen linen and a tea set (pictured right) along with clothing if you would like to match your interior! The Pampas Black Pineapple Lamp and De Beauvoir Screen are delectably ornate (From £315-£2,250). It’s a brave look that’s held together by a strong base colour and keen sense of balance. Each item must relate to the others to pull this look off. Try scattering the pattern evenly around the room, or play with an asymmetric arrangement, though this will also need balance to look effortless. It’s a fabulously bold scheme that works really well with bleached wood or rich tropical hardwood floors - also en vogue right now (try white or dark oiled oak by Prime Floors - www. primefloors.co.uk) and plantation shutters offer slithers of summer sun. Don’t be afraid to mix in some geometrics and stripes too, as these serve to balance the volume of pattern. Have a look at the Pinstripe Chenille cushion by M&S (from £15), the Kennington Stripe range by House of Hackney (www.houseofhackney. com / 0207 739 3901) and a personal favourite, Honey Bees wallpaper, pictured right, by Barneby Gates in gold/charcoal (£78. barnebygates.com / 01672 560240). And finally, home fragrance is a necessity I feel - try Nature Nurture reed diffusers and candles by Kenneth Turner (from £14), made with a blend of jasmine, rose, sandalwood and cedar wood (www.kennethturner.com / 0844 567 1000).
Palmeral Tea Set (House Of Hackney) Barneby Honey Bees (Barneby Gates)
l Polly Gibbs is an interior turned homeware designer based in Oxfordshire. Her designs, trend forecasts and expert advice have graced the pages of many a publication, whilst the simplicity of her homeware range delights designers and design lovers alike. www.coco-design.co.uk info@coco-design.co.uk Twitter: @coco_design Facebook.com/cocodesign.style
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
At North Mill Stoves no two days are ever the same - the firm gets asked to install their fabulous stoves in all sorts of unusual places - ‘We love a challenge’ says director Laura Morgan...
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orth Mill Stoves have been installing log burners across the local area and further afield for more than 25 years and have visited around 3,000 homes. A respected family business, run by managing director Ian Pearce and his daughter Laura Morgan, the company has built a solid reputation for high quality workmanship, excellent products and great advice. Here Laura explains just how versatile stoves can be. Inside Wood burning or multi-fuel stoves can work in many locations. A sitting room is obvious and it’s not uncommon for us to install a stove in other rooms of the house such as the kitchen, study or bedroom. How about a lovely cosy stove in the bathroom though? A wonderfully indulgent centrepiece, ideal for your weekend retreat or holiday cottage perhaps - lovely at home too, if there’s room. Certainly in the cooler Spring and Autumn months, we can help to make those chillier corners of the home more usable. One of the areas where we have seen steady growth is in rooms for which a stove
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Pure luxury, a stove in the bathroom
is the least fuss heating option. This not only includes conservatories and garden rooms but also small independent The North Mill Stoves team buildings such as National Trust information kiosks, (picture left), where volunteers need to be kept warm, and garden rooms and lodge offices, where electricity can, in the long term, be a more expensive source of heat than a wood burner. One of our stoves now keeps the office at Natural England, Aston Rowant, warm all year round. We have seen an increase in the renovation of older properties and the repurposing of existing building such as barn conversions. Even with excellent insulation and stunning original features, taller ceilings can leave the space feeling a little cold. A free standing stove and a simple flue system not only induces a warmer atmosphere but immediately creates a focal point and Stove in an Orangerie/Conservatory a desire to pause and relax.
A stove is an ideal heating solution for an independent building such as this National Trust kiosk
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Create warmth and a focal point even where the ceilings are high
A rather elegant fire pit
The nice thing about these types of rooms is that people are often more relaxed and open to having a style of stove installed that they wouldn’t consider in a more formal or traditional setting, such as a lounge fireplace. It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase some of our more adventurous offerings such as multi-sided or revolving stoves or space-saving styles that work well in open plan areas. We relish being asked to install a stove in a location which requires some careful thought and planning in order to achieve a system which meets Building Regulations. Ian’s engineering background means he thrives on finding a solution where others might fail or fear to attempt.
Stove in a yurt
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Outside Even chillier spaces can be transformed with the installation of a stove. With camping and outdoor living becoming evermore popular, stoves have become a no-brainer for yurts and tents, patios and garden spaces. A number of our stove manufacturers offer solutions for outdoor living including free standing stoves, fire pits and barbecues. Why not talk to us about the chilly spots in your home? l North Mill Stoves Limited, North Mill Road, Bledlow, Buckinghamshire, HP27 9QP Tel: 01844 342400 Email:info@northmillstoves.co.uk Website: www.northmillstoves.co.uk
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Bringing the outside in Over the last couple of years homeowners have often constructed conservatories and orangeries instead of traditional extensions. These rooms are beautifully light and airy but can be challenging to heat - a stove makes a perfect independent solution.
One customer decided to put a small stove in a lovely turreted garden room which was often a little chilly but had beautiful views of The Chilterns. Since our installation, they have now moved into the room instead of the lounge. “We find it so convenient to heat,” they say, “and just so cosy on a chilly evening. It’s given us our own little hideaway when our teenage kids are home!”
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Providing advice and installations to private customers, professionals and contractors for over 25 years Extensive experience with thatched, heritage and listed buildings. Unrivalled customer service through the commitment of our family team. Oxfordshire • Buckinghamshire • Hertfordshire • Berkshire • and beyond Contact us to book your free home survey or to visit our showroom to see the stoves in action.
Stoves, Installations & Servicing
comforts THE BEST IN
home
North Mill Road Bledlow Bucks HP27 9QP 01844 342400 info@northmillstoves.co.uk www.northmillstoves.co.uk Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Homestyle
by Charlotte Bolton
Adding value Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Thinking of moving? Spring/ Summer is traditionally the best time of year to sell... If you want a quick sale at the best price though, consider these TOP TIPS for some quick and easy changes that could make all the difference...
A
study has shown that litter outside can wipe up to 12% off the price of a property - proof that even the smallest things can end up costing big money. First impressions really DO count so give your front door a spruce and clear away any mess or garden items which draw the eye from a home’s key features. Tasteful door knobs, letterboxes and keyholes will help. And give it all a good clean. Little pots of evergreen heather, (easily bought for under a fiver), placed by the front door look welcoming. Poor kerb appeal can apparently knock as much as 5% off a property’s value yet it’s one of the cheapest ways to improve a home. Keep it clean (inside and out) Dust, cobwebs and grime might suggest a
Make sure your garden is neat and tidy too 32
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Kerb appeal: a tidy front of house gives a good first impression and will have prospective buyers keen to see more
Homestyle
Charlotte Bolton
Quainton Furniture
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‘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
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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 34
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Homestyle
by Charlotte Bolton
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Continued from Page 32 home isn’t cared for, so make sure the place is spotless whenever viewings are likely. Remember to clean windows and sills too and clear away any litter and rubbish in front if your house. It doesn’t matter that you didn’t put it there. It’s in front of your home and making it look dirty, so get rid of it! De-clutter!! Hide those chintzy trinkets and keep the number of personal knick knacks on display down - think minimal! Getting rid of excess clutter adds to the sense of space and never detracts from the look of a home. It also lets a potential buyer imagine their own belongings in place. Get some bin bags and start clearing out. When buyers are coming round, stuff clutter out of sight in drawers or cupboards - or just get rid. Concentrate on the hall first because it’s the first thing people see - stinky trainers and muddy boots are an instant turn-off! A fresh lick of paint? Transforming your home this way needn’t cost too much time or money - just the price of sandpaper, paint, brushes and rollers. Redecorating can make a property look smart, clean and brand-newish and present more of a ‘blank canvas’ to buyers. Think carefully about any colour scheme and remember - a neutral palette is generally a much safer option.
Keep everything clean and tidy for viewings Clean mould from tiling and window frames
Do keep an eye on the quality of finish though. A dodgy paint job can be almost as off-putting as scuffed, discoloured walls. Get out and get gardening Yank out those weeds, trim back any hedges and get the lawn cut. Sorting your outside space will add to your home’s overall appeal. Caring for your garden shows that you care about the home and have maintained it well. Surveys have shown that a good garden can increase the value of a home by up to 20%. Sort the kitchen out A new kitchen costs thousands, but replacing much smaller items such as cupboard and drawer handles, taps and other bits may be worth it. Nowadays the kitchen is a home’s
A neutral palate will appeal to more people.
Kitchens are particularly important
Clutter and untidyness must go!
focal point and is often the deciding factor in whether buyers make an offer or not. A coat of paint could transform tired old units and lopsided doors can often be adjusted and straightened up once more. Replacing even small items can turn an oldish kitchen into a contemporary space. Keep it clean too - lime scale and grease are always off-putting. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors say a good kitchen can add as much as 4% to the value of a home. Say goodbye to a mouldy bathroom... Apparently a dirty bathroom is one of the biggest turn-offs for buyers. So get your rubber gloves on, get some thick bleach and an old toothbrush and start scrubbing. Tackle those tiles, the grouting or the shower curtain and if anything can’t be cleaned then replace it. Consider upgrading out-of-date items like the soap dish, the toothbrush holder, and towels. It could look like a whole new bathroom. l Charlotte Bolton is a locally-based interiors writer/stylist who writes for some of the UK’s best selling homes magazines such as Ideal Home, House Beautiful, Style at Home, Your Home and Beautiful Kitchens. She writes about projects real people have completed in their own home, whether it’s a new kitchen, bathroom or whole house transformation. If you have a project you’d like to tell her about (and see it featured in the pages of a national magazine) Charlotte would love to hear from you! These don’t have to be grand designs - it’s about style and individual flair – so whether you are thinking of spending £50, or £50,000 on a fabulous transformation, get in touch! “I’m interested in real people, real families and how you live in your real home,” says Charlotte. “See: www.showoffyourhome.co.uk to see some homes I’ve written about. To get in touch, email me at: cjb@charlottebolton.com”. Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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l
Column: Janice Issitt ‘Making the most of it’
Backstreet joys
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Janice Issitt
Charles Huntington Flooring Charles Huntington Flooring
•Expert Advice •Professional Fitting Above, left and right - Competitive items as stocked•Very by Holy Cow Home Residential decorations fromfor Holy Cow Home, and On visiting Holy Cow at No.6 I which then featured in Homes & work realised that there was a whole Commercial Antiques magazine in an article host of great little independent •Carpets on my home. Holy Cow are to nowsuit allshops tucked away along this street. expanding. TheyBudgets have been selling Tilly’s tea room, right next door at giftware from a room at The No.8, is a family run business, open Quotes Jewellery Lady•Free on Cambridge from 7am with a mouthwatering Street but are •No soon toObligation take over the selection of homemade delicacies. whole shop and are widening their Further along the street are top range. It’s aiming to beParking a one-stop quality county jewellers Hester •Free
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ou know when you discover a shop you hadn’t noticed before and although it’s been there ages, you can’t believe you hadn’t seen it? Well, that happened to me today, but it wasn’t just a shop, it was several, in fact it was a whole street full. Had it not been for the lovely people at Holy Cow Home, I could still be in the dark about Cambridge shop for soft furnishings, lighting, Street, in Aylesbury, which runs furniture, decorations and giftware. from the Harrow public house I• am helping Holy CowRODS with CARPETS • VINYLS SISAL • STAIR behind Costa to the back of Marks advice on interior trends and the SAFETY FLOORING •styling WOOD BINDING TAPES & Spencer. of the•shop. If you have seen Just before Christmas I bought me in magazines or read my blog, some gorgeous hand painted you to willFriday have some ideauntil of the style. Opening Times: Monday 10am 5pm
Making the •Expert Advice most of it
Fitting Also•Professional along this backwater are independent barbers and hair •Very Competitive salons, leather goods, beauty Residential andand salons, afor flower shop, a tailor Commercial work Caribbean food to name just a few, often in the cutest wonky old •Carpets to suit all buildings, the kind that really make Budgets a Market Town. It’s •Free a shameQuotes it’s taken me so long to discover them, as I think its Obligation vitally•No important to shop locally … use it or lose it!
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Clarke and then - a fantastic find for me - Fabrikay, a fabric and •Free Parking haberdashery shop. I was amazed I l Read Janice’s blog at: http:// didn’t know about them particularly janiceissittlifestyle.blogspot.co.uk as they have a huge range of fabrics where she posts photo tutorials and other sewing and•knitting CARPETS VINYLS • SISAL STAIR RODS about•things to make and lovely accessories. pictures of life in The Vale.
•Expert Advice SAFETY FLOORING • WOOD • BINDING TAPES •Professional Fitting Saturday 10am until 4pm. Any other time by appointment Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm Tel: 01296 337181 Mob: 07767370067 •Very Competitive Saturday 10am until 4pm. Any other time by appointment Web: www.charleshuntington.co.uk Tel: 01296 Mob: 07767370067 for337181 Residential and 23 DUCK FARM COURT, STATION WAY, AYLESBURY, HP20 2SQ Web: www.charleshuntington.co.uk Commercial work 23traditional DUCK FARM COURT, STATIONvinyl, WAY, AYLESBURY, HP20 2SQ WE WILL NOT BE BEATEN ON QUALITY OR SERVICE l Independent, family run carpet l Carpet, sisal, coir, hardwood l Extensive range of Charles Huntington Flooring to suit all and flooring specialists l Exclusive suppliers of Roger Oates and contemporary flooring •Carpets Charles Huntington Flooring Charles Huntington Flooring WEcan WILL NOT BE BEATENyet ON hard-wearing QUALITY OR SERVICE •Expert Advice Charles Huntington Flooring beautiful runners l Expert fitting service at competitive prices - we Budgets and rugs in our local area l Domestic and commercial match or better your quote •Expert Advice Charles Flooring Providing adviceHuntington and installations Advice •Expert Advice•Free •Professional Fitting Advice to private customers, professionals•Expert and •Professional Fitting Quotes•Expert •Expert Advice •Professional Fitting •Professional Fitting contractors for over 25 years •Professional Fitting •Very Competitive •No Obligation •Professional Fitting for Residential and •Very Competitive •Very Competitive •Very Competitive •Very Competitive Extensive experience with Commercial for Residential and for Residentialwork and for Residential•Free and •Very Competitive Parking thatched, heritage and listed buildings. Commercial work for Residentialwork and Commercial Commercial work E
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for Residential •Carpets to suit and all Commercial work •Carpets to suit all Budgets Opening Times: Monday to Friday •10am 5pm CARPETS VINYLSuntil • SISAL • STAIR RODS CARPETS • VINYLS • SISAL • STAIR RODS CARPETS Saturday • VINYLS • SISAL • STAIR RODS CARPETS • VINYLS SISAL • Any STAIRother RODS SAFETY FLOORING • WOOD • BINDING TAPES until•RODS 4pm. time•Free by appointment CARPETS • VINYLS • 10am SISAL & • STAIR SAFETY FLOORING • WOODQuotes • BINDING TAPES Stoves, Installations Servicing SAFETY FLOORING • WOOD • BINDING TAPES SAFETY FLOORING • WOOD • BINDING TAPES SAFETY FLOORINGTel: • WOOD • BINDING TAPES Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm 01296 337181 Mob: 07767370067 Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm •No Obligation Saturday 10am until Any other time by appointment Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10aminfo@northmillstoves.co.uk until 5pm 4pm. Opening Times: MondayBucks to Friday until 5pm North Mill Road Bledlow HP2710am 9QP 01844 342400 www.northmillstoves.co.uk Saturday 10am until 4pm. Any other time by appointment Web: www.charleshuntington.co.uk Saturday 4pm. Any by appointment Saturday until time 4pm. Any other time Tel: by appointment 07767370067 Saturday10am 10amuntil until 4pm.10am Any other other time by appointment Tel:01296 01296 337181 337181 Mob: Mob: 07767370067 Tel: 337181 Mob:337181 07767370067 Tel: 01296 Mob: 07767370067 Web: •FreeHP20 Parking Tel:01296 0129623 337181 Web:www.charleshuntington.co.uk www.charleshuntington.co.uk DUCK Mob: FARM07767370067 COURT, STATION WAY, AYLESBURY, 2SQ Unrivalled customer service through the commitment of our family team.
