Vale Life Magazine

Vale Life

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Your free magazine for Aylesbury, Thame and the surrounding area

2nd edition

FREE MAGAZINE

June/July 2010

Inside:

Entertaining Speen

It’s a DJ shop and no mix up

Aylesbury’s got style

An appointment with Destiny

Crafty in Crendon

Scrapbooking memories

Tring’s Akeman cometh

Plus diary round up and Open Studios events

w Meals For Two w doggees w seasons BOOK w Festival tickets w

Vale Life : June/July 2010 Sports and Leisure

Racquets in Thame has teamed up with England Squash & Racketball to offer an amazing new starter package: all you need to learn to play squash for only £99

I

f you live in the Thame area, you’ll no doubt have heard of Racquets.

The family run sports and fitness club, located to the rear of the cattle market, has been part of Thame life since 1973 and generations of local families have enjoyed keeping fit and healthy within its walls.

The club does not rest on its laurels though and is constantly offering exciting new ways for members to get active, keep fit and try new activities.

As the name suggests Racquets has excellent squash and racketball facilities and has recently teamed up with England Squash & Racketball, the National Governing Body for squash and racketball, to offer an amazing package for those interested in learning the sport.

For £99 you get a starter pack of racket, balls and sweatbands, a fitness test, four coaching sessions, four weeks free court access and a Racquets T-shirt!

Men, women and children will all find it an enjoyable activity and this offer is a great opportunity for anyone who’d like to give a new sport a try.

Watch it though, as a squash player myself, I can tell you that once you start, it’s such a fun activity that you may get completely hooked. It’s also great for fitness and for toning up those leg and buttock muscles!

There are four squash courts at the club and they are having a facelift in August as Racquets has been chosen to host part of this year’s National Championships.

The club also boasts two fully air-conditioned gyms and an excellent weights area and holds over 16 body conditioning classes each week in the dance studio.

Top quality coaching is also available.

Racquets has six fully qualified fitness trainers of which two are always on hand to offer help and motivation when required.

Members are entitled to a consultation, a fitness test and a personal activity programme every four weeks, so they can progress in the way that best suits them.

Current classes include: Body design, stretch, tums and bums, weights, step and pump, spin and squat, circuits, classic aerobics, ab attack, belly dancing, yoga, pilates and salsa.

There’s also a men’s and a women’s sauna, a clinic and a massage room.

Youngsters will also find plenty to do, with a crèche, junior classes, racket sports and fun events.

Racquets is about more than just keeping fit though.

The members are a friendly bunch and there’s a buzzing licensed lounge bar where major sporting events can be enjoyed on the big screen and HD, plasma surround sound system.

There’s a range of membership schemes to suit all users and when you join you’ll receive a bundle of discounts and perks including £200 worth of beauty treatments, free studio hire for your birthday party and discounted access to local clubs.

Racquets opens from 6.30am to 11.00pm every day of the week.

Call 01844 261754 for further details.

For more information call Martin King on 01844 261754 or visit the website: www.racquets-fitness-centre.com

Racquets Fitness Centre, North Street, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3TH 2

Vale Life : June/July 2010: Sports and Leisure

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Notley Abbey – exclusively yours by Bijou Weddings.

Tel: 0845 130 9966 Email: yourday@bijouweddings.co.uk www.bijouweddings.co.uk/wed/vale

WEDDINGS exclusively yours

Great rates Great results To advertise in Vale Life Magazine Call Charlie on 07702 006218

Vale Life : June/July 2010 : Contents

Spread the word across The Vale: see: www.vale-life.co.uk for details

What a Racquet

20

Feels Like Summer

The Matt and Giselle show

21

Bangles and Beads

House of Fun

22

Sweet Dreams

Win-Win Situation

23

Boxing Clever

10 Smile Please

24

Bring on the Girls

12 Crafty Christina

26

What’s On

Crumbs it’s 25 Years!

28

Family Guys

Health and Healing

30 Men of Letters

Long live the Pub

31

Where there’s Muck

Destination Fairford

32

Rooms with a View

Riverbank Romp

35

Four of the Best

2 6 8 9

Keeping fit for a court appearance Our morning DJs talk about life and radio DJ heaven’s in the mix at Speen Two great competitions

Win a Snappy Snaps A3 canvas print

14 15 16 18 19

Anyone for scrapbooking?

A business built on cake It’s time to be positive

Win meals for two with Tring’s Akeman The stylish salon that loves to give Win a pair of tickets to Henley Festival

Sizzling styles from White Hart Studio The fashion for pick’n’mix bracelets The ultimate in bedroom style One couple’s scheme to help horses It’s a game of two sexes Open Studios celebrates 25th Year Oli and Sharon say Cheers-ley!

Brian Pattinson on Thame Literary Festival Gardening with children

Country living in Loosley Row The specialist shops at Fleet Marston

Hello again!

Yes, it’s me again, this time in the hot seat at our favourite local radio station Heart, hobnobbing with breakfast DJs Matt and Giselle: turn to our feature on page 6 for more about life on the airwaves...

W

ell we made it - all the way to a second edition! Thanks for the many compliments and all your positive comments.

Everyone who has been in touch says they loved the style and content of our first little missive and importantly for us, our sponsors and advertisers feel it’s been well worthwhile promoting with us.

Our new website is up and running too.

Go to: www.vale-life.co.uk to find information about events and activities in our area and other useful bits and pieces.

If you have something to post on there, or would like a link to your own site, have a look and send me an email.

It’s been hard work getting this far, but it’s been fun too. I’ve even enjoyed being Congratulations to all our first edition competition winners! Hopefully your prizes will have arrived by now, let us know if not.

Commiserations to those who weren’t so lucky, but looking on the bright side there’s some great new competitions inside this edition, including the chance to win: meals for

involved with the distribution having met a lot of interesting people on my travels around the area.

Thanks for all your support so far and a special thank you to Amanda, Lauren,

Cameron, Conny, Frank, Pauline, Malcolm, James and Julie, who lent vital hands when the going got tough!

Best wishes

two at the Akeman in Tring; tickets for the Henley Festival; a Doggee; and a copy of the fabulous Seasons book!

Chinnor, Nicky Farmer of Little Milton, Rachel Entecott of Bierton, Jenny Knight of Aylesbury, Cathryn Davies of Lacey Green and Julie Leyland of Tring.

Sophie Dahl’s Voluptuous Delights: Annette Summerskill, Haddenham.

Lush Turkish Delight: Beth Bennett, Thame

May’s prizewinners were: The Open Book: Ron Gaffney, Saunderton.

CocoRose Ballet Pumps: Debbie Guard of

Charlie

June’s cover: Matt and Giselle in the Heart studio at Oxford from where they broadcast their popular breakfast show Vale Life Magazine is designed and published by House of Mouse, 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 and 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

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Vale Life : June/July 2010 : Contents

Life & time at Ashfold

Life & tim

The education we offer boys and girls draws on the very best of both traditional and innovative teaching methods, but at the centre of all our endeavours are your children.

The education we of best of both tradition but at the centre of a

Ashfold

Time to begin...

Time to begin

School

Children are welcome at any age. Those who begin in our purpose-built Pre Prep Department enjoy the best possible start to their school life.

Children are welcome at any a in our purpose-built Pre Prep D best possible start to their sch

Co-educationalI (3-13) Prep & Pre-Prep School Day & weekly boarding n the Prep School our emphasis is on developing children’s confidence, self-discipline, good manners and behaviour.

In both the Pre Prep (rising 3 - 7 years) and Junior (rising 8 - 10 years) Departments, Form Teachers are responsible for the majority of teaching.

“Ashfold aims to give every child the firmest possible grounding in the core academic subjects, to develop their wider interests through the great breadth of our curriculum, and to ensure that they move on to their chosen secondary schools with the skills, values and habits that will enable them to thrive there.�

Time to learn...

Subject specialist teaching is gradually introduced until in the Senior Department (rising 11 - 13 years) children are taught entirely by individual subject specialists.

M.O.M Chitty, Headmaster

“Ashfold aim grounding their wider curriculum, chosen sec habits that

Excellent academic record

Time to learn...

Central to our purpose is the development of academic excellence in children.

In Pre Prep children will have the chance to be taught art, music, ICT and games by subject specialists in the most stimulating surroundings. The firm foundations laid in our purpose-built, secure and wholly supportive Pre Prep environment ensures future academic success.

Central to our purpose is the development

M.O.M Chitty,

of academic excellence in children.

Superb sport with Astroturf playing surface,

music, art and ICT facilities

Time to compete...

Time to compete...

Open Mornings are held in the Autumn Each afternoon Ashfold children pour onto to experiment and Spring Terms

...and

Each afternoon Ashfold children pour onto acres of sports fields, our full-size astroturf and the Sports Hall where excellent coaching concentrates on teaching skills, teamwork and sportsmanship to every child.

acres of sports fields, our full-size astroturf

and the Sports Hall where excellent coaching

For a prospectus or to arrange a visit, concentrates on teaching skills, teamwork contact us at:

and sportsmanship to every child.

Ashfold School Dorton Bucks HP18 9NG

01844 238237 registrar@ashfoldschool.co.uk www.ashfoldschool.co.uk

E

ach morning after assembly, enthusiastic and highly qualified teachers set about the task of encouraging children to achieve their very best in bright and lively classrooms, studios, laboratories and workshops.

Every four weeks children’s work is reviewed for both effort and attainment, credits are awarded and a report prepared for

parents by a child’s Form Tutor.

Class work, tests and school examinations are designed to reinforce learning, for it is through academic success that the desire to learn and self confidence are nurtured.

schools; each year the most talented are prepared for and achieve scholarships to some of the best schools in the country.

The majority of children are prepared for Common Entrance examinations to senior independent schools and a number for the County’s grammar

parents by a child’s Form Tutor.

Class work, tests and school examinations are designed to reinforce learning, for it is through academic success that the desire to learn and self confidence are nurtured.

schools; each year the most talented are prepared for and achieve scholarships to some of the best schools in the country.

B

oys play rugby, football, hockey and cricket, with of energy on the sports field andpour with lungs girls playingAshfold hockey, netball Each afternoon children ontofull of fresh air, children in the Junior and Senior and rounders. All are coached acres of sports fields, our full-size astroturf Departments settle down to tennis, athletics and swimming, supervised prep. and theinSports Hallreceive where excellent coaching whilst addition girls lessons in dance. concentrates on teaching skills, teamwork Social confidence derives from and sportsmanship to every being part of a small caring family School matches at U9, U11 and child. community where children know 1st team level as well as Interthey are expected to be decent House matches, ensure that young people, tolerant of others there are ample opportunities and clear about both right for all to compete and to play and wrong. Daily assemblies, representative sport. For many children it is the sports fields which led by both staff and children, afford the time for us to think and provide the avenue through which to celebrate both individual and they gain recognition amongst House achievements. Termly their peers and so develop their evensongs and the Christmas self-confidence.

Carol Service are the pinnacle of our Christian life at Ashfold.

MAY110035•1018•J•PW (1)

...and to

CLASSES IN: B Life & time at Ashfold • AYLESBURY • HADDENHAM Ashfold School • HALTON • PRINCES Scho RISBOROUGH • TRING • WINSLOW ...and to experiment

oys play rugby, footb hockey and cricket, girls playing hockey, and rounders. All are coach tennis, athletics and swimm whilst in addition girls receiv lessons in dance.

The education we offer boys and girls draws on the very best of both traditional and innovative teaching methods,

but at the centre of all our endeavours are your children.

School matches at U9, U11 1st team level as well as Inte House matches, ensure tha

T: 01844 238237 Time to begin...

