Along the Thames April/May 2012 Marlow

FREE TM

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LOCAL LIFESTYLE

INANDAROUND MARLOW and BOURNE END

APRIL/MAY 2012

to the April/May issue. Thank goodness the days are getting longer and the weather warmer! Hopefully, it will stay this way through the Easter Holidays for those of you who are having a break.

We have a packed issue this time with details on how to hold a street party for the Jubilee (page 43) and information on the Olympic Torch - soon to be running through your neighbourhood. Lots of Spring Fashion starting on page 34 and please don’t forget we only feature our local Independent retailers so all the products featured are literally available on your doorstep.

We have some fabulous recipes for you to try, a smoked haddock omelette, from Tom Kerridge, Orange Caramel Creams from The Spicy Chef and if you are thinking of a BBQ then why not visit Longhurst’s in Marlow Bottom who have a great selection of kebabs and other bbq meats.

Stubbing’s Nursery have a fun filled Spring/Summer Programme, which can be seen on page 22. There is plenty to do this Spring and all the events are featured on pages 58 onwards. If you’re looking for a new book to read why not enter our book competition for the chance to win one of 3 books (page 24). We have our usual articles including Sally’s Smalltalk, Vanessa Woolley, the Mobile Office and what to look for in a performance coach. In this edition we feature part one of Mike Beckley’s fascinating 400km cycling trip across Kenya, raising funds for ‘Scope’. If you fancy a day out in London then take a look at the article from Emma Filtness who has investigated what’s on at two of the best known department stores.

Please remember to support all our advertisers as they are at the heart of our community, along with all our local retailers who support the community themselves Until next time, Happy Reading..........

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Contents 6. Recipe - Smoked Haddock Omelette - Tom Kerridge 8. White Wine 14. Don’t let Back Pain get you down 16. Natural tips: coping with Hayfever 18. Emmett & Stone Country Sports 20. Garden 24. Readers Corner 26. Interiors - Window Dressings 30. Extending - Schedule of works 32. Property Investment - Get rich EDITOR Serena Edwards SUB EDITOR Alex Iszatt ADVERTISING Serena Edwards Eddie Pearce PUBLISHED BY Along the Thames Magazine 1 Bell Street, Maidenhead Berks SL6 1BU t: 01628 771419 m: 07711 887107 e: office@AlongTheThames.co.uk w: www.AlongTheThames.co.uk Copyright © 2012 Along the Thames

quick? err.. not really!

33. Hair by Alexander 34. Fashion 39. Beauty - Spring make-up 40. Country Wise 42. Travel - Branching out with a holiday in the sky 43. A Diamond Year and Flaming start to the Olympic opening 44. Social Media: Facebook

46. Mobile Office 49. Horoscopes 48. Performance Coaching 52. Motoring 55. Rediscover the delights of a traditional spring with the National Trust 58. Community 62. Out and About 64. Useful Numbers 65. Services

CONTRIBUTORS Harriet Subramanian, Phil Walker Alexander Parsons, Mike Beckley Christine Chalkin, Kasia Cole, Jill Coleby, David Rhys Price Tony Silver, Sally Todd, Colin Baxter Emma Filtness, Vanessa Woolley, Niki Schäfer, Jacky & Mark Bloomfield, Adele Miller

ACCOUNTS Accounts@AlongTheThames.co.uk

FRONT COVER: Bluebell: courtesy http://www.mandjbloomfield.com Proud Sponsor of Along the Thames Creative Writing Prize at

Along the Thames Magazine ISSN 2047-3370 Along the Thames Magazine Marlow is the sister title to Along the Thames Maidenhead.

- prints and distributes 16,300 copies bimonthly and hand delivers copies into ABC homes inandaround Marlow, Bourne End, Maidenhead, Cookham and Bray, as well as in bedrooms and reception rooms of hotels, golf clubs, coffee shops, hairdressers, libraries and local information centres. It has an estimated readership of 65,200.

The views expressed in Along the Thames magazine are not necessarily the views of the editor/publisher.

While all reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy of our content, the publisher cannot accept liability for errors/omissions relating to the editorial/ advertising in this publication or for loss rising as a result. No part of the contents of this publication can be reproduced without the express permission of the authors and is protected by copyright.

A Right Royal Occasion

W

here better to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee than the riverside lawns of The Oakley Court Hotel in Windsor. Steeped in history and with the regal splendour of English landscaped gardens sweeping down to the River Thames, the stage is set for a right royal celebration!

A strolling jazz band, barbecue, drinks marquee, boat rides and garden games complete the scene for a quintessentially British family fun day out. Gourmet picnic hampers and rugs and afternoon teas on the riverside terrace are available to pre-order and self drive boats can be hired (all subject to availability) to make the day a truly memorable one.

Diamond Jubilee Celebration Monday 4th June 12.00 – 3.00pm The Oakley Court Hotel, Windsor Road, Windsor SL4 5UR. For more information please telephone 01753 609988 Stay overnight and take advantage of some of the extensive leisure facilities at the hotel; heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, gymnasium, par 3 - 9 hole golf course, tennis and croquet or just stroll through the 37 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. You may never want to leave…

Marlow Town Regatta and Festival Saturday 9th to Sunday 10th June 2012 Buy your enclosure, picnic pitch and car parking tickets from the Marlow Information Centre Opening Times: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm: Saturday - 9am - 1pm: Sunday - CLOSED

Tel: 01628 483597/481717 Tickets can also be purchased online: www.marlowtownregatta.org

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A Royal Celebration by the River Diamond Jubilee Celebration - Monday 4th June Join us for a very special celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on Monday 4th June from 12.00 until 3pm on our riverside lawns with strolling jazz band, barbecue, drinks marquee, boat rides and garden games.

The following can be pre-booked (subject to availability) to make the day a truly memorable one! ‹ .V\YTL[ 7PJUPJ /HTWLYZ ‹ (M[LYUVVU ;LH ‹ :LSM +YP]L )VH[ OPYL

Don’t Forget: Fathers Day - Sunday June 17th Enjoy a delicious 3 course restaurant lunch from just £29.95 per person. There’s 50% discount for under 12s while under 5s eat free.

For more information or to make a reservation please telephone 01753 609988

;OL 6HRSL` *V\Y[ >PUKZVY 9VHK >H[LY 6HRSL` >PUKZVY :3 <9 www.principal-hayley.com/theoakleycourt

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SMOKED HADDOCK OMELETTE 2 Michelin star - Chef Patron - Tom Kerridge - The Hand and Flowers INGREDIENTS

METHOD

Serves 6

1.

In a Pan bring the milk, cloves, bay leaves, parsley stalks and onion up to the boil.

2.

Remove from the heat and leave to infuse.

3.

Reduce down the white wine, white wine vinegar, black pepper, tarragon stalks to a glaze and leave to cool.

4.

Bring the milk back up to simmer and place the smoked haddock in. Take the pan off the heat and allow the fish to gently cook and cool down.

5.

Blend 10 eggs and pass through a chinoise.

6.

Take the haddock out of the milk and flake the fish.

7.

Pass the milk mix into a saucepan and heat. In a separate pan melt 1oz of butter then add the flour and cook the roux out.

6 Egg Yolks

8.

Slowly add the milk mix, whisking the whole time.

3 Shallots (chopped)

9.

When made and cooked out remove from heat.

4 Cloves of Black Pepper Tarragon Stalks

10. Make a hollandaise sauce with the shallot reduction, 2 egg yolks and 250 of melted butter. In Blinis pans cook the blended egg mix until just soft.

200ml White Wine Vinegar

11. Then add the flaked haddock, sprinkle with the grated parmesan.

100ml White Wine

12. Mix together 1 tablespoon of bĂŠchamel with 1 tablespoon of hollandaise and one egg yolk per person.

500g x Smoked Haddock 1 Pint of Milk 2 Cloves 2 Bay Leaves Parsley Stalks 1 Onion (chopped) 300g Butter 1oz Flour Salt Pepper

10 Eggs 200g Grated Parmesan 6

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13. Spoon this mix on top of the haddock and glaze under the grill.

14. Serve in the Blinis pans.

Crowne Club for Kids at Crowne Plaza Marlow With its Crowne Club for Kids, Crowne Plaza Marlow is rapidly Cr becoming renowned for being one be of the most child friendly hotels in

area. the area Every weekend, Kids’ Corner in Agua café & bar is set up to offer a child friendly environment with a range of toys and a soft play area.

The lawns offer the perfect setting for cricket, tennis, swingball and a variety of other games which the hotel provide. Or if the weather isn’t suitable for outdoor play, there is a Wii Room along with a Movie Club.

Kerri Cicirello, Marketing Co-ordinator at Crowne Plaza Marlow says “Long before I started working at Crowne Plaza, I used to come down to the hotel for lunch and a chat with my husband, whilst our children played in the soft play area. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to work here. The staff have always been

very friendly to children - and there are not many other places in the area where you can enjoy a nice lunch without worrying about the children being bored.”

Executive Chef, Stuart, has developed a Kids’ Menu tailored for children up to the age of 12, so you can relax in the knowledge that the children are well catered for, with everything from Bagel Snakes to Bow Tie Pasta – fun and healthy food options for the younger guests.

Keep an eye out for our LEGOLAND® Windsor Packages, Summer Garden Parties, Kids’ Discos and other fun filled events for your kids throughout the year.

For information on Crowne Club for Kids and child friendly activities call 01628 496 800 or email: enquiries@cpmarlow.co.uk www.cpmarlow.co.uk/kids-corner

What's on

Spring 2012 at Rat Pack Tribute Night: 7pm, Friday, 4th May The Rat Pack is back. The ultimate tribute to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Advance booking required. £40.00 per person, including buffet supper

Half Term Kids’ Disco: Friday, 8th June – 4-7pm The perfect way to end your half term. Bouncy castles, face painting, dinner box and disco for the Under 12s.

Advance purchase tickets only - £9.00. Under 2s FREE

Diamond Jubilee Afternoon Tea: 2-5pm, Sat 2nd - Tues 5th June Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a quintessentially English afternoon tea on the lawn for a steal at just £9.95 per person

Dads Go Free in Quad Club: 16th and 17th June Get some serious ‘you time’ in Quad. Gym/Swim/Chill for FREE! Full use of all Quad Club facilities.*

Please call 01628 496 800 for more information or visit

www.cpmarlow.co.uk Crowne Plaza Marlow | Fieldhouse Lane | Marlow SL7 1GJ *Pre booking required.

ALONG THE THAMES

7

Heading over one lines

Enjoy White Wine this Summer I

n my last article I talked about my preference for heart warming red wines throughout the winter months.

Whilst I have not yet reached for the suntan lotion and sunglasses this year, there are the welcome signs of spring’s arrival and long summer days ahead.

Inevitably, my mind has been turning towards white wines.

Hopefully I can introduce you to a number of new varieties to try, and some new wine regions that you may not have previously considered.

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the world’s best-known grape varieties and the New Zealand variety has been particularly popular in recent years. Why not try a Sauvignon Blanc from nearer home, such as Touraine Sauvignon from the Loire Valley in Northern France. Touraine Sauvignon provides bags of gooseberry and limes as well as great mouth-watering acidity, citrus fruits, and herbaceous notes. Acidity is commonplace in northern hemisphere wines and gives a mouth-watering sensation at the sides of the mouth. The

herbaceous notes, which are often compared with elderflower and nettles all combine to give a wine complexity and raciness.

Try Alain Marcadet Touraine Sauvignon - £8.99 per bottle.

Spain is now producing some fantastic white wines. Rias Baixas is located on Spain’s western coastline, to the north of Portugal, in an area of surprisingly high rainfall. These conditions make the area ideally suited to the Albarino grape.

The combination of peaches and apricots and the tropical notes of melon give a wine of some complexity, whilst the high rainfall and relatively low temperatures (for Spain) ensure high acidity and flavours that are slightly on the “green” side of ripe, giving an intriguing wine of real class and distinction.

Try Albarino Abadia San Campio 2010 - £13.75 per bottle Rueda is located approximately 170 km North of Madrid and is famous for wines from the Verdejo grape. Verdejo is a great alternative to Sauvignon in that it produces crisp white wine tasting of green apples,

with herbaceous and floral tones. Altitude has the effect of creating a large diurnal range of temperatures (the difference between daytime and night-time temperatures). This preserves both fruit and acidity within the grapes and many of the vineyards of Rueda are harvested at night time to ensure that no acidity is lost before the grapes are delivered to the winery.

Try Finca Remendio Rueda 2010 - £8.55 per bottle.

Finally, I could not end without at least mentioning Pinot Grigio. Although incredibly fashionable over the last five years, it has become a victim of its own success. Massive vineyards on the plains of the Veneto are producing extremely high yielding vines that in my view produce bland, flavourless wines - albeit cheaply. Treat yourself to a bottle from the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains; Pinot Grigio Meza Corona - £9.95 per bottle.

Whatever your personal preferences we hope you enjoy these wines!

Colin Baxter

For Internet wine sales, wedding wines, wine tastings, and free local deliveries Contact Colin Baxter - 07775 871897 or visit our website.

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3ULYDWH DQG %XVLQHVV )XQFWLRQV FDWHUHG IRU 3OHDVH FDOO O\QQ IRU PRUH GHWDLOV Cost Effective Advertising for all Sizes of Businesses & Budgets Delivered Free into homes in Marlow and Bourne End

T: 01628 771419 M: 07711 887107 E: office@AlongTheThames.co.uk

Take a friend to lunch for a tenner

from Tuesday to Saturday and enjoy our set lunch.

First person pays full price and the second ÂŁ10.00.

Mid Week Madness - ÂŁ25.00

enjoy a 3 course set menu from Tuesday to Thursday from a choice of 3 starters, main and dessert.

The menu will change weekly

Gourmand Menu - ÂŁ45.00pp

Looking for a taste of the Vanilla Pod? Come and join us on a Friday night and enjoy our 7 Course Gourmand menu.

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ALONG THE THAMES

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Orange Caramel Creams This is a fabulous crème caramel based on a Spanish recipe from the Valencia region. The novelty of this pudding is that it uses fresh orange juice in place of milk, and yet still remains deliciously creamy, with the full flavour of the orange taste.

1. Put six ramekin dishes or muffin moulds, into an oven tray and boil up a full kettle of water. In the meantime preheat oven to 160c.

2. For the caramel, put the sugar and water into a small pan, on low heat until sugar has dissolved. Then increase heat so that mixture boils rapidly, until the syrup becomes a thick caramel tinged with red.

3. Remove from the heat and pour a little of the mixture into the base of each of the ramekin/muffin dishes.

4. Finally grate the zest from two of the oranges, and squeeze the juice from all of them into a pan. Add the orange zest and caster sugar, and bring to boil over low heat, stirring frequently to dissolve the sugar.

