Living Along the Thames - March/April 2017 by Living Along theThames

March - April 2017

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Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Welcome

a l on g t h e t h a m es

A warm Welcome to our Spring edition.

Serena Edwards Editor

Goodness the year is already starting to fly by! As you read this the days are getting longer and brighter and before you know it the clocks will go forward and we’ll be, hopefully, getting closer to some warmer weather. I always love this time of year as the environment around us springs to life, it lifts our spirits and everyone seems to walk around with a spring in their step and a smile on their face!

ADVERTISING: 01628 627 488 CONTACT US: Living Along the Thames Magazine Studio 108, 5 High Street, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 1JN Tel: 01628 627 488 Office@AlongTheThames.co.uk

We have a jam-packed edition with all our usual features including Spring fashion and beauty and eating out at Sindhu in Marlow. Getting married or looking for somewhere to hold an event, then perhaps visit Phyllis Court on 6th April for their open day. Cliveden is hosting an exclusive showcase with luxury company Meissen along with the chance for you to take along items you would like valued by a Sotheby’s agent during the event. For more information see page 19.

CONTRIBUTORS: Dru Ross, Jenny Allan, Arzu Kara, Christine Chalklin, Karine Jackson, Linda Booth, Katy Dunn, Jacky & Mark Bloomfield ACCOUNTS: Office@AlongTheThames.co.uk

Don’t forget it’s Red Nose day on 24th March and see inside for items you can purchase to support Comic Relief. Nadiya Hussain also shares with us her delicious feta and dill savoury muffins on page 22.

Jenny Allan gives us her tips on how to use accessories to enhance your home plus we have three ways to create a home office. Jacky & Mark Bloomfield describe a walk around Cookham, while Katy Dunn shares her thoughts on bluebells and discovering them at our local National Trust. We have a couple of fantastic competitions for you to enter. Our first is that we have teamed up with Henley Festival this year to offer one lucky family the opportunity to win a Family Pass on Sunday 9th July to the Family Day, featuring a ballet workshop from Matthew Bourne, along with the former Britain’s Got Talent contestant Bruce Airhead, for details see page 14. The second is five family passes to the All about Dogs Show on the 8th and 9th April, so if you’re a dog lover and want to see all things dogs, head over to page 57 for more details and to see how to enter the competition. We wish you all Good Luck On a final note, after ten years of editing and publishing the magazine, I can’t say how proud I am to have been nominated for a Thames Valley Venus Award, recognising women in business in a variety of categories. I have my fingers crossed and I will update you in the next magazine as to my success moving forward to the semi-finals and the finals in June. So thank you for all the support over the years.

March - April

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To advertise within Living Along the Thames Magazine contact us at: Office@AlongTheThames.co.uk Visit us at www.vividtitles.co.uk Front Cover - Temple Island, Henley by Allan Marshall - www.picfair.com

As always put up your feet, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy our latest edition. MARLOW

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Living Along the Thames is hand delivered into 12,000 ABC1 homes every two months in Henley, Maidenhead, Marlow, Cookham and Bourne End. Magazines can be picked up in Marlow at D&J Newsagents, Swish Boutique, the Information centre, Cedar café & Quad Club. Henley at the Library, Regal Theatre & Town Hall.Maidenhead at the Library, Council Offices, U-Want &Temple Golf Club. Cookham at the Library. Bourne End at The Library and Community Centre.

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.

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Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Supplying & Installing Qualit y Log Cabins since 1982 Log Cabins, Summerhouses, Home Offices, Garages, Gazebos, Sheds and much more. Quality Garden Buildings are a family-run business and have been established in Berkshire for over 30 years. In addition to supplying your log cabin or summerhouse, we offer a full range of services including base preparation, electrical installation, water and drainage, and a FREE site survey. Based in Hare Hatch, Reading we have an extensive on-site display of sheds, log cabins, garden buildings and we offer FREE delivery. Quality Garden Buildings are authorised main dealers for Lugarde, Shedlands, Regency Garden Buildings and TGB sheds, and can supply their entire ranges of garden buildings. If you cannot find what you are looking for on our website you can download their brochures here - we would be more than happy to give you a FREE Quote. The sizes listed on this website are standard sizes but all of our Lugarde wooden buildings can be made bespoke for your garden and can be fitted with uPVC windows. We can also supply larger buildings for schools and other commercial purposes.