F: 01844 238505 E: registrar@ashfoldschool.co.uk www.ashfoldschool.co.uk

Children are welcome at any age. Those who begin in our purpose-built Pre Prep Department enjoy the best possible start to their school life.

A PDF of this prospectus is available on request (so that disabled parents and can access it better).

children

I

n the Prep School our emphasis is on developing children’s confidence, self-discipline, good manners and behaviour.

In both the Pre Prep (rising 3 - 7 years) and Junior (rising 8 - 10 years) Departments, Form Teachers are responsible for the majority of teaching.

Time to learn...

Central to our purpose is the development of academic excellence in children.

Time to compete...

“Ashfold aims to give every child the firmest possible grounding in the core academic subjects, to develop their wider interests through the great breadth of our curriculum, and to ensure that they move on to their chosen secondary schools with the skills, values and habits that will enable them to thrive there.�

In Pre Prep children will have the chance to be taught art, music, ICT and games by subject specialists in the most stimulating surroundings. The firm foundations laid in our purpose-built, secure and wholly supportive Pre Prep environment ensures future academic success.

Subject specialist teaching is gradually introduced until in the Senior Department (rising 11 - 13 years) children are taught entirely by individual subject specialists.

Ashf

there are ample opportunitie Contact: for all to compete and to pla sport. For ma Registrar, representative children it is the sports fields provide the avenue through Ashfold School, they gain recognition among Dorton, Aylesbury, their peers and so develop t Bucks HP18 self-confidence.

9NG

Co-educational (3-13) Prep & Pre-Pre

M.O.M Chitty, Headmaster

Excellent academic record

‘Push your body.

Find your beat.’

Each afternoon Ashfold children pour onto acres of sports fields, our full-size astroturf and the Sports Hall where excellent coaching concentrates on teaching skills, teamwork and sportsmanship to every child.

Contact: Registrar, Ashfold School, Dorton, Aylesbury, Bucks HP18 9NG

Ashfold School

The majority of children Every four weeks children’s work are prepared for Common is reviewed for both effort and Entrance examinations to senior attainment, credits are awarded independent schools and a Afterand expending copious amounts a report prepared for number for the County’s grammar

Time to compete...

Notley Tythe Barn is a beautiful, fully restored 12th-century barn set in picturesque gardens within 500 acres of pasture land at the foot of the Chiltern Hills. It is also an elegant and unique venue for weddings, receptions, parties, functions, celebrations and other special events.

E

ach morning after assembly, enthusiastic and highly qualified teachers set about the task of encouraging children to achieve their very best in bright and lively classrooms, studios, laboratories and workshops.

...and to think

To stage a great event today, go back to the 12th century

Bicester 9 miles Oxford & Princes Risborough 14 miles

Superb sport with Astroturf playing

surface, music, art and ICT facilities

Open Mornings are held in the Autumn and Spring Terms

Jazzercise blends aerobics, Pilates, yoga and kickboxing movements in to fun routines, suitable for all fitness levels.

Bicester 9 miles, Oxford & Pri Money, evening and weekend classes available.

Expect fantastic results and great value for money

Notley Farm, Chearsley Road, Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire HP18 9ER T. 01844 201226 F. 01844 201226 E. denise@notleyfarm.freeserve.co.uk www.notleyfarm.co.uk

E

ach morning after assembly, enthusiastic and highly qualified teachers set about the task of encouraging children to achieve their very best in bright and lively classrooms, studios, laboratories and workshops.

parents by a child’s Form Tutor.

Class work, tests and school examinations are designed to reinforce learning, for it is through academic success that the desire to learn and self confidence are nurtured.

schools; each year the most talented are prepared for and achieve scholarships to some of the best schools in the country.

North, West and East Aylesbury, Halton, Tring & Winslow

Every four weeks children’s work is reviewed for both effort and attainment, credits are awarded and a report prepared for

The majority of children are prepared for Common Entrance examinations to senior independent schools and a number for the County’s grammar

Kerl Donnellan

07900 987230

www.jazzclass.co.uk

...and to compete... think Time to

South and East Aylesbury, Haddenham & Princes Risborough

Each afternoon Ashfold children pour onto After expending copious amounts oys play rugby, football, acreshockey of sports fields, our full-size of energy on the astroturf sports field and cricket, with and with lungs full ofcoaching fresh air, hockey, netball and girls theplaying Sports Hall where excellent children in the Junior and Senior and rounders. All are coached concentrates on teaching skills, settle teamwork Departments down to tennis, athletics and swimming, supervised prep. whilst in addition girls receive and sportsmanship to every child. lessons in dance.

B

Sue Morris

07752 448026 www.jazzsue.co.uk School matches at U9, U11 and

1st team level as well as InterHouse matches, ensure that there are ample opportunities for all to compete and to play representative sport. For many children it is the sports fields which provide the avenue through which they gain recognition amongst their peers and so develop their self-confidence.

Social confidence derives from being part of a small caring family community where children know they are expected to be decent young people, tolerant of others and clear about both right and wrong. Daily assemblies, led by both staff and children, afford the time for us to think and to celebrate both individual and House achievements. Termly evensongs and the Christmas Carol Service are the pinnacle of our Christian life at Ashfold.

Free class available with this ad and special offers available to new customers in class

Vale Life : June/July 2010

5

Vale Life : June/July 2010 Celebrity Special: Matt and Giselle

Tune into Heart any weekday from 6am to 10 and the station’s engaging breakfast duo will soon have you chuckling into your cornflakes. But what does it take to make great radio, is Matt Brown really just a frazzled daddy and why is Giselle Ruskin such ‘high maintenance’? Vale Life sets the alarm early...

T

urn your radio dial to 97.4 or 102.6 FM and you should locate Oxford based Heart radio!

Global Radio took over the local Fox FM station a couple of years ago.

It’s bright and breezy broadcasting with cheery DJs presenting an upbeat musical mix of modern pop and old favourites plus local news, celebrity gossip, weather and travel. Listeners are invited to phone or text in with their news and views and there’s live events and competitions.

Some of the shows are networked, but many broadcast live from the station’s unit on an industrial estate near Horspath.

It is here that the breakfast show’s Matt Brown and Giselle Ruskin were first paired and the duo have developed their morning show with an on air chemistry that has

thoroughly endeared them to local listeners.

Matt, who lives in Weedon, near Aylesbury is originally from South Wales. As a sixth former he’d already decided that a career in media beckoned, but at that time he imagined it would be making or producing programmes for television.

He took a degree in Media Studies at the Polytechnic of Central London and then lived and worked in the city for several years, met wife Liz and started a family.

They decided to move out to the Buckinghamshire countryside in 2007, as it would be a much nicer environment in which to bring up their offspring.

“I fell into presenting by accident,” he says. “A college friend put a showreel together and asked me to be on it. When she started showing it around I started getting

people asking me to audition.

“My first job was actually at Heart in London though. The station had just started up and I was working on the breakfast show answering phones and stuff.”

Matt worked his way up to become a producer at the station and then made the move into children’s television in 1999 presenting shows for Nickelodeon UK, where he met Liz. He also presented ITV2 reality show spin offs: Love Island Aftersun, I’m a Celebrity Get Me out of Here Now and The Club which featured celebrities including Sam Fox trying to run their own bar.

People and Places: Horse Trust, Speen

Matt and Giselle live on air.

Not a turntable or CD in sight, just lots of computer screens a couple of faders and a large plate of cupcakes!

6

Vale Life : May 2010

Giselle checks incoming texts while Vale Life showbiz expert Amanda looks on

life and living in Cowley it’s really buzzing.”

On a night out she likes to hit the bars on Cowley Road or in Jericho before ending up at Lava or Ignite, but recommends The Mole Inn at Toot Baldon near Garsington for a sunny garden lunch and the Majliss Indian Restaurant, on Cowley Road for a tasty curry.

Sadly a social life is out in the week as the pair need to be in work by 5.30am, to catch up on the day’s news and go over ideas for the show, before they go live at 6.

Then it’s four hours of music and chat, news and phone-ins, sorting texts, mixing tunes and queuing audio clips.

In the studio the two are amazingly relaxed, nonchalantly tweaking their high tech studio gadgetry while bickering and bantering on air around the topics of the day.

Afterwards they meet with producer Will to go over the day’s performance and drum up more ideas for things to do in coming weeks. Then there’s research and producing audio clips for the next show.

At 37 Matt feels he has some catching up to do: “I discovered this year I will be the same age as Van Goch was when he died and I don’t quite have the body of work he accumlated yet! he laughs.

“These days I find I really like hearing stories about people who achieve great things in their 50s and 60s.”

Despite stories on ‘Frazzled Daddy’ his humourous blog, Matt very much enjoys family life and loves relaxing after the show with his children: Joe, five, and Sam, 18 months. “I find it very therapeutic,” he says and admits to watching a lot of kids TV with them. “I’d probably have CBeebies on

even if the kids weren’t around though” he chuckles. “It’s been a massive change moving out from London. We were renting at first, but we’ve bought a place now and it really feels like home.”

“It’s a great area, I love being able to go up to Coombe Hill, or Ivinghoe Beacon, or to my local, The Five Elms in Weedon, which is a really great village pub.

He tips Parrott Brothers Farm Shop at Whitchurch as a top place for buying meat and pies, the Bookhouse in Thame as brilliant for reading material and Chocology in Oxford’s covered market as serving the most amazing hot chocolate.

Their old producer was a wiley chap to have spotted that pairing these two very different personalities would make such great radio. Here at Vale Life we think that part of the magic is that, while Matt and Giselle are both experienced broadcasters and technically very good at their jobs they are genuinely nice people who don’t take themselves too seriously. More importantly they are extremely good at getting up early!

Vale Life : June/July 2010

7

Celebrity Special: Matt and Giselle

In 2008 he joined Capital Radio in London and then managed a stint at Trent FM in Nottingham, before rejoining Heart in Oxford, to take on the early morning slot.

In the face of Matt’s cynical male wit and cheeky, teasing wisecracks fiesty Giselle fights the ladies’ corner, giving as good if not better than she gets. She’s always game for some verbal sparring and not afraid to discuss her personal life on air.

The trained journalist was a one time Redcoat at Butlins Ocean Hotel in Brighton and did a variety of temporary jobs before her first foray into broadcasting in the late 90s, as a reporter reading the news on Wish FM in Wigan.

Stints at Signal One in Staffs and on Wolverhampton’s Beacon Radio, as news editor, followed and finally the move to Heart in Oxford as news editor, which she did for three years before being offered the chance to get into presenting with Matt on the morning show.

Matt jokes that Giselle is ‘high maintenance’ and at 35, she admits she likes to go against the grain, refusing to get into watching Glee or Sex and the City ‘just because everyone else is so into it’!

She loves Desperate Housewives though especially Tom and Lynette’s relationship and confesses to recording bits from the show to play back to boyfriend Shaun as an example of the way a perfect partner should behave!

Giselle grew up in Reading, but her dad lived in Oxford so she knows the city well and very much enjoys living there now.

“I love Oxford,” she says, “It’s got great shopping, restaurants, good bars and night

Left: Matt on the decks - looking more ‘frazzled daddy’ than cool DJ! Above taking a breather after the show. Below: Matt and Giselle helping out at Thame’s Feelgood charity event earlier this year.

Vale Life : June/July 2010 People and Places: Entertainment House

It’s unusual to say the least - a specialist sound and light shop in a tiny village, but DJs are making tracks to Lacey Green where Clive will pump up your volume...

People and Places: Entertainment House

W

hen villagers in Lacey Green first heard their run-down grocery store was going to become an Aladdin’s cave for DJs, you can imagine their concerns!

Ten years on though and the expected den of noise, nuisance and iniquity is an unobtrusive, yet successful, professional audio and lighting suppliers, with a mild mannered proprietor who has thrown himself into community life and even chairs the village hall committee!