5. Meanwhile, put the egg yolks and whole eggs into a bowl and whisk together.

6. When the orange juice comes to the boil, turndown the heat slightly, and simmers rapidly for 2 minutes. Pour the mixture onto the eggs, stirring and then strain through sieve into a jug.

7. Pour the mixture equally into each dish, and then add boiling water to the oven tray up to about two thirds of the height of the dishes.

Bake for approximately twenty minutes and then check that each mixture has set.

Remove from oven 8. Using a flat knife ease around the edges of each mould, and put small plate on top of each mould. Holding the plate firmly quickly turn over the mould so that the caramel cream comes out on the plate. Chill in fridge for around 4 hours before serving. If more caramel is required, boil up another portion of the sugar and water and pour over the puddings.

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4 Large oranges 300g Caster sugar 12 Egg yolks 2 Large eggs For the caramel 100g Caster sugar 50ml water Serves 4 - 6

David is a Maidenhead based cookery writer, and Internet Chef, who is passionate about all aspects of cooking, and through his’ spiced up’ recipes aims to bring the enjoyment and benefits of spicy food, to a wider readership.

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11

Are Online Pharmacies Safe?

A brief history

I

nternet pharmacies owe their origins to cross border trade in prescription medicines between Canada and the United States. Prescription medicines could be purchased in Canada in the 90’s much cheaper than the USA. Towards the end of the 90’s the first Canadian online pharmacies were born and the internet rapidly became the main route of their medicine sales to the American market. Over the last decade this business has been affected by various US legislations. It is fair to say that legislation produced by the Democrats tended to restrict the trade whilst legislation produced by the Republicans tended to increase the trade.

What has probably had the most impact on this genuine trade in prescription medicines was the extraordinary rise in worldwide demand for Viagra, creating a multi-billion dollar internet market. Unfortunately, as with any booming business it attracted its fair share of unscrupulous and unregulated traders looking to make a quick buck, often by selling counterfeit products which at best had no active ingredients and at worst had dangerous ingredients. This led to internet pharmacies getting a very bad reputation.

How do you know you are dealing with a safe Internet Pharmacy 1. Not all internet pharmacies provide NHS services. Having said that, if you are dealing with one that does, you can be assured that the pharmacy has gone through a very rigorous vetting process before the relevant Primary Care Trust will have issued them with a contract to provide NHS services.

2. Every pharmacy (Internet or High Street) must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. This is the body that regulates all pharmacists and pharmacy premises and ensures that they are fit for purpose. If an internet pharmacy is genuine they will display on their internet site a green cross with their GPhC Registration Number on it. If you click on this cross it will take you to the GPhC website where you can verify that the internet pharmacy you are using is properly registered.

Internet Pharmacies in the UK and Europe In the late 90’s the first internet pharmacies to appear in the UK and Europe were registered mainly in the USA and tended to be of the rogue variety representing quite a threat to public health. Fortunately, in the UK, the Department of Health were already looking at the advantages of using new technology and the internet to improve NHS services.

In June 2002 the government put us ahead of most other European countries by officially recognising online pharmacy services and the “National Programme for IT in the NHS” was launched. The National programme for IT uses central funding topped up by local investment to help deliver the capabilities of modern IT to the delivery of The NHS Plan.

The biggest advancement made over the past decade in online pharmacies is that the UK regulatory bodies and support organisations now have control and vetting systems in place that allow properly licensed companies/pharmacies to provide full pharmacy services via the internet. This one single action has played a major role in stamping out the rogue traders who deal in counterfeit products by replacing them with safe regulated internet pharmacies that the public can trust.

Online pharmacies will often have medication at competitive prices, including discounts on popular medication and sometimes discount for a reorder. People mostly choose online pharmacies to save their money, time and privacy.

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3. Some internet pharmacies offer “Online Consultation” for what are described as prescription lifestyle products; these vary but usually include online consultation with a doctor for erectile dysfunction, hair loss remedies or weight loss. If an online pharmacy or clinic is offering these services they must be regulated by the Care Quality Commission. As with the GPhC registration any genuine site will confirm they are registered with the CQC and will have a link to the CQC website so you can confirm their registration.

4. Genuine internet pharmacies will list the address of their registered premises, although you are not allowed to visit their premises to buy products they are obliged to list their address for your information. Any site that does not have their address listed should be considered risky.

If the internet pharmacy you are dealing with ticks all of the above then you are in safe hands. If it doesn’t then you need to reconsider who you are dealing with. If you suspect that you may have purchased a product from an unregistered site and are concerned you should contact a genuine pharmacy, internet or otherwise and ask them to check the batch number of the product you have with the manufacturer to ensure it is genuine.

Advantages of dealing with Internet Pharmacies The only difference between a licenced internet pharmacy and a high street pharmacy is that an internet pharmacy is not allowed to have their customers visit their premises.

All pharmacy services must be provided over the internet. So what advantage is that to the customer?

• One of the key advantages to ordering from an online pharmacy is being able to get products and prescriptions in private through a discreet and confidential service.

• Another advantage is the convenience. Imagine no longer having to leave your house to buy medication. You are now free to do other things while simply waiting for your orders to arrive. This is also perfect for people who are hampered by their illnesses and are unable to drive to the nearest pharmacy.

• Most internet pharmacies have a freepost address so if you need to correspond or send a prescription to them then it is free of charge.

• If you have regular repeat NHS prescriptions and you register with an internet pharmacy they will take over the management of that prescription by requesting the prescription from your doctor, reminding you when a new prescription is required, collecting and delivering it directly to your door on the due date.

DELIVERING HEALTHCARE TO YOUR DOOR LIFESTYLE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS DELIVERED DIRECT TO YOUR DOOR • Erectile Dysfunction/Impotence Remedies • Quit Smoking Remedies • Contraceptive Pill • Weight Loss Remedies • Hair Loss Remedies • Malaria Tablets

FREE DELIVERY FREE PRIVATE PRESCRIPTION LOWEST PRICES ALL MAJOR BRANDS IN STOCK U.K. DOCTOR FULLY LICENCED UK PHARMACY DISCREET AND CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE SPECIAL OFFER:

For readers of ‘ Along the Thames’ £5.00 discount of your first order Insert discount code ATT272 when placing your order at WWW.NWPUK.COM

NHS REPEAT PRESCRIPTION SERVICE. We collect from your doctor and deliver directly to your door free of charge.

Send your repeat prescription to FREEPOST NATIONWIDE PHARMACIES LTD

For more information about our NHS repeat prescription service telephone us on 01494 463565 (Lines open 9am to 5pm) Nationwide Pharmacies Limited was established in 2010 and is based in High Wycombe. We are dedicated to providing community pharmacy services via the internet that are second to none.

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80% of adults in Britain suffer from back pain

Don’t let back pain get you down Barry Harker, GOsC Registered Osteopath, explains why it’s important to keep your spirits up.

People often equate back pain with a ‘slipped disc’. In fact it is far more commonly due to damage to the many muscles and ligaments which support the spine and control its movements, often associated with injuries to the numerous tiny ‘facet joints’ between the vertebrae.

These are particularly prone to sprains, arthritic damage and to other diseases.

So, if the majority of back pain is not disc-related, how does it cause so much physical and emotional distress? For the answer we need to look at how the brain reacts to spinal injuries.

Damage to any of the spinal structures triggers off extreme protective measures involving strong muscle spasms to ‘splint’ the area and attempt to limit 14

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further damage. However such a state of sustained contraction itself gives rise to cramp-like pains in addition to the original pain, prompting the brain to react by generating stronger spasms. When local muscles

months of suffering. Although the pain is real not everyone can be sympathetic, which may lead to depression and anxiety.

A positive mental attitude is essential for recovery. Obvious triggers should naturally be avoided if possible, but it is important to keep active.

Prolonged bed-rest is detrimental. Resume normal activities when able, using simple pain-killers initially (unless advised otherwise.

Heat pads may relieve the spasms but can make things worse afterwards.

Purpose-made cold packs are far more effective and cause fewer problems.

Seek expert help quickly. You will be surprised how gentle modern osteopathic techniques can be and you will also be shown simple steps to help your body avoid further back problems. Osteopathic services available at La Perla Clinic.

You will be surprised how gentle modern osteopathic techniques can be reach their maximum contraction adjacent muscle groups are recruited and the entire region becomes unbearably tense and agonizingly painful – a vicious circle has been established.

This effectively disables the body’s natural, in-built selfhealing mechanisms leading to

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15

Natural Tips for coping with Hayfever

Hay fever can be miserable - all that sneezing, forever blowing your sore nose, with red, itchy, watery eyes to boot – the good news is – you CAN reduce your symptoms in NATURAL ways.

• Make your home a haven where you can relax without reacting to pollen. Search for nasal sprays or air purifiers that are chemical and drug free. The purifiers will remove airborne pollen and the nasal spray will reduce the contact between the pollen and the nasal lining.

• Keep windows closed, especially in ‘high’ pollen days.

• Remove outdoor clothing when you get in and leave it outside your bedroom, so the pollen doesn’t follow you in.

• Keep pets from entering your bedroom, too – they carry pollen on their coats.

• Shower before you go to bed and wash your hair too – all that helps remove pollen grains you may be carrying around with you.

• Caution: Anti-histamines prescribed for hayfever may reduce symptoms BUT the ‘downside’ is that these can actually slow down your reactions and even make you sleepy or drowsy. So if you do take anti-histamines it is very important to think about what you have to do and take the doses correctly at the correct times.

• In the car, run the air conditioning and keep the air circulation on ‘internal’.

This helps remove pollen grains from the air that would enter your car.

• Lastly – try seeing a Registered Homeopath who will take YOUR individual case and recommend a Homeopathic Medicine tailored specifically to YOU. Adele Miller - registered Homeopath For a list of homeopaths.visit www.homeopathy-soh.org.co.uk The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or constitute medical advice. If you are in any doubts or you have been diagnosed with a medical condition, always seek the advice of your medical practitioner.

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Stress Management for Fertility Issues

The Fertile Body Method combines hypnosis and mind-body approaches to help identify and address the mental, emotional and physical factors which affect fertility, and also help reduce the negative effects of infertility.

At Marlow Complementary Health Care we combine this approach with sound nutrition advice to offer a unique service to couples and individuals seeking fertility support.

Approximately one in six couples in the United Kingdom are having problems conceiving and many of them are actively seeking help. There are many possible factors that affect fertility which is why an integrated approach combining physical, mental and emotional interventions may be more likely to produce positive results and help make fertility problems much easier to deal with.

The role of the mind and the emotions in fertility is a vital one that is often overlooked.

Infertility is one of the most stressful issues a woman can face – so how can the Fertile Body Method help?

• Resolve issues which may be preventing conception (unconscious or conscious resistance) • Prepare for conception • Prepare for IVF treatment • Provide support for the journey Contact Jan Daborn or Beatrice Cutler at Marlow Complementary Healthcare, 01628 473687

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Advertising Feature

Emmett and Stone Country Sports

We recently caught up with Ryan Emmett and Tony Stone on the opening of their new retail shop in Little Marlow, which caters for the needs of game and clay shoots and walkers mainly.

It is great to see new and unique retail shops opening in these tough times. Tony and Ryan, who have both been shooting for most of their lives, wanted to offer Customers an inviting, informative and comfortable environment in which to browse through the products on offer as well as present a down to earth service where no question is a “silly one”.

Ryan was previously a retained Fireman, in Marlow, and has always lived and worked in the area on his parents Farm in Little Marlow. Tony, on the other hand was originally from South Africa, but has lived locally for the last 13 years and worked in retail in Bourne End for the last 8 years.

They met through their enjoyment of shooting. While Ryan has an understanding of shotguns, Tony’s passion is rifles, so between them they have a wealth of experience to share with their Customers.

Why did you decide to set up ES Country Sports?

We always wanted to run a business together and have both enjoyed shooting from a young age.

When we were presented with the option of opening a Country Sports Store locally we both decided to turn 18

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a hobby that we are both passionate about into a business. It’s not like a normal day job as we both really care about what we are doing.

Who is your ideal Customer?

The novice to the experienced shooter, walkers, dog trainers and anyone who needs clothing or sporting equipment for the great outdoors.

What range of products do you carry?

The Shop stocks a wide range of clothing from caps to boots, waterproofs and in-field safety gear to rifles, shotguns, air rifles, scopes, ammunition and a wide range of accessories.

With regards to our sporting equipment we cater for all levels and all budgets, from what rifle/air rifle or shotgun would be best to a bespoke solution. Walkers are catered for with Wellies, leather boots, range finders, Nordic walking poles and Loake shoes for the more formal occasion.

We also have gift and lifestyle ranges, such as bespoke walking sticks, sporting the head of your dog, beautifully crafted to your specific requirements.

Do you offer any other services?

Yes, we offer a service, cleaning, restocking, storage or repair of your gun, for example anywhere from repairing a ding on the barrel to a complete refurb and advice on local shooting lessons. We also have a wide range of dog training equipment and can advise on places locally to get your dog trained for the shoot.

We offer alterations and personalisation on our clothing and leather wear, such as cartridge slips

and gun cases. We also carry a range of products for cleaning your boots.

Have you plans to expand?

Yes, we have plans to grow our product range and offering to include tuition in clay pigeon shooting, but for the moment we are happy to establish ourselves and build up a local clientele offering the advice that we felt was lacking in the local market.

We welcome everyone to come and meet us in the shop and have a browse and a chat, but if you can’t we will be exhibiting at the Berkshire College of Agriculture on 21 and 22nd April during their Lambing weekend.

Based at Wilton Farm, Little Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 3RR the shop has easy access from the M4 and M40 with plenty of parking

sales@escountrysports. co.uk or call 01628 474187. Visit us at www. escountrysports.co.uk/ for full details of all our products and services.

MENS & LADIES COUNTRY CLOTHING MENS & LADIES WALKING BOOTS MENS & LADIES FOOTWEAR WALKING POLES & STICKS FINE LEATHER GOODS RIFLES & AIR RIFLES AMMUNITION SHOTGUNS KNIVES GIFTS

WILTON farm . marlow road . little marlow . buckinghamshire sl73rr

01628 474 187 www.escountrysports.co.uk ALONG THE THAMES

19

Heading over two lines

Family Fun for Jubilee Year!

This summer will be a special one with parties and celebrations for the Jubilee and many of us need to think about ways we can share the garden with the children over those long summer holidays.

You may want to banish football games to the park to avoid the destruction of your plants, but there are clever ways to incorporate some of the ‘garden fun’ such as a trampoline or play house. Here are a couple of ideas to help provide safe but attractive play space without compromising on style.

You do not have to give up your garden; you can still have a beautiful space with room for family fun.

