TIMELESS LUXURY. A WORLD APART. Located in the grounds of Langley Park estate, The Langley Buckinghamsire is an exquisite 41-room boutique hotel comprised of two heritage buildings, a historic mansion that was once the former estate of the Duke of Marlborough and a Grade II-listed 18th century building that was originally used as a stables and brewhouse. Complementing the estate, The Langley will feature a 25,000 square-foot spa specialising in a host of bespoke health and wellness treatments, paired with the expert personal training facilities of Matt Roberts.
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Simple Lifestyle Changes to Help You Lose Weight and Keep it Off It’s a new year, and many of us feel the pressure to lose Christmas weight and maybe even a few extra pounds that have crept up on us. We find ourselves searching for the newest diets that pop up on social media. Many of my clients come to me with all these different diets; no carbohydrates, packs and sachets of potions and powders or unhealthy tablets. Often, they find it too difficult to complete or they put the weight back on.
Keeping a Healthy Gut “Dysbiosis is the imbalance of gut bacteria which can lead to oedema of the satiety centre in the brain. This stops people from realizing they’re full and then overeat.” says Dr. Grant.
It’s time to change the way we eat…for good. This year, adopt simple healthy lifestyle changes that can help you lose weight, keep it off and feel healthier.
Tip: Increase vegetables and probiotics such as kefir, miso and sauerkraut. Limit red meat and processed foods.
According to Dr. Mariette Grant, with a Masters in Obesity Management, “100 calories a day equates to 36,500 calories over the year, which is an extra 5kg of body fat. If you can cut out 500 calories a day, you can lose up to a stone in two weeks.”
Regular Exercise and Physical Activities To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you eat. Try to exercise 45 to 60 minutes at least three days a week. This “exposes your body to enough training stimulus throughout the week, which enables the body to adapt, get stronger, leaner and fitter.” says Tom Mans, personal trainer.
Tips: 1. Choose natural organic food and avoid processed food. 2. Brush your teeth after every meal to signal to your brain that you’re full. 3. Try grilling or steaming instead of frying. 4. Plan ahead to avoid take-aways or convenience food. 5. When you eat out, order two appetizers instead of an appetizer and a main. 6. Use a smaller plate, as you’ll inevitably put less food on it. 7. If you must have chocolate, eat dark chocolate (less sugar than milk chocolate). Cut out bad carbs and avoid starchy foods at night Many white starchy foods such as pasta, white rice, bread and potatoes, raise our blood sugar levels, which signals our body to produce insulin. Excess insulin in the bloodstream causes cells in your body to absorb too much sugar from your blood which is then stored as fat.
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Tip: Set a daily alarm on your phone for 3:00 PM to remind yourself “No more carbs or sugar!” For dinner, fill up on good protein and tons of vegetables.
Tip: Get up and walk around while you’re on the phone. By walking 10 minutes every day at a moderate 3 mph pace, you burn about 1,000 calories a month. Sleep: fatigue makes you hungry Why do we crave comfort food when we’re tired? Insufficient sleep increases production of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol regulates appetite. High levels of cortisol make us want to eat comfort food (sugar and starch). Also, too little sleep can keep your body from burning carbohydrates, which means storing more body fat. Tip: Try reading a book before bed. Electronics emit a particular type of blue light that can trigger the brain to stop making melatonin which makes us sleep.
Drink plenty of water: Water helps flush out your lymphatic system which is the body’s major fat-processing system. Lymph carries fatty acids to the liver; our main fat burning organ. When these systems become toxic, they no longer perform as they should to clear the body of toxins, unwanted substances and fat. The daily recommendation for water is 6-8 glasses a day. Tip: Your body often mistakes thirst for hunger. Drink a glass of water before each meal to fill you up. It all comes down to balance, moderation and discipline. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Give yourself a treat occasionally so life doesn’t become an endless battle with food. Marlow Face & Body provides clients free consultations to discuss nutrition and healthy lifestyle changes. See our Facebook and Instagram feed for more tips. Elisabeth Bester info@marlowfaceandbody.com
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
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Happy New year A new year and a new beginning Welcome to 2018
a l on g t h e t h a m es
Serena Edwards Editor
ADVERTISING: 01628 627 488
It’s at this time of year that I realise that the time has flown by at an alarming rate and I just wonder where did the year go! Do you make new year resolutions and if so do you keep them? I came across an interesting concept to choose an inspirational word for the year rather than a resolution that can help shape the year ahead. Do you have an inspirational word? For me this year my word is ‘succeed’ as I embark on building my marketing communications business further. So, if I can help you improve your communications either internally or externally through the many channels now available to us (website, social media, newsletters, branding etc), with an emphasis on design and newsletters then do get in touch and see how I can help you improve your business. This edition includes all our usual features including diary dates, fashion, keeping your skin hydrated, stars and motoring to name a few. Also, an interview with Judy Dench and her love of trees and we are off to Marrakesh in our travel article. Do you want to help count the birds in your garden and help the RSPB, then head over to page 41 for details. We have teamed up with the Reading Hexagon to give away a pair of tickets to a showing of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour on 27th February. This is a must see event for anyone with a sense of adventure or an interest in the World’s wildest locations. Good luck and see page 43 for how to enter.
CONTACT US: Living Along the Thames Magazine Studio 108, 5 High Street, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 1JN Tel: 01628 627 488 Office@AlongTheThames.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS: Dru Ross, Christine Chalklin, Karine Jackson, Katy Dunn, Jacky & Mark Bloomfield ACCOUNTS: Lisa Dansey Tel: 07863 136951 lisa@sundialaccounting.co.uk DESIGNED BY: Digital Bear Design Tel: 01949 839206 mat@digitalbear.co.uk LOVE MAGAZINES?: subscribe to 6 copies for £18 a year Tel: 01628 627 488 View our recent editions online at: www.VIVIDTITLES.co.uk FOLLOW US: @AlongtheThames
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Living Along the Thames is hand delivered into 12,000 ABC1 homes every two months in Maidenhead, Marlow, Henley, Cookham & Bourne End, including High Streets. Produced by Living Along The Thames Magazines. All Rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the Publisher and is protected by copyright. The views expressed in Living Along the Thames magazine are not necessarily the views of the editor/publisher. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure quality and content, the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors in articles, advertisements and photographs. Copyright © January/February 2018 Living Along the Thames 2018 ISSN 2398-9343
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
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How Much Attention Should We Really Be Paying To Bmi Measurements? For as long as they’ve been around, BMI charts have been the subject of debate. BMI (which stands for body mass index) charts have been used as an indicator for decades, of whether we are underweight, a healthy weight, overweight or obese. The system was devised in the 19th century and coined in a medical paper in 1972. But it’s also long been a topic of debate, because it works purely on weight and height measurements and age and doesn’t distinguish between fat and muscle or take into account gender or ethnicity. The simple measurement is your weight in kilograms divided by height in metres, and divided by height again. Below 18.5 is classified as underweight, over 25 is overweight and over 30 means you’re in the obese category. What is BMI helpful for? BMI is currently recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. Being overweight or obese is associated with a higher risk of major conditions like heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, and BMI scales can help identify if someone is more likely to be at risk. “BMI is a straightforward and costeffective way of accurately measuring a person’s weight status. It is used widely across the world, which helps to make valuable international comparisons,” says Professor Louis Levy, head of nutrition science at Public Health England. It provides invaluable insight into a general overview of the population as figures released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently, showed that childhood obesity has increased 10-fold in the past four decades. It’s worth noting, BMI in children is measured slightly differently to adults though (using BMI centile on a child growth chart). World Obesity Federation data shows that obesity is steadily climbing in adults as well, and by 2025, it’s predicted that 41% of UK adults will be obese.
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What are the disadvantages of the BMI system? In short, people are categorised based purely on measurements, without taking into account things like their build and fitness levels, which may be very important. If someone has a lot of muscle (which weighs more than fat), the BMI index will be overestimated by the calculation - so a fit, strapping rugby player could have relatively low body fat levels but a high BMI, for example. Dr Clare Morrison, GP at online pharmacy and doctor, says: “While a BMI can be used as an indicator of obesity, other factors need to be considered. Muscle weighs more than fat and so a person who is muscle-building, who does not have any excess body fat, could potentially have the same BMI as an obese individual.” Luke Hughes, Personal Trainer, says: “Many people interpret BMI as an absolute to their health, but for a large percentage of the population, the figures are extremely distorted, especially as we move into our more polarised society with regards to our physical activity levels. The scale does not take into consideration the placement of where body fat settles on the body.” Where fat appears on someone’s body is important to determining health and risk of disease. A 2014 study by the Mayo Clinic in the US found that people with a normal BMI but a large belly (ie. those who carry most of their body fat around the middle) were more likely to die younger or from weightassociated illnesses. The NHS website says a healthy waist circumference for men is less than 94cm (37 inches) and less than 80cm (32 inches) for women. Your middle is a particularly dangerous place to carry excess fat, compared to say, carrying it on your bottom or thighs. This visceral fat makes you more likely to develop heart disease or diabetes.
Are there any better ways to measure who is at risk? Public Health England recommend that the BMI index isn’t the only method you use to work out whether or not you’re overweight or obese. Professor Levy says, “Other measures such as waist circumference are rough guides that can also reflect weight status and risk of ill health.” Professor Alan Neville from the University of Wolverhampton says “Although monitoring BMI is sensible and will help identify people who are overweight, in most cases, he believes waist circumference (divided by height, square-rooted) would be a more accurate measurement. There’s very little [chance] muscle could interfere with a waist circumference measurement.” BMI may also be more or less relevant depending on your age. “It’s quite easy to show that younger people with a BMI over 30 don’t have as much fat as older people over 30,” Professor Neville says. “While younger people will carry a higher proportion of muscle in their 20s than someone in their 50s.” Other methods for measuring body fat are available, but they’re more expensive, such as bioimpedance scales, which measure the percentage of body fat and The DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) Body Scan, which measures visearal fat in the body more accurately. So for the moment the BMI index is a relatively straight forward and convenient method of assessing someones weight and the starting point for further discussion about your weight and general health.
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
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Freedom of Mobility At Independent Living Consultants we aim to provide the freedom of mobility to those who want to lead a more fulfilled life. Established in 1998 with the opening of a mobility shop in High Wycombe, the success of the company has led to the further opening of a second shop in Princes Risborough. As well as being an NHS approved supplier, Independent Living offer a ‘try before you buy’ service to ensure that individual needs are met and accurately catered for. Company manager Richard Walsh is convinced that internet purchases cannot offer the same security.
quibble warranty with Independent Living priding themselves on excellent after sales service.
He says "Many people buy online and although this can sometimes save time, they often end up with the wrong product. One reason we started this business was to plug the gap in the market for a hands-on service. This approach greatly reduces the risk of people wasting their money on unsuitable items."
Independent Living also operate both a daily delivery service as well as a no obligation home demonstration policy. So don’t waste any time wading through the web, take a hands-on approach and find the product that’s right for you.
The products on offer are available for the elderly and disabled, carers and healthcare professionals.