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Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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How To Colour Your Mood A spiral of colour is the theme top designer Tom Massey has taken on in his latest show garden which displays the way gardens can enhance your mood and help your wellbeing.

Research shows the therapeutic value and feeling of wellbeing that people get from gardening, according to Thrive, the charity that uses gardening to help people living with disabilities or ill health, or are vulnerable or isolated. But colour can also make an impact. Massey, 31, was inspired by zen gardens and Japanese designs to come up with his Perennial Sanctuary Garden - to be shown at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show in July - and has done much research on how the colour and form of plants can change your mood. At the outer edge of his showpiece, the vibrant red colours represent the inner chaos that can come from being at crisis point. As the visitor takes the journey into the garden following a winding gravel path, sounds from outside the garden fade. The planting becomes taller and more immersive and the colour scheme moves through stimulating yellows and oranges to more restful purples, blues and finally, pure green. Towards the middle of the design the planting is simplified, leading to a calm sanctuary at the centre of the garden. Here the planting changes to a single species of towering bamboo that screens the outside world, creating a safe haven and place for peaceful reflection, hidden from view. But you don’t have to create a show garden to generate a positive atmosphere in your outside space. The use of a particular palette to generate a mood can be replicated in many gardens, Massey explains.

“Red is a very stimulating colour - it’s eye-catching, it can mean passion, danger and warning, but ultimately it’s an exciting colour,”says Massey, who uses Sanguisorba ‘Tanna’, Crocosmia ‘Hellfire’ and Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ to energise and uplift in his own show garden. “Red comes to the fore if you want a vibrant bed.” Orange hues spark enthusiasm, fascination, happiness and creativity, combining the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. If you prefer an orange palette, you might try Achillea millefolium ‘Terracotta’ and Kniphofia uvaria ‘Nobilis’. Yellow is the colour of sunshine, associated with joy, happiness and intellect and produces a warming effect, arousing cheerfulness and stimulating mental activity, says Massey. It’s an optimistic, positive colour and plants in this band include Helianthus annuus and Inula helenium. Purple is associated with wisdom and dignity. Plants in this band include Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Fascination’ and Miscanthus ‘Purpurascens’. Lilac and lavender shades also have a restful quality. Blue is often associated with depth and stability, symbolising trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence and calm. Plants in this band include Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ and Phlox ‘Blue Paradise’. Bright colours tend to look more vibrant in sunny settings, while blue and green palettes can flourish in semi-shaded areas, creating a cool, calm atmosphere. At the centre of Massey’s garden, is the screen of towering bamboo. The colour palette is pure green, the colour of nature, representing growth, harmony, freshness, stability and endurance. Green has healing power, it is the most restful colour for the human eye and it has strong emotional correspondence with safety and sanctuary. “Different forms and textures can be visually exciting and stimulating, but if you have one single species it can create a calming, restful environment.” The Perennial Sanctuary Garden will be shown at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show from July 3-9.

When to Prune your Fruit Trees

Spring is nearly upon us and couldn’t come soon enough. By April time buds will start to appear on plants and trees and new growth will develop. Calibra Tree Surgeons advise that it is especially important to prune your Fruit Trees before the new growth begins. New growth is produced by the stored energy in the roots. If you remove the new growth before the tree has a chance to replenish the energy, it can weaken the tree. The pruning work should generally be carried out in February, March time

as warmer temperatures in April may stimulate budding and tree growth.

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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Have you seen this plant? It’s the foreign invader damaging our natural environments. Let’s stop it, before it stops your mortgage! Are you applying for a mortgage and not sure if you have Japanese Knotweed? RootsShootsLeaves can perform a site inspection and advise you as to whether Japenese Knotweed is present. It spreads easily, often by accident, and will quickly take hold in a garden and cause damage to structures, driveways and out competes all other plants. If you do have Japanese knotweed RootsShootsLeaves will produce a Management Plan (approved by most Mortgage Companies) including a Survey Report detailing the extent of the weed and what treatment is

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Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Discover a sea of bluebells with the National Trust by Katy Dunn