DIG DOWN OR BUILD UP Ever thought of burying the trampoline? It does require digging a big hole, but the results make the trampoline safer to use, and if you create a circular mound with the spoil, it’s almost completely hidden from the adult space (also saves on expensive skip hire to remove the soil!). The kids can loll around on the bank whilst taking turns to bounce, and in a sunny spot you could plant Grasses and Verbena Bonariensis to make a soft screen from the rest of the garden PLAY HOUSES & HIDES Every child loves a space to hide in the garden. There are many more naturalistic options these days. Willow hides & tunnels create a play space that give hours of fun and quickly become a living feature in the garden.

Enjoy being outside together as a family this summer, have picnics, BBQs, & tea parties ... and don’t forget to invite the Teddy Bears!

by Marlow gardeners Jill Coleby and Vanessa Faulkner

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Fight back against Honey Fungus

A mini forest of honeycoloured toadstools at the base of any woody plant usually signifies the presence of a root rot fungi called Armillaria mellea. This fungi with the ring on its stalk causes white rot in woody plants, and is also a long-lived and soil-borne parasitic fungi that wreaks havoc on many precious garden plants.

Initial symptoms of the disease

are: failure of leaves to appear in spring, yellowing and wilting of foilage, reduced number of leaves, die back in the crown and prolific flowering or fruiting.

Poor growth, stress and reduced vigor of garden plants appear to be the trigger in the success of this pathogen. A tree stressed by lack of water, poor soil nutrition, compaction or physical injury is more likely to contract honey fungus than one that is well fed and regularly watered. In essence, good plant husbandry reduces the incidence of both pests and diseases.

The use of supersonic compressed air to cultivate the soil in which the tree grows and to disrupt the fungal bootlaces is a key component in the methods used to repel the advancing army of bootlace strands, which can heavily infect the soil, spreading the disease and feeding on trees and shrubs.

Root Invigoration applies compressed air to the soil and cultivates compacted and unmanageable heavy soils without damaging plant roots. Fertiliser amendments can then be added to the backfill to create a fertile, oxygen laden and porous medium in the top layer of soil in which the fungus tunnels.

The effects of this treatment on any woody plant are significant in terms of plant health and growth, but especially on the menace of honey fungus.

Bartlett Tree Experts A Complete and Comprehensive Tree Care Service since 1907 Tree & Shrub Pruning . Planting Tree removal . Tree Stock Surveys Woodland Management Health & Safety Reports Disease & Insect Control

Please call 01494 677 889 beaconsfield@bartlettuk.com www.bartlett.com ALONG THE THAMES

21

Stubbings Spring/Summer Programme The Grade II listed Stubbings House was built in 1750 and added to during the Victorian era and has had many interesting occupants over the years including housing the Dutch royal family during the Second World War. Another famous owner of the house was Sir Thomas Merton, Professor of spectroscopy at Oxford, who converted the stable block into the largest private laboratory in the UK and was knighted in 1944 for his contribution to radar development and range finders in fighter aircraft.

The gardens of the House are dominated by lawn and surrounding trees with two giant Cedars estimated to be over 200 years old and thought to be amongst the largest of their type in the country. There is also a wall of Wisteria which should be in full bloom during early May, just in time for the National Garden Scheme visit, see below.

As well as having one of the best Nurseries in the area renowned for stocking and supplying mature shrubs and trees across the Thames Valley the estate and grounds are used extensively for events throughout the year.

This year is no exception the 2012 programme includes 3 fairs along with the following activities: 5 - 7 May - National Garden Scheme – Gardens open to the public 11- 13 May - Thames Valley Antique Dealers Association Fair 18th & 19th May - Summer Screens films on the lawn 25/26 June - Salvo Fair (Architectural Heritage/Salvage etc) 19 July - Jazz Concert 20 July - La Boheme, Puccini (Opera box office – 01628 820140) 21 July - La Traviata, Verdi (Opera box office – 01628 820140) 29/30 September - Berkshire Food and Craft Fair We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to our events as well as assisting you with any questions you may have as to our extensive collection within the Nursery.

11th to 13th May 2012 The Thames Valley Antique Dealers’ Association Fair The beautiful grounds of Stubbings Estate will act as a magnificent backdrop for this unique event held within a large marquee attracting over 45 of some of the country’s most recognised specialist dealers of fine antiques and object d’art.

Discover an impressive abundance of distinctive pieces for sale including traditional and decorative furniture, jewellery, silver, the finest period and contemporary art, clocks, barometers, ceramics and glass; complimented by displays from furniture and ceramic restorers, gilders and upholsterers.

11th & 12th May 10am – 5.30pm & 13 May 10am – 5.00pm Admission £5 per person with Free car parking Ticket holders will be able to access the private grounds of Stubbings House and Estate for a separate charge of £3.00.

18th & 19th May: Cinema on the Lawn We are delighted to announce that one of the country’s premier open air film companies Summer Screens is coming to Stubbings this year to bring you a whole new cinema experience.

The events will be held on the main lawn in front of the house where you will have the choice of reclining in a deckchair, cuddling up on a giant beanbag, or lounging on your own rug. Alll whilst enjoying amazing wine, cocktails, draught ales and much, much more .

Films to be announced shortly.

For more information or to book for any of the upcoming attractions please contact Stubbings Nursery on 01628 825454 or visit www.stubbingsnursery.co.uk 22

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23

Be one of the first to read these latest titles A Lesser God...Stephen Solomons Tea planting in the last days of the British Empire in a beautifully evoked novel Te T

IIn this fascinating evocation of the dying days of the British Empire, we follow in the footsteps of James Digby-Sloan, from his time at Oxford ffo to his pioneering ventures far away in the mist-shrouded mountains of Ceylon.

There he develops his tea plantations and creates a stunning Ce home and garden by a lake and waterfall, which he names ‘Diyalami’, ho meaning ‘water and mists’, which he believes is the closest thing to m paradise a man can create.On a visit to England James woos and pa wins the affections of a beautiful and gifted concert pianist, Clara. She w is the love of his life and they have two children. In time the whole family are ensnared by the place and lifestyle they have created. fa For your chance to win one of 3 copies of “A Lesser God ” by Stephen Solomons, please send your name and address to competition@AlongtheThames.co.uk by 11th May, 2011..

The Black Pencil Woman..A Portrait of My Mother.

Ros Holland For anyone who has ever lost anyone…

The Black Pencil Woman is Ros Holland’s highly personal memoir of her life and family, centred around her parents and sparked by her mother’s death. Her mother was the black pencil woman of the book’s title, slim and chic in her customary stiletto heels. Her father, whom Ros adored, died when Ros was only ten, and her mother’s overwhelming grief coloured Ros’s early life in unexpected ways, which she examines with calm, almost brutal, honesty. Through an experimental narrative that roams freely, from the First World War and the hardships of a Northumberland mining community in the 1930s, to the post-war rehabilitation wards of a 1950s hospital and the stark reality of a murder in the 1960s, Holland explores the rawness of childhood bereavement, and all the joys and sorrows of family life.

A Gilded Vagabond...Keith Hindell Inspiring memoir of BBC United Nations correspondent

On a grey day in 1947 everything changes for Keith Hindell. Through a new scholarship scheme, the young working-class boy finds himself in the hallowed halls of Harrow public school and his horizons expanded beyond the limits of his boyhood imagination. Oxford follows then National Service. Over the next 25 years he carves out a career as a producer, editor and broadcaster for the BBC and beyond, working on flagship BBC radio programmes (including Today, Ten O’clock and The World Tonight) and then becoming the network’s UN correspondent in New York. Here Keith covers some of the seminal moments of the era, from South African apartheid to the Falklands War. This is a gripping and timely read.

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To order, please call 01202 665432 (weekdays only) or visit www.bookguild.co.uk to view our other titles

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25

Dressing Windows Not all windows need to be dressed. Some have such a distinct shape or design, stained glass for example, to want to cover. But these windows are few and far between. For the most part, windows can look very bare without curtains, blinds or shutters and when the nights are dark, bare windows can leave a gaping black hole in the wall.

Needs There are plenty of solutions for windows so it’s important to understand what you need specifically. Do you want to block out the light completely? To keep the warmth in? Or do you want to diffuse or play with the light? Or to combine these roles depending on the time of year?

Diffusing Light Voiles, sheers or nets are a good solution for diffusing harsh light or creating areas of dappled light. Shutters and wooden blinds can also create gorgeous effects with light - as the sun shifts round the room.

Blackout Rooms where you sleep 26

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will require complete blackout and appropriate linings whereas other rooms might not need as many layers. Consider how well your fabrics drape and the effect the thickness of the linings will have on your choice, as blackout lining in particular is thick and frequently stiff.

Fabric Weight Double poles now mean it’s much easier to have both voiles and curtains at the window and this is a great solution for flexibility throughout the day and the year. It’s worth paying attention to the combined weight of the fabrics though as the poles will require considerable support for heavier fabrics (ones that might also be suitable for upholstery for example).

Acoustics An abundance of fabrics at the windows will, however, help with the acoustics of a room. If the room has wooden floors and lots of glass or mirrors then the ability to deaden bouncing sound can be required, certainly if there are noisy children (or adults) around.

Styles Windows can be dressed with swags and tails and look like historical masterpieces or can be a simple muslin on a string. Blinds can be Roman – the general trend at the moment – or roller (be warned of fraying edges) but also far more flamboyant in the Austrian festooned style or practical and office-like with Venetian blinds.

Fabrics Curtains add a fabulous splash of colour and texture, so your choice of fabric is key for the look and feel of the room. Wool drapes beautifully and has an inherent warmth and strength to it, silk has amazing reflective qualities but can appear quite stiff. A good cotton-linen mix is an excellent option but in fact most curtain fabrics are now composed with a mix of materials to give an all-round durable yet beautiful finish.

Coordination Choose accessories – cushions and rugs – that will coordinate with the curtain fabric.

This is a fundamental part of the room’s scheme and how these materials work together will say a lot about the room. Combine textures if you are working with neutrals or have fun with patterns if you are brave. You only need to keep a colour in common and they will tie together well.

Niki Schäfer dwell-being designs

Telephone: 01628 898123 Email: tony@blind-inspiration.co.uk

All types of Blinds, Plantation shutters & Awnings - all supplied & fitted Manual or Electric controls available Family run business with over 20 years experience To visit our showroom, call for an appointment To see videos on some of our products go to

www.blind-inspiration.co.uk ALONG THE THAMES

27

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0845 226 1293 ALONG THE THAMES

29

Extending: Schedule of works In this series on developing your home we talked about the benefits of appointing an Architectural consultant who can assist in gaining the very best enjoyment from your home for your family, the look and feel, and what it says about you and your lifestyle.

In this issue we introduce and develop the latter stages where detailed tender information is given to the chosen contractors to cost, submit binding costs for the various elements of the build and, upon making an informed choice, award the build to the preferred contractor to carry out the construction.

Taking each element in turn, it is key for a builder to have a ‘Schedule of Work’ to accompany the drawings, in order to avoid ambiguity when calculating the cost of the works. A Schedule of Works can easily be generated by your Consultant with their knowledge and experience, and whilst adding a small cost to the professional fees it does avoid later confusion. It provides basic preliminary information with guides on your preferred dates for the work, anticipated expectations such as working hours, conduct, facilities you will make available and potential ‘Liquidated damages’ (daily contra charges if the work is not completed with in the agreed time frame – this encourages and focuses your contractor on his completion programme).

After the appointed deadline, you will compare and review the various submitted tender prices with your Consultant, who will coordinate

30

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meetings with the chosen contractor to refine any queries you may have. This information forms the basis of your contract which, typically, will be a Minor Works Contract. Agreeing with the contractor at this stage makes the ensuing build so much less fraught. With the correct documentation in place all parties fully understand, how much and when payments will be made to the contractor. However, there may be large capital items which reasonably the contractor may not have sufficient resources to pay for ahead of delivery; specialist windows for example. You may agree to pay for these directly within the terms of the contract.

Furthermore, allow a contingency fund for items that are unforeseen, such as additional foundations which may be required and requested by the Building Control Officer representing your Local Authority, who will visit and oversee the statutory building standards laid out by Government.

It is important to agree who is responsible for instructing the contractor. Preferably the Consultant or ‘Project Manager’ to ensure the process of the build is stuck to. Avoid making changes over an early morning exchange with the contractor, or worse, for example, the subcontractors who then submit additional fees on hearsay arrangements.

Upon completion you should have a build, fully checked and specified to

your vision and budget. Ensure you receive all signed off certificates for the various aspects such as ‘Gas Safe’ and Building Control Completion.

Agree a date six or twelve months after for a visit to rectify any defects which may transpire.

Whilst for some smaller works it is often said that someone “knows a builder and they can do it without all the hassle of the paper work”, and in some cases it may work this way. However, there are many schemes which end up in dispute, wrangling over details, and a client at their wits end, with a contractor convinced they are owed more money for work which they deem not to have been included at the outset.

With assistance from a professional, at a comparatively small cost to the overall build, the project can be controlled and run smoothly, making the whole experience both positive and empowering, allowing you to peacefully enjoy all the benefits of your remodelled home.

What to look for when choosing your letting agent Regulated The letting industry is not officially regulated but agents can choose to be regulated, by being members of The Property Ombudsman Scheme; belonging to either the National Approved Letting Scheme (NALS) or ARLA. This gives you the security and confidence that the client money is held securely and the agent is operating within recognised guidelines.

The agent should know the area, be able to confidently advise on expected rent and appreciate the type of tenants that will be attracted to your property.

Experienced

Modern Approach

An independent agent will always provide the edge that only someone running their own business offers. If the agent has their own properties and really understands being a landlord - even better.

Today’s world is driven by the internet, look for an agent who uses that medium to full potential, belonging to several property portals and being on Twitter and Facebook.

Local Knowledge

SHINING AND SMOOTHING WITH OLIVE OIL While you are likely to be aware of the health benefits of consuming olive oil, you may not realise the many other uses of this natural product. Not only is it a good lubricant, as its molecules have the ability to slide easily over one another, but its film can fill rough spots in many surfaces, making them look polished and shiny.

For instance, it has many cosmetic uses.

Olive oil can give a closer shave than shaving cream and can also be used to remove eye make-up, by simply dabbing some under the eyes and rinsing off with a face cloth. What’s more, you can massage it into your nail beds to moisturise your cuticles and if you have dry skin, rub in a thin layer after a shower.

Around the house, adding a little to your duster will leave surfaces looking polished and stainless steel will look great when you use olive oil as a shining agent. You can silence squeaky doors by wiping the top of the door hinges so that the oil runs down the sides. Similarly, pour a little onto a cotton bud to get sticky zips moving again.

Even the cat can benefit, because adding a quarter of a teaspoon to your pet’s food will help to prevent hairballs.

So, not only is this ancient oil good for you, it’s also good for your home and your pets.

Key Letts is owned and run by Denis and Libby Miguel, landlords themselves for many years they now offer local landlords a high level of service. Why not learn more by tuning in to Key Letts TV via the website at www.keyletts.com where you can learn more

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31

Property Investment Get rich quick? .....Err not really!