A wide range of products are kept in stock ranging from the simple everyday items like jar openers and tap turners to larger powered items such as cooters, rise and recline chairs and bath lifts. Furthermore, the fully qualified staff at Independent Living are always available to demonsrate equipment and answer any questions. All products carry a no
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Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
fight frazzle and fatigue wellbeing apps to download this winter From sleep trackers to meditation methods, here’s how to make your downtime more mindful this season. Sleep Cycle: sleepcycle.com
Once we bragged about all-nighters, but now getting enough sleep has never been trendier. To help you measure the quality of the hours you’re clocking, there’s Sleep Cycle. This omniscient app monitors your nighttime habits from your bedside table and uses its findings to gently nudge you awake at the least disruptive time possible (a definite upgrade if you’re still relying on the iPhone’s shrill clarion call). The morning after, it’ll present your sleep patterns to you in easy-to-understand graphs and detailed notes, so you can further obsess over your unconscious bedtime habits.
Happify: my.happify.com
Run out of reasons to be cheerful? You really need to download Happify. This self-improvement programme
believes positivity is a skill you can both control and learn over time, through levelled activities. Users can brain-train their way to a more fulfilling life by scoring points on a checklist of games that draw on psychology, mindfulness and CBT techniques, designed to boost mood on a long-term basis.
Calm: calm.com
If you’re looking for a beginner’s guide to meditation, Calm is the place to start. It has a huge range of guided mindfulness programmes designed to help with a whole checklist of mental health issues: from managing stress and anxiety in the workplace to improving disrupted sleep. The meditations are created with all kinds of different lifestyles in mind, so whether you’ve got a full half an hour or just three minutes to spare, you’ll always be able to squeeze the practice into your day.
Tai Chi | Qi Gong | Yoga | Acupuncture A gentle yet powerful approach to fitness and well being Sara Mayne Lic Ac MBAcC
Regular weekly daytime and evening classes half day and weekend courses 7 Heathlands Drive, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 4NF (near Pinkneys Green)
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Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
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‘My Life Now Is Just Trees And Champagne’ Audiences may be well-acquainted with Dame Judi Dench’s Oscar-worthy performances, but how much do they know about her passion for trees? Dame Judi Dench has enjoyed an extensive career on stage and screen, but now she’s set to indulge one of her other deep passions - her love for, er, trees! The Oscar-winning actress has filmed a one-hour special, aptly titled Judi Dench: My Passion For Trees, which documents a year-long journey through the seasons and the effect each has on her own secret six-acre forest at her home in Surrey. Her mission: To transform a BBC One audience’s vision and, with the expertise of Tony Kirkham (head of the arboretum at Royal Botanical Gardens Kew), understand woodland’s vital role in our past and future. “Ever since I was a very small girl, I was irrationally upset about seeing lorries with trees cut down on them,” the 83-year-old said at a recent London screening. “My parents used to make remarks about it, but it’s always upset me. “And the sound of trees being cut down is something that I’ve not ever been able to quite tolerate. I don’t like it at all. I know you’ve got to cut trees down, but I don’t want to be there at the time.” A self-confessed nemophilist (“one who is fond of the forest”), the Yorkshire-born actress went on to share her passion with her late husband, actor Michael Williams, and continues to care for her grove with her close companion, wildlife enthusiast David Mills.
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One of her favourite pastimes has long been planting saplings for loved ones who have died. “It’s about remembering, for me. Something that is living, that goes on,” she tells film-makers, having planted trees for fellow thespians including Natasha Richardson, Alan Rickman, Robert Hardy and, of course, her beloved Michael.
helped her find out how effective trees are as carbon-capture machines, She used a device to listen to the sound trees make just behind the bark, and was stunned by a 3D fly-through of her garden, including her 200-year-old oak tree. And, all the while, a sprinkling of seasonal Shakespearean sonnets were thrown in for good, dramatic, measure.
“So you don’t just remember loved ones and stop, you remember them and it gets more wonderful.”
“This kind of journey was wonderful, because there were lots and lots of things that I learned for the first time,” she concludes.
It makes it ever more special for Dame Judi, then, that among her many discoveries is one that states that the very foundation of trees - their roots - make up an intricate underground network of fungi that connects many trees in a forest together.
That’s not to say the opportunity to do the show didn’t take some deliberating, with a reluctant Dame Judi confessing that she had never made a documentary before, and she didn’t know if she could play herself.
“When I planted trees in memory of my friends, I always hoped they’d be part of a community - that they would be communicating with each other,”she tells viewers, having been told the threads are dubbed the “wood-wide web”.
But having taken the plunge, she couldn’t be happier.
“It’s so reassuring to find out that’s true!” she reiterates, beaming from ear to ear. “My trees are part of an extended family. I love the feeling of that. It’s kind of like an ideal society, nobody says, ‘Oh no, we don’t go to that tree’. Nobody says, ‘That tree is different, we’re not going to visit that one’. That was wonderful.” In the show, the latest scientific techniques and equipment also
“I shall never be able to walk nonchalantly through a woodland again without thinking about all of the incredible work that is going on under there”. “It’s mind-blowing. It’s wonderful and very exciting. I don’t know how I lived so long without knowing more about my passion, but I know now.” “I shall give up acting and lecture on trees quite soon, I expect,” jokes the former Bond star. “My life now is just trees. Trees and Champagne.” Gemma Dunn
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
Be my Valentine at Stoke Park!
Make this year a Valentine’s to remember by treating someone special in your life to a romantic getaway at Stoke Park, the luxurious 5 AA Red star Hotel, Spa and Country Club in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire. Romance your loved one to a four course dinner before spending a night in one of their luxurious bedrooms, with a bottle of Champagne and a Valentine’s themed cake in your room on arrival, making the celebrations for the occasion even more perfect.
This Luxurious Valentine’s Escape includes: 1 nights’ accommodation Full English or Continental Breakfast A bottle of Champagne Valentine’s themed cake in your room Late check out at 12pm
per person, prepared by their award winning Executive Chef, Chris Wheeler!
Stoke Park’s Valentine’s Package is available on Wednesday 14th February - Sunday 18th February.
Complimentary use of Stoke Park’s award winning Tennis and Health facilities, including; indoor swimming pool, state-of-the-art gymnasium with Star Trac equipment, multi-surface tennis courts, steam rooms, hot yoga, fitness and spinning studios hosting up to 50 classes per week, outdoor Scandinavian sauna and hot tub From £232 per person
15th to 18th February 2018, the standard Humphry’s dinner menu and the special 4 Course Valentine’s Menu is available
Guests booking this package can also add an exquisite four course valentines dinner in Humphry’s for £98 Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
On the 14th February, only the special 4 Course Valentine’s Dinner is available in Humphry’s (not the standard dinner menu)
Their Orangery restaurant is open as normal on all days. To book or for more information, please contact Stoke Park’s Reservations team on 01753 71 71 72 or by email reservations@stokepark.com www.stokepark.com
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Come in from the Cold and Enjoy a
Winter Cocktail Bombay Sapphire Spiced Apple Tea Some like it hot - and Bombay Sapphire (£21, 70cl, Waitrose) have created a spicy twist on this party classic Ingredients: 50ml Bombay Sapphire 15ml Martini Bianco 20ml fresh lemon juice 3 thin slices of apple 1 cinnamon stick; 3 cloves 3 cardamom pods (broken) 1/4 vanilla bean 1 black tea bag 15ml honey 150ml water 50ml cloudy apple juice. Method: Add water, honey and apple to a pot and heat. Add spices and tea bag and allow to simmer for five minutes. Remove tea bag and add apple juice. Strain. Add Bombay Sapphire, Martini Rosso and fresh lemon juice and stir before serving. Serve in a large teacup. Garnish: Orange zest, spent apple slices and nutmeg sprinkle.
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The Grey Goose French Coffee Why not perk up your palate with Grey Goose La Poire Vodka (£38, 70cl, Ocado) - a pear flavoured vodka. Ingredients: 35ml Grey Goose La Poire 75ml warm speciality filter coffee 15ml demerara sugar syrup double cream. Method: Build all ingredients in a French coffee glass. Float double cream on top. Garnish: Ground nutmeg. Blue Bottle Green Park Blue Bottle Artisan Dry Gin with tastes of floral, spice, juniper and nutmeg. (drinks21.com £35) Ingredients: 60ml Blue Bottle Gin 7.5ml Dry Vermouth 10 Fresh Basil Leaves Lemon Oil Method: Fill a tall glass with ice and add all the ingredients, mix well and add lemon garnish. Garnish: Lemon Zest Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
THE OXFORD BLUE, OLD WINDSOR Simply Sensational fine dining in a Pub Set Dinner menu through-out January
2 courses £30 3 courses £35 available until 31st January
2 for 1 on all Cocktails through-out February available until 28th February – excluding 14th February
Quote ‘Living Along the Thames’ when booking. The Oxford Blue | 10 Crimp Hill | Old Windsor | Berkshire SL4 2QY 8619542018 | www.oxfordbluepub.co.uk Living Along The Thames | 01753 JANUARY/FEBRUARY
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DINNER PARTY FOOD Trends Through The Decades from prawn cocktails to mini burgers Food trends have changed a lot in the last seven decades, from rationing in the post-war era of the Forties and Fifties, through to today, when we seemingly can’t get enough of avocado on toast.
1960s: Baked Alaska The meringue-covered ice cream and sponge has actually been around since the mid 19th century, but the dish became hugely popular in the Sixties.
dessert makes an appearance on restaurant menus and the dinner party tables of ambitious hosts today.
Hosting at home still remains the place to show off your culinary skills, but what’s on the menu has certainly come a long way.
1950s: Pimento-stuffed olives James Bond would not be Bond without a martini, and the martini would not be the same without a Pimento-stuffed olive. They’re the iconic cocktail olive, but they were also essential for any 1950s dinner party. Indeed, the omega-packed finger-food became an essential part of the accompaniments at any party worth its salt, alongside delights such as devilled eggs (a hard-boiled egg stuffed with egg yolk, mayonnaise, mustard and added spice). Funnily enough, while olives are still just as likely to feature in dinner parties today, devilled eggs would be a rarer sight.
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It was the showy dessert guaranteed to impress dinner party guests-people love anything flambeed! French chef Charles Ranhofer, from New York’s Delmonico’s Restaurant, claims to have served the first one in 1867, and the classic baked Alaska has stood the test of time; the retro
1970s: Prawn cocktail Originally created by a Californian miner in the 19th century, the prawn cocktail became the starter at more or less any dinner party during the Seventies. It was often served in a wine glass, on top of a bed of iceberg lettuce with Marie rose sauce and buttered brown bread on the side (Classy!). The Seventies was also the decade that saw the cheese fondue and black-forest gateaux take off.
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
2000s: Gourmet burgers The Noughties lacked the fuss of previous decades, as dinner parties embraced simple meat dishes. Burgers were, of course, not a new thing, they’ve been around since the beginning of the 20th century, but this period saw the humble burger get a makeover like no other. Standard buns were replaced with brioche, and plain ketchup was replaced with chilli jam or bacon ketchup. Burgers were no longer a fast-food, but something that could be ordered in a trendy restaurant, or dished up to guests at a dinner party (especially if in miniature form or served on wooden boards).