Clive Hodghton grew up in Flackwell Heath and got into DJing by default, when a mobile jock, who had set up his gear at Clive’s local youth club, popped out briefly only to be involved in a car crash, delaying his return to the venue. Clive whizzed home grabbed his records and got the

8

Vale Life : June/July 2010

Clive Hodghton evening going. When the DJ finally arrived the joint was jumping and the jockey asked Clive if he’d like to help out at future events. A DJ was born!

Eventually Clive got his own equipment and DJ’ed part time while working as a builder He was becoming exhausted by the late nights and early mornings though and decided to go full time on the decks.

It went well and working three nights a week DJ’ing left Clive with plenty of daytime on his hands, so he started buying and selling disco and karaoke equipment from his house and garage.

Within months he had outgrown the double garage and set up the now infamous ‘CR Sheds’ - a series of Luton trucks and vans in the back garden of his Mother’s house in Flackwell Heath.

Gradually suppliers came on board and

he was able to deal in new equipment too.

Clive met his wife, Karen, while working on hospital radio in 1998 and when they decided to get married in 1999 they began looking for a family home from which they could run a business too.

It was difficult to find anything suitable in their price range though, until they stumbled upon a near derelict village store in Lacey Green, which needed a lot of work.

Clive was ecstatic, Lacey Green was a lovely spot and he could see the premises had potential. They bought the property and began the hard work of gutting and refurbishing. After several weeks hold up waiting for planning permission for the new shop sign Entertainment House opened in Feb 2000.

Over the last decade the business has gone from strength to strength and has

built a reputation among local entertainers for great service and reasonable prices.

“We stock professional audio and lighting equipment for the entertainment industry,” says Clive, “And we also hire lighting and sound systems. Everything for your party from £15 for a disco light, to a full DJ set up, smoke machines, bubble machines, snow machines, we can turn your living room into a nightclub for the evening if you like!”

“We’ve got some fantastic professional Bose systems too,” says Clive, “We’re actually breaking records with their professional range, they say we’re the top independent Bose pro dealer in the country at the moment!”

The Bose gear is mostly used by bands, but several keyboard players have bought systems to use solo in pubs and clubs.

“We also stock Bose docking stations and PC speakers,” says Clive, “But I haven’t the space for the full home audio range.”

“We’ve expanded the workshop and diversified into repairs, servicing and PAT Testing,” he says, “And also do installations and exhibition displays. We’ve been installing the sound system for the new nightclub LJ’z in Aylesbury. It’s having a full EV Tour-X system, the first to be installed in the country.”

Clive has an internet site of course (www.CRS1.com) which he finds brings people to the shop as much as invites purchases online.

Things are looking good at Entertainment House and Clive really enjoys village life. He’s made many friends, especially at the village school where his children who are seven and four go. “St John’s is an excellent school,” he says. “The village hall is a real success story too. We had an old hall that had been there for many years and fundraising started in 1997 with a view to building a new one for the millennium. It happened and now it’s used all the time and for so many different activities, we even have a village shop there.

Clive puts it to good use himself holding a mobile DJ show there each year when new equipment is demonstrated and DJs can come and meet reps from his suppliers and check out the latest gear.

Despite his busy life, Clive still does a few discos, but only for premier events now, as with his equipment and experience he commands top end fees!

I don’t get much time to go out,” he says “I’m not a great pub goer as I don’t drink alcohol, but we do like to dine out occasionally. The Pink and Lily just up the road is lovely,” he says “And the food is not bad at all!”

I probably spend more time at the local playground our kids love it there!” l Entertainment House is on Main Road, Lacey Green, Nr Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 0QU. Tel: 01844 343113.

Win a copy of Seasons

P

ublished this Spring, Seasons is a celebration of England’s manor houses, cottages and country gardens. Part decorating journal, part recipe book and part gardening yearbook, it follows a year in the beautiful countryside of Oxfordshire.

Inspired by nature, textile designer Mette Ahlefeldt-Laurvig offers ideas for interior design as well as gardening tips and a choice of delicious recipes for each season.

Over the course of a year, the author visited selected manor houses, cottages and gardens in the heart of England. Month by month, the book describes many of the traditions associated with the four seasons and delves into the often quirky and amusing background to a number of British customs.

Hans Ole Madsen’s prize-winning photography makes this a truly inspirational journey through the seasons. The perfect summer read with stunning images of beautiful rose gardens, quaint thatched cottages and breathtaking buttercup meadows.

For a chance to win a copy of this impressive tome, simply email your name, address and contact telephone number to: editor@vale-life.co.uk along with your answer to the following question: Which famous french chef from Great Milton has praised the book and keeps a copy in his restaurant, Le Manoir?

A winner will be drawn at random from the correct entries submitted by July 1st - the editor’s decision is final!

Win a Doggee!

T

he Doggee is a clever gizmo, designed for all you dog lovers out there. It’ll help ensure that as long as you have your house keys with you, then you will have doggy bags too - and you never know when you might need one of those!

The innovative design allows you to carry from 20-30 doggy bags and the hollow ball on a key chain has a spring lever key ring, so you could attach it to your dog’s lead if you prefer.

The DOGGEE is available in 6 colours from www.PetPlanet.co.uk for only £4.99.

But Vale Life readers have a chance to win a copy of this handy gadget.

Simply email your name, address and telephone number to editor@ vale-life.co.uk along with the name of the Famous Five’s very licky dog.

Was it a) Sammy, b) Jimmy, or c) Above, Timmy?

A winner will be drawn at random from the correct entries submitted by July 1st - the editor’s decision is final!

9

Vale Life : June/July 2010 Snappy Snaps Photo Competition

His shop may be crammed full of the latest high tech digital imaging equipment, but Geoff Hamilton believes that personal service is what people really appreciate

Snappy Snaps Photo Competition

Y

ou can’t miss the bright yellow and green front of Snappy Snaps Aylesbury store.

The shop has been brightening up the High Street for some seven years now since proprietor Geoff Hamilton first took on the franchise in 2003.

Geoff had just arrived in the UK from South Africa, he is originally from Rhodesia where his Scottish and English grandparents had settled two generations before He’d run a small hotel and a variety of businesses, but felt he’d like to move back to the land of his fathers and see what good old blighty could offer.

Geoff has always been interested in photography and after investigating several

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Vale Life : June/July 2010

franchise possibilities decided that running a Snappy Snaps store seemed the most interesting option.

The digital age had already arrived, so Geoff started by investing in some digital processing machines and a small studio for taking shots on site.

Over the years he’s continued to expand the shops range of equipment and now offers an amazing array of services.

It seems Snappy Snaps can print your picture on virtually anything!

The store offers canvas and large format printing, posters, T-shirt printing, mugs, baseball caps, photo blocks, jigsaws, photo books, mouse mats, cushions, framing, VHS to DVD transfer, image recovery

from memory sticks, scanning...

“Everything is done on site,” says Geoff, “So the staff feel more responsible for results and customers are able to have a look at what they are getting when they pick up from the store.

“A lot of orders for developing are placed online and then collected from the store. People seem to like coming in so they can check and discuss the results.”

The personal touch is appreciated even more in this digital age.”

“We handle pretty well everything in store. We do all the photo gifts from TShirts, with images plus vinyl lettering for

hen nights, stag nights, birthdays and so on, to frames, and albums.

“We do image manipulation too, restoration and repair of old photographs, removing people from pictures or jazzing things up with some special colour effects.

“In the studio we have a special camera and background for passport photography, there’s a page of rules you have to comply with for that!

“We do family portraits and quite a few pets too.

“Doing everything on site not only means we can turn things around quickly, but also that we can check the quality is of a high

enough standard.

Geoff is rightly proud of his team of three who have been with him some time.

They are not only experts on the in-store equipment, but have the creative edge to help their customers get the best results.

Most people popping into Snappy Snaps with their pictures for developing would only see the ground floor shop area. But there’s a whole lot of sophisticated equipment hidden away both up and downstairs.

The studio is on the first floor, then there’s a second floor filled with equipment including a large format printer and down in the cellar a basement with more printers and processors, it’s a real Aladdin’s cave!

Meeting Geoff and his Snappy Snaps team was quite a surprise as having walked past the store on numerous occasions I’d never imagined the range of services on offer behind their small, but unmissable shopfront. The guys know their business do most of it on site and take pains to provide top quality service.

In fact they’re that good that we’ve recruited Snappy Snaps to partner Vale Life Magazine in our Pick of the Month photographic competition.

Geoff has kindly agreed to put up some great prizes too, and help pick a winner

from pictures sent in by our readers.

So all you budding David Baileys out there, get snapping and email your efforts to editor@vale-life.co.uk. l Snappy Snaps, 7 High Street, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 1SH. Tel: 01296 330003. www.snappysnaps-aylesbury.co.uk

Win a canvas print in our Fab Photo Competition Entries for this issue’s competition should be emailed by July 4th.

The winner will receive a free A3 sized canvas print of their picture courtesy of Snappy Snaps, Aylesbury.

We’re looking for pictures of local people and places - these can be arty

atmospheric shots, close ups or fun pictures - you must have taken the picture and there must be a local connection.

Email entries plus a brief description of the image plus your name, address and contact details to: editor@vale-life.co.uk.

11

Snappy Snaps Photo Competition

Vale Life : June/July 2010

Vale Life : June/July 2010 People and Places: A Maze of Memories

You need more than scissors and glue to join the scrapbook generation, but we’ve got them too says Christina Doré...

W

People and Places: A Maze of Memories

hen Christina Doré was invited by her friend Sue to a ‘scrapbook party’ at another friend’s home, she wasn’t sure quite what to expect.

Thinking there could be a glass of wine involved though, so gamely went along!

Christina must have enjoyed herself that evening because it inspired her to research scrapbooking on the internet and she was surprised to find out how popular it was all over the world, especally in America.

“I was amazed at how many different ways you could do scrapbooking and I started going to a place over Witney way, which has closed now, to get bits and pieces and have a go myself. Pretty soon I was hooked!” she laughs.

Originally from Somerset, Christina’s family moved to the Thame area when she was a teenager and she attended Aylesbury College.

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Vale Life : June/July 2010

After a stint in personel at Bucks County Council, where she met husband Paul, she went into nursing and later became a health visitor. About ten years ago she became involved with educational training, still for the NHS and when she left last year she had clocked up 30 years service!

“I’ve always enjoyed doing craft things,” says Christina, “About eight or nine years ago I started Market Town Miniaturists, a dolls house club, which I really enjoyed”.

“I started holding scrapbooking sessions at my house for a few friends, but we soon ran out of space. It was always a bit of a trek to pick up supplies from Witney and it started me thinking that it might be good to open up a shop around Thame to cater for local scrapbookers.

“My dream was to have a working craft centre though, with space for people to come and do their scrapbooking hobby together.

“I found the unit at Woodway Farm and opened A Maze of Memories Craft Centre in May 1996 “We’ve grown and grown and recently took on more space, so there’s much more room for classes and workshops.

“We’re now open every day except Tuesdays. We also open Thursday evenings and at other times for special events, private bookings and parties.

We’ve had church groups, hen parties, WIs, Ranger Guides, all sorts!”

“You can book a class, or just pay by the hour to be here which is only £1 per hour plus materials.”

Christina’s scrapbooking studio is light, roomy and airy with plenty of

Christina Dore

table space and an interesting array of intriguing machines.

“We’ve got three electronic cutters with a library of cartridges, which cut specific shapes, die cutters and a variety of specialised machines for shaping frames, although we do have scissors too!” she laughs.

“I’ve two ladies, Carolyn and Suzanne who help me out in the week and then three teenagers, Rachel, my daughter Sarah and Megan, who work at weekends and then Diane and Jenny who develop new designs. All of us are keen scrapbookers so we can help our customers with ideas and suggestions.