T

here are a lot of stories, rumours, and myths surrounding the world of property investment. I would ask you to think about some of them, consider our view of the realities of this, and examine your potential to achieve financial independence.

Property Investment is for wealthy people... right?

We would argue that this is not so. Investment can be defined as “buying a durable commodity” rather than hiring, renting or subscribing. Back in 1980 I doubt many council house tenants would have considered themselves amongst the wealthy in society. But suddenly they became “Property Investors” almost overnight. The “Right to Buy” legislation was brought in by Margaret Thatcher under the “Housing Act 1980”.

In 1982 200,000 council houses were sold to their tenants by local authorities, subject to qualifying conditions. By 1987 more than one million council houses had been sold. But more importantly these council tenants became

“investors in property”. Buying a second or third property should be considered a natural extension of this process.

If you already own a property, or have some equity in a property, you have a start point for further investment. Our mantra is “make your money work for you, rather than you work for your money”.

By refinancing/equity release, most home owners are able to start a portfolio, if they want to.

Investment can be defined as “buying a durable commodity” rather than hiring, renting or subscribing.

Can I get rich quickly?

No, not easily... that’s the short answer. You might get lucky with a “below market value (BMV)” purchase but they will most likely be in high rental yield region, with no growth potential. For growth you need an investment structure and purchasing strategy that will deliver a consistent supply of viable properties

to build a viable portfolio.

What if the market downturns?

It will from time to time, get over it and don’t try to beat the system. I know that sounds blunt and a bit harsh, but it’s the truth.

I am not going to try to gloss over the fact that the value of UK residential property is subject to periodic fluctuation. However if you have bought in the right place at the right price, the property you invest in will be worth more in ten to fifteen years time, and that is the most important thing about this process.

During that time your tenant will have been funding your ownership of that property by paying you rent. you pay the mortgage, the surplus is some money (which you bank to cover maintenance etc) and the value goes up, over time. When the growth is realised by a sale or a refinance that is when you get the rewards.

How can I be sure?

Property investment is not for everyone, we know this. We also know how to help you with some advice and guidance. If you would like to know more, give me a call Mike Beckley

For details of the next free Midas Property Schools in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire please contact Mike on 07961 825814 or mike.beckley@midasestates.com 32

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Alexander’s Hair Surgery All worked up into a lather?

“Which shampoo is best for my hair?” Now, that’s a loaded question!

For this issue I thought it would be a good idea to explain a little about shampoos. The differences between them and how to choose the right one for you.

The primary function of a shampoo is to cleanse the hair and prepare it for what ever is coming next.

For example, a conditioner or perhaps a treatment.

The shampoo its self does not have enough power to alter the hair to any great degree. It’s more like an undercoat really. With so many products on offer at vastly varying prices, how do you know which one to buy and from where? Over the years, I have devised a simple model to explain these differences in easy terms.

Think of hair care products as if they were arranged as a pyramid. Underneath the pyramid are supermarket/chemist brands. There is something for everyone, but they are all much of a muchness and don’t really do anything except smell nice.

Professional products (only the ones you buy from a salon) sit inside the pyramid. Nearest to the base, are brands such as Paul Mitchell, TIGI, Fudge and Wella Lifetex. Again, something for everyone but these brands are vastly superior to anything you can buy in the supermarket. As you progress upwards in the pyramid, the products become more and more specialised and you begin to need guidance to select the right one for you by your stylist. In the middle are brands like, Wella’s System Professional, L’Oreal’s Kerastase, Schwarzkopf’s Seah, KMS and Redken. Suddenly shampoos are given names such as, “bath” or “cleanser”. Nearest to the top are the more prescriptive ranges such as Merlin, Philip Kingsley and Joico. Products at the top of the pyramid are highly specialised and must be used as directed by a professional specialist. They are more like prescription medicines in that respect. These

products are chosen for you and NOT by you.

It is also important NOT to “mix and match” professional ranges. The formulas are designed to work together and if you use a shampoo from one brand with a conditioner from another, you could be doing more harm than good. Besides, how would you ever know which product was actually working for you? Also, it is important to “do as you are told” by your stylist and not “make it up as you go along” to get the best results.

So, if a shampoo claims to, “greatly improve the condition of your hair after one or two applications”, the result must be more cosmetic than restorative.

This can sometimes cause problems when you want to colour/perm the hair as the ingredients used in such shampoos sometimes form a barrier.

At the end of the day, a good shampoo is one which works for you and helps you to maintain the manageability, style and colour of your hair and scalp.

You only need to change products if you are having difficulties with the behaviour of you hair. In that case, you will need to trade up to a more prescriptive brand.

You need to decide what is important to you when it comes to your hair needs. Are you interested in fashion trends, or do you want to maintain and improve what you have on your head right now? A good stylist would never recommend something you don’t need. After all, we are all on some sort of budget these days.

Before you ask, no, you hair doesn’t “get used” to a shampoo, so there is no need to change for change sake unless your hair doesn’t need that particular shampoo any more. (Prescription brands only) It’s more likely to be YOU not using it properly! Oooo harsh! Or maybe a build up of an inferior brand! Oooo, harsh again!

Either way, there really is no need to work yourself up into a lather over shampoos. The only real difficulty is misdiagnosing a problem, but your stylist can help you with that!

So lather away and don’t forget to rinse it out thoroughly!

Alexander Parsons has been in the hairdressing industry for 30 years and has worked for a variety of major local salons, and has taken care of clients from all over the world with many different professions and lifestyles. “I think that I have just about seen or heard it all! However, from time to time, there are a few surprises!” Alexander is currently working at Stoke Park Salon in Stoke Poges (www..stokepark. com) and his unique take on all matters hairdressing makes him very popular with his clientele.

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Karen Cole Scarlett Monroe, Marlow

Chianti No 25 of Bourne End

Bele Vintage Swish, Marlow

Swish, Marlow

Flower Power From the quintessential English tea party to digital prints and placement motifs flower prints are heavily featured across all sectors of fashion this s/s12.

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Allison from Cyprus No 25 of Bourne End

Sporty The most talk about trend of this season clearly influenced by the Olympics. Not to be mistaken with sportswear!

Swimmer's buff shoulders, drawstring-waist pants and sporty hoods could be found in many designers' collection but the sporty look has got a sophisticated and elegant feel about it.

Frank Lyman Swish, Marlow

Notre Dame Catwalk, Maidenhead

Pepita Swish, Marlow

Shine Although traditionally reserved for occasion and evening wear "sheer and shine" is very much a day wear trend for s/s12.

Applied to blouses, dresses or simply as a detail the look is followed through to accessories and makes a stunning fashion statement.

Playful Prints Prints are covering everything from tops and trousers thorough to dresses and evening wear. Geometrics, flowers, fruit and veg - all found a place on s/s 12 catwalks and undoubtedly will make a great impact on our summer wardrobe.

Notre Dame Catwalk, Maidenhead

Swish, Marlow

Swish, Marlow

James Lakeland Scarlett Monroe, Marlow

Tribal Ethnic-inspired prints and colours were the highlight of many catwalks with bright, geometric prints and animal motifs leading the trend. The tribal theme was also present in accessories. Fringed handbags, embellished belts and shell decorated necklaces are likely to be seen on the high street this season.

Amelia Swish, Marlow

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Pastels Pretty pastels are key pallet this season. Feminine and sweet - pastels are given a makeover by being layered and mix together. The soft shade of peach, mint and lilac are wonderfully refreshing and make a great alternative to trendy brights.

Michaela Louisa No 25 of Bourne End Erfo Peakes, Maidenhead Erfo Peakes, Maidenhead Erfo Peakes, Maidenhead

Diva Catwalk, Maidenhead

Diva Catwalk, Maidenhead Ingenue Swish, Marlow

Diva Catwalk, Maidenhead

1950s

Semper Swish, Marlow

The 50s references are always present in fashion one way or the other but this summer there is a definite focus on a longer-length pencil skirt and a feminine dress with fitted bodice. Delicate flower print is a main daytime theme while lace fabrics work beautifully for the evening.

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C Co-ordinates to be dressed up or down d F Fun T-Shirts and Tops G Great selection of Maxi d dresses L & lots of Lots A Accessories!

25 - 27 The Parade, Bourne End, 01628 528877 www.No25ofBourneEnd.co.uk

Swish Boutique

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5 Liston Court, Marlow

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tel: 01628 476467

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Nautical

1920s

Spots, stripes, white and navy are nautically inspired trend of s/s12 with crop cotton trousers in bright colours and traditional Breton stripes.

The Twenties (Gatsby glam) is back on the fashion scene with trouser suits and drop-waist dresses heavily embellished and featuring fringing and art deco geometrics.

The blazer is also featured in many collections although its masculinity is softened by relaxed shapes and lighter shades of black, navy and camel.

Brax, Peakes, Maidenhead

Kirsten, Swish, Marlow

scarlett monroe

We were devastated to find the store filled with smoke the morning of January 4th; our priority was to see how quickly we could get the store open and advise our customers of the situation we found ourselves in.

At first we thought that the damage was just contained to the stock but then realised the adjoining wall with Harrington’s plus our ceiling lights were damaged and had to be repaired before we could reopen; it has meant a complete refurbishment and restock!

We’d like to thank everyone, including the Harringtons’ team, for their support, emails and cards as it has really helped to boost our morale.

We are now OPEN and all our Spring/Summer Stock is in or coming in, including some new brands such as “Moloko” – a quirky French design and “One Season” from Australia who make beautiful tunic tops and dresses in light cotton – perfect for those hot sunny days.

Of course we still have our favourites like Didier Parakian, Karen Cole and Pause Café who always seem to be able to produce feminine shapes in soft luxurious fabrics that work on different body types. Fabulous new colours in the Not Your Daughters Capri Jeans range including cobalt blue and lipstick red.

We are really delighted to see so many customers coming back to us after the fire and will continue to strive to exceed their expectations.

We have a series of exciting events planned over the coming months including the ability to shop online from the end of March which will be advertised on our new web site. www.scarletttmonroe.com.

Our thanks to you all .....the Team at scarlett monroe 38

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This spring’s makeup is all about beautiful, bright bursts of colour in everything from blues to purples and greens to corals instantly brightening your face during the warmer weather.

The solution to pulling off this seasons trend is to know how to find wearable colours that will work well together. Anyone can wear bright makeup, but it’s all about finding out what shades work best for you. To start determine which colours you can wear, taking into account age, skin tone, skin type, season and the occasion.

If you’re nervous about going bright, try more intense versions of shades that you love and make you feel confident. Go one or two shades brighter, and apply with a lighter hand if you’re unsure. Remember, your makeup should leave you feeling and looking like yourself.

When it comes to wearing bright makeup, the possibilities are endless.

An easy way to add colour to your eyes is to apply a single bright shade on the lid. Start by covering the entire lid from the lash line to brow bone with your base eye shadow. Next, cover the entire lid three-quarters of the way to the brow bone with your bright shadow, blending as you go. Apply additional layers for a more intense appearance.

If you’re hesitant about investing in a bright lip colour, try a bright lip gloss instead. Layer it over your regular lip colour to give it an extra boost, or wear it alone to add a hint of colour to your lips. Nothing looks healthier than a pretty blush of pink on your cheeks. Whether you use pot rouge or a powder blush, pick a colour that is one or two shades brighter than your normal blush and apply it on the apples of the cheeks, making sure to blend well. If wearing bright colours scares you because you are afraid of looking overdone, the secret is to wear bright shades on only one or two of your features and balance them out with neutral colours. For example, a bright eye will look best paired with natural shades on your lips and cheeks, while colourful lips and cheeks should be complemented with a neutral eye.

To find your neutral shades, look for the colours that naturally appear in your face.

• Choose eye shadows that play up the tones found on your eyelid, • Choose lip colours that are close in hue to the colour of your bare lips.

• Choose natural blush that flushes to the same colour of your cheeks after exercise or after pinching them.

• Look for a palette that contains all of the shades you’ll need.

Feet First

For the treatment of • Corns and Callous • Fungal Nail Infections • Verrucae and warts • Dry cracked heels • Ingrowing toe nails • Diabetic foot care • Bunions • Athletes foot • Thickened nails • Hammer toes • Plantar fasciitis • Nail cutting and filing • Hard skin • Pressure points • Cracks/fissures • Any nail changes • Routine foot and nail care

Benefits • Healthy feet • Less pain • Increased mobility • Reduces other health problems

W NE IC N CLI OPEN t n W me NO 1st treadtvert off is a 10% ith th w

HOME VISITS AVAILABLE

SUE DAVIES MAFHP MCFHP Foot Health Professional

T: 01628 299404 M: 07743 314986 E: sue.davies63@yahoo.co.uk W: www.suedavies.co.uk Registered Member of the British Association of Foot Health Professionals

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The warmer weather and longer days are stirring the countryside into action

Country Wise

Spring is here. The warmer weather and longer days are stirring the countryside into action.

Everywhere you look something new is emerging or new life bursting forth. Some birds will change their diet from seed to insects to take advantage of the glut of things that crawl and creep. Insects provide chicks of Blue tit, Chaffinch and their like, a food source, easily digestible and high in protein. Just what is needed for growing feathers.

If snakes are your thing then April has its advantages. The very mention of snakes sends shivers down many a spine. April is normally your best chance of seeing our only venomous snake, the Adder. UK Adders are nowhere near as poisonous as say a African Black Mamba, but you don’t want to get bitten. Bites tend to occur when someone picks up a snake. The rule is don’t touch, only admire.

Adder bites are rarely serious but can be very painful.

How to spot one? Try areas of heathland on a still day and the temperature is between 9-18 degrees C. Spring is the Adder mating season. A courting snake cools down quickly and needs frequent rests in the sun to warm back up. This gives you a better chance of finding a basking snake in an open area. Adders are tricky to approach. They can feel vibrations and will detect you walking by. If it feels threatened, it is able to move off into nearby cover. The best way to observe is with binoculars from a distance.

Both sexes have a V or X marking on the head, a vertically slit pupil and zigzag strip patterns down the back. Are you looking at a male or a female?

A male has a grey to whitish colour, whereas females tend to be brown or darker in colour.

You can’t beat early April for a trip down to the woods to see the long await highlight of our year – Bluebells. Enter a wood full of bluebells just after a shower the air is filled with an intoxicating smell.

With the trees yet to come into full leaf you can see a blue carpet of thousands of flowers stretching away into the distance. We have lots of old woodland in our area and you have a great chance of seeing bluebells. Two of the best places are the BBOWT reserves of Moor copse just off junction 12 of the M4 and Warburg, just outside Henley on Thames.