Commercial work •Carpets Budgetsto suit all •Carpets to suit all •Carpets to suit all Budgets •Carpets Budgets to suit all Budgets •Free Quotes CARPETS • VINYLS • SISAL • STAIR RODS Budgets Oxfordshire • Buckinghamshire • •Free Quotes •Free Quotes •Free Quotes •No Obligation Hertfordshire • Berkshire • and beyond •Free Quotes •No SAFETY FLOORING • •No WOOD • BINDING TAPES •No Obligation Obligation •FreeObligation Parking •No Obligation •Free Parking Contact us to book your free home THE BEST IN home •Free Parking •Free Parking survey or to visit our showroom to see •Free Parking
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
WAY, AYLESBURY, AYLESBURY, HP20 HP202SQ 2SQ 23 DUCK FARM COURT, STATION STATION WAY,
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vale_life_advert_Layout 1 21/07/2014 15:54 Page 1
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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l Column ‘In the Garden’ with
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Growing for taste T
he whole point of growing your own fruit and veg is that it tastes so much better - isn’t it? Who hasn’t picked a tomato off a plant outside their back door, marvelled at the amazing aroma that comes from the plant, and then enjoyed the mouthwatering tomato taste so unlike many of those bland salad tomatoes you buy in the supermarkets? I caught up with botanist James Wong (presenter of TV’s Grow your Own Drugs) at a recent press event, and chatted to him about Grow for Flavour, which just happens to be the name of a new book he has produced together with the RHS. Like me, he had always believed that home-grown crops just had to taste better than shop-bought, and three years ago he set out to run some trials to find out what the secrets to getting the best flavour were. The results are listed in the book, but he shared some of them with me: • Apples that are grown at the top of the tree taste sweeter and contain
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
more antioxidants. • Strawberries grown through a red plastic mulch result in bigger, more fragrant fruits! Apparently it mimics the way the light bounces off the red underside of weed leaves, and so the plants react by trying to reproduce more efficiently against the competition. • Sow carrots in cool temperatures and they will be sweeter. • Spray tomato plants with a diluted aspirin mixture and they will be up to 150 times sweeter! The dilution should be half a tablet to a litre of water according to James, and not only will the fruit taste better but the plants will be more resistant to cold weather and disease! • The good news is that a lot of improved flavour can be achieved by doing nothing - for instance pick squash and just leave them for a few weeks and they will be up to four times sweeter. Now that’s my kind of gardening. Continued on page 40
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Tomato ‘Green Envy’ perfect for making pasta sauces and passatas. Can be grown indoors or outside, although best results come from greenhouse-grown plants.
Continued from page 39 Tasty Toms James has also worked with Suttons Seeds to identify some of the best flavoured tomatoes – varieties that have been recommended include:
Tomato ‘Sungold’ (above right) Orange cherry tomatoes with great sweetness.
Tomato ‘Green Envy’ (above) A cherry variety that produces bunches of grape-sized fruits with a depth charge of tanginess and a ‘curious lingering sweetness’. Tomato ‘San Marzano’ A famous Italian heirloom variety of plum tomatoes that are
Tomato ‘Corazon’ Perfect for sauces, soups and stews, with a tangey and sweet flavour. Look out for seeds in your local garden centre such as Haddenham Garden Centre, or order plants from www.suttons.co.uk
Tomato ‘Sungold’ Cutting Back James has been a busy chap recently. He is also the new brand ambassador for Fiskars’ garden hand tools. If you’re not keen on some of the more ‘boring’ garden jobs, here’s why James thinks you should have a go: 1. Pruning ‘Almost anything that grows benefits from pruning. Want supersweet apples? A light pruning of fruit trees in summer lets in more light to the developing crop. Trials have shown that this can make them measurably sweeter,
double their antioxidant content and intensify their colour. Twice the nutrition for five mins of snipping. What’s not to like?’ 2. Lopping ‘Lopping triggers the production of plant growth hormones, which can supercharge the vigour of old or ailing shrubs and trees, helping to rejuvenate plants. Think about it as botanical HRT. Amazing!’ 3. Weed Pulling ‘A close relative of trendy radicchio, dandelion leaves are a springtime delicacy across the Mediterranean, from France to
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nothing new - the Aztecs used dahlia tubers as food more than 500 years ago. For the past two years, the Swiss breeders Lubera have been growing dahlias at their two nurseries in Germany and in Switzerland. After carefully digging the tubers out in autumn, they prepared them, then cooked and tasted them. The tubers were all cooked in a pressure cooker and served without any seasoning Dahlias ready to cook to really get James with Fiskars ‘Power Gear’ secateurs / prumers true results. Italy. DeliDhalias Lubera customers also did taste Containing seven times the James was also one of the trials. antioxidants of lettuce, this gourmet pioneers of the edible Dahlia, but it The result is a number of green is so easy to grow it literally is a Swiss company, Lubera, which varieties that can be grown both plants itself. A free farmers’ market took up the gauntlet for their colourful on your doorstep? Boom!’ and ran substantial flowers and for their trails to discover the taste. And as you’re 4. Digging best plants to grow probably wondering, ‘Research has shown that for eating. (By the they apparently planting trees in square (NOT way, it’s the tubers taste of asparagus, round) holes leads to much faster not the ornamental black salsify and Dahlia edible root tubers establishment and long-term health. flowers - that you nuts. Some have This works as the pointed eat!)The best thing the flavour of corners of the square help direct about these dahlias is that they look parsley, celery and even fennel. roots outwards to colonise the good in your garden while they’re Some varieties can be grown in surrounding soil much faster, blooming, before you pull them up containers, too. instead of spiralling round and to eat the roots! For more on Delidhalias and to round the trunk.’ But eating dahlia tubers is order, head to www.lubera.co.uk
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National Gardening week Watch out for a number of gardening events, as well as free entry days to gardens around the area and further afield during National Gardening week (13th19th April). At the National Trust, Cliveden, in Bucks, you can enjoy a growing vegetable workshop and find out all about sowing under glass, pricking out and lots more, or discover the spring flowers in the garden on a free guided tour. Alan Titchmarsh will be at Frosts Garden Centre in Woburn Sands, Bucks on 18th April, and Oxfordshire’s Waterperry Garden will be open under the NGS charity scheme on 19th April, when you should be able to gaze on the several thousand fritillaries that have been planted around its Yewhenge meadow. For more on National Garden week events head to www. nationalgardeningweek.org.uk l Naomi Mackay is a freelance journalist who provides editorial services for small local businesses, including social media campaigns and blogging. Vale Life readers get a 10% discount. Contact her at naomimackay@gmail.com
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015 THE AS SOCIATION OF B L O C K PA V I N G C O N T R A C T O R S
APPROVED CONTRACTOR
www.haydonhillpaving.co.uk
“Aylesbury’s No. 1 Driveway and Patio Co Residential/Drop kerbs Permeable Paving Specialist Slabbing & Natural Stone Disabled/Wheelchair Access
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Things are really buzzing for popular local landscaping firm Haydon Hill Paving. The 01296 busy 336641 / 07853 69 company not only have a new base and a new website but they’ve just won a National Award...
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References are available from many local satisfied cu
A5_2pp_leaflet_Jan11.indd 1
ast year we wrote about Aylesbury driveway, patio and landscaping firm, Haydon Hill Paving (HH), being selected from thousands of companies nationwide, to have their work displayed in the annual Bradstone catalogue. A leading supplier of paving, walling, decorative stone and driveway products Bradstone produce an annual brochure, to show off their range and of the hundreds of projects undertaken using their products, select only the very best work for their catalogue. Being chosen is not only a great honour but shows that the design, workmanship and finish Haydon Hill Paving achieves is of particularly high quality. This year Haydon Hill Paving are not only to be featured yet again by Bradstone but also by Brett Paving, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of high quality aggregate and paving products and in addition, HH have won the Bradstone National Customer Excellence Award 2015, for the work they have done over the past year - an amazing achievement for a relatively small local firm. Lately HH have been working with Chiltern
View Nursery on the Wendover Road between Stoke Mandeville and Wendover, where they have paved a huge display and showroom area for the garden centre and have forged such a good relationship with owner James Bone, that they are going to be based at Chiltern View. James was impressed with the paving HH has done at Bedgrove shops and invited owner Warren Iqbal to come up with a design and quote for flooring his nursery. He liked what he saw and so far Warren and his team have laid around 250,000 blocks at Chiltern View, creating a large indoor showroom with Bradstone ‘brindle’ blocks and more recently, paving around the outside with ‘charcoal’ blocks and gravel. “The two businesses work well together,” says Warren. “Paving and plants are often both needed on a job and we frequently buy pots and plants from Chiltern View to add a decorative finish to a driveway or doorstep, path or patio. “I’m really excited about the opportunity to work with Chiltern View, I think our businesses share the same ethos and it will be good for us to have a public presence, somewhere people can come to pick up our leaflets and brochures and
see the range of services we offer. “I’m really proud to have our jobs featured in both the Bradstone and Brett catalogues, and to win the Customer Excellence award is the icing on the cake. “We ensure our work is of the highest standard and that often means a lot of effort that you don’t see - for instance digging out to give a firm foundation and proper drainage. We also take pains to ensure the customer is happy and to quickly return if anything needs tweaking after the job is finished. It is nice to be recognised for out efforts.” Things are really buzzing for HH at the moment. Warren has a new base at Chiltern Nursery and has just launched a new website designed by local firm Shared Creative. Good luck to him and the team and congratulations on the well-deserved award. l Haydon Hill Paving Ltd, Chiltern View Nursery, Weston Turville, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5TN Tel: 01296 336641 / 07853 698168 Email: sales@haydonhillpaving.co.uk Web: www.haydonhillpaving.co.uk Brett, Bradstone, Interlay & Marshall Approved Full Waste carrier Licence
Warren outside Chiltern View Nursery which re-opened on March 14th this year
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Laying blocks around the outside of Chiltern View, earlier this year
Patio by Haydon Hill Paving
Driveway, wall & landscaping by Haydon Hill Paving
Block paving at Jansell Square, Bedgrove
Gravel driveway (20mm Oxford White Stone) with Granite Sets around edging and main entrance plus new brick wall and new half-moon natural stone step to front door entrance) at Wendover Road, Aylesbury
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Jules Sainter loves her Barbecue Cabin. She’s had one since 2013 at her home on Bledlow Ridge and likes it so much, she’s taken on the role of local distributor for the manufacturer...