“Our scrapbookers come from hugely varied backgrounds,” says Christina, “I think they all enjoy a bit of creative

time out and the joy and satisfaction of making something.

“We do a session once a month for teenagers on a Friday evening which is growing in popularity too and has anything from 12 to 20 all getting creative.

“We get to meet some very interesting people - one chap made a fancy dress outfit, he was going to a Sound of Music party and wanted to go as a ‘brown paper parcel wrapped up in string’ - he made his own costume here.”

“We’ve a local artist, Ruth, who scrapbooks, and another who creates collages by tearing up coloured paper which she gets from our stockroom.

“Card making is probably most popular - we run a card club once a month which had 60 attend this month. Some people even make cards to sell on craft stalls or to friends and colleagues.

As you can tell it’s not just scrapbooks that people enjoy crafting at A Maze

of Memories. There’s a whole host of different things you can make: memory albums, mini books and exploding boxes - which are great fun and make good presents for a birthday, wedding or a new baby.

There can be a serious side to the craft though Christina explains: “Having a clinical background has been helpful as a memory album can be a good way of helping those who have lost a loved one work through the grieving process.

“I’ve also helped train people working with children in care at Bucks County Council to make a special scrapbook album as a childhood record for the youngsters in their care and The National Childminding Association has been here to do workshops on scrapbooks as a way of documenting their childminders’ work with children for Ofsted.

“We’ve also helped advise the Dementia Society who help sufferers in the early stages to make up memory albums which is not only a memory aid for the sufferer, but helps carers to understand the person they are caring for.”

Christina finally left the NHS to go full time at the craft centre last August.

“I just got too busy here,” she says, “I was with them for 30 years. I just love it here though - seeing people come in, some thinking they aren’t creative enough to make something, and then leaving really pleased with what they’ve achieved and satisfied they can do it.

“It’s great seeing youngsters being so creative too, and it can really help with their school presentation skills.

“I’ve got a great team of friends to work with and having worked for a large organisation for years it is very satisfying to run my own small business.

“Despite the recession we’ve grown month on month and now with the extra space things are really taking off.

We’ve a large stockroom with over 1,000 different patterned papers, over 500 colours of plain card stock and anything else you might fancy from ribbons and bows to fancy lettering, glitter, distress ink, sticky canvas... There’s only a couple of places in the country who carry this selection!” l A Maze of Memories is at Unit 2e Woodway Farm, Bicester Road, Long Crendon, HP18 9EP. Tel: 01844 208996. www.amazeofmemories.com

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Vale Life: June/July 2010: A Piece of Cake

Norma, left and Jenny with some of the A Piece of Cake team

Is that the sweet smell of success or another cake baking? Jenny and Norma celebrate 25 years of getting the mix just right

Tombi Peck

People: A Piece of Cake

J

enny Walker grew up living above her family’s greengrocers on Thame’s Upper High Street and remembers being woken early on a Sunday morning by the bleating of sheep as they were driven through the town on their way to market.

That was back in the early 60s when her mum and dad traded as ‘Charlie Jones and wife and RC Jones and husband’. Thame was a much smaller place then and Charlie would stand at his door and know everyone who strolled by.

“I couldn’t get away with anything,’ says Jenny, “As everyone knew I was Charlie Jones’s daughter!”

The building has been in her family for over 100 years, but it wasn’t until Jenny got into baking that the idea of running a business there based on cake decoration arose.

“I just wanted to make my own wedding cake originally,” says Jenny, “Back in 1973.

“I rang Woman’s Magazine and asked for some tips. A couple of people who liked the taste asked me to make cakes for them too. A South African lady called Tombi Peck was teaching cake decorating classes at Thame’s Adult Learning Centre and I went along to learn a bit more about it.”

In South Africa techniques for flower

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Vale Life: June/July 2010

Cake contest best in show winner making and sugar paste work were already popular, but it was new in Britain and the skills Jenny learnt were quite revolutionary.

Jenny’s parents’ grocery business was in what is now the right half of A Piece of Cake, but the left shop was available, so Jenny and friend Norma Laver, who had also attended Tombi’s classes, decided to start a business together there - A Piece of Cake was born.

“Initially we were making cakes and selling equipment, but now mail order has taken over,” says Jenny, “We’re so busy posting orders out all over the world that there’s no time for cake making these days.

The shop was the first in the country to sell their own ready-made flower paste, a boon to cake decorators and they are now well known for their product. It’s bought

ready-coloured and rolled out so shapes can be cut as required for decoration.

Jenny and Norma have 15 staff now to help process orders which come in by phone and over the internet.

“80% of business is mail order now,” says Jenny, “I don’t serve in the shop as much as I used to, I’m on the phone all day taking orders. A lot of people ring up for advice too, which we are happy to give.

“We’ve a lot of specialist equipment for people making their own cakes: moulds, cutters, cake boards, icing, ribbon, colourings - there aren’t many places you can get them these days. You can order online or over the phone, pop in, or we’ll mail it out.

Vale Life caught up with the girls at their recent 25th anniversary cake decorating competition in Thame and we were amazed at the fantastic creations people had baked.

Prizes were awarded in an emotional finale as those attending applauded Jenny and Norma’s achievement and Norma’s return from a recent illness.

The girls are keen to pass on their knowledge and experience and run courses in the church hall opposite the shop.

Coming up are an Alan Dunn Class on June 19th and 20th: Butterfly Tree flower, Fuchsia, Foliage, Butterflies £155. And on Saturday June 26th from 10am to 4pm Cake Side Designs: Techniques include Piped Embroidery, Garrett Frill, Smocking and Appliqué: £50. See their website at www.apieceofcakethame.co.uk for further information. l A Piece of Cake, 18-20 Upper High Street, Thame, Oxon OX9 3EX. Tel: 01844 213428. Email: sales@sugaricing.com Website: www.apieceofcakethame.co.uk

Emotional and physical problems can prohibit many from fully enjoying life. Therapist Dee Lucas may just have the solution

Dee Lucas

W

e’ve all heard the expression, ‘life is a journey’ - at times an uphill struggle it seems, when a little help on our way would be much appreciated.

Dee Lucas has certainly put in some mileage over the years having worked as a flight attendant for British Airways.

She’s been on a personal voyage of discovery too, following a desire to help and heal which has lead her to train in a variety of techniques, or healing modalities, including holistic nutrition, energy psychology, vibrational medicine and meridian therapies.

Originally from Hedgerley, near Beaconsfield Dee moved to Stokenchurch in 2000.

She loves the open countryside and enjoys walking, she even met her partner, Don, in a local walking group.

She now lives in Longwick with Don and their two Border Collies and has a consulting room in the village, just down the road from her home.

Dee has always been interested in alternative therapies and about six years ago decided to take those interests more seriously doing a distant learning course in Anatomy and Physiology, then studying Reiki, Nutrition and Acupressure massage. She is now an Accredited Independent Cambridge Weight Plan Consultant, an EFT Practitioner, and a Reiki Master.

Dee offers a confidential, caring and sup-

Acupuncture update

and tight chest symptoms caused by her seasonal pollen allergy.

After an initial 90 minute consultation and 30 minutes of acupuncture, plus three further hour long acupuncture sessions, which Amanda says were ‘relaxing and fascinating’ she is happy to report that as yet she has not experienced any of her usual allergy symptoms. “It’s amazing,” she says “You don’t feel the needle go in, but you can feel the energy flow connect.”

Rhiannon, right, treating Amanda Contact Rhiannon on 07789 825523 www.rhiannongriffiths.com Vale Life : June/July 2010

15

Health and Healing

In May’s edition we featured the healing powers of Thame acupuncturist, Rhiannon Griffiths.

Vale Life’s Amanda decided to try the treatment for her hay fever allergy. Usually, by this time of year, she would be dosing herself up with antihistamine in a desperate attempt to combat the itchy eyes and throat, runny nose, sneezing

portive service and sees herself as a catalyst for change.

“People have to want to change,” says Dee, “People who come to me may have tried other ways and found they’re not working.

“Different therapies help different people and it’s often a case of working with a client to find out what will be right for them.

“There’s several avenues I can pursue from Bach’s Flower Remedies to Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT).

“EFT is a non-invasive form of acupuncture which works by realigning energy flows within the body by tapping on certain points.

It’s particularly good for removing negative emotions, relieving stress, reducing and eliminating food cravings, weight loss, reduc-

ing and eliminating pain, to help implement positive goals and to remove fears, phobias, traumas or anxieties.

“One of my children had a medical condition that meant we were constantly in and out of hospital until she was about eleven. As her mother I found it very upsetting and felt responsible, although I wasn’t at all.

“I couldn’t even talk about it without getting emotional. I tried EFT and having worked it through I was able to reduce the emotional intensity, so I can now think and talk about those times, but it’s not distressing any more.

“EMT can also help with eating problems, issues from childhood, panic attacks and low self esteem, which can result in overeating.

“I’ve had issues with weight myself, “ Dee confesses, “After seeing some holiday pictures one year I decided to do something about it.

“I went on The Cambridge Weight Plan (formerly Cambridge Diet), which I found really effective and easy to follow and lost a lot of weight. My Cambridge consultant was interested in counselling and I did some work with her on EFT while she took me on as a consultant for the Cambridge Weight Plan.

If someone is ready to let go of the ‘old’ and wants to move forward in their lives or improve their physical wellbeing, I am happy to meet for an initial free half hour consultation,” says Dee, “To discuss how best to proceed.” l Dee is also an independent consultant for NYR Organic an award-winning pioneer in organic skincare and wellbeing.

Part of Neal’s Yard Remedies the range is an ethically sound natural skincare range produced in Dorset and sold through local consultants and home parties. l To find out more contact Dee on: 01844 342372 or 07747 796200.

Dee’s practise is based at Wellington House, Longwick, HP27 9RZ. Website: www.revitalise-therapies.co.uk

Vale Life : June/July 2010 Food and Drink: The Akeman

What have the Romans done for us?! Well, they gave us Akeman Street where the ancient and modern collide in a local with worldwide appeal

Food and Drink: The Akeman

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116

Above, the comfy bar area. Left, dining by the open kitchen with Josper oven

Vale Life : June/July 2010

n 965AD King Edgar decreed there should be no more than one alehouse per village. Fortunately his ruling did not last and over the ensuing centuries the public house proliferated to became firmly established as a popular part of our British culture. The United Kingdom now boasts over 53,500 pubs.

Times have changed though and today’s pub must battle to maintain its standing in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

There are modern day success stories though and in Tring entrepreneur Peter Borg-Neal and his Oakman Inns and Restaurants company is showing how the traditional pub concept can still be a great success if pursued with integrity.

In 2007, Peter, already a success in the town having established Forno Vivo restaurant, took on the refurbishment of a substantial 1901 house on Akeman Street, the ancient Roman road.

Originally designed for Lord Rothschild

by William Huckvale, the stunning building with an imposing facade is an important part of Tring’s architectural heritage and Peter named the new venture The Akeman to maintain its historic connections, evoking the legend of the Oakman or Akeman, after which the ancient route was named.

It is now a creative fusion of the modern and the traditional. The original building’s classical design and elegant

Peter Borg-Neal

The Akeman’s sunny rear terrace bar until 12am, Peter’s ethos is very much in evidence.

A long-term resident of the town, Peter recognised that Tring would appreciate the addition of a neighbourhood eating and drinking place like The Akeman, and since

Peter’s company, known as Oakman Inns & Restaurants Ltd, is continuing to grow out of its flagship venue, putting Tring on the map as the home of a small business with big ambitions, while restoring the landmark of the modern public house.