1980s: Vol-au-vents The Eighties had a flourish that previous decades lacked, with bold fashion and a love of all things French. By the beginning of the decade, vol-au-vents (a French puff pastry casing, filled with a savoury filling, usually a creamy mushroom, prawn or chicken concoction) were the only way to start a dinner party. Served alongside cocktails at the beginning of the night, they were considered the height of sophistication.
1990s: Smoked salmon roulades The smoked salmon roulade rose to prominence in the 1990s, along with the tiny portion trend. The recipe has continually been revived and the basics have stayed the same; filled with smoked salmon, creme fraiche and cream cheese, often accompanied by watercress and cucumber.
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
2010 onwards: Cheesecakes in mason jars It’s easy to blame hipsters for this one, but restaurants, TV chefs and everyone at home began digging out old mason jars or jam jars and putting everything from cheesecake to salads and cocktails in them. Hot on the heels of serving desserts in cocktail glasses, mason jars give dishes a rustic, ‘oh I just threw this together’ look, and means you don’t actually have to set a cheesecake and chocolate mousse enough to stand on a plate - perfect for amateur chefs everywhere.
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How To Make Rick Stein’s Chargrilled Aubergine and Feta Rolls From ‘The Road To Mexico’ by Rick Stein
Ingredients
(Serves four as a starter or part of a mezze) 2 aubergines 4tbsp olive oil 175g feta cheese 175g ricotta cheese Small handful flat leaf parsley, chopped 5-6 rasps freshly grated nutmeg 10 turns from the black pepper mill 1.5tbsp capers, chopped To serve: 100g mixed rocket, watercress and baby spinach Juice of 1/2 lemon 2tbsp extra virgin olive oil Seeds from 1/2 pomegranate Salt and pepper
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Method Cut the aubergines lengthwise into slices about 5mm thick. You should get about six slices from each aubergine. Brush the aubergine slices on both sides with oil and grill them in batches on a barbecue or griddle pan for three to four minutes on each side until browned, tender and pliable. Set them aside. Mash the feta and ricotta in a bowl with a fork and add the parsley, nutmeg and black pepper. Stir in the capers.
Spoon a generous tablespoon of filling on to the wide end of each aubergine slice and roll it up like a Swiss roll. To serve, arrange the salad leaves on a platter, dress them with lemon juice and olive oil, then season. Arrange the aubergine rolls on top, seam-side down, and decorate them with pomegranate seeds. Serve at room temperature as a starter or part of a mezze.
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
How To Eat Your Way To Better Hair Despairing over flat, frizzy, lifeless locks? These food tips will keep your mane on top form. A shiny mane can hide a multitude of sins, making even the most party weary among us look put together. It’s also an outward sign of inward health, meaning the best way to give your locks a boost during party season is by eating a nutrient-rich diet. Carrots Sporting unsightly flakes? Ditch the anti-dandruff shampoo and try eating carrots instead. The potent power behind this veggie’s orange hue is beta-carotene, a provitamin that is converted into vitamin A in the body. This nutrient is vital for the production of sebum, the oily substance created by the sebaceous glands, that acts like a natural conditioner, promoting a healthy and flake-free scalp.
As experts say, your hair is a garden - the stronger the roots, the better the foliage. Spinach Popeye’s favourite food doesn’t just give you bulging muscles, it can also keepyour hair looking salon-worthy. It’s all thanks to iron, which feeds the hair at follicle level (low levels can be a major cause of hair loss). As well as spinach, you could try packing more iron-rich red meat, fish, lentils and kale into your diet for a double dose.
Chicken Rich, strong, glossy hair requires one key player: protein. Your hair shaft is made up largely of keratin, which is a special type of protein rich in sulphur. The first sign you’re not getting enough protein in your diet is damaged, tired and brittle hair. Augment your intake with protein-rich foods like chicken, turkey, fish and eggs. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you can opt for alternative sources, such as legumes and nuts.
the body is unable to create omega-3 independently, we have to obtain these essential nutrients through foods. If you’re not a fan of fish, you could always try plant sources like avocado, pumpkin seeds and walnuts.
Salmon Fatty acids in fish like salmon help to promote hair growth, as well as add shine and elasticity to hair. The essential vitamin in salmon, omega-3, can prevent a dry and itchy scalp and can even help to reverse hair loss. Since
Blueberries Not just a tasty topping on porridge, blueberries are a useful source of vitamin C, which helps build collagen to maintain hair strength. This vital vitamin also plays a necessary role in absorbing iron.
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
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GOK WAN The TV presenter and stylist opens up to Gabrielle Fagan about his personal battles.
“I’ve worked hard at not having regrets as it’s a waste of time. Life’s short so it’s very important to take opportunities, give things a go and see what happens.”
Fashion expert Gok Wan is one of the nation’s most popular TV personalities, best known for presenting hit TV show, ‘How To Look Good Naked’. Cheeky, charismatic and versatile, he’s demonstrated his expertise on a host of programmes about weight, cooking and self-confidence. He recently toured in a one-man stage show, Gok Wan ‘Naked & Baring All.’ The Leicester-born 43-year-old, whose parents ran a Chinese restaurant, has spoken open about the bullying he endured in his younger years and his subsequent struggles with an eating disorder. What do you worry about when it comes to your health? “My biggest failing is being a workaholic. I push myself too much because I love what I do, but it means looking after myself comes bottom of the list until I get ill. Then I panic and try to be better. “Five years ago I had seven operations on my back because of slipped discs. My back’s much better than it was, but I don’t think it will ever be back to what it was. I still have good days and bad days. How do you take care of yourself physically? “My New Year’s resolution is to slow down a little - mind you, I say that every year. Walking my bulldog, Dolly, is both exercise and pleasure and, of course, shopping is my therapy.” What was your biggest turning point when it comes to self-care? “Leaving my career working as a stylist in fashion and music and moving into television for ‘How To Look Good Naked.’ I was anorexic while I was filming the programmes.
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Filming them made me realise I needed help and made me question why I had this dysfunctional relationship with food. I was going on a journey with my body confidence issues just as much as the woman on the show. Sharing their problems about body image really helped me to confront my own.” Do you think you’ve overcome your issues with anorexia? “In the darkest moments of my life I was definitely battling anorexia but now I’ve come to live with it. In a way, I’ve almost made with friends it. I’ve come to terms with the fact it could come back, but I know now that I have the right skills to control it if it does. “There’s a myth that once you no longer have anorexia you are ‘fixed’, but eating disorders lie dormant within you like parasites. Anorexia is part of my tapestry. The only times I’ve really struggled with it was when I tried to get rid of it or ignore it. It’s important to help get rid of the stigma around these sort of illnesses by talking about it.” How do you feel about yourself now? “I’m in the happiest place I’ve ever been in my life and I feel I’m a better friend and family member these days. I regard my biggest achievement as my relationship with my family. I really love them and work hard to keep those relationships - which has been difficult with my lifestyle of working and travelling. “My parents were totally accepting about me being gay. They went through so much social persecution themselves when they first got
together, as my dad’s Chinese and my mum’s English.
“The biggest problem for them came when I became well-known, because they had to share me with the rest of the world, which was hard for them.” They’d always thought of me as the baby of the family, and suddenly I wasn’t around any more and the world intruded on our close unit. I’ve missed loads of family occasions and sometimes I’ve even been too busy to speak to them, but they’re massively supportive and understanding.” Do you have any regrets? “I’ve worked hard at not having regrets as it’s a waste of time. Life’s short so it’s very important to take opportunities, give things a go and see what happens.” “I never think of myself as a celebrity; that lifestyle doesn’t appeal to me at all. I’m just a fashion stylist who works on TV sometimes. I have my values and beliefs and nowadays I don’t need everyone to agree with those to reassure me. I’m confident enough in who I am.” “I have a very fulfilled life. I think I probably won’t have children now because I’m 43 and I have a lot on my plate as it is. I actually have more godchildren than shoes, which is lovely.”
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY /FEBRUARY 2018
How To Stop Your Nails Breaking In Winter
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Follow these expert tips to get strong and stable nails all winter long. Why is it that in summer our nails are long, strong and practically invincible, but as soon as we get the first whiff of winter they start snapping? “With winter setting in, nails take a pummelling from the dropping temperature outdoors and the dry atmosphere indoors,” says Pupinder Ghatora, pharmacist and co-founder of Ingenious Beauty. “It is not surprising that they can do with a little extra help.” It’s not just snap-happy nails we have to contend with; splitting and flakiness also feature high up on the cold weather complaints list, and there’s a scientific explanation for that. “Onychoschisis is a condition that causes horizontal splits within the nail plate,” explain podiatrists Dr Adam Cirlincione and Dr William Spielfogel. “Nail splitting is often seen together with onychorrhexis - long-wise splitting or ridging of the nail plate - and these two diseases together are called ‘brittle nail syndrome’.”
Exacerbated by frequent exposure to water or chemicals, plus diet or medical issues, the condition has numerous causes, but the good news is, there are lots of ways to prevent it. The do’s and don’ts you should follow if you want smooth unbroken nails. Don’t soak your nails in water “Washing up, having a bath, or even a traditional manicure offering a soak in a bowl are all great big no-nos,” says Georgie Smedley, founder of nail brand All That Jazz. “Exposing your nails to water makes them swell, with, you guessed it, water, and while you may not think that’s a bad thing, it really is. Although the water in the nail plate will evaporate in around 30 to 60 minutes, the harmful part is that it will take with it all the good oils that are meant to stay in the nail, therefore stripping the nail plate of all its flexibility. Celebrity manicurist Michelle Class agrees: “By using cuticle oil daily you will help to stop flaking, brittleness, and flexibility by hydrating them.” Don’t forget to wear gloves “Keep those digits inside gloves where possible,” Georgie says. “The frequent temperature changes from being indoors to outdoors will cause excess
dehydration, so wearing gloves will help regulate their temperature. And don’t forget washing up gloves - they count towards great protection too.” Do keep your nails short “Keep nails at a reasonable length, and slightly shorter than normal, as they are at a greater risk of breaking during winter months,” Georgie advises. “A good quality file will seal the edges and prevent peeling. Try to use a glass file, such as the All That Jazz Glass Nail File, which has a super fine surface and will seal the free edge, leaving it smooth and snag free.” Don’t neglect your hands “Problem skin causing nail disorders? Psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema can all contribute to a damaged matrix the nail root where it’s formed,” Georgie says. “Using a wax cream such as the healing Bee Bar, from All That Jazz coats the skin and nails with a barrier and helps heal the skin and give day long protection from the elements.” Don’t use acetone nail varnish remover “If you’ve got a nail polish on, and it needs removing, avoid using acetone-based removers, unless you’ve got gel polish on, as they can be particularly drying on nails and the skin around it.”