A hazy violet carpet in the dappled shade of a beech wood is a common sight in The Chilterns in late April/early May. The bluebell is one of our best-loved British flowers, but they’re in danger from an alien invader and well-meaning ones closer to home. Our old deciduous woodlands, such as those at the National Trust’s Cliveden, Hughenden and Greys Court, are perfect for wild native bluebells as they like moisture in the winter and shade in summer. They can also grow in hedgerows and park or grassland, often following the line of an old hedge or where trees once stood. When you see them each year, faithfully pushing through the old leaf litter on sturdy stalks in their hundreds, it’s hard to believe they’re actually a fragile flower. They don’t like change or disturbance, preferring ancient woods where the ground has lain undisturbed for years. Our gardening forefathers were aware of the difficult nature of native bluebells and introduced the more hardy Spanish Bluebell to their gardens around 300 years ago. However, Spanish bluebells did not remain in gardens and over the years have begun to hybridise with native flowers, producing tougher plants with dominant genes. The main visible difference between the varieties is that native bluebells are slightly smaller, have narrow leaves, drooping heads, a violet bell-shaped flower and a delicate but distinctive fragrance. Spanish bluebells are wider-leaved, stand erect and have no scent. Their flowers have less of a bell and are a more ‘hyacinth’ blue. The bluebell has held a treasured place in the hearts of British

people for centuries. It has been an inspiration to poets and writers such as Oscar Wilde, Emily and Anne Bronte, Gerard Manley Hopkins and Percy Bysshe Shelley. It has played an influential role in folk culture and some of the names it has been given offer an insight. For instance, the earliest British botanists called them Crowtoes, but they’ve also been called Cuckoo’s Boots, Wood Hyacinth, Lady’s Nightcap and Witches’ Thimbles. Many myths surround the bluebell, although for such a heart-lifting flower the folklore is rather gloomy. There was a belief that bluebells were used in witches’ potions. Others believed that anyone who wanders into a ring of bluebells will fall under fairy enchantment, or that anyone who hears the ringing of the flower’s bell will be visited by a malicious fairy and die soon after. We owe the British bluebell more than myth and sentiment, as it has also had practical uses throughout the ages. The bluebell’s bulb contains contain muselage and inulin which was used as a glue for fixing feathers to arrows and for bookbinding. The Elizabethans used the starch-like juice from the bluebell bulb to stiffen their fancy ruff collars. Bluebells were not often used medicinally but legend has it that bluebells were used by 13th century monks to treat snakebites and lepers – something of a kill or cure remedy given that the bulb is poisonous. On the other hand, researchers are looking into the bluebell’s highly effective animal and insect repellent properties and there’s even the possibility that certain bluebell extracts could be used to combat HIV and cancer. To most of us, however, a gorgeous spread of bluebells is an irresistible sight in spring. To show our appreciation, it’s the most tempting thing in the world to step into the blue for a photo opportunity,

however, your feet could be doing more damage than you realise. Bluebells have soft, succulent leaves that are particularly sensitive to being trodden on. Once the leaves are damaged, they are unable to absorb the sun and photosynthesise so they die back. In turn, this means they can’t put food back into their bulbs, reducing their ability to produce flowers and seeds. You see it in popular bluebell woods where narrow tracks made by one person soon become wider and the bluebells end up in island-like patches instead of the blue carpet we all love. Another reason to stick to designated paths in bluebell woods is that the bulbs become damaged when the soil is compacted from the weight of footfall. The situation has become so critical in the most popular bluebell areas that some landowners have had to take decisive measures to control where people walk, simply to preserve the flowers so that future generations can enjoy them. This is not to say that we should stay away. Far from it. Bluebells are an important and essential part of our natural heritage, a welcome sign that spring is well under way and the warmer days of summer are not far off. As long as we treat them with respect, we’ll be able to enjoy our blue woodlands for many years to come.

Five things you might not know about bluebells 1. Bluebell colonies take a long time to establish; 5-7 years from seed to flower.