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s days lengthen and the weather brightens up, our thoughts might turn to making more use of the garden. There’s nothing like cooking, eating and entertaining al fresco on a balmy Summer’s evening but, as we all know, The Great British weather can let us down, often being too chilly or wet and forcing a retreat back indoors! With an All Year Barbecue Cabin though, crafted from slow-grown Scandinavian Redwood and fitted with a central fire and cooking grill, you not only have a stylish, comfortable cooking facility, protected from the elements, but it doubles as a cosy, comfortable dining room, where family or guests can relax around the grill area as food sizzles on the barbecue, or cook their own as part of the experience. “You can make use of the Barbecue Cabin all year round,” says Jules. “Imagine chatting round the fire, enjoying scrumptious steaks or succulent burgers over a glass of wine or two, while the rain beats down on the roof above, or the snow sparkles outside - it’s really atmospheric and great fun! “We’ve had some fantastic evenings in our cabin with family and friends. I find it great for entertaining, as a barbecue party in the cabin is a lot less trouble than having a dinner party indoors! We even had a party of 13 in there one New Year and it was lovely! “Kids think it fabulous of course and even teenagers are surprisingly enthusiastic. The cabins look really cute too and make a great addition to your garden visually. “The sloping walls are a good feature as they not only give you more space but are particularly comfortable for lounging against! “We have run power to our’s for fairy lights and a music system, but you could just have candles and the firelight, if you prefer.” The cabins are manufactured in the UK (Derbyshire), each one made to order using top grade timber and traditional methods and come with a 10 year guarantee. There are five sizes available from the ‘Small’ cabin (7m2) which comfortably seats up to ten people and is supplied complete with five luxurious reindeer skins plus accessories, a ‘Medium’
Jules, left, and her Barbecue Cabin
(10m2), a ‘Large’ (14m2), an ‘Extra Large’ (17m2) and a ‘Commercial (25m2) which is the largest cabin in the range and big enough for corporate entertainment. “The most popular size is the 10m2 Medium Cabin,” says Jules, “which seats up to 15 people and can sleep three. That’s the one we have and is pictured above in our garden.” The cabins are very well made with time and care spent on precision craftsmanship and construction to ensure every detail is beautifully and stylishly completed. Included in the prices of the cabins are: • Comfortable, spacious seating area • Adaptable benches - for teenage sleep-overs! • Sloping walls to maximise space and to enable complete lounging enjoyment • Secure door fitted with a mortice lock • Double glazed, secure, opening windows • Central barbecue grill with a ‘hood’, chimney and a fitted table • Top quality shingle roof • Luxury deer skins or cushions & accessory pack • Preserved exterior walls • 10 year manufacturer’s guarantee “Prices start from £6,750 for the smallest
Party time in the Barbecue Cabin cabin,” says Jules. “We can generally deliver and install your cabin within about six weeks of ordering and they can usually be put up in a day. The cabins are supplied treated with a preservative on the exterior, but can be painted if required, according to your taste. “‘The cabins are installed by fully trained fitters either on an existing flat area or decking, or a timber pegged or concrete base can be erected. If you are interested in having your own Cabin, I can look at your garden and discuss possible siting options with you.” Jules and her husband, Richard, have open days planned throughout the year when you can see their All Year Barbecue Cabin in action: “We will be available throughout the day from: 10am-4pm on Saturday, April 25th and Saturday, May 30th, so come down and have a look,” says Jules. “We can answer any questions you may have on Barbecue Cabin delivery and installation, the siting of a cabin in your garden and the joys a Barbecue Cabin can bring you! For alternative dates please see our website or contact me .” People also buy the cabins without the barbecue grill to use them for hot tubs, as useful extra space for a study, playroom, den, sewing room, or treatment room etc. l All Year Barbecue Cabins, Frenches Wood, Chinnor Road, Bledlow Ridge, OX39 4BP Tel: 07753351768 Email: jules@allyearbbqcabins.com Web: www.allyearbbqcabins.com Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
If you have a home you may be unaware just how bad the UK housing shortage is, but continue building at current rates and the South East alone will be lacking hundreds of thousands of homes within ten to fifteen years time, driving prices up and people onto the streets... ‘
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orried you or your children will never have a home to call your own? Then you’re a victim of the housing crisis.’ A strong statement from The National Housing Federation (NHF) which is raising awareness of the housing shortage through its Homes for Britain campaign. The UK housing crisis is at an all time high. Figures from the NHF show that in the South East alone, 781,000 new households are expected over the next 20 years; and at current building rates there is likely to be a shortfall of 400,000 homes in the region by 2031. Last year in Buckinghamshire alone, only 1300 homes were built, which is 700 less than the county needed. According to the Land Registry the average house price in Buckinghamshire is £298,867, which is not only up 8% from last year, but also over ten times the average UK full time annual salary. This price increase, in addition to the lack of homes, is continuing to price people out of the buying market and pushing them into a life of renting; with no telling if they’ll find themselves on the property ladder in the
David Orr speaking at a recent Trust event future. This problem isn’t just happening in Buckinghamshire. It’s nationwide. Many people are putting off starting a family because they can’t afford to move to a bigger home. Many adults still live with parents because they can’t afford to buy their own property. Many people are struggling to pay for the roof over their heads - some even
Vale of Aylesbury Housing shared ownership homes in Stoke Mandeville.
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Banner currently displayed at Vale of Aylesbury Housing’s offices in Aylesbury
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Vale of Aylesbury Housing shared ownership homes in Stoke Mandeville
this way’. David Orr, Chief Executive of NHF (pictured above) says: “We’ve found that nearly eight out of 10 people (77%) in England don’t believe any of the main political parties will effectively deal with housing. But they still have the chance to put that right.” The Homes for Britain campaign is staging ‘the biggest housing rally’ on Tuesday, March 17th in the heart of Westminster, to reach the UK political parties with its key messages before May’s general election. People and organisations who believe that everyone has a right to a decent affordable home will join forces and stand united with those from the housing world to ‘put an end to the housing crisis within a generation’.
face becoming homeless. There are 4.5 million people in dire housing need in this country. But according to NHF, Chartered Institute of Housing, Crisis, Home Builders Federation, National House Building Council, Royal Institute of British Architects, Residential Landlords Association and Royal Town Planning Institute; ‘it doesn’t have to be
of action once they become elected. We need to end the housing crisis and this means acting now for the benefit of future generations.’ It’s no easy task, but the Trust is committed to making sure this important issue features highly on political agendas ahead of the general election. Central to the campaign is the need for investment, land and greater freedoms and flexibilities for housing associations - things that will really help to address the shortfall in the long term. As well as campaigning about the lack of homes the Trust is also building them. Another 143 - including affordable and shared ownership homes - will have been completed by March 2015. It may seem a small number but it means that 143 families get a home to call their own. Homes for Britain - what you can do: Please show your support for this campaign and help to safeguard the future of affordable housing. To find out more go to: www.housing.org.uk/generalelection or http://homesforbritain.org.uk Follow the campaign on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/HomesforBritain l Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust, Fairfax House, 69 Buckingham Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 2NJ Tel: 01296 732600 Email: info@vaht.co.uk Website: www.vaht.co.uk
It’s no surprise that Vale of Aylesbury Housing (the Trust) - one of the area’s leading local social housing providers - is backing the Homes for Britain campaign. The Trust has been busy drumming up support on social media and, alongside its involved residents groups, will be joining 2,500 other campaigners at the rally later this month. The Trust knows first hand the importance of providing affordable homes and agrees that it is about time to recognise that many people and families are never going to fulfil their dreams of buying their own property. Alistair Smyth, External Affairs Manager South East at NHF says: Homes for Britain is all about getting our politicians to face the issue head on and commit to a long term plan
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Property Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Good news for home buyers
at below 2.4%, now is a great time to review your current mortgage rate and see what saving you can make.
Are you currently buying a home, or thinking about getting on the property ladder? Then the good news is tax changes and low interest rates mean you could now be a lot better off... “
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he mortgage market changed considerably in 2014,” says financial advisor Jeff Harris. “Schemes to help buyers purchase a home were introduced, such as the Help To Buy Scheme. However tighter lending rules, making it potentially harder to get the mortgage required to purchase your home, also came into force. “The biggest difference came in the Autumn Statement with the overhauling of Stamp Duty. “Stamp Duty for residential properties has been cut for 98% of homebuyers who pay it. “The new stamp duty rules
operate on a similar basis to income tax, whereby each percentage rate charged will only apply to the part of the property purchase price that falls within the tax band (source: HM Treasury, Autumn Statement, December 2014). “So for example, on a purchase price of £275,000, the total stamp duty payable previously would have been 3% or £8,250. “Under the new rules total stamp duty payable on a purchase price of £275,000 would be only £3,750, a huge saving of £4,500. “One thing that has not changed is the Bank of England Base Rate. At the time of writing the Bank of
On the move?
Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Buying a home is a big committment, so always seek professional advice first England has just announced that the Base Rate would stay at 0.5% for the 70th month in a row. “The low base rate is having a knock on effect on the residential rates being offered to homebuyers and remortgagers alike. With two year fixed rates currently available below 1.4% and five year fixed rates
l Jeff Harris is a financial adviser based in Wendover and trading as Hampden Financial Services Ltd He offers a free, no-obligation financial health check and help and advice if you are concerned about issues such as not having a Will, not having enough Life Cover or paying too much for your Mortgage. Hampden Financial Services Ltd, 32 High Street, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6EA Tel: 01296 620567 Email: jeff.harris@hampdenfs.co.uk Web: www.hampdenfs.co.uk
Wendover is a lovely place to live, so it’s no surprise demand for homes in the village is higher than ever and prices continue to rise...
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endover is as popular as it has ever been and we are seeing an increasing number of new applicants wishing to move to the area,” says Christopher Pallet resident partner Ross Final. “With a limited number of homes here and a shortage of people looking to move, house prices continue to increase year on year and there are no signs of this trend slowing down.” Christopher Pallet is Wendover’s longest established Independent Estate Agent, a respected and trusted local brand since 1973. 46
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
“We aim to combine traditional values and service, with up-to-date technology, presentation and a fresh, modern image,” says Ross. “We have a professional and experienced team here - all of our valuers have detailed knowledge of the local area, built up over many years, enabling us to provide an accurate and honest appraisal of your home. “Our negotiators have the skills and resources to achieve the best possible price for your home; negotiating your sale through to a successful completion while keeping you regularly updated throughout the process.”
Christopher Pallet’s stylish new, customer-friendly website is already attracting rave reviews for ease of use, excellent property visuals and valuable local information about the excellent schooling, healthcare facilities and local transport. The company is known for a personal, friendly and professional approach and callers are always welcome at the Wendover office, situated in an excellent location on the High Street, close to the Post Office. It is a location with a high footfall and literally hundreds of potential buyers stop every week to view the latest instructions in
Christopher Pallet’s Wendover office
the smart, modern LED window display. “As members of the Property Ombudsman Scheme we are committed to delivering excellent customer care and maintaining a high standard of professionalism at all times,” says Ross. “If you have a property in the Wendover area which you are considering selling or letting now, or in the near future, it would be great to hear from you.” l Christopher Pallet, 8 High Street, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6EA Tel: 01296 625000 E: wendover@christopherpallet.com W: www.christopherpallet.com
‘Positive start’ say commercial consultants
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uckinghamshire based commercial and industrial property consultants Stupples Chandler Garvey have been established in the local area for more than 30 years and know the market well. “We have experienced a very positive start to 2015,” says director Alan Chandler, “with encouraging activity within the industrial, office and retail sectors. “Activity within the area is being augmented by movement in from outside, as people relocate, sometimes from considerable distances, to obtain employment or set up businesses - there are not the same opportunities or availability in peripheral counties.”
To Let
a large number of properties, both commercial and residential, within the Aylesbury Vale District. Aylesbury Vale Estates has a total of 250,000 sq ft of industrial and business units, the majority of which are located within the Rabans Lane area of Aylesbury, and include Rabans Close, Edison Road and Bessemer Crescent. The Encouragingly Alan feels this other available properties are on the is likely to continue over the next Stocklake Industrial Estate, Smeaton 12 to 18 months as confidence is Close and in Aylesbury Town Centre. returning to the market. The systematic improvement of Stupples Chandler Garvey have these properties, the turning market, recently been appointed joint sole and the inclusion of Stupples agents on the Aylesbury Vale Estates Chandler Garvey as joint sole agents - a joint venture company between will all play a part in securing new Aylesbury Vale District Council and tenancies over the coming months, Akeman Partnership, who manage further boosting the local economy.
Aylesbury Vale Estates:
Units available from 540 sq ft – 14,247 sq ft
Rabans Lane Industrial Estate offers a range of modern, terraced industrial/warehouse units in a thriving business location with superfast broadband enabled across the estate. Large concrete forecourts give ample car parking/good access for delivery vehicles. All the units have WC facilities and most have fitted offices and overhead steel loading
To Let
doors. The portfolio also includes a 14,247 sq ft unit with yard on Smeaton Close (Joint agents Brown and Lee).
The Gatehouse:
Refurbished Offices from 2,000 sq ft – 7,998 sq ft
The Gatehouse is a four storey office building of attractive brick elevations constructed in 1991. Recently refurbished, this property provides high quality air-conditioned office space on the 2nd floor, incorporating full access raised floors throughout, ample car parking on an internal repairing and and attractive landscaped insuring lease, subject to a courtyard. service charge. The premises are available
To Let
Prebendal Court:
Refurbished Offices from 953 sq ft – 6,746 sq ft
A selection of newly refurbished two storey, purpose built, open plan offices, constructed around 1986 by Estates and General Limited and designed in a neo Georgian style around a courtyard. Car parking spaces at surface and undercroft. Part air conditioning; Gas central heating; Kitchenette; WC facilities and Security
To Let
system. Two minutes walk from Aylesbury Old Town/Town Centre.
The Vale Industrial Estate:
Units available from 1,560 sq ft – 20,715 sq ft
The Vale Industrial Estate Phases 1 and 2, provide a selection of modern single storey terraced buildings of steel frame construction under a pitched roof. The units offer ground floor storage/production/ distribution space, accompanied by male and female toilets and parking. Some also have office accommodation.
There is also one large detached unit available on the estate with a yard (20,715 sq ft). (Joint agents Fields).
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.stupples.com
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Column: Down to business with Philippa Batting
Grants helping local firms
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o you know about all the grant funding available for local small and medium sized businesses? The tangled web of grant funding can often leave businesses trapped in a world of slow growth but by working with the team at Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF) you can access free advice and grants to support your firm’s ambitions. If your business is looking to reduce costs and help the planet by taking simple measures such as installing LED lighting, double glazing or a new boiler there’s a grant available through Low Carbon Workspaces of up to £5,000. The grant scheme is available to small and medium sized businesses in the South East and has helped many reduce energy bills, including ABA Stronalva who installed ceiling cavity insulation in their office and replaced single-glazed windows with double-glazing. “We’ve almost done away with the heating altogether,” says Kevin Dargue of ABA.
Elizabeth Assaf of Urban Front with doors at the trade show in Denmark Chesham-based Urban Front secured a £3,000 Grant for Eco Innovation which enabled them to attend a trade show in Denmark and construct one of their energy saving doors at the show itself. “I’d definitely recommend Grants for Eco Innovation to other businesses,” says Elizabeth Assaf of Urban Front. “The grant team were exceptional and always on hand to
answer any queries I had.” Grants for Eco Innovation support businesses that have a product or service that is environmentally friendly and ready for market. Grants of up to £3,000 are available to contribute towards activities including marketing campaigns, websites, attending exhibitions and marketing collateral. The project can also help SMEs ‘go green’ by offering grants to lessen their environmental impact. Velocity Growth Grants are match-funded grants of up to £10,000 which exclusively support the growth ambitions of businesses based in Aylesbury Vale. The grant can be used for any expenditure that will support a business to create and safeguard jobs, including spending on sales and marketing, backroom systems, improving productivity, recruitment and expansion. National Entrepreneur of the Year, David Humpston, whose fledgling business, Viewpoint Videos, got a welcome boost from
Philippa Batting Down to business
Velocity says: “The grant is a brilliant help, especially at this early growth stage!” The best way to find out about available grant funding and to access free business support is to become a member of your local Growth Hub, Buckinghamshire Business First. Membership is free to anyone based in, or trading in, Buckinghamshire. Find out more: 01494 568937 / info@bbf.uk.com l Philippa Batting is the Managing Director of Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF). The organisation, based in Saunderton, works to support and facilitate success within the business community and to create a dynamic environment in which local business can flourish. Membership is free - visit: www.bbf.uk.com for more information.