Hydrate your skin this winter
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Salcura Bioskin for itchy, inflamed & sensitive skin Derma Spray | 100ml £16.99 250ml | £32.99 Derma Serum 50ml £13.99 Zeoderm | 50ml £9.99 150ml | £19.99 www.salcuraskincare.com
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Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
Dr. Ceuticals Intensive Balm 50ml | £9.99 www.boots.com
Katherine Daniels Dry Skin Cream 50ml | £38 www.katherinedanielscosmetics.com
Janjira 24k Gold Rituals Nourishing Eye Concentrate 15ml | £36 Skin firming Treatment Mask 100ml | £55 Hydrating Moisturiser | 30ml £52 | www.janjira.co.uk
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Carnation Intensive Foot Moisturiser | £2.88 www.firstaidfast.co.uk
Noble Isle Willow Song Body Scrub 275gm | £28 Body Cream | 275ml | £38 www.nobleisle.com
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Perricone MD H2 Elemental Energy Hydrating Cloud Cream | 50ml | £69 www.perriconemd.co.uk
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Your Stars for January 2018
A prosperous New Year to all!
Saturn, the planet of responsibility and discipline, starts 2018 in Capricorn for the first time in 30 years. The flavour of the year ahead is down to earth and focussed, even unrelenting at times. Saturn in Capricorn is a hard taskmaster and this may well be a year of belt-tightening. At its most positive we can expect to see a refocussing on hard work and achievement. Venus, the love planet, moves from down to earth Capricorn into unpredictable Aquarius on the 18th, bringing unusual relationships and partnerships into focus. Mars and Jupiter are in unwavering and determined in Scorpio, highlighting the need to stick to your plans. Two full moons this month the first in Cancer on the 2nd and the second one in Leo on the 31st. The new moon is in Capricorn on the 17th, an excellent time to set out your goals for the year ahead. ARIES March 21 - April 20 Saturn in focussed Capricorn arrives at the point in your chart concerned with higher knowledge and education. This is an important year for Aries as renewed focus on top priority projects really gets underway. The full moon on the 2nd highlights family matters.
LEO July 23 - August 23 Four planets light up the work and daily routines sector of your chart as planning and restructuring become a strong focus this month. Your health also takes priority as disciplined Saturn nudges you forward towards a new and innovative wellbeing regime.
SAGITTARIUS November 23 - December 21 Saturn, the planet of duty and responsibility stands firm in the financial area of your chart. You would do well to have a period of reassessment, don’t tempt fate with any risky ventures. Your ruler connects with energetic Mars and shines on all your intuitive and productive abilities.
TAURUS April 21 - May 21 Stern Saturn is at a highpoint of your chart confirming that this is another important phase for developing your career, particularly as further education and travel play a big part. It’s a good time to make important decisions before Mars moves into Sagittarius on the 27th.
VIRGO August 24 - September 22 Four planets in responsible Capricorn occupy the most creative part of your chart, this is definitely the month to get new projects up and running. Energetic Mars connects with Jupiter in Scorpio, assisting with innovative and pioneering ideas. The new moon on the 17th is ideal for new beginnings.
CAPRICORN December 22 - January 20 Four planets occupy your sign at the start of this very important year. Energetic Mars connects with abundant Jupiter shining a very positive light on friends and group endeavours. The Capricorn new moon on the 17th gives you a good instinct for new partnerships, use your intuition for developing romantic plans.
GEMINI May 22 - June 21 Serious Saturn is now in the financial sector of your chart ensuring that a close review is necessary. Knowledge gained during 2017 will assist you in making important decisions. A short term goal also needs attention, for best results use the innovative new moon energy on the 17th.
LIBRA September 23 - October 23 Your home and family come to the forefront this month as four planets light up all things domestic. Venus, your ruler, moves into innovative Aquarius on the 18th creating important insights for you to act on. The Aquarian new moon on the 17th brings a new sense of adventure.
AQUARIUS January 21 - February 18 Energetic Mars connecting with abundant Jupiter in Scorpio augurs well for your plans in 2018. The full moon on the 2nd highlights an important work opportunity, use this trend to focus on important goals. The second full moon in your opposite sign on the 31st sees the start of an exciting new partnership.
CANCER June 22 - July 22 2018 starts with a potent full moon in your sign on the 2nd, optimism and positive thinking will make a vital difference to your current plans and help things go your way. The new moon on the 17thth highlights relationships, use your intuition to make the right decisions.
SCORPIO October 24 - November 22 Saturn, Venus, the Sun and Pluto are all crowding the communication area of your chart. Business plans and ideas are positively highlighted now, while your mind is sharp and at its best. Jupiter is strong in your sign encouraging future plans, but do remember to keep your options open.
PISCES February 19 - March 20 Mars and Jupiter, both strong in Scorpio, are making waves in the travel area of your chart. This month is perfect for planning a journey, enjoying some culture or engaging in discussion. Positive breakthroughs will be sure to occur if you follow your intuition with renewed vigour and self-confidence.
NAVIGATE YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS
with in-depth knowledge and cosmic awareness. Book now for a revealing personal astrology consultation. Inspirational Astrologer and Life Coach, Christine@restyleyourlife.co.uk | Telephone: 07813 483549 | www.restyleyourlife.co.uk
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
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10 stylish ways to
Miss Selfridge Pink Balloon Sleeve Knitted Jumper, currently reduced to £22.50 from £30; Burgundy Corduroy A-Line Skirt, currently reduced to £21 from £28
embrace the corduroy comeback
An offshoot of the Seventies trend, corduroy is back on the catwalks and shaking off its fusty reputation. While velvet and suede have come roaring back into fashion in recent years, their cousin corduroy has remained a style pariah, encumbered by associations with 1970s smart-casual business men and geography teachers (of all eras). But now, those very same sartorial outcasts have been welcomed back into the fold (because what is fashion if not fickle?), with head-to-toe cord looks cropping up on the Prada, Marc Jacobs and Lemaire autumn/winter catwalks, and the ribbed fabric gaining major traction in the high street collections too. In autumnal colours - like copper, crimson, burgundy and a range of deep greens - the Seventies associations are obvious, and the soft but sturdy textile is ideal for mixing with other winter warmers, like cashmere and cable knits. We’ve picked 10 top buys to add to your cold weather wardrobe. With these stylish pieces, you’ll soon want to get on board with cord.
Laura Ashley Cord Waist Tunic, currently reduced to £40 from £80
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Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
Glamorous Pink Corduroy Trucker Jacket, £60 MiH Marty Cord Jeans £195
George at Asda Dungaree Dress, £16
Bonprix Bronze Soft Cord Blazer, £39.99; Vintage Print Blouse, £19.99; Jeans, £29.99; Necklace, £14.99
M&Co Petite Cable Knit Turtle Neck Jumper, £29; Petite A-Line Cord Skirt, £22
Cath Kidston Corduroy Trousers, currently reduced to £42 from £70
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
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Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
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Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
Lucy St George’s dining area with a vintage Saarinen Tulip table, and Eames DSW chairs, and huge vintage railway mirror.
“When planning a room, we encourage people to split the space up into sections, such as the fireplace, the seating area, the entrance and so on, then to consider each one as an individual style spot.”
decor experts rockett st george reveal their recipe for stunning style Jane Rockett and Lucy St George share their vision for imaginative and inviting interiors. Interiors emporium Rockett St George, is renowned for its quirky eye and distinctive, glamorous look, and capturing these vibes in your own home has never been easier, as brand founder Jane Rockett and Lucy St George have shared their secrets in a new book, Extraordinary Interiors. Here, Jane and Lucy talk to us about how it all began, staying inspired, and how to recreate their style in your own home... How did you two meet? “We met at a fancy-dress party. I was wearing a red sequin dress, a blonde wig and a sash saying ‘Miss Leading’, while Lucy was a beautiful funky fairy in a white mini-dress,” recalls Jane. “Our friendship was sealed when we discovered we not only shared a passion for black clothes, but for flea markets, Manchego cheese, travel, actor Tom Hardy and, of course, interiors.
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“10 years ago, we joined forces to make a career out of our passion and Rockett St George was born. Our mantra is: Make it personal, be brave, style one step at a time, and enjoy every minute.” How do you create a really unique interior? “Our answer is always the same, you are completely individual in every way, so the secret to creating a unique look is simply to express your personality in your home,” says Jane. “Perhaps the easiest way to achieve this is by displaying carefully curated favourites in a creative way. Whether it’s objects you have made yourself, family pieces, vintage kitchenware or precious children’s art, it can all look fabulous when displayed well.” TIP: Always curate (sort the wheat from the chaff) and display your chosen pieces well, and remember, less is more. Change collections to reflect different seasons.
Lucy St George (left) and Jane Rockett
How do you decide on a decor theme? “We love white rooms with beautiful monochrome accessories - they are stylish, calm and timeless. But nothing gets us more excited than gorgeous dark walls, which conjure a brooding, inky colour palette. “Historically, dark paints were at their most popular during Victorian times,
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
How do you choose a focal point for a room? “We talk a lot about ‘style spots’ - a focal point that grabs the eye. It’s a grouping of furniture, artwork and lighting that fits beautifully together and creates impact,” explains Jane.
A kitchen with tin tiles, a wood-clad wall, black metro tiles and an encaustic tile floor
“When planning a room, we encourage people to split the space up into sections, such as the fireplace, the seating area, the entrance and so on, then to consider each one as an individual style spot. “This is much easier and less daunting than designing a whole room. Bear in mind, the flow of a space is important. It’s always worth shifting furniture around and trying out different combinations for a week or so, to see if a new arrangement works better. It’s amazing how this can change the energy in a space and create a fresh, positive atmosphere.”
but they look fabulous in modern, traditional, rustic and urban interiors,” says Lucy. “A lovely dark wall will make all your favourite accessories pop - wood looks gorgeous against a strong backdrop, bright colours sing and plants simply glow.”
TIP: Display a collection of pictures, photos, album covers or even handbags on a wall. Before hanging framed pieces, lay them out on the floor to devise a layout and make sure they work well together. Space artworks at least 4cm apart to give each one room to breathe, and put your favourite (or largest) in the middle at eye level, then build outwards from there.
Rockett St George Extraordinary Interiors: Show-stopping Looks For Beautiful Rooms by Jane Rockett and Lucy St George, photography by Debi Treloar, published by Ryland Peters & Small, priced £19.99.
TIP: Wood-clad walls add warmth and texture, but wood-effect wallpaper or wallpaper is also an option. Always consider the direction of your room before choosing a paint colour, as the light will affect the look. South-facing rooms enjoy warm, natural light and can take most colours, while north-facing rooms need a warm-based colour.
A dark painted wall helps to make all the pieces on display unusual ethnic treasures including an artwork of an African tribesman
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
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how to install a hidden wall safe A discreet safe to keep valuables protected isn’t just something for the rich and famous to consider. Wall safes are easy to install and with a picture over the front of them, they are nearly impossible to spot, too. This quick guide gives you an idea of how to install a safe in a brick wall, although stud wall mounted safes are also available. Do you have a suitable wall? If you have a house with a disused fireplace, that’s the perfect place for a wall safe, as there will be a hollow void behind the chimney breast. If you don’t have a chimney breast to use, there are all sorts of other safes - under-floorboard safes, ones to bolt to the wall, and fitted into stud walls - but this guide is for your classic,‘picture on a hinge to reveal the safe underneath’. Which safe should you choose? There are so many different safes to
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choose from, including ones that are fire and water-resistant, though these are considerably more expensive. Many safes are guaranteed up to a particular value of cash or goods too, which will be indicated when you buy it. You can decide for yourself whether you want a key or a combination safe too. Making the hole Mark roughly where the safe is going and chip off some plaster until you reach the brick surface behind it. Most wall safes are designed to fit standard brick sizes, so once you’ve found the dimensions of one brick, you can work out where your safe outline will be. You then need to do a technique called ‘stitch drilling’ as bricks are always laid in a formation known as a bond. Fitting the safe Place the safe in the hole you have made and check it’s level using a spirit level, you may have to wedge a corner up with
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some folded up card. When you’re fitting a safe into a wall, rather than drilling and screwing it into place, you can set it with ready-mixed concrete but avoid the quick-setting stuff. Finishing the job The main thing to remember when it comes to finishing off the job, is that you’re probably going to cover the safe with a picture, so it doesn’t need to be perfect underneath. But where your plaster has been chipped away, fill this in with multi-purpose Polyfilla and when dry, paint this the same colour as your wall. You can then hang a picture over the safe or, if you’re feeling like a real gangster, attach the picture to the wall with a hinge and a magnetic catch for extra drama.