WIN a meal for Two!

it opened, the locals have voted with their feet. It has become a popular, regular haunt for many and now if planning to dine it may be wise to phone ahead and check table availability.

Following his success with The Akeman, Peter has now added The Old Post Office in Wallingford and the Red Lion at Water End to his portfolio, and has just acquired a brand new venture which will expand his business repertoire considerably, The Kings Arms hotel in Berkhamsted.

The latest acquisition, will undergo extensive refurbishment and extension, transforming it into a boutique hotel complete with a champagne and cocktail bar and an English inspired grill restaurant.

Oakman Inns and Restaurants are offering the chance for ten Vale Life readers to win a meal for two at one of their restaurants.

Simply email your name, address and telephone number to:editor@ vale-life.co.uk along with the answer to the following question: From which country does The Akeman’s charcoal Josper oven originate? a) Italy, b) Spain, c) Hungary Ten winners will be drawn at random from the correct entries submitted by July 1st - the editor’s decision is final! l The Akeman is at 9 Akeman Street, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 6AA Tel: 01442 826027 Email: akeman@oakmaninns.co.uk

Vale Life : June/July 2010

17

Food and Drink: The Akeman

proportions made the perfect place to develop a charming bar. A modern extension was then added, via a glass link to the house, to make a great restaurant and the stunning garden and decking area offers an al fresco alternative. The interior boasts a wealth of contemporary style and saw The Akeman win Pub Design of the Year 2009 at the national Publican Awards, an impressive feat for a small local establishment.

Peter wished to create a new breed of modern pub, a community-based venue combining traditional values with modern design, ‘a warm, inclusive and local place, serving excellent food and drink‘.

“The concept behind The Akeman is a ‘modern local pub’.” says Peter. “It doesn’t have any gimmicks, just good things to eat and drink made with the best, authentic ingredients, sourced locally where possible, in a beautiful, comfortable and welcoming environment.”

The temperate climes of the Mediterranean are in evidence on the menu which is adorned with aromatic pasta dishes and colourful salads, meze platters and foccaccias, with fresh fish and steak chargrilled in the unique Spanish Josper oven.

“I believe that as people have travelled more widely and become more adventurous in their culinary tastes, they have become increasingly sophisticated and discerning about what they eat.“ says Peter. “Our objective is to give people what they want to eat right here, right now, and we want to do it with a fresh and original approach.”

The Akeman is open all day for food and drink. Breakfast is served from 9am and an extensive range of drinks including cocktails and local ales are available in the

Vale Life : June/July 2010 Style: Destiny

‘Giving back is the new black’ says Tracey Gascoin of Destiny Hair Design and the salon certainly does it’s bit to make a difference

Pyjamas for Children in Need

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Tracey and daughter Ella

Style: Destiny Hair Design

A complimentary hand massage while the colour takes

118

hen Tracey Gascoin first saw Destiny Hair Design’s Fairford Leys salon, the premises had just been built. It was a shell without water or electricity and the car park was mud and rubble!

Luckily her partner Andrew is in the building trade and managed the fitting of the salon, turning it around in just four weeks.

He continues to look after the maintenance side now and the two co-ordinate work to share looking after their daughter Ella, 3 and her stepbrother Charlie.

Tracey was born in Aylesbury and went to Grange School. When she left she joined a town centre salon to learn hairdressing and worked for a couple of local salons before taking a job as manageress of Waves in Thame.

She’d dreamt of owning her own salon though and when she opened Destiny in 2004 it soon became known for the friendly, professional atmosphere and high standard of customer service.

In its first year Destiny won Small Business of the Year at the Aylesbury Business Excellence Awards and since has twice won Customer Service and Boss of the Year.

“I’ve got a brilliant team,” says Tracey, “I couldn’t do it without them. I started with a team of 5 and now have

Steph King skydiving 18. We all get on really well and you can feel the friendly atmosphere when you come in.”

They’re a charitable crew too and have been inspired by Paul Mitchell’s ‘Giving back is the new black’ ethos to give back both to the local community and by donating to charities.

The salon uses Paul Mitchell styling products and Tracey coaches for Salon Success 365 supporting other 365 salons with advice on customer service and recruiting.

Vale Life : June/July 2010

Reception

The comfy waiting area Top stylist Kirsty did a half marathon and raised £420, while the Moonwalk last year raised £320. They’ve held fashion shows and fancy dress days for Children in Need and Red Nose Day and four of the girls even did a skydive for MS raising £4,000 as artistic director Aimee’s mum is a sufferer.

“We think it’s important to give something back,” says Tracey, “It’s fun too especially when the whole team is involved and dresses up.”

Customer care is also important at Destiny: “We give complimentary hand massages and body brushing and involve clients with hair plans, saying what we’ve used on their hair,” says Tracey.

“We’ve also got a Color Bar where we can pick and mix colours in front of clients so they can see what is going in. We open on Mondays, when a lot of salons are closed - we call them Manic Mondays and offer 50% off colour with a cut and style.”

The salon is open until 9pm three nights a week as a lot of people living in Fairford Leys work out of the area.

It’s no surprise Tracey has been voted Boss of The Year. She places great importance on staff training and development, which is obviously appreciated.

She’s proud of her Destiny Academy

where the training program is delivered in-house by their three A2 assessors.

She also oversees an annual education plan to grow her team. There’s a clear management structure with targets for staff to work towards to get promotion.

“Aimee, for example, joined from school and has worked her way up to be a trainer and an artistic director, she’s done amazingly well,” says Tracey.

“We’ve virtually a whole family working here too,” she laughs, “Kirsty and Gemma Montgomery and their mum Lorrie are all from Thame and work here in the salon.

“The business is still growing though and we hope to be looking towards a second salon next year.

Having grown up in Aylesbury and now living in Fairford Leys, what does Tracey think of life in the town?

“I love living in Fairford Leys,” she says, “It’s got everything you need, shops, pub, restaurants, beauty. It’s easy to get a bus to the station for commuting too and there’s a good primary school which is very popular. The China Brasserie here is very nice too.

“Aylesbury is a lot more built up than when I was young. They’re building houses everywhere, but I don’t think we’ve got the schools and facilities to support all these new homes.

“The theatre area is a superb idea that will bring people in and some decent eating places would be good. There’s nowhere nice to eat in town really. My favourite place is the Mole and Chicken at Easington near Long Crendon.

Salon co-ordinator Debbie lives in Tring and recommends The Green House and The Akeman as great places for food.

The team also tips the Bottle and Glass at Gibraltar as handy for after work meetings - saying the food is good! l Destiny Hair Design is at: 7 Hampden Square, Fairford Leys, Aylesbury, Bucks HP19 7HT Telephone: 01296 337555 Website: www. destinyhairdesign.com

Win a pair of tickets to Henley Festival

H

enley Festival by the River Thames, is one of the UK’s biggest arts festivals. This year it takes place over five days from July 7-11.

It’s a glamourous black tie event with music, art and fireworks.

Will Young, Ronan Keating, Bryn Terfel with Gareth Jones, Nigel Kennedy and The Music of Queen are star attractions while Michel and Albert Roux are hosting Europe’s biggest a la carte restaurant and Heston Blumenthal’s Hinds Head will also be on site for the first time and a host of other bars and eating outlets – from picnics through to gourmet dinners, will offer something for everyone.

As well as world renowned musicians, visitors to Henley Festival can soak up show-stopping visual art from some of the most influential artists of our time and after sundown, a sensational firework display will light up the Oxfordshire sky.

There’s full details of what’s on, where and when on the Henley Festival website: www.henley-festival.co.uk Vale Life has teamed up with Henley Festival to offer one lucky reader a complimentary pair of tickets for Thursday, July 8, when internationally celebrated Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel will take to the famous floating stage. He will be joined by the Philharmonia and conductor Gareth Jones for an evening of opera and popular songs made famous by his top selling CDs, including the recent Bad Boys.

Simply email your name, address and telephone number to: editor@vale-life.co.uk along with the answer to the following question: From which country does Bryn Terfel originate? a) England, b) Scotland, or c) Wales?

A winner will be drawn at random from the correct entries submitted by June 23 the editor’s decision is final!

Tickets range from £35 - £80.

Festival Box Office: 01491 843404

Vale Life : June/July 2010

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Vale Life: June/July 2010 Fashion: White Hart Studio

Fever Cezanne Side Lace Dress: £74 • Scoop neck batwing dress with side lace detail to cinch in the waist

Skies are blue and the sun is shining, time to warm up your summer wardrobe...

T

he shops are full of bold

little flamboyance and there’s

brands with a reputation for inno-

prints and bright colours

bound to be a summer wedding

vative yet timeless collections.

and with the glorious

or party that demands you make

weather we’ve been having there’s

an impact - this is no time for the

original vintage prints redesigned

no time like now to dazzle in the

little black dress!

with a contemporary edge. It’s suit-

brightest of shades.

Haddenham’s White Hart Studio

It’s the season of Ascot and Henley, the perfect excuse for a

and play - right through to evening

most exciting independent fashion

and special occasions wear.

Left: Fever Jeanne Maxi Dress: £69 • Full length maxi dress with this straps and bow detailing, v-neck and nipped in waist for a flattering finish • Composition: 100% Cotton

Right: Fever Copacabana Maxi Dress Blue: £69 • Full lenght maxi dress with bright print, flattering V-neck, tailored waist and bright pink straps.

• Composition: 100% Cotton Right: Fever Florida Dress in Pebble: £49 • Lovely floaty summer frock with applique flower on shoulder • Composition: 65% Rayon, 35% Nylon

Right: Fever Damselle Bias Dress Purple: £69 • Beautifully crafted dress, flattering with fitted bust and adjustable tie at waist • Elegant knee length slightly fluted skirt • Scoop neck with ruffle detail and puffed elasticated sleeve with gold mesh inset • 65% Wool, 35%Viscose, Lining: 100% Polyester

White Hart Studio, 15 Churchway, Haddenham, HP17 8AB. 20 Vale Life : June/July 2010: White Hart Studio

able for all aspects of life, work,

stocks Fever, one of Britain ‘s

Left: Fever Tiffany Maxi Dress: £65 • Striking maxi with crossover straps, invisible zip under arm • Composition: 100% Cotton

Fashion

The current range is inspired by

Right: Fever Shooting Star Maxi dress: £50 • Striking stylish dress in black with assymetric stripes across the body and a flattering sweetheart neckline • Composition: 95% Rayon, 5% Spandex

Telephone: 01844 292308. Website: www.whitehartstudio.com

Every girl loves jewellery, says Alisha Johnson, and with pick’n’mix bracelets, the cost can be spread along with the love!

F

rom Tiffany and Co to Cartier every woman loves the thrill of receiving that little blue or red box.

But the current trend is not for the ‘bling’ of the Bond Street jeweller, it’s a mix-and-match DIY bracelet fashion for which you build your own cluster of charms.

Many believe that the popular brand Pandora started this pick‘n’mix trend, but it was actually Trollbeads who launched the look.

Established in 1976 Trollbeads was the first company to offer a simple starter bracelet to which the wearer adds from a variety of over 400 intricate individual beads.

With beads made from glass, silver,

Trollbeads

Pandora amber and precious stones in colours from across the rainbow Trollbeads certainly offer plenty of choice.

Rivalry for the charm crown is newer company Pandora, who are one of the world’s three largest jewellery brands.

They also supply a starter bracelet and beads, but have a smaller range than Trollbeads.

Both collections include beads that stand for different things such as family, hope, unity or happiness, or shaped as Right: Trollbeads at Hester Clarke County Jewellers in Aylesbury

animals or letters which can be given to someone on a special occasion and bring with it special meaning.