May sees the start of the orchid season. Exotic looking you can’t mistake these plants for anything else. Names like Common Twayblade, Early Purple, Marsh, Military, Monkey, Fly and Green Winged, do nothing to dispel the exotic theme. Our favourites 40

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Orchid

include the Green Winged Orchid; these plants depend on infertile nutrient poor grasslands.

The flower is pink in colour with lanced shaped, unspotted leaves and a distinctive green strip on the sepals extending as wings.

Green winged orchid The scientific name for this orchid is Anacamptis morio. In Latin morio means fool or jester and it is believed that it was named such because the hooded part of the flower resembles a jester’s hat.

A few days of the southerly winds and our skies will be full of foreign immigrants. Swallows and House Martins will wheel overhead once more.

Having perhaps covered thousands of miles from their winter feeding grounds in Africa, they return to the place of their birth to build nests and breed.

Nesting sites in an old building may be seeing birds for the fiftieth or sixtieth consecutive year.

We are lucky in the UK that our geographical location provides us with a unique diversity of flora and fauna as well as very changeable weather. Our position provides almost unparalleled opportunities to enjoy the natural world. Hopefully we have given you inspiration to get out and see what you can find.

Jacky & Mark Bloomfield.

Te m p l e G o l f C l u b Henley Road, Hurley, Berkshire, SL6 5LH Membership options include: • Full and Weekday • Flexible 10 • Associate (preferred green fees with membership benefits) • Corporate • Intermediate (Ages 25 - 29) • Colt (19 - 24) • Junior (14 - 18) • Junior (10 - 14) • Starter Membership • Forces

If you are a discerning golfer who enjoys playing golf in tranquil and un-crowded surroundings then Temple is the golf club for you. Whether you are looking for golf or social membership, either on an individual or group/corporate basis, a year round golfing venue, or a casual round of golf; we have a range of options that will fulfil most requirements and, if not, we will do our best to find one. Please call to take advantage of our excellent “twilight” green fees available daily from 4pm or our ”Monday Special”.

For more details about membership, group packages or to book a round of golf, please contact us.

T: 01628 824795

E: enquiries@templegolfclub.co.uk

W: www.templegolfclub.co.uk

While we all know that our daily newspaper is a source of news and entertainment, what you might not realise is that it is an extremely useful product to keep around the house. So, consider the following uses.

Newspaper is a very absorbent material - it has to be to absorb the ink that’s printed on it. But this means that it’s also fantastic at absorbing all sorts of moisture. One of the most useful ways of taking advantage of this characteristic is that of drying out leather shoes and bags. Simply place crumpled newspaper in the shoes or bag overnight and in the morning not only will they be dry, but there won’t be any water stains. Newspaper will absorb any odours in shoes, lunch boxes or vegetable drawers.

Just place a balled-up piece of newspaper in the offending items and it will deodorise them in no time.

If you come home with wet wellies or snow boots, placing them on a pile of old newspapers will avoid creating messy puddles on the floor.

You can use newspaper for cleaning tough marks off mirrors and windows by using cleaning fluid on the paper. To clean antique glass that might be damaged by cleaning solutions, use the paper with a solution of one part white vinegar to one part warm water.

With all these versatile uses, let’s hope the digital age doesn’t signal the end for the newspaper, because it’s clearly not just for reading the news.

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Branching out with a holiday in the sky

Chewton Glen Tree House suites, Hampshire

No longer just the remit of Ewoks and children, tree houses seem to be growing in popularity as a place to holiday. Appealing to all ages (or at least the child deep inside of you), tree houses provide a welcomed respite from the annual summer camping trip.

VisitEngland has come up with some swinging ideas of where to book your ideal tree house. They recommend the following of some of the UK’s finest treetop accommodation.

Chewton Glen Tree House Suites, Hampshire (Coming July 2012) New for 2012, the award-winning five-star Chewton Glen has recently announced the development of six Tree House Suites within the grounds of the hotel. The Tree House Suites will appear to float across a wooded valley and will offer impeccable eco credentials along with Chewton Glen’s world-renowned service and attention to detail. Each tree house will be on stilts, like floating lily pads balancing between the valley and tree canopy. Floor-to-ceiling glass will provide panoramic views of the New Forest. They will provide a feeling of showering under the stars, with a spa bath and fire pit on the deck and a covered outdoors. The six Tree House Suites will comprise of 12 suites (4 junior suites and 8 master suites). A maximum of six people can stay in each tree house. www.chewtonglen.com/ lister/news/tree-house-suites.aspx Fair Oak Farm, East Sussex Two new luxury eco-lodge tree houses are now available to book for self-catering breaks at Fair Oak Farm, Mayfield, for grown-ups that want to fulfil their childhood dreams.

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Set amidst an ancient treeline and mature trees, both lodges provide couples with complete privacy and uninterrupted valley views across the stunning Sussex countryside. Built almost entirely of sustainable timber and fully insulated, the tree houses have sheltered balconies and are connected to a dedicated parking area by a winding path. 2 nights from £150 (two sharing) www.fairoakfarm.co.uk The Tree house, Somerset The Tree house has a stunning treetop location with an idyllic outlook and beautiful garden. If you are holidaying with children, they are happy to provide toys, games, books and DVDs. The Tree house is always supplied with Egyptian cotton linen; fluffy towels, flowers, cosy bathrobes, toiletries and a complimentary basket of seasonal local produce. The wood burning stove is always set ready to light during winter months. From dining out in style to sleeping in the stars, the Tree house provides highlife living. 4 nights from £495 (two sharing) www.lavenderhillholidays. co.uk/properties.asp?id=101 Castle Cottage Tree house, Sussex Built into a huge sweet chestnut tree on the edge of a wood, a substantial staircase leads you up to a thatched room with a double bed set between the tree branches, looking out through large glass doors to the tree tops. It has an en-suite shower room bathed in light from the glass roof and covered with handmade mosaic tiles. A large balcony with swing seats sets the scene to the perfect romantic break.

From £145 per night (two sharing)www.castlecottage. info/thetreehouse.html

Alnwick Tree house Northumberland A restaurant with a difference Enter this wooden turreted eatery via a wobbly, candle-lit suspension bridge to see trees actually growing out of the dining room floor. Once inside, nature really is all around you, with creepers clinging onto the walls and wood just about everywhere you look – including on the tables – which are formed from tree slices. The focus on what’s natural continues with the menu, which features local sea crab, organic sausages from nearby Northumberland farmlands and whole roasted wood pigeon. Three-course Sunday Lunch menu from £19.95 (per person) www.alnwickgarden.com Want to go further afield?

Then some of the most spectacular tree house accommodation can be found in New Zealand. Embracing the natural surroundings, Hapuku tree houses are “nested” 10 metres above the ground in the canopy of a native Manuka grove with views of Kaikoura’s mountains and coastline.

There are both one bedroom and family tree houses. For further information or to make a reservation telephone +64 (0)3 319 6559 or email info@hapukulodge.com They are located approximately 12km north of Kaikoura on the south island, and Hapuku Lodge can also advise you on a range of travel packages.

Harriet Subramanian

Flaming start to the Olympic Opening

A Diamond year Raising the flag to celebrate the queen’s 60th year June is ripe with excitement as the UK marks 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II on the throne. The celebrations will centre around the 2, 3, 4 and 5 June.

The following events are planned throughout the city; Saturday 2nd June, Epsom Derby The 2012 Investec Derby is the first engagement of Diamond Jubilee central weekend celebrations. www.epsomderby.co.uk Sunday 3 June, Big Jubilee launch As well as The Big Jubilee Lunch on Sunday 3rd June, there are a whole host of activities taking place during the Diamond Jubilee weekend celebrations. http://www.thebiglunch.com Monday 4th June, Concert at Buckingham Palace Organised by the BBC it will be attended by The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and other Members of the Royal Family. http://www.bbc.co.uk/diamondjubilee/ If you want plan to make your own bunting and bake cakes for a street party don’t forget these top tips; • Inform your local council’s events or communities team at least four weeks in advance.

• If you want to close a road for your party you will need to get permission from your local council.

• A licence is not normally needed for food, drinks or music at a street party.

• If you want to sell alcohol you will need a 'temporary event notice' which costs £21. You can get one from your local council.

• You can serve and sell food up to 11.00 pm without a licence.

• You don’t need a music licence, whether the music is live or prerecorded, as long as: • Your street party is a private party for residents • The music has not been advertised in advance to attract people or to make money Planning a party shouldn’t be too stressful if you keep it simple, get everyone on your street to help out and bring food, make decorations or set up games. Don’t forget seating –it’s going to be a long day!

The Olympic Torch Relay route has just been announced, there will be 8,000 inspirational people carrying the Flame as it tracks across the UK. Individuals have been nominated by friends, family and co-workers due to their altruistic nature and will be given the opportunity to shine.

The flame will travel across the country giving the majority of Britain’s the chance to see the torch on route. In fact, the organisers promise that the flame will come within ten miles of 95 per cent of people in the UK.

Olympic Torch facts:

• Designed by east Londoners Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, who won the opportunity through a competitive tender run by the London 2012 Organising Committee and the Design Council.

• Barber and Osgerby worked closely with Basildon-based product engineers Tecosim and Coventry manufacturers Premier Sheet Metal to develop the prototypes for the Torch.

• Made up of an inner and an outer aluminium alloy skin, held in place by a cast top piece and base, perforated by 8,000 circles.

• The circles represent the inspirational stories of the 8,000 Torchbearers who will carry the Olympic Flame.

• The torch design ensures heat is quickly dispersed without damaging the holder.

• The Torch stands 800mm high.

• The Torch is being tested in BMW’s climatic testing facility in Munich to make sure it can withstand all weather conditions.

• The triangular-shaped Torch was inspired by a series of 'threes' that are found in the history of the Olympic Games: • Respect, excellence and friendship; • Olympic motto – faster, higher, stronger; • Third time the UK has hosted the Olympic Games.

It will pass through Berkshire on the 10th July, travelling in a rowing boat to Henley-on-Thames and passing landmarks such as Ascot Racecourse, Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre and the Olympic rowing venue at Eton Dorney.

Over its 70-day journey, the Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles either in Relay or in convoy (driving and other modes of transport).

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e c a F Facebook is not as intimidating or complicated as other web applications and once set up is both easy and fun to use as well as being a business tool.

Facebook is user-friendly and in plain English, rather than the computer-speak that tends to be a prerequisite for most other web applications.

This is the primary reason, I believe, that Facebook is so popular as seen by the increase in user demographics among the 40-60 age group.

Why should you use Facebook Business Pages?

There are many reasons to use

k o bo

Facebook but I have selected a few that I think are useful.

1. There are no age barriers 2. Your Facebook Business Page appears in Google Search; 3. It is public, so you can link it to your web site 4. It can be used as a 2-way communication channel with your customers/prospects as it allows easy interaction with your audience; 5. It has easy-to-manage photo album - a picture speaks a thousand words!; 6.You can manage the page yourself with additions and updates at any time;

7. Someone else can manage the page for you, if needed through the administrator feature; 8.You can target by area so you control where the messages are sent; 9. It increases you exposure in the market place as it is also availabe on mobiles and tablets.

A Facebook Business Page extends your business presence on the Web over and above your website and is free to set up and run.

Next time LinkedIn. Tony Silver

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Join us for an informal gathering of like minded business professionals, while having a cup of coffee. Open to both men & women. NO JOINING FEE.

Share ideas - exchange information - join our community Marlow - 9.30 - 11.30 am Danesfield House Hotel on 2nd Thursday of the month Maidenhead - 9.00 - 11am Temple Golf Club on 3rd Thursday of the month Business Biscotti promotes working in a way that is .flexible, mobile, collaborative and digitally in touch For more information or to join us on line visit

www.businessbiscotti.co.uk

Welcome to the Thames Valley Business Women’s Group (TVBWG) Established in 1989 in High Wycombe, TVBWG is a successful business support, advice and networking forum for businesswomen to meet like-minded people, share ideas, advice and support, network, make friends and learn ways to expand and improve their business, as well as creating sales opportunities.

Today, TVBWG has many long-standing members who not only work together but have become close friends too! We hold monthly meetings for interactive sessions, some with specialist speakers; and participants are encouraged to liaise, work and socialise togetherin-between meetings.

TVBWG Meetings and Diary Planner: MONDAY 16 APRIL: Social Media Workshop Facebook, Linkedin, twitter etc...

MONDAY 14 MAY: PR for Business Presentation interactive workshop and networking.

MONDAY 11 JUNE: Style & Confidence evening for business and personal events.

MONDAY 9 JULY: Open Networking Forum JUNE/JULY: Summer Social (date, venue and details will be published on our website) MONDAY 10 SEPTEMBER: Business Advisory Clinic – specialist advisors on hand for key business areas – strategy, finance, legal, branding, PR, marketing, sales -plus more…

TVBWG meetings are open to ALL business ladies, whether you own a business owner or partner, are a department head or company manager or are thinking of starting your own business!

Our meetings are held at The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Moor Hall, Cookham SL6 9QH. Meet from 7.00pm for networking and we start promptly at 7.30pm. Tea, coffee and biscuits are available during meetings and the CIM bar is open for attendees to meet and network before and after our monthly sessions. Please remember to bring your business cards, leaflets, promotions and products to each session. Meetings are free for Members and £10 for guests.

For more information, please visit us at www.tvbwg.com and our facebook page.

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Mobile Office It is time IT departments move with the times?

As someone who regularly works from different locations including client sites, coffee shops and the gym, being on top of IT is paramount. Luckily for me I have my own personal IT guru (A.K.A husband) who makes sure my kit is fully functional and I am ready to work wherever that may be, and according to Jabra, the brand of GN Netcom, I am just part of a growing trend called BYOD (Bring Your Own Device).

In fact, Jabra is calling on IT departments to evolve to meet the needs of a new generation of multi-tasking, mobile workers who want a bigger say in the communications devices they use at work, as published in a recent report by Jabra entitled, ‘GenM: Defining the workforce of tomorrow’.

The study of 1,000 workers from a diverse range of job functions and sectors including Sales, Marketing, Finance, Customer Service and Administration, uncovered a new attitude to work that transcends both demographics and job functions. Jabra has used the term GenM to describe this new workforce which sees multi-tasking as a way of life, whether at home or at work, regards work-life balance as a far bigger priority than job fulfillment and is willing to work beyond traditional office hours in order to achieve it.

The research found that almost half (46%) of office workers use a mobile or smartphone for work, 35% use a laptop and 1 in 10 are using VoIP to communicate. In addition 72% of the office population regularly takes calls and responds to email outside of office hours and just over half (53%) of all workers are choosing to do so.

Despite this, 1 in 5 people say they do not have the tools and devices to be able to work the way they want. However, many workers are taking matters into their own hands and joining the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend with 28% saying they use their own personal devices for work.