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
For those working in unfamiliar buildings, or trying to gain access in an emergency, having up to date technical and health and safety information can save time, money and even lives...
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orksafe Information Point Ltd is an indispensable new service created by local businessman, Jim Webster. Jim has for many years been a respected supplier of pest control and cleaning services through his companies MSC Ltd and Beesknees Pest Control. This work has taken Jim and his staff to all manner of public and privately owned buildings, from offices to care homes, industrial units to private houses, blocks of flats and civic amenities. As you can imagine, even when arriving by appointment at an office block or care home, the amount of time wasted in trying to gain access to service areas or roof spaces, lift shafts and storage facilities, or trying to find who has the keys, or whether there are health and safety issues, where to go and if a ladder, torch, or more specialist equipment is needed, soon mounts up! And for the emergency services, being able to swiftly gain access to a building, especially out of normal working hours, with advanced knowledge of any unique hazards, or potentially dangerous materials present or health and safety risks, could be vital in saving time and lives. It may also save them having to break down doors and cause damage if a code for a door lock, or the contact number for the local keyholder, is known. Worksafe IP Ltd can compile, securely store and make available such information via their website. Those requiring the data can download the Worksafe IP App to their mobile. The Worksafe website can be accessed in advance, or if on site by scanning a small
The WorksafeIP App allows the user to scan the Worksafe Information Point QR codes on site and be taken to the relevant data for that locality online.
plaque (Worksafe Information Point) with QR code displayed on a wall or by an entrance, to be taken to the relevant information online. Companies, landlords or those responsible for specific premises can issue a pin number to contractors or those cleared to receive such information - emergency services are supplied with their own pin - and they will have access to the relevant data on the Workplace IP website. This is site specific information such as: • The site address with key contact details • Specific area location, directions and map • Health and safety access overview with isolation points of specific location • Access information for the specific area • Relevant documentation appertaining to the plant and area • Plant list as provided This could include details/plans/ instructions regarding a lift, pit and motor room, boiler room, tank room, switch room, or plant rooms and contain specifics such as isolation and cut off points, fire extinguisher locations, stand pipe outlets, dry riser and fire hose outlets - useful info to have whether you are a contractor undertaking routine maintenance work, or on an emergency call out. Worksafe IP is a bespoke service individually tailored to each client, building
Above and left: A WorksafeIP surveyor collects and compiles the relevant site specific information ready to be collated and stored on the WorksafeIP website and specific area. In order to set up the system for your premises, Worksafe IP conducts a thorough site survey, collating information and documentation, and detailing health and safe access. Your asbestos report /register will also be checked to identify if this harmful substance is present in the area. For smaller premises, a 48 hour turnaround time from the point of accepting your purchase order may be possible. This includes undertaking the comprehensive site survey, collating all the relevant information and uploading onto the system. Larger premises with multiple requirements will take longer, Please call: 01296 771133 to discuss your specific requirements. l Worksafe Information Point, The Bee Hive, Bicester Road, Kingswood, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0RA Tel: 01296 771133 Email: surveys@worksafeip.co.uk Web: www.worksafeip.co.uk Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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l Column: Jonathan Vernon-Smith
Consumer Affairs
fieldstead insolvency Debt problems? Cash flow problems?
Award-winning BBC Three Counties presenter Jonathan Vernon-Smith extends his Consumer Hour to report for Vale Life Magazine on consumer issues that could effect you...
Creditors demanding payment?
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n these cash strapped times, buy a king size bed with a mattress when the pennies don’t seem for £100, you’ll almost certainly get to stretch as far, it’s always a rubbish bed with springs that will important to make sure you’re stick in your back for years to come. getting the things you need at the Well I say years, it will probably best possible prices. only last a couple of years before We all know there are ways it completely falls apart. You spend of ensuring you bag a bargain. a third of your short life in bed, so Shopping around is of course the always stretch yourself and spend as most effective way. The internet much as you can. When you’re still has allowed many of us to become sinking under the duvet in supreme experts in this. comfort 8 years down the line, you’ll It should always be remembered be grateful you did. though that sometimes, paying the 10 years ago, when I worked in least amount for something is not Northampton (home of the World’s always the best policy. So When best shoe makers), I bought a pair SHOULD you pay of £300 shoes. What? as much as you can I hear you shout! afford? You’re mad! Well, 10 Life is sadly, all years later, I still wear too short. The them several times years seem to a week. They polish whiz by at ever up like new and are increasing speed. A good bed is a the most comfortable worthwhile investment shoes I’ve ever owned. When you face up to this, you realise I think they’ll last me that sometimes it’s worth paying so long, I’ll end up wearing them in a little bit more for a product or my coffin. For me, that was £300 service. Is it really worth buying a well spent and actually when you TV from an online company you’ve look at the cost over many years, never heard of when you can spend they weren’t really that expensive. A £30 more to buy it from a wellfalse economy would have been a respected high street retailer with a pair of £40 shoes that fell apart after good record of customer service? I 6 months. would suggest not! When that TV In a nutshell, when you need breaks several months down the line, quality and longevity, you should do you really want to spend weeks always look to spend as much as you of your short life, arguing with and can afford to. It’s also worth noting struggling to communicate with the that in legal terms, the more you lesser known internet company? spend on a product, the more you Was the £30 saving really worth it? can expect from it. As a consumer, No! Remember this, next time you you can legally expect a £3,000 bed go out of your way to save a little to last far longer than a £300 bed. bit of money - It’s often simply not If something goes wrong and the worth it. retailer refuses to help, the fact you There are also times when you spent a considerable amount will should actively spend as MUCH add weight to your case in front of money as you can. The most the judge. obvious example of this is when So next time you decide that buying a bed. My motto is, spend bargain hunting is the best policy of as much money as you can possibly the savvy consumer, just remember, afford on your bed. But why would it ain’t necessarily so! I say such a crazy thing when there are so many companies selling beds l Listen to The JVS Show at craaaaazy low prices? Simple! weekday mornings from 9am You normally get what you pay for on BBC Three Counties Radio: www.bbc.co.uk/threecountiesradio where beds are concerned. If you 50
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Column: Small World with Robyn Bourne
Is broadband up to speed?
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roadband - we all have it to some greater or lesser extent but is it adequate for our needs? Can businesses and households operate on speeds currently available and what would be the optimum target for the government to achieve? This is something that we at the FSB, along with other organisations such as the NFU and Which, the consumer magazine, are lobbying and campaigning hard on for the benefit of all those who are currently receiving a substandard service. Figures from Which show that 6 in 10 Brits frequently suffer from slow broadband speeds. FSB research shows that 94% of small business owners consider a reliable internet connection critical to the success of their business and an NFU survey reveals that 60% of farmers have speeds below two Mb/s and six per cent rely on dial-up connections. Is this good enough to keep this country of small business owners thriving and moving forward in an ever
Robyn Bourne Small World
increasing market place? I think not. As many as 14% of small businesses consider lack of reliable and fast broadband connectivity to be their main barrier to growth. A fast and reliable broadband and mobile service is crucial for small businesses and is a vital part of the infrastructure. It opens up markets, allows businesses to be more efficient, allows staff to work remotely and provides a platform for online trading. Conversely consumers also need a good broadband speed to encourage them to trade online. Yes, we all want to keep trade local, however it is fair to also say that we can
support local online businesses as well as those that have a high street presence, if we have the broadband speed to do so. In this day and age broadband should be, and by many already is, seen as the fourth utility. Everyone, whether business or residential, should have access to the same speeds for broadband and mobile coverage. This shouldn’t be based on yet another postcode lottery. The FSB, NFU and Which are all calling for action from government. This includes a commitment to deliver a guaranteed minimum speed of 10Mbps to all premises in the UK by 2018-19, regardless of
location. At least with a countrywide minimum, businesses and consumers alike could operate on a level playing field and trade as equally as they could if they were all neighbours on the same high street. This can only be of benefit to all of us, businesses, consumers and government alike. Data and more information can be found at: www.fsb.org.uk, www.which.co.uk and www.nfuonline.com l Robyn Bourne is the Development Manager for the Thames Valley region of the Federation of Small Businesses supporting 7,500 local members and helping them lobby on issues that are of importance to small businesses. www.fsb.org.uk
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
It’s all about size at Aylesbury’s JRG Pet & Equestrian - the animal supplies store caters for creatures large and little under their motto ‘Small enough to Care, Big Enough to Deliver’...
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ucked away on Parton Road, Broughton on the outskirts of Aylesbury, JRG Pet & Equestrian (they are just rebranding from JRG Animal Services) have been supplying local animal owners and smallholders with food and accessories for some six years now. The Gibson family started the business in 2006 delivering horse supplies from their home, expending to take on the current premises in 2008. The firm is now run by James Gibson, 31 (pictured right). “I’ve always been interested in animals and wanted to run my own business,” says James. “We had pets at home and since I was about 14 I’ve worked with animals in kennels, catteries and stables.” James grew up in Aylesbury and went to The Grange School, going on to gain a degree in Business Studies and NVQs in Animal Care and Customer Service. The JRG store is crammed full of animal food, supplements, accessories, tools, bedding, toys and medications for all manner of animals. The premises are licensed by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, so James can dispense low category animal drugs and treatments (those with VPS on the packet for vets/pharmacists and SQPs) and prescribe some medications. Staff undergo veterinary training and exams under the Animal Medicines Training Regulatory Authority and most have become a ‘Suitably Qualified Person’ (SQP), entitled to prescribe and supply certain veterinary medicines in the UK. “We have a wide range of animal experience and knowledge,” says James, “and we offer a personal service. Our customers say they like the good quality branded
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
James Gibson
products they can get here, the personal customer service and the competitive prices we can usually match or beat those in the pet superstores. Whether it’s supplies for horses, dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, fish, reptiles or poultry, we can generally order any brand you can get elsewhere and deliver it to you.” If you can’t get to the store, you can place your order in a variety of ways - either by phone, online via the JRG website, by email, or via JRG’s Facebook page or Twitter feed. “We try to fulfil your order within 24 hours and deliver to your home, yard or smallholding,” says James. “We deliver all round Aylesbury and out to Thame, Bicester, Leighton Buzzard, Princes Risborough and beyond and we only make a small delivery charge of £1.75 per delivery no matter how big or small your order, or how far!” James mans the store assisted by Paula and Rachel, who both have equestrian backgrounds, so know a lot about horses in particular. “We have three weekend helpers too,” says James as it can be a
busy time, especially in Winter when there is more horse feed to deliver. “We’ve noticed people are more conscious about what goes into their pet food these days so we have a good range of high meat content dry feeds as well as frozen, raw ‘Natures Menu’ and also now ‘Raw Menu’ too. Keeping poultry has become more popular, so we have chicken feed and reptiles are on the increase for which we have both live and frozen food. We are always ready to respond to our customers needs, just ask!” The JRG website gives an idea of the animals currently catered for and if you sign up for their newsletter you’ll get lots of offers, discounts and deals too, plus there’s a great loyalty card which gives about 7% off. l JRG Pet & Equestrian, Parton Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1NG Tel: 01296 422619 Email: mail@jrg-animalservices.com Web: www.jrg-animalservices.com Open: Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm, Sat: 9am-4pm
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Column: Anna Webb‘Barking blonde’
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Red light is good medicine
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pringtime brings the glory of baby birds and bunnies, but also pesky pests like the flea. This relatively mild winter means that fleas weren’t killed off with a cold spell, and they’ll be ready to spring into action. It’s ironic that dogs rarely get dog fleas, in fact over 80% of fleas on our mutts are cat fleas, whereas cats can’t catch a dog flea. Once you’ve seen a flea or spotted a bite, there’s nothing else for it but to launch a ‘de-flea-ing’ campaign. Only 15% of the flea problem is on your pet, the rest will be residing and breeding in your soft furnishings. Hoovering daily plus spraying your carpets and furniture with a silicone based spray like FLEE will eventually rid them. I also rely on natural flea repelling sprays using herbs like lavender and rosemary squirted carefully around Molly and Dexter’s ears, neck, bedding and around the home.
Molly in protective ‘doggles’ enjoys some red light therapy Gremlin our streetcat takes the occasional spot-on treatment. Molly, aged 13, is too old to have extra toxins like insecticides in her
system and Dexter is just so small. Once a flea bites Gremlin, it dies, but he still takes a bite. Molly has suffered from ‘problem paws’ all her life. Its been the bane of our lives. But since our sessions with world-renowned animal physiotherapist, Sherry Scott, in Cuddington, Molly’s hard de-formed paw-pads have been transformed with ‘red light’ therapy. Molly wears her special ‘Doggles’ when we treat her feet. She likes her ‘Jackie O’ look, and it protects her eyes. Red Light therapy works by energising compromised cells and increasing blood flow using wavelengths of LED light. It speeds up natural healing, putting life back into cells through the skin tissues. The therapy can help with a host of muscular problems and degenerative conditions like arthritis, and works on a variety of skin problems. I’ve been using red light to help Dexter’s chest too, which was rather wrinkly and prone to nasty rashes. It’s still a bit bald but we’ve
Anna Webb
Barking blonde got a shadow of hair growing now. The wrinkles have smoothed and he’s looking much healthier. We’ve definitely seen the light since moving to The Vale? Who would have thought it!? l Combining a psychology degree with
‘Naturopathic Healthcare & Natural Nutrition’, Anna Webb offers doggy life-coaching, training, natural health and diet advice. Anna contributes expert advice on national radio and TV and co-writes a weekly blog for The Independent (Barking Blondes). Her book ‘Barking Blondes’ co-written with Joanne Good is out now (Hamlyn). www.annawebb.info www.crendoncanines.com
106xx out of the dog house a5 1pp 2 25/10/2013 10:40 Page 1
Out of the Doghouse Dog Listening
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Dog Listening is a simple non-confrontational method, for all bark excessively dogs,• through which you can address undesirable behaviours • display nervous, obsessive or aggressive and build a rewarding relationship with your dog. behaviour
www.outofthedoghouse.co.uk • chase joggers, bicycles or livestock • destroy carpets or furniture when left alone • have issues with food? Dog Listening uses a simple non-confrontational method, suitable for all dogs, regardless of size, age or breed, through which you can address all undesirable behaviours and build a rewarding relationship with your dog.
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Call 01296 706403 or pop into the shop to book your grooming appointment. Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Column: Heather Jan Brunt ‘This farming life’
No time to call the mid-wife!