2. It is against the law to pick, uproot or destroy bluebells

3. Bluebells are relatively rare

outside Britain, half of the world’s population are found in the UK

4. Bluebells flower two weeks earlier than 30 years ago, on average

5. If a bluebell’s leaves are damaged (by footfall) they die back from lack of food as the leaves cannot photosynthesise

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

A Beautiful Lawn with Zero Hassle With the brighter days and longer evenings upon us, gardens are starting to flourish in readiness for the summer. It will soon be time to get your lawnmower out of hibernation to start managing your lawn. If the thought of having to spend time and energy pushing a lawn mower around your garden doesn’t appeal, you may want to consider today’s modern alternative: robotic lawn mowers. While they may sound futuristic, they very much fit in with today’s busy lifestyles. Robotic mowers provide that just-cut look, every time. At Quest End, we are an authorised partner for Robomow, which manufactures a suite of robotic mowers to suit gardens of all shapes and sizes. The latest launch is the new Robomow RX range, which is the most compact and affordable robotic mower from Robomow yet. With prices starting from £499 for the entry model, the RX range is extremely cost effective and provides a flawless, precise cut with its super strong blade. The RX12 is ideal for lawns that are 150m2 or less, while the RX20 suits lawns up to 200m2. It typically takes less than an hour to install the entry model and with one-button operation, it’s ready to go in less time than you may think.

You can then sit back, relax and enjoy spending time in your garden this summer, while the Robomow does the hard work perfecting your lawn.

Control your mower from your phone!

What’s more, all Robomow mowers, except the RX12, come with Bluetooth connectivity so you can download a clever smart app. This means you have simple mower configuration and control via your smartphone. From within the app, you can send the device to mow, return it to the base to charge or programme your daily mowing schedule. You can even track the mowing progress and see how much charge remains in the battery.

How does it work?

With specifically developed features that reduce wear on the ground and return the maximum amount of nutrients back into the turf by mulching the clippings, it eliminates the need for a grass box. The robotic mowers use a wire laid around the edge of your lawn that acts like an invisible wall and confines the robot to the area you want to mow. Our specialist installation team at Quest End is happy to manage the complete installation, to ensure you achieve the very best results.

Come and see a Robomow in action!

We invite you to visit our Maidenhead Experience Centre to see how a Robomow could help you and your garden. Located on Queen Street in the heart of Maidenhead town centre, we specialise in property automation, control and entertainment technologies for today’s modern lifestyles. As a partner for Robomow, we can answer any questions you may have about robotic mowers and are happy to provide a live demonstration. To book a demonstration, contact Liam or Paul at Quest End today. Telephone: 01628 290640 Email: info@questend.co.uk Web: www.questend.co.uk

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Godstowe Preparatory School Godstowe Preparatory School has recently appointed a new headmistress, Sophie Green, who will succeed David Gainer when he retires in September 2017. Sophie, currently the headmistress of Herries Preparatory School in Cookham, brings with her a wealth of leadership experience. She has been instrumental in transforming the fortunes of Herries and prior to this, she was Director of Studies at St George’s Windsor Castle. For the past 11 years, David Gainer has delivered an exceptional education and environment for all pupils at Godstowe, whether it be for the boys and girls in the nursery and pre-prep or the girls in the Main School. During David’s time, the school has benefited from various projects – including the stunning multi-purpose Jubilee Sports Hall and the JK Theatre, both opened in 2013. More recently, Lodge (pre-prep) welcomed a new Beginners building, housing the Reception classes. The Nursery was completely refurbished last summer, including brand new play areas. Looking ahead, plans

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have been approved for a new all singing, all dancing 25-metre swimming pool, which is hoped to be completed in 2018. Boarding has also thrived during David’s time at the preparatory school. Three boarding houses are home to 100 boarders. Highlands, the junior house, is for the girls aged 7-11 and the senior houses, Turner and Walker, are for girls in Years 7 and 8. Girls joining Godstowe’s boarding community can be sure of a safe, homely and happy environment. They enjoy fun-packed weekend schedules, including trips to the theatre, cinema, county shows, wildlife parks and ice skating, to name a few. In school, there are film nights, sports activities and tournaments, cooking, quizzes and much more. Godstowe is, in many ways, a remarkable school and Sophie is determined to build on David’s success. Joined by her Labrador, Meg, she is looking forward to joining the Godstowe community later this year, while David and his wife, Cathy (the current Admissions Registrar) move onto pastures new. Godstowe’s next Open Day is on Saturday 13th May, from 10am – 1pm. Come and take an informal tour of the school and grounds, meet teachers, pupils and the headmaster. Please contact Cathy Gainer, the Registrar on registrar@godstowe.org or 01494 429006 for more information. Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Godstowe

Open Open Day: Day: Saturday13th Saturday13th May May 2017 2017 10am 10am -- 1pm 1pm