Tomorrow’s workforce will no longer rely on email and deskphone, but will favour more immediate, collaborative methods of communication. The use of social networking to communicate and collaborate with colleagues will have a farreaching impact on the workplace – and this trend will be driven by the younger members of GenM. Work will no longer be defined by the 9-5 office routine, but rather by connectivity to the business network

“almost half (46%) of office workers use a mobile or smartphone for work, 35% use a laptop and 1 in 10 are using VoIP to communicate”

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Is your business moving with the times, is it time to complete a device audit to help improve your workforces output?

Harriet Subramanian

Not just different but better “It is not the strongest of species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change” Charles Darwin Gavin Henshaw. Head of the Family Department at Curzon Green Solicitors, looks at The Legal Services Act 2007 and its impact.

On 6th October 2011, the legal landscape of England and Wales changed when the Legal Services Act 2007 (“the Act”) was brought into force.

The new legislation was created to open up the market for legal services in England and Wales with the aim of encouraging more competition for the benefit of the general public.

The Act enables the creation of Alternative Business Structures, whereby non-legal businesses can now invest in, or run, legal companies and this has been

daubed ‘Tesco’s Law’ by the Press.

The pessimists immediately declared the Act to be the legal apocalypse and prophesied that smaller law firms would be forced out of business due to large non-legal business having the financial muscle to undercut them in the legal arena. However, I do not believe that the changes are necessarily a bad thing for solicitors.

Although some non-legal businesses will try and move into the legal areas such as property, wills and probate and charge a cheaper fee. It is likely that the quality of work will be affected, unlike the work of a dedicated firm.

With more firms there will be more competition which will ensure standards improve and solicitors do not become complacent with the levels of

service that are provided to their clients.

A client is an individual and not just a pay cheque and it is important for them to feel valued, customer service is just as important as the end result, and competition will ensure solicitors adapt the way that they treat and interact with their clients. This viewpoint is particularly important to me due to the fact that the area of work I am involved in has the potential to have the most impact on a person’s life and therefore has to be handled with the utmost care and attention.

I therefore truly believe that through offering an exceptional level of service to all of their clients, any firm of solicitors, irrespective of size, will be able to compete, and will actively thrive, against the larger non-legal businesses who will be entering the legal market place.

WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT AS A LAW FIRM? Our solicitors have worked on some of the largest and most complex claims in England over the past 15 years.

Every family client will be offered a free initial meeting to discuss their matter with a solicitor.

Family clients will have the option of resolving their matter through the use of the Collaborative Law Process.

Each property transaction is overseen by a qualified solicitor who can be contacted directly if the client has any queries.

We are willing to conduct general litigation cases on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis.

Meetings for clients are arranged at a time and place that suits them.

This is what makes us not just different but better 114-116 Oxford Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP11 2DN Tel: 01494 451 355. www.curzongreen.co.uk

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Maximise your chance of success Getting the best of Performance Coaching

S

tudies have shown that progressive people management practices lead to significantly improved business results.

To increase your chances of success, select a qualified Performance Coach. Professional coaches are trained and are often members of Trade Associations for Coaches. Trained Performance Coaches have a wide range of tools and techniques that they know how to use, and have been trained in when and why to use them.

While researching, think very carefully about what you want to achieve by engaging a Performance Coach. Is it something you want to achieve personally, or is it a goal for the business you need help with?

Performance coaching is unlocking the potential of people to maximise their own performance – is it your potential you want to unlock or the potential of others?

Do you need a Performance Coach that can work with teams of people, or just in one-to-one

situations? Be as clear as you can be about what you want to achieve – later, a good Performance Coach will help you to better define your goals.

With a good idea of what you want to achieve, and some potentials that you haven’t yet made contact with, now is the time to limit your exposure – ask if you can have a “taster session”, or a free consultation.

Good coaches recognise that the relationship between the coach and the person being coached is fundamental, and also recognise that sometimes the “chemistry” is just not right. Good Performance Coaches will be just as keen as you are to see if you can work successfully together.

Ask the coach about their past and future training, how they define coaching, how they coach, and why they do it.

If you are getting a good feeling about the person, give it a go. If you’re not, try another coach, having only spent a little of your precious time.

Philip Walker

how connected are you?

The other day I was beginning to wonder if I was suffering from ‘nomophobia’ – a morbid fear of being without a mobile phone. The increased technology of smart phones has meant that we are never far away from a small, electronic gadget that can do practically everything.

You can find restaurants, buses, and diving schools. You can record your calories, monitor your sleep patterns and measure your pulse after exercise. If you are going on holiday you can download an app which tells you everything you need to know about that place including a map. Additionally, the ease with which we can use social networking sites, adds to our desire to never be far away from them.

This is all great, but what it actually means is that we are unable to cope when we are disconnected.

In fact, some people almost go into meltdown, hence the term ‘nomophobia’ . The fact that the fear of being without a mobile phone has actually been given a name means that it is indeed endemic. There is even a support group website. Surveys done by various phone security companies show that on average, we check our mobile device at least 34 times a day, and that around 66% of us can’t live without our phones.

I only have to glance across at my family when we are all sitting around relaxing to agree with that.

A recent survey done by the AA motor organisation also shows the increase in mobile phone related accidents and penalties.

Motorists interviewed on a recent television documentary confessed quite openly their need to chat on social networks while driving. It’s frightening how needy we have become.

I am old enough to remember the days before these devices came along and that the world functioned perfectly well without them. Yet when I forget to take my phone out with me, I do worry that somebody might need to get hold of me, or might need an urgent answer on an email.

But what actually would happen if I didn’t have it with me all the time? Would I get lost?

Would the world fall apart? I doubt it. After all, it got along perfectly well without me in the old days. And somehow, I managed to function perfectly well on my own too.

There is no doubt that this technology has given us freedom and opened up the world. But likewise, perhaps freeing ourselves from always being connected might just liberate us too? Go on – give it a try!

Vanessa Woolley

Horoscopes NAVIGATE YOUR WAY THROUGH THE COSMIC TIDES OF 2012 Would you like to know how you can tune into your personal power and be the very best version of yourself? I can help motivate you to discover your purpose, achieve personal transformation and work towards achieving your dreams.

I am also a trained life coach and a practitioner of Bach flower essence therapy and I offer a full motivational and transformational coaching programme. Your unique personal birth chart can help you to plan your year ahead by tuning into productive planetary cycles.

You can also gain the clarity and insight needed for optimal abundance and success. Overcome your fears and anxieties and replace them with assertiveness and self-confidence. I work with clients all over the world and my consultations are mostly available by telephone or Skype. Face-to-face sessions may be offered depending on distance. Please contact me for more information. Gift vouchers are also available.

Christine Chalklin

Inspirational Astrologer, Life Coach and Business Consultant, www.RestyleYourLife.co.uk christine@RestyleYourLife.co.uk

Telephone: 07813 483549

Aries

Gemini May 22 - June 22

The love planet Venus moves into your sign on the 4th and your ruler, the planet Mercury, changes sign on the 17th. April is an interesting and rather turbulent month and you’ll need to channel and focus your energies wisely. Your mind may be especially inquisitive during this cycle. Its all systems go with your domestic life this month, energetic and fiery Mars provides you with extra energy, motivation and power to move forward with your plans. Money might be invested in your home, and turning a long-standing dream into reality is now possible

Cancer June 23 - July 23

The Libra full moon on the 6th falls in the domestic area of your chart; your thoughts turn to family, loved ones and personal matters. Your living space is also in the spotlight and home improvements will be high on your agenda. With Mars gathering speed conversation is energetic and plentiful. Communication is high on your agenda this month as energetic Mars stirs you into action. You could surprise those around you who are used to you demure and conciliatory approach to life. The full moon on the 6th is very favourable for bringing your determination to the forefront.

Leo

March 21 - April 20

July 24 - August 23

Your ruling planet, the energetic Mars, is moving forward again, as from the 14th you’ll notice your plans picking up the pace again. During the last few months you will have often felt hesitant about taking action – most unusual for Aries! Enthusiasm and assertiveness return now, enjoy! Finances are in the spotlight this month as the Sun illuminates all areas of earning and spending. Income may be somewhat erratic, but after the alignment of the Sun and Jupiter on the 12th you should get a better handle on the situation and a lucky break could come your way

Friendly and outgoing Venus in Gemini puts the spotlight on your friends and social life this month. Energetic Mars in hard working Virgo gathers momentum after the 14th in the monetary area of your chart. Some financial reviewing and reorganisation may become necessary now. Finances are still high on your agenda during May and new and innovative earning potentials can come to the forefront. The spectacular alignment of the Sun and benevolent Jupiter on the 12th occurs in the career angle of your chart. You could receive the good news that you’ve been waiting for

Taurus

Virgo

April 21 - May 21

August 24 - September 23

The love planet Venus and abundant Jupiter start the month in your sign and you should still be reaping the rewards of your past efforts. Venus moves into Gemini on the 4th and then the pace changes. Feeling rather restless, you’ll be questioning your social life and your relationships. A month of personal growth and transformation as abundant Jupiter gets close and personal with your Sun. You will be looking at the way others perceive you and how you could strengthen your sense of self and gain in confidence.

Hard work and accomplishment are possible now .

After the 14th you’ll feel as if a great weight has been lifted from your shoulders. Mars, planet of action and assertiveness has been slowing you down since January, but now you can get going again! Plans and dreams can start moving and you’ll intuitively know where to begin. Mighty Jupiter smiles favourably on you during this month, helping you to treat minor inconveniences with a positive attitude and also boosting your morale. Neptune may well be casting a veil of confusion over partnership matters, but on the whole romance can flourish and bloom. ..

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Libra

September 24 - October 23

Mars retrograde has not been easy for Libra and its forward motion on the 14th will be a great relief.

You will have reassessed your goals and your needs and start to have a clear plan of action now. The full moon on the 6th will challenge you to be direct and straightforward with others. The Sun and optimistic Jupiter are aligning themselves very nicely in one of the financial areas of your chart. This could be a very auspicious month for Librans. Financial opportunities will most certainly present themselves to you, and the 12th could turn out to be particularly lucky.

Scorpio

October 24 - November 22

Your social life may have been on hold over the last few months, confidence may not have been high and you probably preferred to lay low. It’s all changing now as Mars gathers speed and challenges you get out there and have fun. Venus in Gemini brings finances to the forefront. The month begins with a full moon in your sign on the 6th. This could turn out to be a rather introspective month as transformational Pluto also encourages you to look within for buried treasure. You could uncover facets of your personality that you haven’t yet accepted or acknowledged.

DURING

APRIL

The pace really gets going again during April, as Mercury turns direct on the 4th, followed by Mars on the 14th.

Mercury rules communication and travel and these areas of life may have been fraught with difficulties during this 3 week retrograde phase. Mars is the planet of drive and energy, and has been retrograde in Virgo since the 24th of January. Although this presented wonderful opportunities for careful planning, great patience will also have been required. Now there’s a great sense of relief as our plans and desires can finally take off again.

The full moon in Libra on the 6th requires that we take another look at the balance in our lives. Where are we taking on too much and are we spending enough time on rest and relaxation? The moon in Libra is also about beauty, harmony and love, more questions for us, are these areas being met within our lives?

THE COSMOS

DURING

MAY

The Sun illuminates the down-to-earth sign of Taurus until the 20th and the great outdoors will be calling us all to get out and take pleasure in the joys of spring. A spectacular alignment of the Sun with mighty Jupiter around the 12th ensures an optimistic and abundant few days for all, if we are willing to see the positive side of life. The full moon in passionate Scorpio on the 6th brings our desires to the forefront. Determination is also heightened, and energy and willpower for solid, long- term goals will also be available. The new moon in frivolous Gemini on the 20th brings new delight in socialising, enjoying long spring evenings outside with friends and family comes to mind!.

NAVIGATE LIFE WITH KNOWLEDGE AND COSMIC AWARENESS

Sagittarius

Aquarius

Delays and setbacks at work and in your career may have been a problem since the end of January. That is all changing now as energetic Mars starts to move forward in a pivotal part of your chart. The cosmos is asking you to reach for the stars and not to doubt yourself in any way. A busy month for you as the spectacular alignment of the Sun and expansive Jupiter on the 12th brings the culmination of an important work project. Events occur that highlight your responsibilities in your professional life. You might also use this time to reassess your romantic goals.

Since idealistic Neptune left your sign in February your life has probably become much clearer and your goals and future plans are much more apparent.

Your ruler, the quirky Uranus, marches forward in pioneering Aries and your ideas should be abundant and openly creative. Enthusiasm and optimism should be high on the agenda for you this month.

You’ll have big ideas about how to increase your income. While you continue to brainstorm money making potentials, your attention also turns to learning, networking and communicating in exciting new ways

November 23 - December 22

Capricorn December 23 - January 19

Mars retrograde in Virgo may have demanded that you review and reassess many areas of your life. Rather than asserting your desires you may have tended towards introspection. Now you can get back to being straightforward, assertive and courageous – with good results! Romance is in the spotlight this month as the Sun cuddles up to expansive Jupiter on the 12th. You have been evaluating what you need in a relationship and are probably quite surprised to find that freedom is very important to you. Don’t push yourself too hard, relaxation is important now.

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THE COSMOS

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January 20 - February 19

Pisces

February 20 - March 20

Communicative Mercury, retrograde in your sign, will up the pace as forward motion starts on the 4th. Moving into energetic Aries on the 17th you’ll find ideas and plans will really get going. You can now enjoy increased powers of concentration and lively discussion will come your way. The alignment of Sun and Jupiter put you in a courageous and optimistic mood. Your path to greatest fulfilment is through avoiding becoming too dependent on others and recognizing your ability to stand alone. In the past this has not always been easy, but in this new cycle it could become second nature.

Codeword Each letter in this puzzle is represented by a number between 1 and 26. The codes for three letters are shown.

As you find the letters enter them in the box below.

ALONG THE THAMES

51

By James Baggott - editor of Car Dealer Magazine (CarDealerMag.co.uk)

The Mini brand is expanding yet again.

This time into the niche Coupe market.

James Baggott finds out more

WHAT IT IS? Yet another Mini that’s been tweaked to keep the brand’s sales moving upwards. Sales for the maker are up 14 per cent year on year in a market down five per cent and the Coupe aims to add around 3,000 a year to that total. Classed as a ‘halo’ model, it’s not expected to be a volume seller, but a rival to the likes of the VW Scirocco and Audi TT. It has a lower roof, boot spoiler and only two seats.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? There are diesel and petrol options. As it’s the halo model, Mini won’t be offering One versions, only Cooper, Cooper S, SD, and John Cooper Works versions. We tried the SD and John Cooper Works.