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pring is synonymous with birth and the renewal of life. Daffodils push through the soil and blossoms appear on the trees. And on our farm the calves and lambs start arriving. Throughout the whole of March and April our lives are filled with new arrivals. The suckler herd is still indoors after being housed for the winter months, and this makes it easier to keep an eye on them. Every morning before breakfast my husband pops over to the yards to check up on the cows to see if anyone looks likely to go into labour. The signs to look out for include the udder bagging up very firmly, a loose and floppy vulva, and then finally the movement of the bones and breaking of the water. If all goes well most of the cows manage to calve themselves, although as my husband checks the yards several times a day inbetween other jobs, he is always on hand to assist if needed. The best thing he wants to see is two slimy little white hooves poking
This farming life Heather Jan Brunt
Suckler herd cows and calves at Terrick out followed by a wet nose. This at least means the calf is presenting correctly. As long as this doesn’t go on for too long he will leave the cow well alone, but if after a prolonged period of trying to get the calf out nothing further is coming, then he might get his calving ropes ready. It’s impossible to pull a wet slippery calf out by hand, and the ropes are used purely to get some momentum. They are slipped around the calf’s ankles and gentle pressure is exerted in the right direction to work with the cow’s contractions. This is usually all that is needed to help with a calf that might be a
little larger than usual. The occasional complicated birth does arise and this is when the vet is called in. This could be for a breech delivery or a set of twins. Very rarely a Caesarean Section has to be performed, but I remember a time very early in our marriage when this did indeed occur. It was my job to look after the calf after it was delivered (with the mother standing up during the operation, I might add!), while the vet attended to the afterbirth and to sewing up the cow. I rubbed the new born calf vigorously with straw to dry it and then my husband lifted
it close to the mother’s head so that she could lick it and start the bonding process. Our small flock of sheep will follow a similar process in that most of them will lamb very successfully themselves, but we will always be watching for anything unusual or requiring help. Most of them will have twins and a few will even have triplets. Twins are generally no bother, but occasionally a ewe can’t cope with triplets and that’s when bottle feeding starts and we end up with an extremely friendly pet lamb. l Heather Jan Brunt is a journalist and a farmer’s wife. Follow her on Twitter @HJBjournalist. She and her husband sell their own award winning Terrick Beef. The next shop days are on Fri 3rd & Sat 4th April. See: www.downonthefarm.co.uk
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In aid of Florence Nightingale Hospice AYLESBURY
WATERSIDE THEATRE
Stagecoach Schools Thame 01865 763767 Principal Nicky Goodwin thame@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/thame
Aylesbury 01296 747758
find outalong abouttoour dogs to Come ouramazing training centre and how they change lives. find out about our amazing dogs and how they change lives. The Grange Saunderton The Grange Princes Risborough Saunderton HP27 9NS Princes Risborough HP27 9NS Adult £4 Concession £3 Adult £4 Child (5-15) £2 Concession £3 Family (£10)£2 Child (5-15) (2 adults, 2 children) Family (£10) (2 adults, 2 children)
Principal Louise Judge aylesbury@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/aylesbury
www.hearingdogs.org.uk 54
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
www.hearingdogs.org.uk
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Whether you’re a horse racing aficionado or taking a first trip to the track, you don’t have to travel far to find your nearest racecourse and it’s odds on you’ll have a great time there too...
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ancy a day at the races? Point to Point courses in the local villages of Kingston Blount, near Chinnor, and at Kimble, not far from Stoke Mandeville, hold five race meetings a year between them, including the ever-popular Kimblewick Point-to-Point at Kimble on Easter Saturday. Point-to-Point racing got its name because, until the late 19th century, the horses used to race across country from one point (usually a church steeple, easily seen from miles away) to another. Nowadays, it’s horse racing by another name. All races are steeplechases (with ditches and hedges to jump), run on an enclosed course, usually over a distance of three miles, with the jumps being man-made. Recently, Kingston Blount racecourse featured in BBC TV drama Downton Abbey, in the episode during which Lady Mary rode her horse, sidesaddle, in a race at Downton’s ‘local’ Point-to-Point. The course has been staging horse racing since 1971 on land now owned by Angie Murray, daughter of Colonel Arthur ClerkeBrowne, who originally created the course. Racing at Kingston Blount and Kimble is a great family day/afternoon out. There are bars with real ale, several food outlets and a plethora of stalls if you fancy a bit of shopping between races. Most importantly of all, there are always at least six races to bet on, with a row of bookmakers offering tempting odds on every horse in every race. What many people love about pointto-pointing is its informality compared to professional horse racing. Most spectators bring a picnic and it’s a common sight in the spring, when the weather is warmer and the ground drier, to see row upon row of blankets spread on the ground and piled high with an array of delicious food and drink. And unlike most racecourses, with their
Trina and Shamus
Race Meetings for 2015 at Kingston Blount and Kimble Kimblewick Races: Kimble Easter Saturday 4th April
First Race 1.30pm, Car Parks open 10am Tickets £25 / £35 per car (cash only)
Kimblewick Races: Kingston Blount Saturday 18th April First Race 2pm £20 / £30 per car
Kimblewick Races: Kingston Blount Saturday 9th May First Race 2pm £20 / £30 per car
Berks & Bucks Races: Kingston Blount Sunday 24th May First Race 2.30pm £20 / £30 per car Single occupancy cars from £10
Advance tickets for all meetings from: www.kimblewickraces.co.uk different enclosures and access restrictions, you can come and go as you please at a pointto-point - as long as you watch out for the horses of course! Runners at Kingston Blount and Kimble come from far and wide, with the local jockeys and horses competing for the South Midlands Championship as well as the individual races. The leading local trainer and current national champion, is Alan Hill, who has run many of his top horses locally in recent seasons, including: Bon Accord, Harbour Court and Sharp Suit. Jockeys to watch out for include 2014 area champions Sam Davies-Thomas
and Hannah Watson, and take special note if James Tudor has made the long trip from Wales for a ride! There are four meetings still to come this season, three at Kingston Blount and one at Kimble - see box for dates and start times. Entry is from just £20 per car (includes parking), so take as many family and friends as you can fit into your vehicle! l www.kimblewickraces.co.uk Kingston Blount racecourse, Kingston Hill, off B4009 near Chinnor, Oxfordshire, OX39 4SG Kimble racecourse, Kimblewick Road, Little Kimble, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8TB Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
It’s always good to hear of a pub brought back to life and lovely to see that The Bell at Hardwick has been both restored to its former glory and its original name, after a spell as The Olde Jug...
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he Bell at Hardwick, off the Buckingham Road, a couple of miles outside Aylesbury, is now a beautifully refurbished, 17th Century freehouse. Originally two lacemakers cottages, the building dates back to 1678 and still boasts the original oak beams, inglenook fireplaces and delightful cottage garden you might expect. The pretty pub had been closed for over three years, had a leaky roof and was in a very poor state when Clare and Ian Tring took it on two years ago. It took 18 months to lovingly renovate and refurbish and now offers a warm welcome, with roaring log fires, a good selection of freshly prepared home-cooked food and a well-stocked bar. “We had to replace the roof, a lot of the woodwork, the walls, the ceilings, Ian and Clare at The Bell, Hardwick most of it really!” says Ian. “It’s a Clean beams and a new flagstone floor in the bar Prawn Cocktail listed building though so we saved and renovated what we could.” The original oak beams have been sandblasted and look fabulous, the layout has been tweaked to create a larger bar area and a smart new kitchen, a new flagstone floor has Hardwick Pie been laid in one bar and the other smartly carpeted. Outside a new Fish Pie courtyard patio and seating area to the rear gives al fresco dining options skills in the kitchen and Smokies; Prawn Cocktail; Baked or space for functions, (there’s Camembert, Chutney and Crusty Bread already a wedding booked for July) while a new her team are already drawing in diners from Main examples: Breast Of Chicken extension provides a sizeable function room, far and wide for a taste of The Bell’s with Herb Stuffing, served with a Red or additional dining space. signature dish - Hardwick Pie. Pepper and Ginger Sauce; Beer Battered Clare and Ian are experienced in pubs and “It’s pork, chicken and bacon in a port and Haddock with chips peas and tartare sauce; catering. Ian previously owned and refurbished red wine gravy topped with sage and onion Hardwick Pie; Fish Pie; Vegetable Lasagne The Old Thatched Inn at Adstock, The stuffing and pastry,” says Clare. “It’s a recipe Dessert examples: Fig and Honey Crooked Billet in Newton Longville and the I’ve developed over the years and is very Cheesecake; Peach and Orange Creme Brulee Hunt Hotel at Linslade. He is from Leighton popular!” Lunchtime bar snacks such as: Ham, Buzzard and after a stint in the Merchant Foodwise The Bell is well worth a visit. Egg and Chips, or a Stilton and Cheddar Navy became involved in the building trade, Expect great value, high quality, traditional Ploughmans are also available. pub renovations and pub management. You’ll Plans to do some special events such as a pie spot some of his naval influences adorning the home-cooked pub food served in a relaxed, friendly and informal atmosphere. and mash night with entertainment from Wild bar including a rather impressive large brass The menu changes seasonally with different Willy Barratt and a 50s rock’n’roll night are Marine Fire Bell at the bar. in the pipeline too. It all sounds very appealing! Clare and Ian met while he was running The specialities at weekends. There’s plenty of options from light snacks to a succulent half Old Thatched Inn and she was a chef there. l The Bell at Hardwick, Lower Road, Hardwick, roast duck, slow roast shoulder of lamb, Clare is from Winslow and studied Nutrition Buckinghamshire, HP22 4DZ vegetarian and fish dishes.... and Hotel Management at Cassio College in Tel: 01296 640005 Starter examples: Chicken Liver and Pork Watford before training as a chef. Email: claretring@thebellathardwick.co.uk Pate with Chutney and Toast; Haddock The couple hope to capitalise on Clare’s Web: www.thebellathardwick.co.uk 56
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Hartwell House
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ow a country house hotel and spa, Hartwell House is a beautifully restored Grade I listed stately home set in 90 acres of gardens just 2 miles from Aylesbury. The Hartwell estate has been in existence for some 1000 years and the house, noted for its architectural features, has a fascinating history, its most famous resident being the exiled French King Louis XVIII. At the time of the 1086 Domesday Book the main estate at Hartwell was held by William Peverel, a Norman knight, allegedly an illegitimate son of William the Conqueror. By the 15th century one branch of the illustrious Hampden family lived at Hartwell and it is believed that the core of the present house was constructed in the early 17th century by Sir Alexander Hampden who was knighted there by King James I. Alexander died childless in 1617 and the estate passed to his kinsmen the Lees. Sir Thomas Lee took a leading part in the Restoration of Charles II and was made a Baronet whilst many later Lees at Hartwell had
by Cathy Soughton prominent public roles. During the Napoleonic Wars, Sir Charles Lee let the mansion to Louis XVIII the exiled King of France. The arrival in 1809 of the impoverished king and his large court at Hartwell put a strain on the house with once grand courtiers resorting to farming chickens and assorted small livestock on the lead roofs. Following Napoleon’s defeat, the King was restored to power and returned to France in 1814. In 1827 Dr John Fiott inherited the estate and took the name Lee. A teetotaller and amateur Hartwell House scientist, he lived at Hartwell until his death in 1866. Festivals of Peace and Temperance were held in the park, geological specimens from the ancient world were displayed and powerful telescopes were trained on the stars through the open roof of a new observatory extension (since demolished). In 1938 the contents of the house were auctioned off and the house was purchased by millionaire philanthropist Ernest Cook, (grandson of Victorian travel tycoon Thomas Cook). He never lived at Hartwell but vested it
Welcome... Eat Well, Laugh Much, Drink Often...
Welcome...