NURSERY 3-4 PRE-PREP 4-7 PREP 7-13 BOARDING 7-13 BOYS 3-7 GIRLS 3-13 NURSERY NURSERY 3-4 3-4 PRE-PREP PRE-PREP 4-7 4-7 PREP PREP 7-13 7-13 BOARDING BOARDING 7-13 7-13 BOYS BOYS 3-7 3-7 GIRLS GIRLS 3-13 3-13

Did Did you you know know that that Godstowe Godstowe has has aaa nursery nursery too? too? “Little “Little Did you know that Godstowe has nursery too? “Little Godstowe” is a termly nursery for boys and girls aged 33to 4. Godstowe” is a termly nursery for boys and girls aged Godstowe” is a termly nursery for boys and girls aged 3 to to 4. 4. The nursery offers morning sessions and full days. The The nursery nursery offers offers morning morning sessions sessions and and full full days. days.

For more information about the nursery, For For more more information information about about the the nursery, nursery, school or our Open Days, please contact the school or our Open Days, please school or our Open Days, please contact contact the the Registrar, Cathy Gainer, by telephoning 01494 Registrar, Registrar, Cathy Cathy Gainer, Gainer, by by telephoning telephoning 01494 01494 429006 429006or oremailing emailingregistrar@godstowe.org registrar@godstowe.org 429006 or emailing registrar@godstowe.org

t:t:01494 529273 t: 01494 01494 529273 529273 e:e:registrar@godstowe.org registrar@godstowe.org e: registrar@godstowe.org w: w:www.godstowe.org www.godstowe.org w: www.godstowe.org

Family Fun at The Railway! Steam Train Rides: Every Sunday from April 2nd-October 29th, 10.30am-5pm

the train rides aren’t running, and ticket prices are reduced. Also, Wednesdays on normal term time dates. 10.30am-4pm.

Looking for a First Class day out with the children? There’s lots for the kids to see, do and learn about at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre!

We hold lots of special events throughout the year:

Steaming Days From Sunday 2nd April, we will be holding our Steaming Days every Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, as well as Wednesdays in the school holidays. On a Steaming Day, you can ride on a full-size steam train, visit our extensive museum, take a trip on our 1km long miniature ride-on steam railway (£1 per person) and see beautifully restored steam engines in our visitor centre with café and shop. All set on our 25-acre site, surrounded by Buckinghamshire countryside. We are open from 10.30am until 5pm. Static Viewing: Come on a Tuesday or Thursday for a quieter day out. The site is open, but

Special Events!

Day Out With Thomas: Good Friday 14th April, Saturday 15th April, Easter Sunday 16th and Monday 17th April. 10.30am-5pm. Steam train rides with Thomas the Tank Engine™, meet the Fat Controller, have your face painted, watch a children’s show, enjoy the tea cup rides, make your own badges, visit the museum and go on the miniature steam railway! All rides and activities included in the ticket price. Teddy’s Train Ride Kids with teddies go free! Sunday 28th May 2017 - 10.30am-5pm Two steam engines offering unlimited steam train rides for everyone - and their teddies! Special ‘Teddy Trains’ will

be running throughout the day, when the children get to send their Teddies off on their own train ride! Visitors can also take a ride on our hugely popular miniature steam railway! Also, our Visitor Centre, museum, shop and café will all be open. Teddy bear’s picnics are welcome too! For more information contact us: Email: marketing@bucksrailcentre.org. Tel: 01296 655720. Website: www.bucksrailcentre.org. Find us on Facebook: ‘Buckinghamshire Railway Centre’ Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Station Road, Quainton, HP22 4BY

Easter Weekend 14/15/16/17th April 2017

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Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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Reader’s

Competition

Henley Festival

Henley Festival, the UK’s most glamorous boutique festival, returns to its spectacular setting on the riverbank in Henley-on-Thames from 5th – 9th July 2017. Not just for grownups, Sunday at Henley Festival is Family Sunday, with a fantastic line-up for kids and families. Henley Festival is giving away one Family Pass* to its Family Sunday, which promises an array of family friendly music, comedy, visual and performance art that will make memories to last a lifetime. Families and young visitors can enjoy and interact with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures dance workshop; comedy from former Britain’s Got Talent contestant Bruce Airhead; outdoor theatre in a greenhouse withThe Little Gardener; a mini musical adventure with Tommy Foggo – Superhero, and much more, while parents can relax in the stunning festival grounds. For more information on the Henley Festival 2017 Family Sunday programme please visit:http://henley-festival.co.uk/2017-programme/family-sunday.