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Dogs love snow, but…. I’m writing this when the Thames Valley has just had its most significant snow fall for a few years, so it made me think about how dogs love the snow! Why is this? Most probably the same reason we do – novelty factor. Snow can completely change the nature of an everyday walk. In some ways it is like going to the beach. Snow can be dug, chomped, rolled in, bounced through, scooped up, and slid down. One of the loveliest things I’ve witnessed is a puppy, seeing its first snow, trying to catch enormous flakes as they fell. We tend to engage more with our dogs when out in the snow and the kids – who often can’t be persuaded out for a dog walk - are suddenly running along with the dog and everyone is involved, which dogs love. Snowmen and igloos have to be built, again keeping youngsters outside and playing with the dog, or often, protecting the newly completed structures from being dug through! So snow often causes a whole different set of behaviour in which the dogs can engage. Apart from the fun factor, large and heavy coated dogs can stay active for longer in the cooler temperatures as they don’t
overheat quickly, so they are generally more comfortable. Talking about long fur, watch out for hard packed snow balls accumulating between the dogs pads. This can be extremely uncomfortable and would be like walking on gravel in bare feet. Keep a regular check as you are walking as they can compact into ice and then very difficult to remove. You can try applying a mane and tail detangle product before you go out to help prevent snow from sticking there and on also on tummy fur. Alternatively, booties can be used, if your dog will tolerate them. Now there are always exceptions, so if your dog is not keen on snow, keep walks short, but think about increasing the number – after all they still need the stimulation of being out and about. Hopefully, it is obvious to say that the smaller the dog, the more likely they are to get chilled quickly, as heat loss is more rapid than for a larger dog. Small and fine coated dogs should be in a jacket in cold weather.
www.bigdogbedcompany.co.uk Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
Any standing about chatting and you will see your dog start to shiver very quickly. Likewise, older dogs who are less energetic should be in a warm coat, especially if they are arthritic. Salt on roads and pavements can cause discomfort if your dog has a cut. If possible, it’s best to avoid salted areas, however if you can’t, wash off paws when you get home – not just wipe. Don’t throw snow balls for your dogs if the area the snow is lying on is likely to have been salted. Salt ingestion by licking can cause intense thirst due to dehydration, vomiting, lethargy and in extreme cases, kidney failure. Glycol type antifreeze is not used on UK roads. If you think your dog is suffering from salt poisoning, or any other type of poisoning for that matter, go immediately to the vet. This is not a watch and wait situation. So, here’s hoping for more snow for everyone to enjoy with their dogs. Dru Ross
• Waterproof • Antibacterial • Hardwearing • Comfortable
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Eddie the Eagle before 1988 Winter Olympic Games, Calgary
from leather boots to bold onesies:
how skiing has evolved since the 1950s As ski season kicks off, Lauren Taylor takes a look back at how the winter sport has changed over the past 70 years. This winter, thousands of Brits will head to the slopes of Europe, or perhaps Japan or North America, to strap on a pair of skis and hurtle down mountains.
Here’s a look back at how ski trends have snowballed over the decades...
What was once a luxury holiday enjoyed only by a privileged few has now became mainstream, with ski trips having become more accessible and less expensive in recent years.
“This decade was really the beginning of leisure skiing culture as we know it,” says Sam Castleton from online mountain equipment shop serialskier.com. The Fifties was a time of prosperity, with an increase in consumer spending and access to travel, but it also saw developments in textiles which made skiing a much less chilly activity.
Skis in their most basic form have been used as a way to get around in certain snow covered countries for, thousands of years. Austrian Mathias Zdarsky is widely considered one of the key founders of the Alpine skiing technique most of us associate with the winter activity today (he made a pioneering downhill descent in 1905). As for the props themselves, something resembling slim cambered skis (with a curve) were first designed by woodcarvers in Norway in the mid 19th century, going through numerous developments over the next 100 years, including being made using ash then hickory wood, solid aluminum and, finally, a mixture of components sandwiched together.
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1950s
“[There was] the introduction for the first time of ski-specific garments, using materials like polyester, and items designed especially for the sport, like goggles. Before this, people had generally just worn lots of layers of traditional clothing to keep warm. Ski boots were still primarily made of leather in the Fifties.” Fifties icons like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor helped skiwear make its way into mainstream fashion. Several famous skiwear companies today were founded in the Fifties, like
Sking on Hampstead Heath after heavy snowfall in January 1955
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
Head, which revolutionised downhill ski racing in 1959 with a new type of aluminum skis.
1960s In the Sixties, fiberglass started to make an appearance in ski design and, by the end of the decade, was used in most recreational skis. Sam says: “The Sixties saw innovation in materials all round, the first plastic ski boots came in at this time, which was a huge change from the leather boots of the Fifties.” But it was also the decade of glamour for high society, Hollywood and royalty, and everyone from Grace Kelly to Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn were pictured enjoying the high life in the mountains in the latest skiwear. It was also this era that saw Austrian mountain guide Hans Gmoser first experiment with heli-skiing in British Columbia, Canada. “In those early days, Hans was using a Bell 47B1 helicopter, which had an engine about the size of a small car,” says Charlie Brooksbank from The Oxford Ski Company (oxfordski.com). “The machine could only lift two guests at a time and so had to shuttle the group up the mountain.”
1970s By the Seventies, skiing had hit mass market and far more people could now afford it as a winter holiday option. It was also a decade for bold, colourful skiwear, worn loud and proud against the dazzling white of the slopes - a fashion that became in vogue after a Conde Nast photo shoot in 1972. Ski resort construction began to slow, after a flurry of new resort developments built in the Sixties. “Even more technical materials hit the ski production scene, like carbon fibre and Kevlar,” says Sam. “It also saw the introduction of the first rear-entry boots.” (These have since been mainly replaced by front-entry boots, where you move the ‘tongue’ and front sections in order to cram your feet in.) Technique was slightly different in the Seventies too; back then, the ‘desired’ ski style was to have the legs very tight together, so the skis were parallel at all times and almost touching.
Slopes at Nevis Range near Fort William January 2007
1980s “This was the decade the sport really exploded,” says Sam. Ski culture in cult films like Hot Dog and Ski Patrol opened the activity and lifestyle up to a wider audience. ‘Eddie The Eagle’ helped boost British interest in skiing as a professional sport, when, despite the odds, he became the first competitor since 1929 to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. He may have finished last but he was a hit with the public, although many in the ski jumping establishment perceived the attention his performance got as bad for the sport, leading to the entry requirements being made more difficult thereafter. Loud ski fashion had its heyday in the Eighties too. Onesies were all the rage, snow boots were in vogue, bright colours and geometric patterns could be seen in resorts all over Europe and North America. From the Eighties onwards, improved technology meant skiers were able to use the skis more effectively by ‘carving’ (transferring pressure from one edge of the ski to the other edge), instead of having their legs glued together.
1990s Skiing began to boom in the Nineties, and many new holiday companies arrived on the scene to make a ski break more affordable (although Inghams has been around since the Thirties).
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
As carving gained in popularity, ski shapes started to evolve too. “Shaped ‘sidecuts’ (the extent to which a ski is narrower at the waist than the tips) made turning easier, and the length of the skis was generally shortened to make the whole experience more accessible to learners and intermediates alike,” says Sam. “This decade also saw the start of the fat ski revolution for skiing in deep powder - it was very much inspired from the design of snowboards, which, with their big surface area, floated well in fresh snow and made riding off-piste a much more accessible option than old-school skinny skis that sunk in the deep stuff.”
2000s It might seem ridiculous now, but it was quite rare to see recreational skiers wearing helmets before the Noughties. Today, they’re ubiquitous on the slopes. Ski technology is forever being updated and in 2004, rocker skis were first introduced - with tips and ends that curve upwards, instead of the traditional camber-style which curved the other way. “Then the trend went from fully inverse camber skis for great flotation, to a compromise between the old style and this new idea,” explains Sam. “It resulted in the combination of rockered tips and/or tails, but still with standard tradition camber underfoot in the middle of the ski to keep it performing well on harder or groomed snow.” Puffy jackets were the biggest ski fashion trend in the Noughties, and today breathable layering systems in skiwear make temperature-control a lot more practical and comfortable.
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is this africa’s most stylish city? Mandarin Oriental Marrakech
follow yves saint laurent to marrakesh
A new museum dedicated to the designer has opened in Morocco. Sarah Marshall recommends a chic weekend away. Everywhere you look there’s colour: from bursts of sunshine hanging from fruiting orange trees, to cones of marigold-yellow turmeric and flamingred cayenne pepper rising like exotic mountain ranges in the shadowy doorways of spice shops. A delightfully disorientating mix of wild hues and exotic patterns, Marrakesh captured the imagination of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent when he first visited in 1966 - and fifty years later, its heady impact hasn’t diminished one bit. “The city opened my eyes to colour,” the Algerian-born artist famously declared. Falling in love at first sight, he bought a property here with his partner Pierre
Berge he later restored the famous botanical gardens, Jardin Majorelle, where a museum celebrating his connections with the Moroccan city recently opened next door. Containing numerous key pieces from the designer’s game-changing collections, the Musee Yves Saint Laurent Marrakesh (mYSLm) is set to boost this North African destination’s creative appeal once again.
Le Troc Au Mur
According to a recent survey by flight and hotel website Booking.com, 59% of travellers would prioritise spending money on experiences over material items when on holiday, so planning a short break to visit a new museum isn’t such a far-fetched idea. Clothing on display at mYSLm
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Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
In a dark corridor illuminated by spotlights, a modest but carefully curated selection of garments is modelled by mannequins, providing a visual timeline of the fashion designer’s career. Now signature styles in high street stores, the jumpsuit, pea jacket, smoking jacket and trouser suit all started life in YSL’s sketchbooks. Hooded cloaks, gowns with tassels and feminine Fez hats have obvious links with Morocco, but brocade jackets inspired by Van Gogh and puff-sleeved blouses belonging to Balkan gypsies were shaped by imaginary travels further afield. “A woman handling her gloves is a gesture I adore,” claimed YSL, and a fabulous magpie’s cabinet of accessories - including bold, garish costume jewellery and an outrageous gold-plated breast plate - is an exhibition highlight.