Andy and Emma welcome you to The Boot, modern country pub and eating house, in the heart of the picturesque Chiltern Hills. Enjoy fresh, locally produced food, local ales and fabulous wines. Our chef creates exciting dishes suitable for all tastebuds, so families can dine in style. Pop in for a pint, a delicious evening meal or a leisurely Sunday lunch, you will always be greeted with a friendly smile and attentive service. Valentine’s Day - Menu of Love! Friday 27th Feb - Swing & Soul Night. Open: Tue-Thur: 11am-3pm & 5pm-11pm, Fri/Sat: 11am-11pm, Sun 12noon-7pm Food served: Tue-Sat: 12noon-2.30pm and 6pm-10pm. Coffee & pastries from 11am Sundays: 12noon-6pm. Closed Mondays Chinnor Road, Bledlow Ridge, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4AW Tel: 01494 481499 | Email: theteam@theboot-bledlowridge.co.uk Website: www.theboot-bledlowridge.co.uk
in his charitable trust. During World War Two Hartwell served as an Army billet for British and American troops. From 1956 to 1983 it was let to a girls’ finishing school and secretarial college called The House of Citizenship. A fire in 1963 caused extensive damage but the repairs made were rudimentary. In the 80s Historic House Hotels, founded to acquire and rescue rundown county houses, completely restored the house and gardens to the highest standards, using eminent Buckinghamshire architect Eric Throssell and with great attention paid to the reinstatement of period detail. The hotel opened in 1989 and in 2008 was gifted to the National Trust. Architecturally the original Jacobean north front of the house, with its huge oriel windows, contrasts with the rest of the house which was substantially enlarged and ‘Georgianised’ in the 18th century with the East and South fronts being recased. Inside the house, the Great Hall is a masterpiece of English baroque design with magnificent stucco panels, whilst sumptuous rococo plasterwork features in the
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Morning Room and Library. The grand staircase, part Jacobean/part modern has extraordinary carved figures on the newel posts. The 18th century landscaped park has a number of ornamental monuments including a Gothic Tower and an Ionic Temple, whilst an impressive Gothic style church was also built in the grounds. A magnificent equestrian statue of Frederick Prince of Wales, commissioned in 1757, now stands in the centre of the drive. Information on visiting Hartwell House and Spa is available at: www.hartwell-house.com
If you’d like the chance to win a Summer Lunch for two at Hartwell House including a glass of Pimm’s each (valid May - August 2015), simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question, to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Which French king lived at Hartwell? Winner to be drawn at random from correct entries and notified by email by April 25th, 2015. l Cathy Soughton is a professional genealogist and architectural historian providing family history and house history research. Tel: 01296 624845 Email: soughton@btopenworld.com Web: www.bucksresearch.co.uk
Stay Warm This Winter! Dry Logs
Prompt Delivery
Pick Up Only
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 : Mar/Apr 2015
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Best known locally for their most excellent Scotch eggs, Kirsty’s Kitchen also cater for business lunches, functions and events and can supply delicious food, made fresh on the morning of delivery from local free-range ingredients, to suit your style and budget... “
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eople know me for my Scotch eggs,” says Kirsty Morris, founder of Kirsty’s Kitchen, “and don’t always realise we are a catering company and do a lot more besides. “We love to create food that tastes great, for people who perhaps haven’t the time or inclination to do it for themselves, whether that’s for a dinner party, a business lunch or meeting, a christening or wake, or on-site catering for a wedding reception, ball or party with a sit down meal and table service. “We especially enjoy doing something that’s a bit quirky or different, so don’t be shy about asking! A themed night, or barbecue with Teepees in the woods perhaps or Vintage style picnic, Blitz party, or afternoon tea and croquet? Big or small, we don’t mind. If you have family descending on you for the weekend and need a lasagne or chicken pie for 20 people, just let us know and we can make one and drop it round on the day. “We also do picnics in the summer months, ideal for Point to Point meetings, outdoor concerts or just a day out on the river. “We produce delicious, home-cooked food with style, using local, free-range, meat and eggs, and seasonal ingredients where possible and we work with local farmers, butchers and producers to source the best possible ingredients. We have built up a good network of trusted suppliers. “We’re a small company, so we can provide a unique, personalised service and have the experience and common sense to ensure all goes right on the day and you do not have any worries as far as the catering is concerned.” Kirsty is the kind of person who will take anything in her stride. Last term her company stepped in to produce school dinners for Haddenham St Mary’s School while their kitchens were being revamped and last summer they catered for one of the rowing clubs at Henley Regatta which meant a buffet
Beetroot, carrot, sweetcorn, rocket & pine nut salad with a chilli dressing
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Kirsty and Ben of Kirsty’s Kitchen
Kirsty’s famous Scoth eggs with runny yolk
lunch for the rowers every day for a week and then lunch for 200 on the Saturday. They have even catered for Vale Life Magazine providing an impressive whole poached and dressed salmon centrepiece for a dinner party which looked great and was absolutely delicious! Kirsty grew up in Haddenham and started working part-time at The Spread Eagle in Thame while still at school. “I’ve always been interested in food,” she says. “I worked in various restaurants as a teenager including some in Australia during an 18 month trip and learnt cooking on the job. When I came back I went into events organisation and worked in Oxford arranging high end B2B events. I’ve never studied cooking formally but I’ve trained alongside chefs in many kitchens cooking has always been something I’ve really enjoyed.” Kirsty’s love of good, fresh, local produce prompted her to open a farm shop and deli with a friend near Long Crendon. The venture didn’t work out but it helped Kirsty gain quite a following for her Scotch eggs and sausage
Griddled courgette & aubergine with feta, mint, chilli & pine nuts
Tempting buffet nibbles rolls and to start catering for business lunches and events. “It has just grown organically, mostly through word of mouth” says Kirsty. “The team has grown, business has grown, we’ve taken on new premises, so we have the capacity to cope with much more now and we are launching a new website! I’m also hoping to take on more staff and am looking for a chef and a kitchen assistant.” Kirsty and partner Ben, who helps out with deliveries, still man their popular Kirsty’s Kitchen Scotch egg and sausage roll stall at various markets and festivals. This year find them at Vale Harvest (Haddenham market on first Saturday each month), Taste London, The Big Feastival and Thame Food Festival. l Kirsty’s Kitchen, Notley Farm, Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, HP18 9ER Tel: 01844 202685 Mob: 07920 521484 Email: kirstyskitchen@gmail.com Web: www.kirstys-kitchen.com Facebook: /kirstysscotcheggs Twitter: @kirstyskitchen
Wild rice with broad beans, radish & avocado
l Column: Jacqui
All about planning
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efore I had kids, when I was a suit wearing nine to sixer, I used to stock the fridge full of anything and everything I could possibly fancy that week. Lots of ready meals (hello Tesco Finest) and quick cook dinners like steak; things I could throw together in under half an hour while my stomach hungrily grumbled away. Mealtimes weren’t all that healthy and were rarely seated at a proper dining table. Get changed, throw something tasty together, feet up on sofa - that was my ideal evening. I never planned my meals out and ended up throwing loads of food away, especially meat and veg. The snacks and chocolate, however, well they always managed to get eaten… Funny that. These days though, with an exercise mad husband and two growing boys to feed, on one
Thorndyke ‘Foodie On Tour’
A weekly meal plan can save time and money income and a tight budget, I have to be a lot more economical and organised. Every week now I sit down with a cuppa, armed with a notepad and pen, my online grocery basket and some sources of inspiration. I mark out breakfast, lunch and dinner for Monday to Sunday, then gradually fill in the blanks with meals I want to cook that week. Once I’ve added in a few meals I’m particularly keen on, I see if there are any other dishes I can make with leftovers, or use the same ingredients for, to limit how much I need to order. The BBC Good Food website has a fantastic selection of inspiring
recipes, and Jamie Oliver’s ‘Save with Jamie’ gives a great choice of ‘mothership’ dishes (usually big joints of meat or fish), from which leftovers can be turned into all sorts of interesting new things. There are definitely still weeks where I leave it to the very last minute, then hop online in a blind panic the night before my delivery is due, throwing all my old ‘favourites’ back in the basket; you know, those ‘go to’ meals. In our house this entails some form of large roast, jacket potatoes, steak, sausages, chicken breasts for some form of curry, another large joint of meat for spreading across two nights, plus some sort of fish dish. With little time to think about which veg I actually need for each dinner (let alone lunch), I always end up missing things then having to do multiple mini shops during the week. These are also the weeks I end up ordering things I don’t need, intending to use them up, then ultimately throwing them away. So while the pennies are being saved and evening meals are so much less stressful, without any last minute panicking about what to
Jacqui Thorndyke
cook, I think I’ll keep up the menu planning. In fact, I’ve got a couple of hours to spare now while the kids are in bed. My hot chocolate awaits, with a couple of new cookery books and the latest series of Game of Thrones at the ready. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to fill up that empty shopping basket! l For local food and restaurant reviews and recommendations, visit www.foodieontour.co.uk, or follow Jacqui on Twitter @FoodieOnTour. To contact Jacqui directly, please email: foodieontour@yahoo.co.uk
waitrose.com/thame
Why not treat yourself (or somebody else) to a bite of something delicious. Only the crunchiest biscuits, tastiest cakes, most luxurious desserts and gooiest dipping sauces make it into our Seriously range.
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
It’s foodie heaven - stalls stacked with acclaimed artisan food and drink, cooking demos, workshops, fun for young and old and it’s on our doorstep...
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he Love Food Great Missenden Easter Food Festival not only showcases regional and internationally acclaimed artisan foods, but helps to promote our fabulous local producers, demonstrating the delights that The Chilterns has to offer. The Festival is a great day out for the whole family with cookery demonstrations in The Cookery Theatre from: Clover Hutson, Johnny Pusztai, Richard Fox and Glenn Cosby, A Kid’s Cookery and Food Lab, Have-A-Go workshops including pottery, Broil King Barbecue demos, Artisan Food and Drink stalls, Wine and Spirit tasting, Street food, A Double Decker Bus bar with seating, Children’s Easter Egg Hunt and much more...
Johnny Pusztai Master Butcher
There’s also Free of charge Masterclasses in: Burger Making; Making Curry Paste From Scratch (Adults Only); Knife Skills (Adults Only); Cupcake Decorating; Choux Pastry Skills (Adults Only); and Sausage Making. The Festival takes place in marquees on Buryfields, Great Missenden just off the A413 between Amersham & Wendover (HP16 9AE). Dates
Clover Hutson Cookery Masterclasses
for 2015 are Easter Weekend: Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th and Monday 6th April. Opening times 10am to 5pm. Tickets priced £3.50/£4.50 in advance available from www. greatmissendenfoodfestival.co.uk For further information and details of workshops visit: www.greatmissendenfoodfestival.co.uk or call 02476 541055. Email: info@doyoulovefood.co.uk
Admission Charges Apply. Reduced Rate Advance Tickets Available Online Features are subject to change at the organisers discretion.
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Glenn Cosby, above, from Series 4 of The Great British Bake Off will be at the Great Missenden Easter Food Festival on the Sunday & Monday. He will be running hands on cupcake decorating workshops as well as demonstrating on the main stage. Don’t wait to reserve your spot as there is limited availability and spaces fill up fast!
Richard Fox ‘The Beer Chef’ will be demonstrating in The Cookery Theatre
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
The Akeman Inn on Bicester Road near Waddesdon has been taken on by the award-winning Oakman Inns & Restaurants group and is now buzzing with weary travellers and destination diners enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and quality fare...
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nce a vital stop for mail and stagecoaches on Akeman Street, the Roman road and main route from London to Cirencester, The Akeman Inn, (formely The Cook and Fillet and before that The Crooked Billet) is a welcoming stop off or journey’s end, offering a stylish but comfortable, relaxed and informal retreat for a business lunch, coffee and chat, family lunch, romantic meal or special occasion. The Akeman Inn is a roomy place (there’s lots of parking outside too), with plenty of space to enjoy a drink or two at the bar, or put your feet up in the cosy coffee lounge, while the comfortable modern restaurant with open kitchen area, boasts an impressive wood-fired pizza oven, which creates tempting aromas as you sit down to dinner. Watch out for the occasional low beam, though - folk were a lot shorter back in the 17th Century when this ancient inn was originally constructed. Oakman Inns purchased the hostelry in September and following a major re-fit last November, have created a popular all-day eating and drinking destination, combining plush leather banquettes and sofas with wood burning stoves, oak floors and beams and muted traditional colours. Oakman’s philosophy is to provide high quality and authentic ingredients, honest presentation and great service. They have Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) accreditation and offer ethically sourced,
British meat, free-range eggs and sustainably sourced fish, local produce and local beers where possible. Whether you’re visiting for breakfast, lunch or dinner, there is an inspiring choice of good, imaginatively prepared food on offer. The Mediterranean-influenced menu ranges from handmade pizzas to pastas, fish, meat and sharing platters. The Akeman Inn is open every day from 8am for breakfast - from a Full English, to Coffee and Croissant, or Eggs Benedict and for lunch there’s dishes such as Crab & Pomegranate Stack (Chilli and lemon dressed crab meat, pickled cucumber and avocado) or Roasted Golden & Pink Beetroot (with tenderstem broccoli, chia seed, honey, orange zest, yoghurt and thyme dressing) followed by: pasta, pizza, fresh fish specials or a chargrilled steak, burger, salmon or chicken from the charcoal Josper Grill; or perhaps Pork Belly, Braised Cornish Lamb Shoulder or Jacob’s Ladder (Slow-cooked on the bone
British beef ribs, caramelised onion mash, roasted carrots, kale and pan juices). There’s lots of super-healthy salad options too, light bites and of course some mouthwatering desserts - Banoffee Mess; Chocolate Nutty Sundae; Sticky Toffee Pudding with Jude’s Vanilla Ice Cream... A supremely quaffable winelist, selection of beers and lagers, well-stocked spirit shelf, tempting cocktails, artisan coffee and range of teas, hot chocolate and soft drinks means there’s something to quench most thirsts too. Pop in for yourself and see why Oakman Inns have won awards such as: Restaurant Magazine Pub Company of The Year 2014 & 2013 and Publican Best Community Pub Operator 2014. l The Akeman Inn, Kingswood, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0QJ Tel: 01296 770318 Email: akemaninn@oakmaninns.co.uk Web: www.akemaninnkingswood.co.uk Open Mon-Sat: 8am-Midnight, Sun: 8am-11pm
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K I R K E R HOL I D AY S F O R D I S C E R N I N G T R AV E L L E R S
Kirker Holidays provides carefully crafted tailor-made holidays to over 140 destinations in 40 countries - including 70 classic cities and 250 relaxing rural locations throughout Europe and beyond. Prices are per person and include flights (Eurostar for Paris), return private transfers, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes to restaurants, museums and sightseeing and the services of the Kirker Concierge.
Venice
Paris
Palazzo Sant’Angelo **** Superior
Pavillon de la Reine **** Deluxe
The Sant’Angelo is housed in a grand Venetian palazzo. The building has been lovingly transformed into a charming boutiquestyle hotel with just 28 bedrooms, some of which overlook the Grand Canal. All the rooms are decorated in a rich, traditional Venetian style. 3 nights for the price of 2 until 30 April and 5 July - 26 August - price from £698, saving £108
The charming Pavillon de la Reine is a historic, ivy-clad property with 54 beautifully furnished rooms. There are tranquil courtyards in front and behind the hotel, which is set just off the elegant Place des Vosges – the oldest square in Paris. 4 nights for the price of 3 until 30 April & 12 July - 28 August - price from £789, saving £165
Includes Doge’s Palace, Accademia or Guggenheim tickets and water taxi transfers
Includes a 48hr museum pass, Seine cruise and Metro tickets
11, Market Square, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 1TJ
To request a brochure or make a booking please contact Adams Travel on 01296 873017 or email aylesbury.adamstravel@gmail.com
Devil Dolls Halloween Spectacular 30th October £24.95pp With spooky songs like Thriller, I'm Your Venus, Time Warp, Ghost Busters, Somebody's watching me, Better the devil you know and much more, this will be a fantastic Halloween Event, Fancy Dress Welcome!
2Tone Night 15th May £24.95pp Only Fools & 3 Courses 3rd July £34.95pp Abba One Duo 20th November £34.95pp Michael Bublé Act, Joe Gibson 27th November £34.95pp Please contact our dedicated events team on 01296 734038 or email meetings-aylesbury@ihg.com 62
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
l Column:
Farm Life by Jim Mackellar
Farm tours, friends, baby lambs & tapas
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t’s Spring Time at Orchard View Farm, Shop and Café which means even more to do than usual! Our lambs will be making an appearance during the Easter holidays, so come and meet them and help us introduce them into the world. If you are lucky you may be able to bottle feed one of the newly borns! This spring we are launching our Friends of Orchard View Farm Club, giving the local community the opportunity to experience farming. I’ll be hosting Farm Experience tours every Sunday at 9am, starting off with The best breakfast in Bucks - The famous Orchard View Farm ‘All Day Breakfast’ followed by a farm tour experience! You can contact me, (Jim), to book your place at £10 per person on 01844 273387. The idea is to give potential members the opportunity to have a taster experience of what the club could incorporate. We have another Let’s Dine Together event coming up - a chance to get in the holiday mood with our ‘Viva Espana’ evening on the 27th
Jim’s been making Wild Boar, Port and Sloe Jelly Sausages
March. Come and enjoy a delicious Tapas menu and dine together in the second of our themed dining experience evenings (£20 per head, book now on 01844 273387 as places are limited). Food will be served using ingredients from our farm shop accompanied by live Spanish music from guitarist Jaime Zladua Alberto, to complete the experience and ensure you have a night to remember.