Expanding on the ideas of Trollbeads and Pandora are Links of London, who have progressed from beaded charm bracelets to what they call their Sweetie Collection. This is popular with many teenagers who receive a starter bracelet for their sixteenth birthday and continue to add charms over the years.

With charms costing anything from £25 to £550 Links bracelets can add up to become an extremely valuable keepsake.

It’s a clever idea offering the chance to purchase jewellery piece by piece, for having built up the individual charms or beads a wearer who would never have spent £500 on a bracelet may find they have just that in pick‘n’mix precious metals on their wrist!

Vale Life: June/July 2010

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Vale Life: June/July 2010 Style: Frank Hudson Ltd

Bedroom furniture has never looked as fabulous and none more so than the stylish displays at the new Frank Hudson showroom

T

Style: Furnishings

im Hudson could be excused for lying down on his job. It would be unusual though, as the energetic businessman has plenty of get up and go and is a keen cyclist in his spare time.

Along with brothers James and Tom he runs Frank Hudson Ltd, the Wycombe based furniture company which his grandfather started in 1947 and is now known for the most gorgeous bedroom furniture and a stunning range of beds.

Frank Hudson was a master-carver.

He began his career in 1917 as an apprentice for the Venetian wood-carver Tulio Cain, who had set up a small factory in High Wycombe, carving pieces for the furniture trade. Frank also worked for Sir Henry Stone, an expert in decorative furniture, before setting up his own enterprise.

During the Second World War he was a civilian ground engineer at Booker Airfield and after helped with the reconstruction of a devastated London, restoring famous buildings such as Girdlers Hall, where he worked on the beautiful panelling.

Successful commissions led to further work and his reputation grew. He even supplied furniture to the Queen.

Frank was joined by his son Rex,

22

Vale Life: June/July 2010: Frank Hudson

Vermont

Beach House

Tim Hudson

Bardot who had studied furniture design and production at High Wycombe College.

The family lived across the road from their factory and the business flourished making bespoke furniture for wealthy clients in London and overseas.

Frank handed the business on to Rex and by the 1970s he had expanded into manufacturing hotel products and Rex’s son Tim had joined the firm helping with production and developing design ideas.

The company also started producing for retailers like Harrods and John Lewis.

“By the 1990s rising labour costs meant some of furniture had to be made abroad,” says Tim, “and brought in for finishing.”

“My brother James had joined the firm and my father Rex was retiring. It was a time of change not just for Frank Hudson Ltd, but the whole furniture industry.”

The company began bringing in more finished goods, made abroad to Hudson’s designs, and would send skilled craftsmen, woodcarvers, cabinet makers and polishers, out from Wycombe to make sure quality was maintained and production was to Hudson’s strict requirements.

“Indonesia has good hand skills and

Alexandria traditions,” says Tim, “Romania is good for oak and has a history of furniture production, so we have established relationships with factories there.

Their Wycombe factory has been at its Rosebury Avenue site since 1964, when they had three factories in the vicinity and employed over 60 people.

Now the staff number 20, and their cabinet makers have been redeployed servicing, installing and polishing, doing customer care or warehouse duties.

This year a major refurbishment of the factory unit has turned it into a stylish new showroom where their stunning bedroom range is now on display in attractive room sets.

The beds are immaculately dressed and you can buy the whole look if you so desire.

There’s an exciting diversity in the range and the firm works hard to keep ahead of the market often leading the way with new design trends.

“The showroom is open six days a week,” says Tim. “Retailers can come and see new ranges and they can send customers down by appointment.

“We are open as an outlet store on a Saturday, selling returns, discontinued lines and ex show items, but most

The showroom sales are done through local outlets. In this area that could be Lucas World of Furniture in Aylesbury.”

“Despite the economy, business has grown over the last couple of years.

I believe customers appreciate our reputation for quality and service and the credability longevity brings. We give customers what they want,” says Tim. “We have a good website which is helping build the brand, but the best publicity is word of mouth. We have an outlet near Manchester where half the United football team seem to have purchased beds after word got round!”

Oasis vocalist Liam Gallagher has also invested in one.

Tim now lives in Askett with wife Julie and children Lydia, Charles and Myles.

He rather likes the firm’s beach house bed himself, but thinks Julie has her eye on another of their styles.

In moments off Tim and Julie like to eat out at the Three Crowns in Askett or the Plough at Cadsden.

“I tend to stay local as I do a lot of travelling with work,” he says. “It’s not all bad though, I do get to stay in some nice places like Indonesia and Bali!

Tim likes to keep in shape too, “You have to in this business,” he laughs and has been doing a lot of cycling. “We did a 50 mile Pedal Push for the Rotary Club last month and cycled from Paris to Geneva last year!

Tim may enjoy the occasional lie down, all in the line of duty you understand, but when you make dream beds like they do at Frank Hudson it would be criminal not too! l Frank Hudson Ltd is at Rosebery Avenue, Pinions, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP13 7AH Telephone: 01494 522011 Email: info@frankhudson.com Website: www.frankhudson.com

A

couple who have dedicated their lives to horses have launched a fundraising scheme to help the Horse Trust at Speen.

The horses home featured in Vale Life last month, see our website at www.vale-life. co.uk if you missed it.

The Trust needs funding not only for the horses home, but also for vital research work into equine welfare projects and health research.

Frank and Liz Connolly who run horsebox company Thames Valley Trailers (TVT), are asking people who sell on their second hand horse boxes via their TVT website to make a donation to the Horses Trust in lieu of a sales fee.

Dealers to whom TVT refers customers are also being asked to make a donation to the Trust instead of paying commission.

The Connollys have a

Frank and Liz Connolly at The Horse Trust with Spindles Farm rescuee Disney

lifetime of competitive experience with horses, having ridden from an early age, progressed through the Pony Club Team and on to Senior Level Horse Trials, Show Jumping, Racing, Showing and Dressage.

It was The Trust’s involvement in the shocking animal cruelty case at Spindles Farm, Hyde Heath in 2008 that made them want to help.

Over 30 horses and donkeys were found dead at the farm and many others in very poor shape were taken to Speen to be nursed back to health.

“We’ve had so much enjoyment from horses over the years that we wanted to put something back,” said Frank.

The Trust praised the couple saying they had come up with a ‘wonderfully innovative way of raising money’.

Visit www.thames valleytrailers.com to find out more about the scheme.

Thames Valley Trailers, Carters Hill Stables, Arborfield, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 9JJ Telephone: 07836 200101 Website: www.thamesvalleytrailers.com Vale Life: June/July 2010

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Vale Life : June/July 2010: Sport

Watching England play can be a mighty stressful experience, so at least make sure you are sitting comfortably ...

Vale Reds have just had another great season. It’s not all about the trophies though, these girls have a whole lot of fun

V

ale Reds Football Club was established five years ago to give girls the opportunity to play football locally.

The club provides football coaching and matches for girls from eight to 16 years, with all home matches and fair weather training taking place on the pitches at Fairford Leys. That’s every Saturday morning even during the summer.

Vale Reds FC is an FA Charter Standard club playing in the Bucks League.

All the coaches hold Level 1 or Level 2 coaching qualifications and CRB certificates.

This season the U14 team won the league and the U13 team were runners up in the Bucks County League Cup Final held at the MK Dons Stadium, above.

The club is always looking for new players and invites any interested girls to come along to training.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never played before as anyone, of any ability, is welcome and the emphasis is on enjoyment.

For more information visit their website www.valeredsfc.co.uk, email valeredsfc@hotmail.co.uk or contact Mick Tofte on 07771 828630.

Win a signed set of Jamie Johnson books

Vale Life : Sport

J

amie Johnson has always dreamed of becoming a professional footballer. All he needs is the chance to prove he can make it to the top. He’s got everything to play for … To celebrate the launch of a new Jamie Johnson book in time for the World Cup, Vale Life Magazine have teamed up with Scholastic Children’s Books, to give one lucky reader the chance to win a signed set of the Jamie Johnson books by the author, Dan Freedman.

To enter email your name, address and telephone number to editor@vale-life.co.uk along with the name of the England football team’s Italian manager.

A winner will be drawn at random from the correct entries submitted by July 1st - the editor’s decision is final!

Find out more about Jamie and his football dreams at www.jamiejohnson.info

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Vale Life : June/July 2010: Sport

By the time you read this England will have played their first world cup match against the USA at Rustenburg and will be preparing for the next group games against Algeria in Cape Town on June 18 and Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on June 23rd.

Being England anything could happen.

Our national team has a habit of making heavy weather of the easiest of fixtures and in the World Cup Finals every game will be a real test.

For the fans there’s going to be plenty of stress, lots of excitement and let’s hope not too much disappointment.

However the lads do, you’ll enjoy it a lot more watching from the comfort of the amazing Stressless Recliner, pictured right.

Made in Norway, where the furniture is infinitely more exportable than the football, the Recliner can be purchased with a matching footstool, which is ideal for avoiding cramp during extra time, or for hurling at the TV should the inevitable penalty shoot out go awry - we would strongly advise against this course of action though, no matter what the result!

Another area of endeavour which has yet to pay dividends for our Norwegian brothers is the Eurovision Song Contest.

Although this year we actually did worse, saving them from their usual placing at the bottom of the table.

Did they whine and moan and dwell on their defeat though? Hell no, only days later Lena, the German winner was seen being interviewed on Stefan Raab’s German latenight show, TV total, comfortably seated on a Stressless Recliner. It seems the poor girl was quite exhausted from the whirlwind of interviews that have ensued since her victory and those crafty Norwegians were quick to spot an opening for their Recliner.

It could be time to take a tip from those who know how to take defeat sitting down.

A Stressless Recliner won’t help England win the World Cup, but it could turn out to be the most relaxing tournament you’ve ever watched!

£699 now from

with immediate delivery

save £280* while stocks last

The perfect fit at the right price It’s time to enjoy the ultimate in comfort at an irresistibly low price, as selected Stressless ® recliners with footstools are now yours from just £699, saving you £280. Stressless ® are the world’s most comfortable recliners offering features you won’t find on other recliners, including a choice of three sizes, so you’ll find one that feels like it’s made just for you.

For a tailor-made feel at a price that suits you, choose a recliner at our Stressless® Comfort studio today or go to www.lucas-world.co.uk

small

£699

medium

£799

large £899

*Stressless® small (Diplomat), medium (Consul) and large (Ambassador) recliners with footstools are available in Batick Cream leather with natural wood finish, Batick Hunter Green leather with brown stain wood finish and Batick Black leather with black wood finish between 1 June and 31 August 2010. While stocks last. Save £280 on Stressless® Diplomat, RRP £979 and now £699. Save £300 on Stressless ® Consul RRP £1,099 and now £799. Save £350 on Stressless® Ambassador RRP £1,249 and now £899.

Rabans Lane, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8RE

OPENING TIMES: Monday – Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm, Saturday 9.30am – 6pm Sunday & Bank Holidays 10am – 5pm (Viewing 10am – 11am)

Vale Life : May 2010

25

Arts and culture

Tel: 01296 486255 www.lucas-world.co.uk

Vale Life: June/July 2010: Arts/Culture

It’s Bucks Open Studios’ 25th anniversary year and the popular event has more artists participating than ever before...

T

Arts /Culture

his year is Bucks Open Studios’ 25th anniversary and their biggest year ever with over 490 artists and makers taking part in 179 different venues across the county.

Full details of all this year’s entries can now be viewed on theirr website: www.bucksopenstudios.org.uk, and there’s a great search facility to find venues in your chosen area or a particular medium.

As usual free directories are available from libraries, tourist information centres and art galleries so keep your eyes peeled.

The event is a great chance to visit artists and craftsmen in their studio, ask them about their work and even watch them in action.