Pool Villa, Mandarin Oriental
Style it out at mYSLm
Stay at the Mandarin Oriental Marrakesh for a fashionable sleep Although a 15-minute drive from the Medina, this modern property still embodies all that’s great about the city. Petals from more than 100,000 roses flutter in 20 hectares of gardens, where olive trees twirl around secluded villas and the undulating outline of the Atlas mountains hover on the horizon. Each room is a mini palace, with a pool dominating the open-air courtyard and a voluptuous tub almost drowning the bathroom. There’s even a touch screen-operated hammam in the shower, with black soap and scrub mitt provided.
How much? Buy a combination ticket which includes a visit to the neighbouring Jardin Majorelle (180Dhs/£14) and avoid lengthy queues to visit the popular gardens. No cards are taken, so remember to bring cash. www.museeyslmarrakech.com/en
Alternatively, let someone else do all the hard work in the mesmerising spa, where treatment rooms come with their own private gardens with more of those roses and olive trees.
Tip: Skip the designer prices and size zero portions of the museum’s restaurant, and head to the Pause Gourmande cafe across the road, where sandwiches are 40Dhs (£3).
Clothing on display at mYSLm
For classy cocktails and trendy dining, book a table at Asian restaurant Ling Ling; and for fine Moroccan fare, head to Mes’Lalla, where outdoor tables are set beneath the stars. How much? Rooms from E850 (£747) per night with breakfast. www.mandarinoriental.com/marrakesh Tip: To avoid any embarrassing rows with drivers in the Medina, order fixed price taxis through the hotel reception.
hotel appendages to simple street eats, with very little in between. So this new casual diner from the owners of boutique hotel, Riad Farnatchi really is in a class of it’s own and only open for dinner at present. Buried deep in the Medina’s back streets, the relaxed, friendly space is part of a renovated house with ornate stucco plasterwork and zingy lime green walls. The menu is equally refreshing, serving a selection of forgotten classics rarely served outside Moroccan homes, such as the meshoui, a slow-cooked lamb, which is a speciality. How much? Pay around 300Dhs (£24) for three courses. www.letrouaumur.com Tip: Ring ahead and ask to be met at the Medina walls as it’s easy to get lost.
Relax like an A-lister at the Farnatchi Spa There’s no such thing as too many hammams, so take the opportunity to squeeze in a scrub between exploring sites and souks in the Medina. Opened last year, next door to Riad Farnatchi, the spa features four treatment rooms and two hammams either side of asun-splashed courtyard.
Chic eating at Le Trou Au Mur
Prepare to strip down (yes, completely) for a warm soak and thorough exfoliation, promising to leave skin baby soft. It’s a ritual Moroccans practise weekly - and it’s easy to understand why.
For too long there’s been a gap in the Marrakesh restaurant market; options have historically ranged from high-end
How much? A 40-minute Simple Hammam costs 350Dhs (£27.50). www.farnatchispa.com
Booking.com offers flights from Gatwick to Marrakesh with easyJet in January from £110 return. They offer a two-night stay at the Mandarin Oriental from £1,497.
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
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7 Of The Tastiest Foods You Can Miraculously Regrow From Kitchen Leftovers It’s amazing what you can grow from scraps. You don’t need to have an allotment to grow your own veg. In fact, you don’t need seeds, a plot of earth, or even a nearby garden centre to do it. All you need is some scraps and leftovers from your weekly food shop, and a sunny kitchen windowsill you can regrow them on. It will save you money on fresh veggies, add pep to home-cooked meals, and make you feel incredibly smug when friends come over and you can say, ‘Oh, I’ll just snip some fresh salad leaves for supper.’
1. Avocado
Instead of chucking avocado stones straight in the bin, use toothpicks to suspend a stone in enough water to cover the bottom inch. Give it six weeks in a warm spot, regularly topping up the water, and you should see a stem and root system forming. Once leaves start to appear, you can pot or plant your avocado, and hopefully, in time, grow a whole load more. Then all you’ll need is copious amounts of toast and hot sriracha sauce.
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2. Salad leaves
Turns out there really is a way to avoid bags of rotting salad leaves in the fridge. Just put wilting lettuce leaves in water, mist them with more water over the next couple of days, and tiny roots should start appearing. Next, pop them in soil and wait for the leaves to multiply - then you’ll have fresh salad to keep on harvesting.
3. Garlic
Growing your own garlic is a doddle, all you do is put one clove, root down, in a pot of soil, water and leave it in the sun. Once you have new growth, cut it back and you’ll be rewarded with a whole bulb. And nothing beats homemade garlic bread.
4. Onions
Slicing onions? Keep the root ends with around half an inch of onion flesh still attached and pot up with soil. The root will grow, and you’ll also get edible green leaves sprouting out the top.
5. Pak choi
Much like salad leaves, pak choi leftovers can be inserted into water and left to re-sprout - which is handy,
as it can be a fairly pricey veggie if stir fry is a regular at your house.
6. Potatoes
Peeling potatoes is a total chore, but next time you’re prepping mash, save some peelings - they’ll need to have eyes intact if this is going to work. Dry them out on kitchen paper and then stick them several inches deep in soil (in a sturdy grow bag would be ideal). Water regularly and wait for your very own potato plant to appear.
7. Lemongrass
Delicious in stir fries and curries, lemongrass can be hard to find in the supermarket, and when you do snag some, it’s easy to only use a little bit while the rest irritatingly turns to mush before you get round to finishing it off. Next time you stumble upon some, use what you need and then pop the rest in a glass filled with enough water to cover the base of the stalks. Roots will grow within a week, and you can transplant them into a pot you’ll never run short of lemongrass again.
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
Bullfinch
Garden Birds Have you ever visited a nature reserve? If you think the answer is no, we can almost guarantee you are wrong.
It’s a bit late for New Year resolutions, but why not sneak another one onto your list? If you could provide additional food, more birds will visit your garden. It doesn’t need to be a lot. You can of course buy specialist bird food or use table scraps. Even a small amount of additional food, at this time of year, can be a welcome lifeline for many bird species. When it comes to feeding during January and February, remember the days are short. Make sure food and water is out early so that birds have a chance to feed up while it is still light. They need to stock up on as much energy as possible to keep going through the long and possibly cold nights.
With a bit of luck and patience, your garden will soon get a reputation by your local bird population as a good spot to visit. Once you’ve got the brightly coloured, engaging and endearing birds frequenting your garden, wouldn’t it be great if you could tell other people, what is visiting your garden? Watching garden birds is a great starting point for those interested in birdwatching. You can pull up an armchair and learn to recognise the different species, visiting your garden feeders with little more than a bird book. By watching carefully you learn how to identify different birds, gain insights into their lives all in return for the offer of free food.
You will get to know the regular visitors to your garden such as Tits, Starlings, Blackbirds and Chaffinches. But winter is also the time when you might see more unusual birds such as a Bullfinch or Yellow hammer. Lack of food in the wider countryside
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
Yellow hammer
The definition of a nature reserve is “an area of land that is protected in order to keep safe the animals and plants that live there”. Your garden or private space is just such an area. In comparison to say the Serengeti, it may seem insignificant, but it could provide a vital refuge and lifeline. Where there was once woods and meadows, there is now housing and industry. Our gardens have become a nature reserve, the oasis in-between.
is likely to drive them to your garden. How about becoming a scientist for an hour? Get involved in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. You don’t need to be a birdwatcher to take part. Just record what you see in your garden for one hour. Then submit your research to the RSPB. Your sightings along with thousands of others, provides valuable scientific information on how our bird population is fairing. Go on, it’s easy. They even provide you with a free identification sheet. For details go to the RSPB website, ww2.rspb.org.uk/ get-involved/activities/birdwatch Jacky & Mark Bloomfield
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© National Trust / Hugh Mothersole Hughendon Manor
Winter Walk tips: Call it a welly walk
(or a rain walk if they’re welly-averse.) What you call your walk makes a difference. Think about how ‘little trees’ served us well with broccoli. Call it an obstacle race or an adventure trail if the word walk sends them into whining mode. Try to make a virtue of the negatives. ‘Cold? Yay! It means we can wear our scarf and gloves.’
Exhilarating walks with the National Trust
There are those who say walking is a boring form of exercise. Here at the National Trust, we say they’re misguided, poor things, and this is why… Those people have clearly never battled up a Chilterns hill in a buffeting wind the type that inflates your jacket and pummels you onwards. Or walked across a Maidenhead or Cookham Common in a strong steady gale that tempts you to lean in to it, arms outstretched, just to see how far it will hold your weight. Those people must never have tested their willpower to save a magnificent view for a summit, exhorting their friends: ‘Don’t look back, don’t look back!’ It’s always worth it for the big reveal when you turn round at the top. From Watlington Hill, the patchworked green and gold landscape falling away and flowing over the Vale of Oxford to the horizon will refresh body and soul far more than an hour cycling to nowhere in a sweaty gym. We’ve all known this for years, but it seems that science is catching up with us. There’s growing evidence that being active outdoors in nature has benefits beyond the physical. Research from the University of Essex shows that ‘green exercise’ has the ability to boost mood and self-esteem, reduce anger, confusion, depression and tension. Exercising outdoors with others is also known to improve social networking and connectedness. Who hasn’t experienced the easy pleasure of a conversation whilst on a walk? Nature is the secret ingredient, though. Researchers at the University of Innsbruck asked volunteers to chat to each other whilst on a hike in the mountains, whilst walking exactly the same incline and distance on a treadmill and while sitting in a communal room at the university. The treadmill was better than sitting still, but volunteers’ mood indexed significantly higher on their ‘happy and relaxed’ scores after the outdoor hike. But we don’t need science to tell us this. Our own experience of crisp walks in beautiful places, or the difference in mood of a grouchy indoors-all-morning child compared to the same one after some fresh air, is all the evidence we need. To find the top exhilarating walks near you at any time of year, head to nationaltrust.org.uk/buckinghamshire
7 ways to get your kids out for a winter walk
A child who has run around in the fresh air is so much nicer to be around. And if it’s in a beautiful place then we’re happy too. But persuading a child away from a screen in a cosy room into the cold outdoors for a walk can be tricky.
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Construct an obstacle course
Suggest a simple walk from A to B and your head will hurt from the whining. Suggest an obstacle course in a woodland and your ears will hurt from the cries of glee. Use logs as balance beams, trees as slaloms and sticks laid on the ground to hop over.
Take binoculars
Winter is a great time for birdwatching. Birds are so much more visible without leaves on trees to conceal them. Take a spotter guide and tick off the birds you manage to spot.
Borrow a dog
It doesn’t work if it’s your own. Dog-walking soon loses its appeal if it’s a daily occurrence. Borrow someone else’s though, and it turns into a treat. The novelty and responsibility of holding the lead is a huge thrill to children.
Make it a scavenger hunt
Set out on a walk with a list of items for the child to find. The obvious things are acorns, twigs, beetles or woodlice, beech mast, conkers, crisp brown leaf, forked stick. Who doesn’t love the satisfaction of ticking things off a list?
Litter pick
The difference between an indoors-all-morning child and the same one after a walk is the reason we conquer our qualms about bundling up to get out of the door. It’s why we embrace the pile of muddy clothes to wash when we return. And it’s why the National Trust is such a blessing.