You are welcome to bring your own tipple (bebida). April will be an Indian experience… dress up in Indian attire and enrich yourselves with homemade Indian food! There’s lots of Easter Holiday Fun planned too with Easter Egg Hunts, Live Lambing and much more, so pop in to the Farm café/shop for a cup of tea and find out what is going on! Whoever said life was meant to be busy, hectic and full of queues? Come down to Orchard View Farm Shop for your weekly purchases and let the children play while you browse, connect with nature and breathe in the fresh organic air and of course have something nice to eat and drink!
Jim Mackeller Farm Life
l Jim and Helen Mackeller run Orchard View Farm, Farm Shop and café at Little Meadle near Longwick. Orchard View Farm, Stockwell Lane, Little Meadle, Buckinghamshire, HP17 9UG Tel: 01844 273387 / 07968 560724 Email: Helen@orchardviewfarm.co.uk Web: www.orchardviewfarm.co.uk Open: Tue-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Helen with lambs at Orchard View last year
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• White fillings • Gum treatment • Crowns • Dentures • Bridges • Implants • Facial fillers • Anti wrinkle • Treatment • Gum shields • Veneers • Clear braces • Smile make over •
Limited NHS availability still available
01296 415234 www.aylesburydentists.co.uk
45 Buckingham Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 9PT 64
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
l
Column: The Flo Show with Florence Grace
Under the catwalk
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y, oh my, where has the year gone?! March already! February was a particular busy month for me, as I was preparing for a concert I am presenting; attended a Bloggers dinner party for London Fashion Week; and blogged at a fashion show in aid of Children with Cancer UK. I also started Vlogging! All of these things were brand new to me, and it’s been very exciting getting involved with them all! The LFW dinner party was very exciting! As I’m still fairly new to the blogging scene, I was a little unsure what to expect. Whilst the event itself turned out to be a little disappointing due to some malfunctions in the management apartment, it was wonderful to meet bloggers I have been speaking to for so long, face to face! I also had the honour of being drawn by an extremely talented illustrator - Willa Gebbie, which was an odd experience but the end product something I will treasure! The fashion show was incredible.
My first ever fashion show actually and I was attending as ‘press’ - it was an exhilarating experience and came with a goody bag, VIP treatment, a little wine and seats in the front row, right beside the catwalk, giving me the chance to shoot some great photos and video, and get a real close up view of the wonderful outfits on display! The night was a great success and in addition to models wearing outfits by designers such as: Far More Advanced, Giberky, Salta Montes/ Amarhi Designs, Liliya Stalmakova, Claudia Angel Fitness, Aisha Doe Ferozee, Neiceys Jewels, Anthi G, Tinkilove and Eva Me as drawn Cammarata we got by Willa Gebble
Florence Grace The Flo Show
Although speaking into a camera as though it is a person is a little odd, it’s taken off quite well and I’m really starting to enjoy it. You can find me on YouTube under Catwalk model ‘Florence Grace’. wearing Claudia Well, after a hectic The Press Pass! Angel Fitness Wear month, I can’t wait to see what March has in store to see singers Valentine for me! Becoming a blogger really and D-Van Jones perform has opened so many doors and I and the insanely talented feel truly lucky. Hopefully now, the Goldstepperz Dance Crew only way is up. - check out my Vlog for the Love from, Florence Grace. live action! Vlogging is a new area l Florence Grace lives in for me. I’m branching Aylesbury and blogs at: www. out after requests from lovefromfg.blogspot.co.uk She is bloggers who wanted to put also a photographer and DJ’s for a face to the person behind internet radio station BlinkFM my blogging and voice of (http://tunein.com/radio/Blinkmy radio show. FM-s188577/).
Win a £50 voucher Win tickets to The for The Entertainer! London Pet Show!
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he Entertainer is the fastest growing multichannel high street toy retailer in the UK and has just opened its 100th store in Aylesbury. The first ever Entertainer store opened in Amersham, where the company still has its headquarters, some 34 years ago, so it is fitting to launch the 100th store in Buckinghamshire too. Husband and wife team, Gary and Catherine Grant, founded The Entertainer in 1981 when they opened a local toy shop stocking popular toys of the era such as Cabbage Patch Kids and the iconic Rubik’s Cube. The Entertainer now employs more than 1,200 people in their stores and a further 150 based at their head office in Amersham. Visit the brand new Entertainer store in Aylesbury’s Friars Square Shopping Centre and you’ll find a wide range of toys and games to suit your needs. You will be welcomed by friendly and knowledgeable staff, eager and able to help you find that perfect toy.
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The Entertainer also has regular demonstrations, events, and competitions in store so you’ll be entertained as the company strives to be the Ultimate Toy Shop and to make your shopping experience a fun and memorable one! If you’d like to be in with the chance of winning one of three £50 vouchers to spend in-store at The Entertainer, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question, to: editor@vale-life.co.uk In which town did the first Entertainer store open? Winner to be drawn at random from correct entries and notified by email by April 25th, 2015. l The Entertainer, 34-35 Friars Square, Aylesbury, HP20 2SP Web: www.thetoyshop.com Open: Mon-Sat: 9am-5:30pm
ith hundreds of different animals, amazing animal action displays and fun and informative talks and demonstrations, the London Pet Show sponsored by Gocompare. com (9th & 10th May 2015, ExCel London) is the ultimate day out for pet lovers, owners and families. From the cute and cuddly to the weird and wonderful, the London Pet Show is the place to discover everything you need to know about dogs, cats, rabbits, chinchillas, micro pigs, ponies, parrots, miniature horses, hamsters, fish, geckos, and lots more! Meet animal experts and celebrities including reptile expert Crocodile Joe and Channel 4’s Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick, who will present his wonderful SuperVet Live show in the Super Theatre. Don’t miss out on the live features. With the spectacular SuperDogs Live competition, new Hill’s School for Dogs, Rabbit Show Jumping by Burgess,The Nerf
Dog Activity Ring, Dog Dancing, Duck Herding, Agility & Obedience displays and many more activities, the London Pet Show provides an educational and entertaining weekend for pet lovers. If you’d like to be in with the chance of winning a pair of tickets to The London Pet Show, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question, to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Where is the London Pet show? Winner to be drawn at random from correct entries and notified by email by April 25th, 2015. l www.londonpetshow.co.uk Tickets: 0844 581 4993 Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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l
Music Column:
Turn it up! with Paul Adams
Paul Adams
Springing into a new season
Turn it up! Our music page columnist is Paul Adams – an experienced musician and performer who can regularly be seen in venues across our area. Paul is a presenter for Thame internet station, Radio Blackfrog and runs DreamChaser Entertainment. Contact Paul with local gigs and music news at: paul@mrpauladams.co.uk Add gigs to our website what’s on diary at: www.vale-life.co.uk
Live Music March 23: Dizzie at The Three Locks, Leighton Buzzard. March 28: Restless Wilf, The Plough, Marsh Gibbon. March 30: Gren Bartley, Chesham Folk Club. April 2: Rod Stewart Tribute (Gary Pease), The Aristocrat, Aylesbury. April 4: Bootlegger, Tetsworth Social Club, Tetsworth. April 10: Ska Face, Shoot Pool, Aylesbury. April 11: Pulse 626, The Whiteleaf Cross, Princes Risborough. April 16: Nigel Bagge, Tring Park Cricket Club. April 18: Harmony, Westcott Sports and Social Club, Ashendon. April 24: A Little Bit Country, Ex Services, Aylesbury. April 25: Texas Flyers, The Goat, Berkhamsted. April 30: Gary Barlow Tribute Night, The Aristocrat, Aylesbury. 66
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have been waiting patiently and finally Spring is in the air, and in my step, due to all the great music we have in the area! Before you know it, Summer will be here and it’ll be the start of the festival season - I can’t wait. Before we get carried away, though, let’s take a look at everything that is on offer for the next few weeks. The Tony Goff Band (above) hail from High Wycombe and are no strangers to the local music scene. Of all the bands that I have had the pleasure to see, they are one of the most professional and hard working. The Tony Goff Band have a light sound, which is up to date but their attitude is ‘old school’, reminiscent of the bands who found success at the start of the Swinging Sixties. Like them, The Tony Goff Band have toured abroad, taking in the huge music scene in Denmark. One of their fellow tour mates Federal Unicorn are joining them this year for their tour of the UK, starting on March 20th in Leicester and finishing in High Wycombe on March 28th. They will be stopping in to Radio
Blackfrog in Thame to perform live on air on March 23rd for a special edition of Sunday Night Live on a Monday. I, for one, am looking forward to it. Tune in from 9pm, March 23rd.
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
member but it is very inexpensive to join. It would be great to see you there. For more details on membership please call the Ex Services on 01296 429047.
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et me introduce you to a local acoustic act called Balance Inc. It consists of two friends Adam Young and Adam Makeham. These boys may not conform to what some may call regular music but their material takes on a life of its own. They are no strangers to the open mic and jam nights all across the Vale, and don’t take themselves too seriously. Wherever you stand, you cannot help but admire what these lads emember last month I do and that is bring awareness shamelessly plugged my and dedication - through music own gig at The Black to those suffering from dyslexia, Horse in Thame? Well I’m M.E., and anxiety and depression about to do it again! The country - or all three. sound went down incredibly well Both have suffered themselves so we are bringing it home to and encourage others to embrace Aylesbury! music as a way of dealing with it Harriet and I will be performing all. as A Little Bit Country (boots They are about to tour the local and all) at The Ex Services in open mics of the area throughout Walton Street, Aylesbury, on April so why not give them a listen April 28th. You will need to be a at www.balanceinc.co.uk
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ocal band Palahniuk got their name from the creator of Fight Club, Chuck Palahniuk. Don’t worry, though, as there will be no fighting when they release their new album Skyscrapers on March 20th. Skyscrapers is their first studio album which includes their recent single Runaway. You can get a copy of the LP from their website www.palahniuk.co.uk
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Honest Hannah forgets they’re watching
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ocal musician Hannah Clapham has been performing locally and nationally for the last two and half years. She began learning guitar with the help of guitar teacher Mick Davenport (some of you are old enough to remember Micky D in the glory days of Some Like It Hot, JD and The All Stars and The American Trilogy Tour) and has developed an honest and soulful style current in mainstream music and beyond. Hannah is currently
away studying at uni but isn’t just sitting around sharing a pint of cider with her chums
or living off beans and pot noodles. Instead Hannah has been working exceptionally hard to record her debut EP, Forget They’re Watching! And when Hannah performs she really does just that as she bares her heart and soul completely in her performances. You can buy Hannah’s EP from her page on Sound Cloud (just go to www.soundcloud.com and search Hannah Clapham). Hannah will also be performing on BBC Radio Oxford on Easter Day, so don’t miss it.
l Column: Katy Brown - mix96
Beverley Craven at Players Theatre
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Mix96 Breakfast DJ Katy Brown shares a little of her life in local radio...
and demonstrates not only a great RIT-Award winning talent for playing and singing but a singer Beverley Craven wicked sense of humour and performs at Thame a flair for story-telling. Players Theatre on Catch her in Sunday, March 22nd. Thame at The Her 1991 single, ‘Promise Players Theatre Me’, was a huge hit across on Sunday Europe and she followed March 22nd. this up with a string of Tickets cost £19 chart successes including and are available ‘Memories’, ‘Holding On’, from: www. ‘Woman To Woman’ and thameplayers. ‘Love Scenes’ which are still co.uk or from being played regularly on Tickets Anywhere, national and local radio Thame on: 01844 and a second album, 217228. ‘Love Scenes’ in 1993. Hurry though, Beverley is back it’s a very small touring and writing venue and tickets are and released a new already selling fast. album, ‘Change Of Heart’ last year. l The Players Theatre, Her concerts Nelson Street, Thame, are an entertaining OX9 2DP Beverley Craven mixture of music and Website: anecdotes, during which www.thameplayers.co.uk she creates an intimate atmosphere www.beverleycraven.com
Easter eggs are rolling in for the mix96 Easter Egg Appeal!
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ith Easter Sunday just around the corner lots of people will not only be looking forward to eating Easter Eggs but to the end of Lent, for which, in the lead up to Easter Sunday they have participated in the festival by giving up something they really can’t live without! Some do it for religious reasons, others for the pure challenge! I’m one of the latter, however, my haphazard approach to Lent was questioned on the Breakfast Show, just a couple of weeks into Lent when I confessed to ‘breaking Lent’ on the Lord’s day of rest (and occasionally banking that day and saving it for a day when I REALLY needed a chocolate fix)! Well it would seem listeners were up in arms over my ‘rule bending’ as was my co-host Darren. So much so, that we decided to ask a man in the know, Reverend Zimmerman of St Mary’s Church, Aylesbury! If you’d like to hear his very fair summary of my approach go to the breakfast pages of our website and click listen. Whilst on the subject of Easter I must talk to you about the Mix96 Easter Egg Appeal which is making its return for a fourth year. It sounds funny doesn’t it?