The latter is the range-topper offering 149mph top speed, 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds and 39.8mpg. The diesel is a bit clattery but great to drive. It returns 65.7mpg, hits 134mph and passes 60mph in 7.7s.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? High. Standard equipment includes DAB radio, air-con, parking sensors, alloy wheels and sport stripes. But as with all Minis, it’s the personalisation – both via factory order and dealerfitted accessories – which are plentiful. The famous TLC servicing pack is available for £249 and some 98 per cent of buyers are expected to take it up. We’d like to know who the two per cent are that don’t…

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WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? Enjoyable, but for taller drivers, extremely uncomfortable. The low roof line means you have to constantly crick your neck and the seats sent our legs to sleep within 10 minutes. It handles much like the hatch and in the dry is extremely chuckable, but in the wet it suffered with under-steer. But none of that will stop fashion-hungry buyers snapping them up.

WHAT DO THE PRESS SAY? Auto Express said they thought ‘the powerful model has the makings of a machine that will take the brand to a group of drivers who feel that the standard hatch just isn’t tough enough’. While rivals Autocar said: ‘If you can live with the striking looks and driving appeal is a priority, it’s certainly worth considering.’

WHAT DO WE THINK OF IT? The looks certainly grew on us during our test, but no amount of driving dynamics could take our attention away from the pain in our legs, not something any driver wants to experience. With only 3,000 expected to find homes, this low-volume model will be a fashion statement for style-conscious buyers. And with a Roadster due next year, it’s clear the Mini brand’s expansion is set to continue apace.

ician n h c Te cies n a c va able l i a v a

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81,76 % & :(67),(/' )$50 0('0(1+$0 15 0$5/2: %8&.6 6/ 7$ ALONG THE THAMES

53

Happy Birthday Puppy Training!

2012

brings a very special anniversary for dog lovers worldwide as it marks 30 years since the world’s first puppy training class.

Canine behaviour specialist Dr. Jez Rose reveals why the celebration is so important. “Scientific research proves that early socialising and training is critical to a dog’s development, helping to ensure safe and well-behaved dogs. Training puppies prepares dogs to live with human companions and is instrumental in avoiding temperament and behaviour problems, which very often lead to re-homing, or worse, euthanasia”, explains Rose.

Historically, dog training didn’t begin until the dog was at least six months old. However, it was English veterinarian and animal behaviourist Dr. Ian Dunbar who developed the very first off-lead training class specifically for puppies which focused on training puppies at three months of age, during the critical period of development where memory and learning is at its most effective. A development that redefined and revolutionised dog training.

30 years of teaching perfect pooches Rose believes early training is the key to an enjoyable future with our dogs: “Not taking your puppy to training classes is the animal equivalent of not sending your child to school until they are 16”.

Joe Inglis, the BBC One Show’s resident vet agrees that puppy training 54

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is critical to the future of safe pet dogs: “As a vet, I see dogs with behaviour problems every day and know that the vast majority of these problems could have been prevented with proper training as a puppy, so I can really appreciate the value of high quality puppy training.”

Dr. Dunbar is hopeful: “It is my expectation to see a rise in the number of puppies attending training classes and receiving a good early education. The more people are aware of just how critical training for your puppy is, the better, as this is the most effective way to prevent what is fast becoming a rescue and re-homing crisis”.

Rose, from near Aylesbury, is one of a select group worldwide teaching puppy training offleash endorsed by its originator, Dr. Ian Dunbar, through his Puppy Stars training academy. Classes are running at Hawkslade Farm Community Centre in Buckinghamshire and Coach House Vets in Berkshire - 30 years on from the first ever puppy training class.

For more information on dog training and behaviour www.JezRose.co.uk

Rediscover the delights of a traditional Spring with the National Trust

More Brits than ever are choosing to spend their leisure time enjoying the countryside; if you want to rediscover the joys of traditional activities then visit a National Trust location this Spring.

Cliveden Don’t miss out on Wild Wednesdays where children can go on an outdoor adventure with themed activities such as seed planting and bug hunting. . Wild Wednesdays: 4 April (Weeds and Seeds) and 11 April (Bug Hunt), for ages 4 to 11, 11am-3pm, £2 plus normal admission charge.

Stunning spring colour: the ongoing restoration of Cliveden’s magnificent Parterre to its Victorian heyday sees borders filled with a mass of pink, blue, yellow and white colour from forget-me-nots, pansies, tulips, narcissi and anemones. In the Long Garden visitors can view the dramatic spectacle of 20,000 purple-blue scented hyacinths, whilst in the woods, bluebells create seas of hazy blue colour, dotted with snowy wood anemones and dog violets http://www.clivedenhouse.co.uk.

Stowe Landscape Gardens’

Hughenden Manor

A guided tour of the bluebell woods at Coopers Hill is in store on 15 April, 11am-12.30pm, adults £5, children £2, book on 0844 249 1895. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe/

The Trail Tracker challenge takes youngsters on an activity-filled investigation of the grounds with the Ranger team. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden-manor/

To help you plan a care-free day out, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/southeast for loads of ideas on places to visits and treats to enjoy. Whilst online, download a colourful new ‘mini map of inspiration’ – there’s one available free for each county in the Trust’s London and South East region (also available by post).

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55

Bronagh Fegan is a Northern Irish short story writer currently based in London. Her work has appeared in publications including Oh Comely, BRAND and La Bouche, and she and she also took part in “They Is Us” at the Sassoon Gallery, a exploration of women in science fiction by female artists and writers, curated by Nest Gallery. ’Cockatoo’ was commissioned for a charity event by wordPLAY London and Ghosts of Gone Birds in aid of bird conservation, based on creative works by Margaret Atwood and Ralph Steadman, among others. bronaghfegan.wordpress.com Emma Filtness

‘Cockatoo’ There is a flock of cockatoos that nest in the trees in the churchyard. They are descended from Mrs Miller’s cockatoo, whose cage was left open, allowing him to escape through the window. Lucy Wallace released her bird, expecting her to return, but she disappeared into the sky. Somehow the cockatoos found each other, made a life for themselves, procreated, propagated, flocked together. We think it is the worst thing that has ever happened.

It started with the Sunday sermons. The cockatoos hid on the branches every week and listened to the teachings, then repeated them ceaselessly. Thy shalt honour thy mother and father, they call from the roof of the care home. Thy shalt not steal, they screech outside Parker’s accountancy firm. They follow

us like furies, judging us with beetle black eyes, as though they understand. At first it was harmless, humorous even. Then the birds grew more curious, listening in on conversations and private discussions, then echo our words around town.

Mr Patel is a stuck up so-andso. Mrs Morrison flashes the milkman. Mr Warren watches boys in the swimming pool. They impersonate our voices, speak in chorus, in harmony. We live in fear. We didn’t expect people to find out what we’ve been saying behind their backs.

We are good people, or at least when we are bad, we do it quietly. It’s not hypocrisy or scheming, it’s just practical. This is a small town and we’re trying to be pleasant. But the cockatoos keep sticking their beaks where they don’t belong. How can they

Marlow May Fayre

Saturday 26th May 2012 10am - 5pm, FREE Entry Higginson Park, Marlow, SL7 2AE. The marvellous Marlow May Fayre is back for 2012! The 39th Annual Marlow May Fayre will open at 10am on Saturday 26th May. Organised by Marlow & District Round Table to raise money for local charities and community groups, this fun family event will feature a wide range of stalls, rides, games, events, performances, tea tent, BBQ, real ale tent and of course, the famous traditional annual "Duck Race", all set in the beautiful surroundings of Higginson Park on the banks of the River Thames.

Check www.marlowroundtable.co.uk for further details.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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roost at night?

They terrorize us, revealing our secrets to anyone who will listen.

Oh Nigel! They cry in anger.

Oh Nigel! They moan in pleasure.

This is altogether too much to know about your butcher.

We said we were sorry. We were sorry we cooped them up, neglected them, forced the to fly from our homes. We didn’t mean to shake our fists or swear at them, call them pests, leave out poisoned seed, buy cats to hunt them, guns to shoot them. After all, none of it worked. No loss, no foul.

We returned to the church and prayed for them to depart. They gathered at the stained glass windows, peering inside. God helps those who help themselves, they chirped in chorus.

Bronagh Fegan

Sally’s Smalltalk Words don’t come easy

Admit it, you are now singing the song by F.R David aren’t you?

Go on, hands up - I include myself in that count. In fact, when I gave this piece a title I ended up looking him up on Youtube and lost an hour of my life mesmerised by the online world. This is a frequent problem of mine and this here writing lark isn’t as easy as you might think.

My life as a writer was born from a great love affair with Facebook and a constant stream of perpetual status updates.

Some friends pleaded with me to stop as I was filling up their news feed. I had clearly not found twitter at this stage.

Others encouraged me to write more. Clearly my cryptic one liners were too much of a tease. But how was I to write more with such little space.

“Start a blog”, they chimed!

I have been blogging, copywriting, and writing features for over a year now and have been absorbed, at what seems to be warp speed, into a whole entire new world I never knew existed. I have embraced twitter, which is really just a micro blog, like a long lost friend and now chat to complete strangers online, some of whom I now regard as good friends.

From dabbling in blogging I re-ignited a long lost love of

words and writing. Something I was passionate about at school but cut to the quick by, what was then, the careers service.

So my blog was born and so were my ramblings and so was my career as a freelance writer!

But it’s not as plain sailing as you would think. Here are some things I find myself doing when I sit down to write and most likely I have been doing while writing this Sally’s Smalltalk article: • Looking up words in a thesaurus which starts with one which leads to another and another and so on, to the point at which I forgot what I was looking for in the first place.

• Looking for images, causing a memory jog that I haven’t yet uploaded holiday snaps to Facebook.

• Updating my Facebook at least twice; it is the law!

• While on Facebook, a quick game of bejewelled…. for at least 20 minutes usually!

• Update status again.

• Quick check on Twitter to see what’s going on only to get involved in a conversation or see a new blog post which absolutely definitely must be read, this second….. and commented on.

• Tap away at a few more words and remember I

haven’t checked email today.

Gmail here I come. I spend what seems a life time trashing messages from stores and online shops offering me a measly 5% discount or free shipping.

Meh! Nothing is considered a sale or attracts my attention unless it has at least 50% off.

• Whilst typing, these nasty red lines appear under my words and so I seek the authority of the Concise Oxford Dictionary to settle some personal arguments.

Do a quick check online, only to be teased with UrbanDictionary. Com; after ten minutes I feel adequately updated with the latest youth speak.

Typing makes my fingers cold so turn on the heater I have stashed under my desk and head for the kitchen for a cup of tea. That will warm me up nicely… and in the true character of twitter *rubs hands together* #warmandcosy.

This list is by no means exhaustive, is in no particular order and items may appear more than once. It’s a pure miracle I manage to do anything really…….now where was I? If you would like to share your ideas with Sally, please contact us and we will pass on all comments: office@AlongTheThemes.co.uk ALONG THE THAMES

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400km cycle ride across Kenya in support of the charity ‘Scope’

In February 2001 I completed a 400 kilometre charity cycle ride across Kenya in support of the cerebral palsy charity Scope.

This is part one of my journal.

Mike Beckley The plan was simple, 70 people cycling 400 kilometres in 5 days. The riding was to be a mixture of sand, rocky trails and tarmac averaging a distance of 70 kilometres per day. But this is Africa, and nothing is ever simple.

After the four hour journey from Nairobi to our hotel at Naro Moru I don’t think we were ready for the drenching tropical rain. That afternoon we collected our bikes. Being brand new every bike needed checking over fully. It wasn’t a surprise when mechanical problems caused by loose fittings continued for days.

The following morning the wake up call was at six sharp.

The atmosphere was slightly apprehensive over breakfast, we started riding at nine. After ten minutes the full impact of the altitude hit us. Even the fittest were gasping for air.

The overnight rain had made the muddy trails thick and slippery.

Changing direction was almost impossible and any misjudgement resulted in a face full of Kenyan topsoil. After time the trails became dry and stony.

At lunchtime we stopped by the roadside, catching sight of Colobus monkeys leaping from the trees. The day ended of the 58

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day at our first proper bush camp at Ngobit. We rolled in feeling tired but worthy. Dinner was a hearty beef casserole cooked by the Masai over an open fire. The locals set up a field bar where we could buy cold bottled Tusker beer.

Six o’clock the next morning came around very soon. I had been up late mending punctures by torchlight with Dave, a civil servant from East London.

Punctures were frequent due to the vicious acacia thorns.

The trail climbed a rocky path for several miles up to the plains.

The Oldoinyo Lesatima Mountains formed the backdrop to the scenery. Along the trail we met up with Paul, a painter and decorator from Derby.

We stopped for lunch at a shaded watering hole and watched the local Masai tend to their sheep and cattle as we ate sandwiches, and mended punctures.

After the break we saddled up and climbed the hill to Ndaragwa.

The trail was lumpy volcanic rock.

I rode with Dave and Paul all that afternoon through the sand, rutted mud and up hill after hill to Thompson Falls at 7800 ft above sea level.

By the time I reached the falls.

I was shattered.

We set off at 8.30 the next morning with a police escort to chaperone us on the busy roads.

Kenyan driving standards are poor, and fatalities from accidents with pedestrians and cyclists are

Thorn being pulled from Dave’s foot At Thompson Falls

The Cliveden set: Graham Harrison

common. Paul was struggling that morning. He had caught a flying insect in his eye and was in pain.

We stopped at a pharmacy where the pharmacist dispensed eye drops and painkillers. On receiving the eye drops Paul winced and his toes curled.

“What do you think is in them ?”, I asked.

“Battery acid”, he replied dryly.

This days’ ride was easier.

The miles rolled quickly under our wheels along the straight and even tarmac roads. We had an unscheduled two hour water stop. Two of the three support vehicles had to ferry riders to Nairobi hospital due to tummy bugs and heat stroke. When the support vehicles returned we rode on, stopping for a lunch of spicy chicken by the roadside. After lunch I set off for the final leg of the days ride into Gil Gil. The pace was fast and competitive. Turning into camp at the Country Club, the adrenaline was pumping.

We watched a tropical storm from the comfort of the bar. Later a small group climbed the hill near the camp. This gave us a superb view of the Aberdare Mountains to the east. It was a crisp, clear evening and every constellation was visible. part two in June/July issue

presents

Spring Clean 2012 Dwell-Being Spring Clean Charity Project Henley, April 21st & 22nd 2012

d ose n co d Rne now! e S anp onli HSign u

Supported by

Registered Charity No: 288018

On April 21st and 22nd in the Henley area, you can donate your unwanted furniture to charity and Out of the Dark will collect it and then bring it back to life - helping the unemployed, the furniture industry and the planet in the process.

The newly up-cycled furniture will then be exhibited and re-sold in a show in Henley in the Autumn.

Out of the Dark, a charity based in High Wycombe, teaches disadvantaged young people how to restore and breathe new life into old furniture. They take your unwanted furniture (preferably the good stuff –pre 1970s) off your hands and will up-cycle, polish, re-upholster or simply paint it into something new.

But it’s not just the furniture that is given a new lease of life - the people being taught this vital skill, the local furniture industry, even the planet benefits.