Katy Dunn
Look for animal tracks
Mud is great for stomping through in wellies to make footprints. Before you wade in though, check to see who has been there before you. It could be a duck, deer or dinosaur. OK, maybe not the latter, but you could always make your own dinosaur footprints.
Buy a cheap litter picker tool off the internet. Kids love them. They can see the point of going out litter picking and gives them things to find. And there’s a marvellous halo effect. We can see yours shining already. Head to
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckinghamshire
for great walks across the region
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY /FEBRUARY 2018
Win!
A pair of tickets to the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour! An evening of thrilling adventure films is coming to the Hexagon Reading this February, and Living Along the Thames has a pair of tickets up for grabs! The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour features a selection of short films starring the world’s top explorers and boldest filmmakers on journeys in the most remote and spectacular corners of the planet. This is a must-see event for anyone with a sense of adventure, or an interest in the world’s wildest locations, and there are free prize giveaways too! To be in with a chance of winning, answer the following: Which Reading venue will the Banff Film Festival be held at? a. The Pentagon b. The Decagon c. The Hexagon Email your answer to office@alongthethames.co.uk, with email subject ‘adventure film night.’ Closing date for the competition is 12th February. Competition terms: To claim the prize, the winner must confirm their attendance within three days of being notified, or the tickets will be void
Winter Pruning why do it?
Calibra Calibra Tree Surgeons
• Large Tree Dismantling • Tree Felling and Shaping • Tree Thinning and Pruning • Fruit Tree Maintenance • Stump Grinding and Logs
01628 878393
www.calibratree.co.uk
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
The team at Calibra Tree Surgeons looks at why dormant pruning has many positive characteristics. One Benefit is that dormant pruning enables us to correct disease problems which would be more risky during the summer season. For example, it is very difficult to prune fire blight from trees or shrubs during the highly infectious spring and early summer times without spreading the disease to other limbs or plants. During the winter, bacterial populations in cankered branches are lower and dormant, and hence, less likely to be transmitted via pruning tools. Proper pruning of trees can make them more storm resistant, whether the storm threat is from ice damage or from high winds. Pruning is often regarded as a proactive, health maintenance insurance plan to guard against potentially serious problems, analogous to the ever more popular and wise preventative care in human health plans. So if you have deadwood or would like to know about pruning your trees in the winter, don’t forget to contact you local tree surgeon.
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Coffee Break Across Down 1. Comply with bureaucratic 2. One about to show anger (3) practice, as classmates help to do (4,2,1,4) 3. I’ll be upset by defamation (5) 9.
It’s unrefined gold near the 4. The heathens will get the silver back of the mine (3) in the vessels (6)
10. It’s a trifle old-fashioned as a game (9)
5. Penal duty causing weariness (7)
11. A selling point in the theatre (5)
6. Gives an account about four members of the family (9)
13. Denies agents are on the move round the East (7)
7. He officiates on health-giving occasion (11)
14. Mowed erratically round a stretch of pastureland (6)
8. Disease won’t upset this resort (7,4)
16. Did duty in army mess? (6) 12. An overwhelming snowfall (9) 18. A leek’s a substitute for another vegetable (3,4)
15. Divine revelations could become so clear (7)
19. When consolidated, it’s an advantage (5)
17. The sort of arithmetic that will make you paranoiac (6)
20. Flight on the move could scare a lot (9)
19. Old Testament patriarch whose beard is still growing! (5)
21. Ruminant producing a low 21. Price reduced for lettuce (3) sound (3) 22. Sable is sent wild by brutality (11)
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Down: 2 Ire; 3 Libel; 4 Pagans; 5 Fatigue; 6 Relatives; 7 Toastmaster; 8 Seaside town; 12 Avalanche; 15 Oracles; 17 Mental; 19 Aaron; 21 Cos.
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Across: 1 Fill up a form; 9 Ore; 10 Bagatelle; 11 Stall; 13 Negates; 14 Meadow; 16 Served; 18 Sea kale; 19 Asset; 20 Escalator; 21 Cow; 22 Beastliness.
VEHICLE SERVICING REPAIRS & MOTs Tel: 01628 850 000 • • • • • •
www.mavs.co.uk
General car repairs and maintenance Free courtesy car available Tyres, exhausts and batteries supplied and fitted Latest diagnostic equipment for all makes of vehicle Air conditioning service available 35 years experience Alexander House, Wessex Industrial Estate, Bourne End email: info@mavs.co.uk
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Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
BMW M5 The all-new BMW M5 is the latest in a long line of super-saloons.. What is it? Following in the footsteps of some of the best-regarded super-saloons ever made, this latest four-door powerhouse utilises the very latest engine technology, it’s also the first M5 to feature all-wheeldrive, as well as a host of other features designed to make it sharper and more capable than ever before. What’s new? There’s a 4.4-litre V8 turbocharged engine as well as that all-important all-wheel-drive system. This sixth generation car is lighter than ever before too, making use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic to keep its overall weight down. It can hit 60mph in 3.2 seconds before reaching an electronically limited 155mph top speed. What’s it like to drive? This latest one has been designed to offer a little more traction - and it has well and truly achieved this. Lower down is where you notice the power the most and any press of the throttle is accompanied by a deep, mechanical bellow. The steering also has a decent weight to it, though it feels its most capable in sport mode.
How does it look? The M5 exudes all of the classic styling that we’ve come to expect from big, powerful M-cars. It’s certainly not as wild as the current-generation M3, but it still looks special at the rear, four exhaust pipes to give some hint of the car’s performance, as do the gills at the side of the car, but all in all it’s still instantly recognisable as a BMW saloon. What’s it like inside? The interior of the M5 uses the vast majority of components from the standard, but excellent, 5 Series cabin. That means you still get an infotainment system which is simple and easy to operate. The M5 has some additional ‘sporting’ touches, such as carbon-fibre finishers for the dashboard. The biggest changes come in the form of driving mode selectors. Two red ‘M’ buttons sit at either side of the steering wheel, and allow you to customise the suspension, steering and engine responsiveness to one of three modes. There’s also the drivelogic selector, now found on the top of the gear stick, which controls how quickly and sharply the car changes gear.
There’s loads of space for those up front while rear seat legroom is excellent too. The cabin as a whole feels comfortable and this makes it ideal for those who are planning to undertake longer journeys but still want plenty of ‘star’ factor. What’s the spec like? Standard equipment includes 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights and dynamic LED brake lights on the outside, with BMW’s professional media system, 10.25-inch colour display and front heated seats are just a variety of the technology found inside the car. Being a BMW, there’s other options to choose from. Highlights include ceramic brakes, a sports exhaust system and a full carbon engine cover. That said, the car’s price starts at just shy of £90,000 which means, even by ticking just a few boxes, the M5 could easily nudge into the six-figure bracket. Verdict It’s relatively expensive, but given the sheer amount of technology and performance on board, it feels more than worth the money. Jack Evans
FACTS A T A GLA NCE P Engine: 4 rice: £89,640 .4-litre tu rb Power: 5 ocharged V8 92bhp Torque: Max spe 750Nm e 0-60mph d: 155mph : 3.2 sec onds MPG Emission : 26.9 s: 241g/ km Living Along The Thames | JANUARY JANUARY/FEBRUARY /FEBRUARY2018 2018
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Diary Dates January 10+17: ‘Winter Garden Tours’ Join a ranger at Hughenden Manor for a two hour woodland walk followed by soup & tea/coffee 10:00 - 12:00, £10 plus normal admission – 01494 755573. 12-27: ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ A pantomime by Tom Everitt performed by the Lane End Players, Lane End Village Hall. Fridays at 19:30, Saturdays 13:00 + 17:30 to book tickets call 01494 880662 | www.laneendplayers.com 14: ‘Henley and District Theatre Organ Trust’ Presents a musical afternoon with Phil Kelsall, the resident organist from Blackpool’s famous Tower Ballroom, Henley Town Hall 14:30 for 15:00 start. Admission £8.00 Concessions £7.00 refreshments available. 16: ‘Winter Forester Walks’ At Hughenden Manor, 11:00 - 12:00, free event but normal admission – 01494 755573. 18: ‘Marlow Archaeology Society’ ‘The Archaeology of Timber Framed Buildings Trevor Ottlewski’, Main Hall, Liston Hall, 20:00 www.marlowarchaeology.org 20: ‘Windsor Winter Half Marathon’ Eton College, Rowing Centre, 12:30 - 15:30 Tickets £35 | enquiries@f3events.co.uk
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19: ‘Gin tasting’, Thames Valley Wine School’ St Christpher Wren Hotel & Spa; Thames St, Windsor SL4 1PX | 19:15 - 21:15 | Tickets £35 21: ‘Bisham Abbey Wedding Fair’ 11:00 - 15:00 23: ‘Positively Dyslexic – Success & Dyslexia’ An evening with Kate Saunders at the Desborough Suite, Maidenhead Town Hall, 19:30 - 21:30, tickets, £10, book on-line at info@adc.org.uk or phone 01628 670054. 25: ‘Behind the Scenes Manor Tour’ At Hughenden Manor, 45 minute tour, £4 plus admission, 11:00 - 11:45 – 0344 249 1895. 25: ‘Farmers Market’ Town Hall, Henley-on-Thames 25-30: ‘Thirteen at the Old Fire Station Gallery’ Gravel Hill, Henley-on-Thames, 10:00 www.artistic-uk.orgmedia
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
February 03: ‘Marlow Market – Artisan Food & Crafts’ On the Causeway, 10:00 - 15:00. 03-11: ‘Chiltern Arts Festival – various events’, Visit www.chilternarts.com for more information 01442 920303 03-24: ‘Wilhelmina Barns-Graham’ An exhibition of paintings and prints’, Bohun Gallery, 15 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames 01491 576228| www.bohungallery.co.uk 04: ‘Chiltern Arts Festival - The Music of WW1’ 10:00 - 15:00, Henley Town Hall, Henley-on-Thames, visit www.chilternarts.com for more information 04: ‘Chiltern Arts Festival – Fauré Requiem’, 19:30, St Mary’s Church, Hart Street, Henley-on-Thames, visit www.chilternarts.com for more information | 01442 920303 06: ‘Rebellion Brewery Open Night’ All ales currently being brewed available on the night. Talks also given on brewing history and methods, 19.00 - 21.30, Bencombe Farm, Marlow Bottom, SL7 3LT. All welcome, £12.50pp, BBQ all year round! 11: ‘Henley and District Theatre Organ Trust’ Presents a musical afternoon with Elizabeth Harrison, the Farmer’s Daughter from Lancashire, Henley Town Hall 14:30 for 15:00 start. Admission £8.00 Concessions £7.00 refreshments available. 12: ‘Elizabeth House talk’ Our rich heritage of butterflies in the Royal Borough Andrew Padmore’, Arrive 18:30 for 19:00 Tickets £17.50 | stephaniediggon@hotmail.com
14: ‘Valentines Day’ 15: ‘Archaeology in Marlow talk’ ‘Risborough Origins of the Settlement Paul Greens’, Main Hall, Liston Hall, 20:00 www.archaeologyinmarlow.org.uk 22: ‘Marlow Archaeology Society talk’ ‘Canal Archaeology - Doug Stuckey’ Bucks Archaeological Society at Liston Hall, 20:00 | www.marlowarchaeology.org 24: ‘Quiz Night Fundraiser’ Fantastic evening of fun and food to help raise money for Wycombe Museum, 18:30, £12 per person includes a dinner of shepherd’s pie or veggie alterative at Wycombe Museum 01494 957210.