How is buying an Easter Egg going to make a difference to a less fortunate child’s life? No it’s not going to make whatever illness they have go away, nor will it solve any financial problems their family are facing but what it does do, is bring just a smidgen of normality and hopefully a sense of feeling ‘spoilt’ when all their friends are having a little treat over Easter. Much like the Mix96 Christmas Toy Appeal we ask you to donate just one egg to the appeal and we in turn ensure local charities will benefit from your generosity. It means that children in Buckinghamshire that are going through a really tough patch have just a little something to smile about. If you’d like to get involved with the appeal you can drop off an egg to your local Bucks library. A complete list of libraries taking part can be found on our website at www.mix96.co.uk P.S. I’m actually quite proud that I managed to write this whole column without an egg pun in sight. Eggcellent! l Catch Katy on air weekdays from 6am-9am on 96.2fm www.mix96.co.uk
ee XYZ Music Academy proudly presents ee
Rock Band Experience Workshop
Level 1
Level 2
(Grade 1—3)
30th and 31st of March
(Grade 4—5)
1st and 2nd of April
Coming this Easter holiday! The new and improved Rock Band Experience at the XYZ Music Academy. Day 1 - focuses on the students ability to learn well known songs from a pre determined set list. After learning the 2 selected pieces the students are then pooled into bands in order to rehearse and write their very own composition. Day 2 - is a very productive day where the students record their composition and create their very own music video to go with their new anthem! The bands will then perform their 3 song set to all family members to bring the workshop to noisy end! The price for this unique workshop is £100 per student for the two days. The workshop runs from 10am – 6pm on each day. If you would like to book a place for the workshop, our contact details are below. Please note—spaces are limited to 3 players for every instrument. Places will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis. Building 14 , Westcott Venture Park Westcott, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0XB Tel: 01296 655929 Email: admin@xyzmusicacademy.com
www.xyzmusicacademy.com Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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Music and laughter is the theme this Spring at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, with some spectacular fun-packed shows to banish the Winter Blues good and proper this year...
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echnicolor dreamcoats and holy grails are your essential accessories for April! The Waterside welcomes two must-see musicals in with Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Monty Python’s Spamalot. Easter Holiday action is promised in the much-loved Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber family musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, featuring X-Factor favourites Lloyd Daniels (as Joseph) and Amelia Lily (playing the Narrator). We asked Lloyd what it is about the musical that makes him return on tour for a second time: “The fact that it’s so fun and keeps the audiences smiling constantly throughout the performance. It draws me in, and makes me give everything that I can possibly give in the ten or twelve shows every week. It’s quite nice to go into work and not feel like you’re
Spamalot Pic of previous cast by Manuel Harlan
actually working but you’re doing something you love. You’re performing in a great show and everyone’s enjoying it, everyone’s on their feet by the end of the performance, it’s just got good vibes.” Joseph is a timeless musical with unforgettable songs including Any Dream Will Do. Lloyd puts the show’s success down to touching people and being easily accessible and when asked how he made the move from X-Factor finalist to musical theatre performer explained: “When Joseph came along I went down
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat Joseph Narrator Amelia Lily
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to Bill Kenwright’s offices and sat down and talked to him about what would actually happen on tour, not having a clue what I was getting myself into! It was exciting and still is, it’s a different style of singing and there’s acting involved. I knew the song Any Dream Will Do, possibly everyone knows that, it’s
Lloyd Daniels (centre) as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
The story of Camelot inspired Monty Python’s musical Spamalot Pic of previous cast by Manuel Harlan
have thought in a million years I’d be Joseph, it’s phenomenal. Acting has never been on my agenda, so it’s quite nice to actually pull it off in some of the biggest theatres in the country, it’s amazing.”
Todd Carty plays Patsy in Spamalot Pic: Manuel Harlan legendary. But I hadn’t actually seen the show, which I think worked in my favour in a sense because I hadn’t heard the biggest songs on the soundtrack or heard the way a lot of former Josephs would have sung it , so I was able to put my own twist on it and make it my own. In terms of X Factor, I would never
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irect from three years in the West End Spamalot is a multiaward winning comedy that never fails to entertain as the knights of the round table gallop into Aylesbury ( to the sound of banging coconut shells!) So what’s it all about? Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and features a bevy (or possibly a brace) of beautiful show girls, witch burnings (cancelled due to health and safety) not to mention cows, killer rabbits and French people. The show features fantastic tunes including: He Is Not Dead Yet, Knights of the Round Table, Find Your Grail and of course the Nation’s Favourite Comedy Song (Reader’s Digest Poll 2010 - before it went bust), Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot is a kind of ‘new musical’ with a book by Eric Idle and an entirely new score for the new production, (well, almost) created by Eric Idle and John Du Prez. The latest tour, which is directed by Christopher Luscombe, follows hot on the heels of the can’t-believe-how-successfulit-was-with-the-first-show-selling-out-in-40seconds Monty Python Reunion at The O2 and Eric Idle’s acclaimed performance of Always Look On The Bright Side of Life at the 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony - the world sang along, and Spamalot audiences get the opportunity to do so too! During the run, there have been 21 onstage
moustache incidents, three suspected cases of swine flu (French pigs!), two outbreaks of nits and 92 pairs of coconuts used. Book now for a technicolor dream night out with Joseph, and don’t miss laughing-a-lot with Spamalot. Tickets are available now, call the Box Office on 0844 871 7607 or visit www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury l Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG Telephone Booking: 0844 871 7607 Website: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury
Coming up at The Waterside Your at-a-glance guide to what’s on... Killer Queen
Wed 25th Mar
Bravo 22 Company SOLD OUT
Thu 26th Sat 28th Mar
Essence of Ireland
Thu 26th Mar
Johnny Cash Roadshow
Fri 27th Mar
Radio Clash & Neville Staple Band
Sun 29 Mar
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Tue 31st Mar to Sat 4th Apr
Tim Vine SOLD OUT
Fri 10th Apr
Spamalot
Mon 13th Sat 18th Apr
Half Moon Theatre: Big Red Bath (Second Space)
Sat 18th Apr
English Youth Ballet’s Swan Lake
Fri 24th & Sat 25th Apr
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Win a copy of david stopps’ music book
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riars Promoter and Honorary Freeman of Aylesbury David Stopps has spent the last three years writing the second edition of his book ‘How to Make a Living from Music’ which has now been published by the World Intellectual Property Organisaton (WIPO), based in Geneva, which is an agency of the United Nations. The book is aimed at anyone who is interested in making a living from music and covers subjects such as the importance of copyright, recording, music publishing, touring, building a fanbase, digital marketing, using social media and much more. The book is relevant to anyone living in the Western world but is also aimed at providing information for those living in developing countries. It is available as a free PDF download from the WIPO website (or hard copies can be purchased from WIPO in Geneva). David has already presented ‘How to Make a Living from Music’ workshops in many countries, including Jamaica, Canada, Belgium, New Zealand, South Africa, The Netherlands, Kenya, Brazil, Thailand, and Indonesia and WIPO has engaged him to present some more in Ecuador,
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Malaysia and Greece in the coming months. “Most of the second edition of the book was written in the Aylesbury Study Centre in Buckinghamshire County Council’s building on Walton Street,” says David. “The Aylesbury Study Centre is a wonderful facility. The staff there are always helpful and friendly. It provides the perfect environment for writing. Other books have also been written there. Bill Drummond who managed Echo and The Bunnymen and was a key member of KLF wrote his book ‘45’ in the Aylesbury Study Centre. If you’d like to be in with the chance of winning a signed copy of ‘How to Make a Living from Music’, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question, to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Where did David write most of his book? Winner to be drawn at random from correct entries and notified by email by April 25th, 2015. l David Stopps, Friars Management, Aylesbury. Tel: 01296 434731 www.aylesburyfriars.co.uk
David Stopps, right presents copies of his book to Leader of Bucks CC Martin Tett and to Zoe Loake of the Aylesbury Study Centre Want to help young people live fullling, independent lives?
Interested in Special Educational Needs?
Volunteer as an Independent Supporter For more information please contact: Tom Hilton tomhilton@adviza.org.uk 07510 439162
www.adviza.org.uk
Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
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l Column: Alan Candy’s Altomobiles
L is for Lexury Lexus GS300h Luxury
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exus was born for individuals who don’t want to run with the crowd. There are plenty of luxury rivals out there and badge snobbery too, but there’s only one Lexus and its dizzying heights of excellence have won Toyota’s luxury car brand global approval. It doesn’t seem 26 years since Lexus first appeared on the scene with the mysterious italic ‘L’ badge on the boot. It set people talking, that’s for sure. And it soon became clear that Lexus was actually the brand that set the benchmark for luxury cars in the sector rather than just competing in it. In recent times Lexus has largely spurned diesel in favour of hybrid petrol-electric motor technology and its expertise in this field has turned it into a market leader. Lexus is lean and green in
Alan Candy’s
AltomobilES terms of fuel consumption and emissions and with everyone looking anxiously at those CO2 figures, it seems to have an inexhaustible number of trump cards to play. There may be rivals that outperform Lexus in terms of sheer ‘driveability’ and performance, but there are few that can match it in terms of luxury, comfort, brilliant use of cutting edge technology and reliability. Take the Lexus GS300h model I have been driving - a long, elegant,
dynamic saloon which wrings the maximum out of every drop of fuel and unerringly switches seamlessly between petrol and electric power, depending on road conditions and circumstances. Powered principally by a 2.5-litre, four-pot petrol engine, the GS300h can turn in a sub-10 second dash to 62mph and a 119mph top speed, yet still only emit a remarkably low 113g/ km of CO2 while returning a combined 57.6mpg figure. Even in urban driving, the Lexus is hitting only a tad below that at 56.5mpg. Whenever the Lexus is in motion, the electric motor is always operating and the petrol engine will stop and start at any speed, depending on a variety of conditions. In most situations, the Lexus driver can confidently sit back and let the wonder of modern electronics do all the work. But Lexus offers a number of choices when it comes to driving mode, with a central rotating disc on the console to select from Eco, Normal and Sport. The last of the three sees the
Lexus GS300h Luxury Lexus at full throttle and all guns blazing, with a healthy surge of power for safe overtaking. The resultant drone from the
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Motologic Autocentre Unit 7, The Point, Gatehouse Way Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8DB Tel: 01296 422226 www.moto-logic.co.uk Tyres l Brakes l Batteries l Servicing l Exhausts l MOTs
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
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On the open road the Lexus wafts along rather regally, with superb ride quality that’s Continued on page 74
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Lexus GS300h Luxury SatNav system
pointing search system and would only feel safe operating this when stationary, to avoid distraction, but there’s a mass of real-time info to absorb if you need it. With decent boot space and massive all round legroom, the GS300h puts luxury and quality top of the list. And for greenminded executives, here’s the opportunity to stand up and be counted.
Lexus GS300h Luxury Continued from page 73 appreciated by all on board. Seating is supportive and comfortable and the driver can tailor the exact perfect position, thanks to electronic operation. The GS300h’s main strength is as a long distance cruising car and I was won over by its effortless ease of operation and involvement. I’m not as enthused about the computer mouse-like cursor-
Lexus GS300h Luxury
HOME COUNTIES CHAUFFEUR
COUNTIES
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Up to 50% cheaper than a main dealer
John Dennis has over 20 years of Land Rover experience. In 2000 he opened his own establishment to service & repair Land Rovers, including all makes of 4x4s. We are conveniently located on the A413 between Aylesbury & Whitchurch. At John Dennis 4x4 we pride ourselves on our friendly unique approach and the personal touch which reflects in our high level of repeat business.
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l Bosch Car Service Centre l MOTs including Class VII (3.5 tonnes) l Servicing, repairs, tyres, exhausts and air
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AutoTorque, Unit 9, UBF Industrial Estate, Bicester Road, Westcott, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JX Tel: 01296 658257
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Petrol Station
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75 Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015 09:32 03/11/2012
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The Road
Porsche spice Porsche Macan S Diesel
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E start with a special plea - but it’s not one the total git who keyed the Porsche Macan in our care is going to want to hear. Quid pro quo in this instance for this particular Bletchley lowlife will be a puncture in the outside lane of the M25, at a particularly inconvenient time. Let’s say 8.14am on a Monday morning. It can only be a particularly green eye that prompted the initial deed, but while there’s no excuse for the reaction, you can retrospectively see why. The Macan - or baby Cayenne if you like - is a particularly fine looking Porsche, and while everyone thinks of a Porsche as one of the ultimate sports cars, the marque’s sales breakdown contains a growing number of SUV conquests. It’s called diversification in some camps, pandering to the market in others. Whichever one you choose, it’s been a success. Macan shares its basic architecture with Audi’s Q5, and if you squint to the point of almost closing your eyes you can see similarities. But the Porsche has a trump card in that it has the DNA - and hence the driving prowess - of others in the stable like the legendary 911 and Cayman. The clamshell bonnet, the
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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2015
Rob Auchterlonie
ON The Road tidy air intakes and the four exhaust pipes are subtle hints of what lies beneath and inside the cabin it’s pure Porsche. More buttons than you can take in with a quick glance adorn the centre console, which divides the driver and front passenger. What you do notice instantly is the sheer quality of that cabin, the precise way the switches operate and the way the powered adjustable seat cossets you into a superbly comfortable driving position. It’s the S Diesel under scrutiny here - a car expected to take up the bulk of sales in the UK - and an engine that works away so unobtrusively that you can be forgiven for forgetting it’s a diesel. There’s a smoothness of progress that is very impressive indeed, and while all is calm and serene inside it’s also easy to lose track of how quickly the speed is building up. Wind, tyre and engine noise are not things your ears pick up
FASTFACTS: Porsche Macan S Diesel; £43,300; 2967cc V6 turbo diesel, 258bhp, 580Nm; Seven speed PDK auto box; Top speed 142mph, 0-62mph 6.3secs; Fuel - urban 42.2, extra urban 49.6, combined 46.3; CO2 159g/km because it’s all so well subdued, and even when you’re giving it the beans the major telltale is the speed the needle on the rev counter whips round the scale. So, for something sporting a Porsche badge, it’s remarkably refined. The 3.0 litre V6 turbodiesel has 254bhp on tap and a thumping 580Nm of torque, fed through a seven speed auto box and four wheel drive. For a tall car it controls its body rolling tendencies well, but you’d expect that with so much wizardry
Porsche Macan S Diesel
available. Fitted here was the optional PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) with its adaptive dampers which help keep the body on an even keel. Sport mode will put your nearer to the tarmac, while off road raises the suspension by 40mm to avoid any rocks on your path. To the £43,300 basic price here for the S Diesel, Porsche had fitted a further £13,500 worth of options, making an already well equipped car even more of a showcase. And on the wintry days it was in our care the heated seats (£259) proved a real boon, warming up cold stiff bones on the run to work. Not so appreciated - by my regular co-driver - was the lack of a light for the mirror on the passenger sun visor. Personally I can never see the attraction of trying to apply lippy in a moving car, but each to their own... There is however a lot of other useful standard equipment. Buyers who have never had the pleasure of a Porsche before get a half day driving tuition at the Porsche Driving Experience at Silverstone to set them up. SUV really does stand for Sports Utility Vehicle here…
Les Liney
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