(Not to mention the owner of the de-cluttered attic.)

It’s truly a win-win-win situation.

On the 21st & 22nd of April, you can arrange to have your unwanted furniture collected from your home and you will be able to see it again in an exhibition held in Henley in the Autumn. You might even want to buy it back again. Contact Jade Blades of Out of the Dark to make the arrangements.

E: info@outof thedark.org.uk T: 01494 550286 (leave a message) Niki Schäfer of Dwell-Being (www.dwell-being. com), a home and lifestyle design company, based in Henley-on-Thames is working alongside Jay & Jade Blades of Out of the Dark Charity as is Frank Hudson Fine Furniture in High Wycombe who have volunteered to collect the furniture and Clare West, Photography who will photograph the exhibition The furniture trade in High Wycombe has its roots in the activities of the 19th century chair makers who made High Wycombe the chair making capital of the world. The Windsor chair was the most famous product of the trade, one of several different styles of regional chairs, such as the ladder back, which developed in the 18th century to satisfy the market created by the labouring and artisan classes.

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Policing matters A glimpse into the future I was privileged this week to talk to a large group of 15 and 16 year old pupils from a local school who were working towards a citizenship GCSE. They asked some very pertinent questions and one which stuck in my mind was, “Has face book made a difference to policing”? The answer has to be an emphatic yes. There is so much information available on social media websites. They can create reports of crimes such as cyber bullying but they can also help us solve crimes as they are an invaluable source of intelligence. I have always believed that policing is a reflection of society and as such it has to move with the times. I have often been told about those wonderful days when every village had their local bobby who spent his days cuffing kids round the ear for scrumping apples. The truth is that bobby would be completely ineffective in today’s world. If, next week, a robber walks into a local bank with a gun and holds them up then we will catch them. It is highly unlikely that someone would get away with an offence like that. Unfortunately a future bank robber will probably just be tapping away on a keyboard in Mexico or somewhere similar. How will an old fashioned cop like me deal with that? I do not have the answer but I am reassured by talking those teenagers that someone will. They are the future cops and in their world they will know the answers.

If you want to find out more about policing in this are then you can visit our website at www.thamesvalley.police.uk.

Inspector Ray Wilks The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Thames Valley Police

Forum Players presents “Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Drama Society’s Murder Mystery” 16 – 19 May 2012, Bourne End Community Centre, Wakeman Road, Bourne End 16 May – special free performance for OAPs – 8pm 17, 18 & 19 May – 8pm Costs: £9 adults, £7 concessions This hysterical farce written by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr sees the hapless ladies (and one gent) of Farndale Avenue's Townswomen's Guild attempt to perform their murder mystery "Murder at Checkmate Manor". With each member taking on several parts mayhem ensues, especially as none of them are particularly adept at acting. Add to that the internal politics and jostling for position, especially between the matriarch Mrs Reece and Thelma who would happily take her place as Chairwoman, and you have a recipe for disaster (as well as a number of other recipes interspersed into the proceedings).

Contact info@forumplayers.com or Leigh on 01628 523291 for more information or to order tickets.

Marlow Choral Society Spring Concert Saturday May 12th 2012 at 7.30pm All Saints Church, Marlow.

Tickets £12, available from Marlow Information Centre, WPS 21-23 Spittal Street or at the door.

The programme will include Elgar’s ‘The Music Makers’ and a selection of well-loved patriotic pieces.

Conducted by Christopher Grant with the Cygnus Orchestra of London Choir Press Officer, Marlow Choral Society, 01494 483540 sue_jarrett@sil.org, http://www.marlowchoralsociety.org.uk/

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Events Review

London's Department Stores

E

njoy a day out at one of London’s famous department stores; you might even learn a thing or two!

So, you’re thinking shopping.

Indulgence. Expense. This may often be the case, but London’s department stores have so much more to offer than swanky booty and an expensive credit card bill!

From arts and crafts to special exhibitions, there is more to them than meets the eye. So, why not learn a new skill or broaden your mind rather than your wardrobe this spring and summer? Take a look at a few of the more creative and unexpected offerings from some of Britain’s best stores: Liberty London Sewing School Why not try your hand at something new this Spring and Summer – learn a creative craft

courtesy of the folks at Liberty London, who are offering a range of special craft, knitting and sewing workshops in The Liberty Heritage Suite, 3rd Floor between now and July.

Thursday evening classes run from 5 - 7.30pm. The cost is £30 per class, including wine and nibbles. Classes include floral corsage, learn to crochet, and men’s sewing SOS. Liberty also offer Saturday classes that run from 10.30am – 4.30pm. The cost is £50 per class, which includes morning tea and afternoon coffee. Classes include an introduction to patchwork, learn to knit, learn to sew, stylish colour knitting, clutch purse making and lace knitting.

Sewing school attendees can get 20% off at Café Liberty on the day of their class, so why not sign up to a class with a friend or relative and indulge

in afternoon tea for two before or after your class? Delicious!

To book call 02077341234.

Selfridges Events From wine tasting master classes to make-up lessons from the experts, Selfridges offers a range of events to suit a variety of interests and inclinations.

Fancy a bit of delectable food sample tasting? Like to attend an event that will raise money for charity? Selfridges offers all of these plus more, including book signing’s by famous authors and a range of events linked to current concepts in store, such as their library, designerpromotions and range of talks themed around their most recent concept, Words Words Words.

To find out what’s on soon at their London branch, visit: http:// style.selfridges.com/whats-on Emma Filtness

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LOCAL CLUB EVENTS: Marlow Society 16th April, 7.30pm’ Garden Room, Liston Hall, Marlow - TBA, www.marlowsociety.org.uk Marlow Archaeology Society 19th April, 8pm, Garden Room, Liston Hall, Marlow -The Medieval City Monastries from their foundation to dissolution - Val Pretlove www.marlow-archaeology.org/ Archaeology in Marlow 26th April, 8pm Liston Rd, Marlow Tutankhamen’s Great General - The forgotten Pharaoh www.marlow-archaeology.org/ Marlow Camera Club 15th May 7.45 for 8pm Church Hall, Methodist Church, Spittal St, Marlow AGM & prize giving Marlow Society 21st May, 7.30pm’ Garden Room, Liston Hall, Marlow - Wethered’s revisited and a look at Marlow’s pubs Ray Evans,www.marlowsociety.org.uk

THEATRE AND MUSICAL EVENTS Marlow Choral Spring Concert 12th May - see page 60 for details Bourne End Forum Players ‘‘ Murder Mystery 16 - 19th May, 8pm See page 60 for details Kenton Theatre - See adjoining page www.kentontheatre.co.uk BUSINESS/NETWORKING EVENTS Business Biscotti - Marlow Every second Thursday 9.30 - 11.30am Danesfield House Hotel, Marlow www.businessbiscotti.co.uk Thames Valley Business Womens Group Every second Monday 7pm for 7.30pm start CIM, Cookham, www.TVBWG.com Business Biscotti - Maidenhead Every third Thursday 9 - 11am Temple Golf Club, Maidenhead www.businessbiscotti.co.uk

SPECIAL EVENTS Craft Fair & Family day at Bisham Abbey in aid of PACE 15th April, 11am - 4pm - see page opposite for details.

Spring Clean Charity Project in aid of ‘Out of the Dark’ 21st and 22nd April - see page 59 for details 23rd April: St George’s Day Designer Sales in aid of Children’s Trust 27th April - see page 59 for details Henley International Film Fair 27 - 29th April - see page 59 for details 7th May: Bank Holiday Jubilee tea, cakes & Royal photos May 31st - June 1st at Marlow Information Centre courtesy Mike Eagleton Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, including 4th June bank holiday 2nd - 5th June Marlow Town Regatta 9th June - the Regatta 10th June - Dragon Boat Festival Higginson Park, www.marlowtownregatta.org ON-GOING EVENTS Marlow Museum Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, 1 - 5pm Pound Lane - opposite the Leisure Club Stanley Spencer Gallery 1st April - 4th November, 10.30am - 5.30pm daily

Every 4th Sunday, 10 - 4pm St. George’s Day Offer 21st – 23rd April Rebellion Beer at a price of £2 a pint for the weekend!

Rat Pack Tribute Night 4th May Half Term Blast off - Kid’s Disco 1st June Diamond Jubilee afternoon Tea 2nd - 5th June

STUBBINGS NURSERY Stubbings Estate, Henley Road, Maidenhead SL6 6QL www.stubbingsnursery.co.uk See page 22 for details Gardens open to the Public 5 - 7th May Open Air Cinema on the lawn 18th & 19th May Thames Valley Antiques Dealer’s Association Fair 11th - 13th May For more information or changes to the schedules as listed please call Marlow Information Centre on 01628 483597 Longridge, Marlow t: 483252 - e:bookings@longridge-uk.org Many clubs meet regularly at Liston Court, Chapel Street.- contact them directly on t: 472 558 Marlow Antique bric-a-brac fair meets 1st Saturday of the month at Liston Hall from 9-4pm The Farmers Market, Marlow, Dean Street Car Park every Sunday, 10am - 2pm

Old Thatch Gardens 12th May - 31st August, 2 - 5pm every Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday

Bourne End Country Market product Small Hall 10 - 12 , Every Friday

If you would like your event advertised contact 01628 771 419 / 07711 887107 or e: office@ AlongTheThames.co.uk

CROWNE PLAZA, MARLOW 01628 496800, www.crowneplazamarlow.co.uk/ See page 7 for details

Midas Antique Fairs Key to Events:

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Charity Events

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Weddings

One-off events

Clubs for Adults

Theatre & Music

Business Meetings

Kenton Theatre

Book now for the

June/July issue

A selection of forthcoming productions – for full programme please visit our web site

Deadline 11th May

Wednesday 18 - Friday 20th April, 7.45pm Saturday 21st April, 7pm JACK THE RIPPER ~ THE MUSICAL Now written into English folklore, the story centres around the infamous murders of five women in Whitechapel in 1888 by the self-styled “Jack the Ripper”. Set in an East End music hall pub, The Steam Packet, it is told in real time through the song and satire of the music hall songs that the Victorians were so good at. However, it is also a social comment on the times, which is still relevant today.

T: 01628 771419 / M: 07711 887107 E: office@AlongTheThames.co.uk “The man who stops advertising to save money is like the man who stops the clock to save time”

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CRAFT, GIFT AND WELL-BEING FAMILY DAY AT BISHAM ABBEY, MARLOW, SL7 1RR SUNDAY 15TH APRIL 2012 11AM- 4PM

Inside the stunning manor get invo olved wiith child dren n and family craft wo orksh hop ps an nd see over 40 craft and d giftt sta alls!!

Tuesday 8 - 11th May, 7.30pm & Saturday 12th May, 7pm THE HENLEY DRAMA FESTIVAL AT THE KENTON This Festival of One Act plays at The Kenton Theatre is now in its 41st year. A wide range of drama clubs and societies take part and there is a thriving and lively youth section as well. Over the five nights you will be treated to a full range of skills showcasing tragedy, comedy, pathos and humour.

There will be something for everyone, some well known plays, some not so well known and some original plays from budding playwrights. So why not come along and have a fun evening with us?

5 nights for the price of 4 available until 6th May 2012 Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th May, 7.30pm Falcon Grange presents Derek Benfield’s TOUCH & GO This well woven tale of suburban married life hilariously portrays the complications encountered when the fallout from two couples’ affairs catches up with them.

Brian is encouraged by his wife Hilary to take up jogging; so he dons his track suit, but instead of running around the park, runs straight to his good friend George’s flat, where his mistress Wendy is waiting for him! Little does Brian know that while the pair is using George’s flat George has romantic plans of his own. The arrangement works well, until George’s wife Jessica returns early from a business trip and discovers something unexpected in her front room. The resulting confusions and mistaken identities provide an evening of uproarious and innocent fun.

Please mention Along the Thames Magazine when booking.

contact the box office Monday to Friday 11am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 1pm

01491 575698 The event is fundraising for the children's physical disability charity the PACE centre.

Free to enter family day with disabled access and parking.

OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR ALL PRODUCTIONS AT

www.kentontheatre.co.uk New Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2BP Free Parking available in Waitrose car park after 6pm ALONG THE THAMES

63

Useful Numbers MARLOW- CLUBS Archaeology in Marlow ........................................... 472126 Marlow Archaeological Society .............................. 523896 Bowls ..................................................................... 485274 Boxing ......................................................... 01494 532826 Crafts ........................................................ 473872/473539 Football .................................................................. 483970 Hockey ................................................................... 521830 Plants (Orchids) .................................................... 486640 Petanque ............................................................... 521783 Photography ............................................. 482164/483030 Rugby ....................................................... 483911/477054 Running ................................................................. 474885 Four Seasons Club ................................................ 474095 Tennis ................................................................... 483638 New Marlow Tennis Academy .............................. 488438 Rifle & Pistol Club ...................................... 01494 676676 Longridge ............................................................. 486595 Marlow & District Wine Society ........................... 630341 Marlow Society/History ........................................ 476140 Rotary Club................................................. 01494 530952 LETS .......................................................... 01494 523978 U3A ......................................................... 485220/488865 Operatic Society .................................................. 475973 Community Choir .................................... 602581/661182 Railway Society ................................................... 486433 Choral Society ..................................................... 472998 Marlow Orators ........................................ 07738 540287 MARLOW - COUNCIL Bus Services ............................................. 01494 441818 Liston Hall ........................................................... 472558 Marlow Information centre ..................... 483597/481717 Library ...................................................... 0845 2303232 Town Council .......................................... 484024/481146 Neighbourhood Watch ............................. 020 77723348 Police ....................................................... 0845 8505505 Trains ........................................................ 0845 7000125 Wycombe Council .................................... 01494 461000 MARLOW - HOSPITALS Marlow Cottage .................................................. 482292 NHS Direct ................................................. 0800 595000 Wycombe ................................................. 01494 526161 MARLOW - DENTISTS Marlow Dental Centre ........................................ 486096 La Perla Clinic ..................................................... 488499 St John Ambulance .................................. 01494 474748 BOURNE END Library ................................................................ 524814 Community Centre ............................................ 527502

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Stockists from Pages 34-36 & 38 Swish t: 476 467 . w: www.swishboutique.co.uk, a: 5 Liston Court, Marlow No25 of Bourne End t: 528 877 w: www.no25ofbourneend.co.uk a: 25-27 The Parade, Bourne End Scarlett Monroe t: 488661 w: www.scarlettmonroe.com a: 11 High Street, Marlow

Catwalk t: 540055 a: 9A High Street Maidenhead, Peakes t: 622665 w: www.peakes-maidenhead.co.uk a: 77 - 79 King Street

Congratulations

to the winners of the following book competition held in the February/March 2012 issue.

The Games People Play: Sam Keery James Sweet, J.Kilns, S.Johnson

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