From larger groups, like the one sharing the studio behind Rainbow Silks shop at 85 High Street, Great Missenden: five artists, Constance Bond, Marianne Nash, Dawn Ramsay, Alison Sadler and Osvalda Teiser, all members of the Guild of Silk Painters, exhibiting between 16th-26th June, with continuous demonstrations daily. Colourful paintings, scarves, cushions, fashion accessories, jewellery, and bags, as well as a kimono and half-size obis, gifts and greetings cards, and more.

For details contact Marianne Nash on 01494 864739 or mariannenash@ tiscali.co.uk. See website: www. chilternsilkpainters.com To single artist events as with Jazzy Lily Hot Glass Jewellery, owned and run

by Pauline Holt.

Pauline’s studio is in the back garden of her house in Aylesbury and has received a new coat of paint in anticipation of this years visitors.

“I visited the Chattel Houses of St James in Barbados last winter and based the colour scheme for my studio on one of the colourful houses I saw there”, says Pauline.

Pauline makes beautiful glass bead jewellery and her studio will be open extensively during the Open Studios

26

Vale Life: June/July 2010

Pauline’s studio Fortnight which runs from the 12th until the 27th June.

For more information on Jazzy Lily Jewellery and Bucks Open Studios see www.jazzylily.com.

Members of group 12 in action Group Twelve is a group of artists who have been painting together for many years and met while studying for the City and Guilds watercolour certificate.

Over time other painters have joined the group. The members are: Pam Appleby, Zoe Bowman, Jean Burcher, Bob Collins, Sue Gill, Val Keating, Judy Nash, Anne Peake, Jan Rasmussen, Sue Rosoman, Sue Shelton, Beryl Sherry and Kath Willey.

Group Twelve members will be exhibiting their work (watercolour, acrylic, pastel) during Bucks Open Studios from 19th to 27th June 2010, 12-6pm weekdays, 10am-6pm on Saturdays and Sundays, at Manor Barn Farm, Church End, Haddenham, HP17 8AH Apart from their art work, the barn itself is well worth a visit and there is always tea/coffee and cake on offer.

See www.bucksopenstudios.org.uk for full details on studios and artists.

W

hen dining al fresco the last thing we want is a wasp buzzing around our drinks and plates.

Until now the only remedy, apart from swotting, screaming or flapping your hands about hysterically, has been traditional wasp traps which attract and then kill the wasps.

These traps aren’t very effective or pleasant - they attract wasps in the first place, then kill them with chemicals or by drowning.

You get to watch a trap full of dying wasps and then have to clean them out afterwards.

Now though a unique, award-winning product, Waspinator, will clear your garden of wasps without harming or killing them!

It doesn’t use chemicals, is totally maintenance free and lasts all year. All you do is hang it up!

Cleverly it works like a scarecrow for wasps, who think it is the nest of another colony.

Wasps are extremely territorial, and if a foraging wasp goes too near the nest of another colony, defenders are sent out to chase it away and will kill it if they catch it.

So wasps instinctively stay well away from an enemy nest, and will fly away from the Waspinator when they see it.

If you leave it out all season they remember it is there and don’t come to your garden in the first place.

The horizontal design on Waspinator makes it look fibrous and layered just like a real nest.

Launched in the UK last year Waspinator was a best seller in many garden centres, it is listed by the WWF as a product which enhances outdoor living without harming the environment, has won awards for eco friendliness and innovation.

Waspinator is available from good garden centres throughout the Vale area for £12.95 for a pack of two, and by mail order from www.waspinator.co.uk.

Vale Life : June/July 2010: Art and culture: What’s On

Our Vale Life What’s on guide is currently online at: www.vale-life.co.uk.

We have been deluged with far more entries than it would be possible to list here, so it seemed fairer to maintain a comprehensive listing on the website and just pick out a couple of highlights.

We will be looking to increase the size of the magazine in the coming months, so do keep sending in your information.

If you would like to advertise specific events, please contact the editor on 07702 006218.

Sunday, June 20 Marsworth Steam & Vintage Rally Startops End Marsworth Annual event with over 1000 visitors.

12 full size Steam Engines and 8 models.

15 vintage tractors up to 80 cars.

Punch and Judy + Chris’s Owls - children can hold them and have a photo taken.

Licensed Bar, lots of stalls, ample car parking. Entrance £4/£3 children and OAPs.

Waste not want not the saying goes and here in The Vale we really are rising to the recycling challenge, says Jacqui Thomasen

W

e all like to do our bit for the environment, but sometimes it’s knowing how. National Recycle Week is back at the end of June and this year focuses on reducing waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in landfill.

We recycle paper, glass and some plastic waste, but recent research has shown that even the most committed of recyclers are confused when it comes to disposing of small electrical items: Toasters, toothbrushes, hairdryers and other “lesser value” items are either thrown into general waste and sent to landfill, where they become hazardous and toxic to the environment, or they are relegated to the loft to gather dust.

The 6th National Recycle Week runs from

Thursday, July 15 Big Joe Louis and His Blues Kings Stables Bar, James Figg Pub, Thame www.dogfoxpromotions.co.uk

Thursday, June 17 The Top Topham / John Idan Band

James Figg, Thame.

8pm Tickets - £10 (adv) £15 on door

Tickets £10 in advance from The James Figg and The Thatch in Thame, or £15 on door.

Saturday, July 3 Haddenham Real Ale Festival, The 7th Annual event at the Youth and Community Centre, Haddenham 11am-9pm.

60 + Ales and Lagers, 20 Ciders as well as Pimms, Wines and soft drinks, hot beverages.

Food and entertainment throughout the day including local bands. Tickets £5 in advance from Blooming Fruity, Banks Parade shops, all pubs in village, Fore Golf in the Buttermarket,Thame, or £6 on the day. www.bucksfhs.org.uk

Big Joe and Kings

Attractions for researchers include full Bucks FHS library and databases, talks, guest societies and commercial suppliers. Free admission and free car parking. Further information at www.bucksfhs.org.uk

Big Joe Louis was born in Jamaica, West Indies, and moved to the UK during the 1970s.

The Blues Kings were formed 18 years ago and have taken their special kind of real down-home Blues to venues the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland and with great success in virtually every country in Western Europe and Scandinavia.

Big Joe has recorded with Van Morrison and Jools Holland and for two years from the beginning of 2000 was singer with legendary UK Rhythm & Blues band the Big Town Playboys.

21st – 27th June and aims to combat both of these approaches by not only encouraging us to recycle these items responsibly, but also to consider borrowing, hiring or repairing electrical items in the future.

Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) is encouraging all residents to participate and, as a bonus, our schools as well as the environment could benefit.

Take any item of WEEE to one of the district’s ten household waste and recycling centres and in exchange for your waste you will be given a token per item which can be given to a local participating school.

The total number of tokens per pupil will be counted and the best performing school in the region will win £500, and the best national performer will win £1,000.

Isobel Edgar, AVDC Recycling Officer, is convinced that our local schools stand a good chance of success: “Overall we are recycling well in Aylesbury Vale,” she says, “We already recycle more types of plastic than most district councils; in fact residents have been so suc-

cessful in some areas that the containers have proved too small!

“We are introducing new, larger containers.

However WEEE remains a problem for many people and I hope that National Recycle Week will show just how easy it can be to dispose of these items responsibly.”

Support your local schools and National Recycle Week this June by having a good spring clean. Check our WEEE list and see what you have at the back of your cupboards. Can it be recycled, repaired or reused? If so, find a new home for these items and make more space in your home for you.

Saturday, July 24 Buckinghamshire Family History Society Open Day, 10am to 4pm, at the Grange School, Wendover Way, Aylesbury,

WEEE can include: Toasters, blenders, whisks, table lamps, egg boilers, tooth brushes, shavers, televisions, computers, games consoles, mobiles, cameras, bread makers, fluorescent tubes, printers, faxes, microwaves, clocks, vacuum cleaners, radios, camcorders, drills, lawnmowers, scales...

Recycle: Collect your school tokens in exchange for WEEE at: College Road North, Aston Clinton HP22 5EZ Rabans Close, Rabans Lane, Aylesbury HP19 8RS Wigans Lane, Bledlow Ridge HP14 4BH Yonder Slade, Buckingham Industrial Park, MK18 1RZ

Reuse: If there’s still life in your unwanted item, why not try posting it on Freecycle, a non-profit movement giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns.

It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills.

Membership is free, visit www.freecycle.org.uk

Vale Life : June/July 2010

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Vale Life : June/July 2010 Food and Drink: The Bell

Harry demonstrates the climbing frame

The Bell at Chearsley is the epitomy of the traditional English pub, with the bonus of a great garden and a family friendly approach

Oli and Sharon man the pumps

The impressive beer garden is completely safe and child friendly 28

Vale Life : May 2010

D

rive through the tiny village of Chearsley on the back road from Long Crendon to Cuddington and you could easily miss The Bell.

The postcard pretty thatched hostelry is set back behind a small green and hides further delights behind a charming frontage.

Landlords Oli and Sharon took on the Fullers pub almost five years ago, after a brief spell in one of Aylesbury’s town centre taverns.

The two were brought up in the area, Sharon’s family is from Cuddington and Oli has lived in Chearsley since the age of eight, when his family moved up from Portsmouth.

It took the golden arches of McDonalds to bring the two together though. They met while working for the company and Sharon, who worked her way up to business manager, feels it was an excellent grounding in the kind of hard work, customer care and catering organisation, that is also useful in the pub trade.

gardening and keeps it really nice.”

“We’re child friendly and dog friendly too,” says Oli, “like a country pub should be. Families are very welcome. Dogs on a lead though please!”

The pub actually won Fullers Best Beer Garden Trophy in 2006 and were highly commended in last year’s Aylesbury Vale Village Pub Competition .

“We love being in Chearsley, says Sharon.

“We get great support from the village and

have some lovely regulars. We even get occasional celebs in, Mark Webber, the formula one driver who lives in Aston Clinton, has been over a couple of times and we’ve an actor across the road who’s currently starring in the West End!” On the beer side Oli has just received the Fullers Master Cellerman qualification for keeping a top notch cellar. The pub has also had 100% passes by Cask Marque an independent body who make surprise calls twice a year and check all cask ales on sale for - temperature, appearance, aroma and taste. The Bell serves Fullers Chiswick and London Pride plus a guest beer.

“We’ve a great team here,” says Oli and “Chearsley is a lovely place to live. But seeing people leave happy when you’ve got it right is very satisfying.”

We’re our own bosses,” says Sharon, “and despite the long hours, it’s a lot of fun. There’s great variety too, you never know what the day is going to be like!” You might open the door to a bunch of cyclists or a coachload of pensioners! l The Bell is at The Green, Chearsley, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0DJ Telephone: 01844 208077 Website: www.thebellchearsley.co.uk

Vale Life : June/July 2010

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Food and Drink: The Bell

When they heard the Bell was available their oldest son Harry was only 6 months, but it was their dream location and they jumped at the chance to take it on. They’ve since added two-year-old Charlie to the fold.

“It’s a lovely traditional pub,” says Oli, “And that’s how we run it. We’re not a ‘gastro-pub’, we do traditional good quality pub grub, made with locally sourced produce where possible.

“A lot of our seasonal vegetables come from Steve just up road and fresh, free range eggs come from Long Crendon.”

Oli does most of the cooking, with help from a small team. He’s a self taught chef, who has spent 10 years researching cookbooks and refining his recipes, but admits some of his best tips come from his mum!

He’s very proud of his fish pies, which are revered locally, and enjoys developing desserts - he is currently ‘fine tuning’ a Chocolate Delice - a caramel, bran flake and roasted hazlenut base with chocolate mousse topping.

“We do a seasonal menu,” he says, “with changing specials and occasional theme nights, say curry, or fish’n’chips.