March 02: ‘Quiz Night in Aid of Elizabeth House’ With quizmaster John Sykes, 19:00 for 19:30, Cookham Dean Village Hall | £20 Tickets incl supper 01628 527621
Valentine’s Day Is when lovers express their love and affection for each other. The holiday has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. The festival, which celebrated the coming of spring, included fertility rites and the pairing off of women with men by lottery. At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day. It came to be celebrated as a day of romance from about the 14th century
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
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11: ‘The Royal Opera House’ At Cliveden House Hotel, from 18:30 for champagne and dinner while enjoying highlights of Opera sung by the young stars from Jette Parker young artists programme from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden | Tickets members £140, non-members £150 www.clivedenhouse.co.uk 12: ‘Elizabeth House talk’ Hello & Welcome - Jim Rosenthal Arrive 18:30 for 19:00 Tickets £17.50 stephaniediggon@hotmail.com 22: ‘Archaeology in Marlow talk’ ‘Adventures in Experimental Archaeology – Dr Jennifer Foster’, Main Hall, Liston Hall, 20:00 www.archaeologyinmarlow.org.uk
ONGOING EVENTS
Markets
Maidenhead Produce Market 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month on Maidenhead High Street
The Farmers Market 2nd Sunday of the month from 10:00, Grove Street Car Park
Bourne End Country Market Small Hall 10 - 12, Every Friday
Henley Farmers Market every 4th Thursday in Falaise Square, Henley, 8:30-14:00
Ongoing Events Marlow Museum Mar – Oct 13:00 - 17:00: Sat, Sun & Bank holidays | Nov – Feb: 14:00 – 16:00 Sun www.marlowmuseum.uk Maidenhead Heritage Centre last Wednesday of the month | WRVS, Maidenhead | 780555 Stanley Spencer Gallery Mar – Nov: Tues – Sun 10:30 – 17:30 | Nov – Mar: Thurs – Sun 11:00 – 16:30 Closed 24 & 25 Dec. www.stanleyspencer.org.uk Marlow Camera Club every Tuesday | 19:45 - 20:00 | The Methodist Church Hall, Spittal Street, Marlow, SL7 3HJ Maidenhead Camera Club every Tuesday, Cox Green Community Centre | 01628 630861 Henley Photographic Club every Tuesday evening | 20:00 - 22:00 | YMCA Hall, off Waterman’s Road, Henley www.henleyphotoclub.com High Wycombe Croquet Club Open all year round Hazlemere Recreation Ground, Amersham Road, Hazlemere HP15 7QW www.hwcroquetclub.com | Tel: 01494 858202 Speak Spanish in Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield High School Wednesdays | 19:30 | All levels except beginners Tony on 07947 508755 | anthony.mitchelmore@sky.com The East Berks RSPB Group monthly | 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Thursdays | High Street Methodist Church Hall, Maidenhead | www.eastberksrspb.org.uk
Bourne End Community Market second Saturday of every month 10:00 - 13:00 in the Jackson Room of Bourne End Library.
Colenorton Dragon Boat Club Sunday 10.00 - 12.30 | Bray Lake Water Sports, Maidenhead SL6 2EB www.colenorton.co.uk
Transition Town Marlow first Saturday every month 10:00 – 13.00 on the Causeway (High St) Marlow 07904 369829
South Bucks Walking Group Regular walks programme + club weekends | Di Olden - 01494 714486 www.southbuckshfwalkingclub.co.uk
At time of print all dates are correct. For more information/changes to schedules as listed or information please call Marlow Information Centre on 01628 483597 or Maidenhead Library on 01628 796969 or Henley Library on 01491 575278. To add an event: office@alongthethames.co.uk
Henley & Goring Ramblers No need to book, just turn up, new walkers and non members are always welcome | www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk
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Maidenhead National Trust Second Thursday of every month, except August Jakoby Drama Studio at Desborough College, Maidenhead. www.Maidenheadnta.org.uk.
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
star wars: the last jedi
The battle between good and evil intensifies in the next chapter of the sprawling space saga. At 152 minutes, Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi is comfortably the longest instalment of the franchise, setting up gasp-inducing shocks in the concluding salvo of this trilogy, which is due for release in December 2019. Hang on to your lightsabres... Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) welcomes Rey (Daisy Ridley) to his island retreat and he agrees to train her for the war that looms on the horizon against Snoke (Andy Serkis), Supreme Leader of the First Order, and his vengeful protege Ren (Adam Driver).
ROH Live: Rigoletto (12A) The corruption of innocence is at the heart of Verdi’s potent tragedy in David McVicar’s production for The Royal Opera. Live: Tue 16 Jan, 7.15 | Encore: Mon 22 Jan 7.15 Bolshoi Ballet: Romeo And Juliet 2018 (12A) Alexei Ratmansky, former artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, stages the company’s premiere of his production with dramatic urgency and a fresh re-telling of Shakespeare’s beloved classic. Sun 21 Jan, 3.00 Met Opera: Tosca 2018 (12A) Rivalling the splendour of Franco Zeffirelli’s Napoleonic-era sets and costumes, Sir David McVicar’s ravishing new production offers a splendid backdrop for extraordinary singing. Live: Sat 27 Jan, 5.55 | Encore: Mon 29 Jan, 1.00 Exhibition On Screen: Cezanne – Portraits Of A Life Featuring interviews with curators and experts from the National Portrait Gallery London, MoMA New York, National Gallery of Art Washington, and Musée d’Orsay Paris, and correspondence from the artist himself. Mon 29 Jan, 6.30 Bolshoi Ballet: Lady Of The Camellias 2018 (12A) The Bolshoi brings choreographer John Neumeier’s work of rare beauty and tragic depth to new emotional heights, accompanied by Chopin’s romantic piano score. Sun 4 Feb, 3.00
General Leia (Carrie Fisher) is still reeling from her tragic loss and First Order stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) confronts his inglorious past when he comes face to face with his former superior, Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie). Heart-breaking sacrifices must be made in the pursuit of lasting peace but with the balance of power delicately poised, one reckless decision could prove fatal. Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
Dementia-Friendly Screening: The Band Wagon (U) Open to all but especially for people with dementia and their family, friends and carers. Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits will be on offer before the screening and there will be a 20-minute interval halfway through the film. Wed 7 Feb, 10.30 film at 11.00 Met Opera: L’Elisir D’Amore 2018 (12A) The production stars Matthew Polenzani, who enthralled Met audiences as Nemorino in 2013 with his moving “Una furtiva lagrima.” Live: Sat 10 Feb, 5.00 Encore: Mon 12 Feb, 1.00 For Bookings: 0871 902 5738 | www.picturehouses.com Regal Picturehouse, 2 Boroma Way, Henley RG9 2BZ
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Useful Numbers CLUBS: MAIDENHEAD Rotary Club of Maidenhead 632797 The Maidenhead Players 07879 476301 Maidenhead Drama Guild 635017 Maidenhead Operatic Society 671589 Maidenhead Musical Comedy Society 07813 979894 Grimm Players 820429 Maidenhead Concert Band 624514 Maidenhead Folk Club 448268 Tuesday Singers 629012 Athletics 522797 Maidenhead & Bray CC 07885 240209 North Maid enhead Cricket Club 624137 Rugby 629663 Hockey 622669 Desborough Bowls Club 629403 Rowing 622664 SportsAble 627690 Maidenhead Tennis 623785 Thames Valley Cycling Club 638984 East Berks Badminton 636283 Maidenhead Camera Club 630861 East Berkshire Ramblers 634561 Lions Club of Maidenhead 634333 Maidenhead Golf Club 624693 Five Aces Duplicate Bridge Club 625663 River Thames Society 624025 Belmont Badminton Club 638844 Scottish Dancing Club 628372 Stanley Spencer Gallery 471885 COOKHAM Tennis & Croquet 07968 173757 Line Dancing 486362 Petanque 417453 Cookham Bridge Rotary Club 07724 042708 Cookham & Bourne End Inner Wheel Club 07715 441713 Bourne End & Cookham Rotary 810967 HENLEY Rotary Club of Henley Bridge Henley Rowing Club Henley Players Henley Hawks Rugby Club Henley Cricket Club Lions Club of Henley Henley Bowling Club Henley Tennis Club Henley Hockey Club Henley Wednesday Bridge Club Henley Choral Society HADISC Badminton Club Henley Music School Henley Henley-on-Thames U3A
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01491 628284 01491 573943 01491 636253 01491 574499 01491 577743 01491 576717 01491 579271 01491 572230 01491 576988 01491 573958 01491 576929 01491 577909 07989 396210 07812 998318
MARLOW Liston Hall 472558 Archaeology in Marlow 481792 Marlow Archaeological Society 523896 Bowls 485274 Boxing 01494 532826 Crafts 473872/473539 Football 483970 Hockey 521830 Plants (Orchids) 486640 Petanque 521783 Photography 483030 Rugby 483911/477054 Marlow Striders 475548 Four Seasons Club 484528 Tennis 483638 New Marlow Tennis Academy 488438 Rifle & Pistol Club 01494 676676 ALF (Longridge) 486595 Marlow & District Wine Society 483294 Marlow Museum 01628 482515 Marlow Society/History 476140 MOAS 07899 867757 Rotary Club 01494 530952 LETS 01494 523978 U3A 485220/488865 Community Choir 602581/661182 Railway Society 01494 488283 Choral Society 472998 Marlow Orators 07738 540287 COUNCIL SERVICES MARLOW Bus Services 0871 2002233 Marlow Information centre 483597/481717 Library 0845 2303232 Town Council 484024 Neighbourhood Watch - Nic Martin 01895 837220 Wycombe Council 01494 461000 RBWM Bus Services 0871 2002233 CIS 507587 Council Tax 683850 Library - Cox Green 673942 Library - Holyport Container 796555 Library - Maidenhead 796969 Library - Cookham 526147 Recycling 796474 Town Hall 683800 Youth & Community Centre 685999 Thames Valley Adventure Playground 628599 HENLEY Henley Library Henley Town Council
01491 575278 01491 576982
BOURNE END Library 524814 Community Centre 527502
Living Along The Thames | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
No joining fee January! Join as a Gym and Health Member or Gym, Health and Tennis Member in January 2018 and don’t pay the joining fee!
For January only, Stoke Park are waving the joining fee (normally £500) for new joiners to their award-winning Gym, Health and Tennis Club! With state-of-the-art facilities and world class service, there has never been a better time to join, so kick off the New Year in style and get fit and healthy for 2018! For more information please contact the membership team on 01753 71 71 79 or email membership@stokepark.com @stokepark
www.stokepark.com
Stoke Park, Park Road, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire SL2 4PG T&C’s: This offer is only valid if the full years membership fee is paid on joining (not monthly) and only valid during January 2018.