“We’ll do fun events like a traditional English menu for St George’s Day, or pumpkin night at Hallowe’en. We also have a monthly bingo evening which is popular with the locals.”

The couple feel the Bell is a great family pub. “It’s got a lovely garden,” says Sharon, “It’s secure and safe, our two use it all the time. There’s toys and climbing frames out for kids to play with. Parents can relax and the children can play. My dad does the

Vale Life : June/July 2010 Art and culture: Literature

Brian Pattinson

Brian Pattinson of Thame’s Book House looks ahead to the first Thame Arts and Literature Festival...

The Book House is at 93 High Street, Thame, OX9 3HJ Telephone: 01844 213032

W

e at The Book House are hugely excited about the amazing series of talks and events which form our very first Thame Arts and Literature Festival.

Having been part of the Oxford Literary Festival for its first seven years, we are absolutely delighted to be bringing such a special selection of authors to our ‘home’ here in Thame!

Luckily, our long-standing connection with publishers has enabled us to organise a much better range of authors for a first festival than would otherwise be expected.

Local support has been fantastic, from generous sponsorship from CPM and the council, to offers of venues from (again) the council, The Thatch and James Figge as well as the owners of Rycote Park who have kindly offered us the use of their magnificent barn, as well as others....

There are far too many authors to list here – but the website: www.talfestival.org has all the details, and you can sign up for newsletters about the festival. The following, from our latest newsletter, is just a taster! l Did you hear Lucy Worlsey’s brilliant interview on Radio 4?

Don’t miss the chance to hear her speak about her new, critically acclaimed book “Courtiers”. Lucy is a fantastic presenter who manages to blend inspiration with history in a captivating,

Summer Reading Reviews Courtesy of

Art and culture: Books

The Book House, Thame: WOLF HALL / Hilary Mantel: Winner of this year’s Booker Prize, the opulent brutal world of the Tudors is brought to bloody, glittering life in this epic novel.

Historical fiction at its literary best, and has held us all enthralled...

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Vale Life : June/July 2010

engaging style. l Alison Weir’s new historical novel has been reviewed everywhere and she is appearing in the beautiful surrounding of Rycote Manor Barn on Saturday - tickets are limited - so don’t delay.

Eleanor of Aquitaine is one of history’s tragic queens. Wife of Henry II and mother of Richard and John, she has many links with the area. Alison returns to this story in an appropriate setting... l Barry Forshaw’s biography of Stieg Larsson (after Stieg’s untimely death) has opened up the world of this amazingly successful author to all his fans.

Award-winning local crime writers S.J. Bolton and Veronica Stallwood, whose books sell across the world, complete our crime panel. l Two well known artists and authors, Roma Tearne and Francesca Kay (Orange prize winner) speak about ‘Art and Fiction’ - they both had very successful first novels, so if you’re an aspiring writer, come along and be inspired!

THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE / Alan Bradley: England 1950.

At Buckshaw, the crumbling country seat of the de Luce family, eleven-year-old Flavia is plotting creative revenge on her older sisters.

Then a dead bird is left on a doorstep, which has an extraordinary effect on Flavia’s eccentric father....and a body is found in the garden.

A terrific read in which eccentric characters combine to light-hearted, delightful effect.

l Tea with the Romantics is proving that romance is alive and well. Tickets for this event are selling fast and with bestselling authors like Katie Fforde taking part, who can be surprised? Enjoy tea cake and a glass of fizz with five - yes five, romantic writers. l Local historians Marilyn Yurdan and John Fox open up the history on our doorsteps - come and hear John’s amazing account of the English civil war’s first woman spy and the events at Holton House near Wheatley and enjoy Marilyn’s huge knowledge of all things Thame. This is wonderful stuff. l Thame has a close link to W.B. Yeats which is celebrated in the form of Irish poetry and song delivered by Bernard O’Donoghue and Mick Henry. Their recent event in Abingdon was a complete sell-out: a great night awaits you! l Richard Fortey’s Radio 4 series about his book on the secret life of London’s Natural History Museum was a great success. His enthusiasm and presentation is incredibly infectious and we can’t wait to hear about our geological past in his book “The Hidden Landscape”. l Colin Dexter needs no introduction.

Inspector Morse may be dead but Colin has found new mysteries in cryptic crosswords - and he knows how to solve them!

TRACKS OF MY YEARS / Ken Bruce: Much-cherished local celebrity, Ken Bruce, has written a highly entertaining autobiography, with his characteristic dry wit steering us through his years on Radio 2 as well as the lesser-known parts of his life. From the famous musicians he has met, to his colleagues at the Beeb and

his family, this book is a witty and warm account of a life lived to the full both on and off the air!

ONE DAY / David Nicholls: 15th July 1988.

Emma and Dexter meet on the night of their graduation.

Tomorrow they must go their separate ways, but agree to meet on that same day, every year, thereafter....

Planet the seeds early and you may find your little acorn will not only grow his own greens, but want to eat them too!

Y

our garden can be a fantastic educational resource, and if you can interest your children in how things grow, you could be sending them on a lifetime of horticultural adventures Alan Titchmarsh was pictured ‘using’ his grandfather’s garden tools at the tender age of 18 months!

One of the best ways to get kids interested in the garden is to give them their very own patch to cultivate.

Give them a decent area with some good soil – if you find an out-of-theway area under a tree where there’s no light or water, their attempts won’t be successful!

Let them fill it as they want. They could paint a sign with their name on, decorate some pots to put around the edge, or even make a simple tepee for growing climbers. Choose some fast-growing plants for quick results – nasturtiums, candytuft and nigella.

Just the season for lettuce

And if you have a reluctant veg eater - get them growing their own.

We have already had success with our salad leaves – sown, grown, picked and eaten by my four-year-old, who usually turns his nose up at ‘greenery’ on his plate.

Recent research by the National Trust showed nearly two-thirds of eight-to-12-year-olds outside London would rather eat fruit and veg they have grown themselves than that bought from a supermarket.

C

Arron checks his compost mix You could also buy a few plants in flower and let your young horticulturalists plant up a container.

Let them be creative – how about using a toy dumper truck, an old pair of their wellies, or a sand bucket?

And remember there are all sorts of opportunities for wildlife spotting, from a bird table or feeder to getting down and inspecting bugs such as ants, spiders, worms and more.

They could also keep a garden diary, using photos, dried flowers, leaves and drawings of all the things they find or grow.

Finally, many garden centres now have some great events for children from veg growing to container planting, as well as competitions for the tallest sunflower or biggest pumpkin.

And a little healthy competition never did anyone any harm! l Naomi MacKay is a freelance writer and editor who has worked on Garden Answers, Garden News and Garden Trade News and writes about her Buckinghamshire garden at http://diggingthedirt. wordpress.com. She also helps businesses to create or improve their websites, run social media campaigns, and produce business publications. Naomi is offering a 10% discount to Vale Life readers who quote the code VLJUNE. Call 07802 426594, email naomimackay@gmail.com or log on to www.naomimackay.co.uk

hildren with special needs have been enjoying themselves at a regular musical get together in Thame.

Minnie Music Makers was set up almost two years ago and is a great opportunity for disabled youngsters to get together for a social event, with tea and cake, at which parents and carers can relax together.

The sessions are run by Pauline Burr a professional singer/songwriter with experience in a number of bands, as a solo musician and in the West End on Starlight Express. Pauline has two children of her own who inspired her to take an interest in writing children’s music and recording her own CDs. These were excepted by the Early Learning Centre and Mothercare and are sold in shops nationwide.

She also works for Rosie’s Rainbow Fund going into schools to make music with children and has started the Minnie Music Makers sessions at Thame Barns centre for under fives with special needs, which Rosie’s Rainbow Fund also funds.

The group is happy for more children to join the sessions, which are every two or three weeks on a Monday from 1.30pm. The next is on July 5th, but call Pauline first on 01844 218076 if you’d like to go along.

During the school holidays she runs special sessions so that school-aged children can join in and crafts are added to the mix.

Rosie’s Rainbow Fund was set up after the death of an 11 year old girl from Maidenhead who was a talented performer, loved music and theatre and had even written a full-length musical with her sister and a friend.

Sadly Rosie suffered from Vasculitis, a rare condition of the blood vessels, but although very ill, she wanted to raise money to help make lengthy hospital stays less traumatic for other children. She died on May 14th, 2003, but her parents and sister have carried forward her wish and set up the fund in her name.

Vale Life : June/July 2010

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Vale Life : June/July 2010: Property

Mike and Ali Harrison are moving to Australia. It’s an exciting time for the family, but the one thing they’ll be missing down under is their fabulous home in Loosley Row

Property: Treetops, Loosley Row

T

he phrase ‘deceptively spacious’ is often used by estate agents to describe a property which from the outside looks modestly proportioned, yet inside opens up like Dr Who’s Tardis!

The Harrison’s Buckinghamshire home, Treetops, which is currently on the market with Strutt & Parker, is a perfect example.

The house boasts some truly magnificent views over the surrounding countryside and the Chiltern Hills beyond. It’s set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has served the family well with spacious and flexible living accommodation over three floors and a self-contained annexe.

The Harrisons moved to Treetops over nine years ago. Unusually for a house of this size, it was their first step on the property ladder. Mike had been in the army previously and accommodation had come 32

Vale Life : June/July 2010

www.thegreenhousetring.net

with the job, so after 18 years of marriage they bought their first house!

It was a good choice for Mike, Ali and their three growing boys though. From the large reception hall doors lead off through the dining room and through to the fabulous sitting room and also to the master bedroom and family bathroom.

The sitting room has the ‘wow’ factor and boasts an open fireplace with an attractive stone ‘Minster’ style surround and large picture windows which take full advantage

of the spectacular views.

Double doors lead out to the sun terrace and a staircase, with fitted book shelving, descends to the annexe located on the lower ground floor.

The master bedroom also enjoys a large picture window with fabulous views.

There is a good sized dining room with doors leading to two of the bedrooms, one of which is currently used as a home office.

The stylish kitchen/breakfast room has recently been re-fitted in a contemporary

Treetops’ stunning lounge certainly has the ‘wow’ factor

Spectacular view from the sitting room

design with wall and base units, contrasting work tops and a ceramic tiled floor which complements the worktops.

The breakfast area has sliding patio doors opening out to the sun terrace.

From the dining room, a staircase rises to the first floor where a bedroom, with excellent eves storage cupboards, can be found as well as a separate WC. Accessed either from the sitting room or from its own front door is the roomy, self-contained annexe, which could be used as a living area for a teenager, dependant relative, or au pair, or utilised as a work space for those wishing to run a business from home.

A sizeable entrance lobby gives access to

Dining room

the kitchen and sitting room and there is a dining area with sliding patio doors which open to the lower sun terrace, a double bedroom which is fitted with full height wardrobes and a separate en suite bathroom fitted with a modern white suite.

The rear garden slopes gently away from the house and is laid to lawn, while established hedgerows provide a high degree of privacy and seclusion.

An attractive brick and stone fountain feature is set towards one end of the garden and there are two areas of terracing.

The upper level, bordered by low level walls with concealed lighting, is the principal area and perfect for outdoor entertaining with once again, truly fabulous views.

The master bedroom

“We’ve loved living here,” says Ali. “There’s so much space, even with three boys running around the place!

“We’ve had foxes, badgers and deer in the garden and yet it’s five minutes to Risborough station for commuting.

“We’re in the middle of the country but only a short walk from two good pubs and the shops in Risborough are great for the weekly shop.

“It’s so convenient and so lovely up here, we’re going to miss it a lot!” l For further details of Treetops, contact the sole selling agents, Strutt & Parker on 01844 342571 or email: princesrisborough@struttandparker.com

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Property: Treetops, Loosley Row

Vale Life: June/July 2010

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