For your chance to win one family pass* to Family Sunday at Henley Festival, please send your name, number and address to Office@alongthethames.co.uk by 10th April. *A Family Pass covers max. 4 x adults & at least 1 x child under the age of 16.

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Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

M A C D O N A L D C O M P L E AT A N G L E R

TIM E FOR TE A !

TWO FOR ONE AFTERNOON TEA OFFER Sit back and enjoy traditional afternoon tea in the beautiful surroundings of Macdonald Compleat Angler. Served traditionally on tiered cake stands, visit us and enjoy afternoon tea at its best.

£27

.50

To reserve your table, please contact the Riverside Restaurant on 01628 405406. Please quote: TIME FOR TEA

Valid: 1st March 2017 – 31st May 2017. Monday – Thursday inclusive. Subject to availability. Terms and conditions: You must bring along a copy of the advert to receive offer and present on arrival. Maximum two guests. One voucher per booking.

W W W. M A C D O N A L D H O T E L S . C O . U K / C O M P L E ATA N G L E R

Made To Measure Candlelit Manhattan A vintage cocktail made with rye whiskey or bourbon, sweet vermouth and bitters, a Manhattan is simple enough - but if you want to get the measure of a premix, all you have to do with Mr Lyan’s Candlelit Manhattan (£42.75, 50cl, www.thewhiskyexchange.com) is serve it well chilled and garnish the glass with a maraschino cherry. Created by Ryan Chetiyawardana, ‘the world’s best bartender’ and man behind the Dandelyan Bar, London, it’s a bespoke bottle with excellent credentials.

Sergeant Tibbs A competing cocktail in this year’s Beefeater MIXLDN, the world’s largest gin-based cocktail competition (the winner will be announced on February 9), budding mixologists just need to pinch Granny’s tea set to create this cocktail, which takes inspiration from 101 Dalmatians and is made using Beefeater London Dry Gin (£14, 70cl, Sainsbury’s). www.beefeatermixldn.com 50ml Beefeater London Dry, 60ml single cream (well chilled), 10ml lemon juice, 20ml sugar syrup, powdered green tea for garnish Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and dry shake (no ice). Pour into a pretty tea cup and garnish with powdered green tea in the shape of spots.

The Bloody Jasmine A novel pairing from Down Under, Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin (£39.95, 70cl, www.masterofmalt.com) is crafted from gin and shiraz grapes and this plum choice can be mixed with tonic or soda; and unlike sloe gin, the abv is 37.8% (rather than less than 30%) so it works well in cocktails... 20ml Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin, 20ml Campari, 20ml Dry Curacao (or any other orange liqueur, such as Cointreau), 20ml fresh lemon juice, 1 dash of orange bitters, lemon twist for garnish

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Half fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the ingredients, shake vigorously and strain into a chilled coupette glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

The Dorset Donkey An English vodka made entirely from the milk of grass grazed cows, Black Cow Vodka (£28, 70cl, Sainsbury’s) can be enjoyed neat on the rocks, but with the added benefit of blueberries, this cocktail has colour and character... 40ml Black Cow, 10ml morello cherry liqueur, 20ml lime juice, 15ml honey water, 3 stalks of sage, 6 blueberries, 75ml ginger ale Drop four of the blueberries into the bottom of a highball glass with two sprigs of sage. Using a muddling stick or similar, gently press the berries and herb into the bottom of the glass. Pour the vodka, liqueur, lime and honey water into the glass. Add cubed ice to fill the glass then top with ginger ale. Give the glass a quick stir to lift the berries and sage through. Garnish with a sprig of sage and two blueberries. Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Passion, Flare and Flavour Sindhu by Atul Kochhar, embodies the passion, flare and flavour combinations that the twice Michelin Star chef has become renowned for. Atul has appointed Chef Ganapati Prabhu as Head Chef of this fabulous restaurant, he brings with him experience acquired during 16 years of working on P&O Cruises and opening some of Kochhar’s finest restaurants on board. Sindhu is a 2 AA Rosette restaurant that perfectly showcases the very best of contemporary Indian cuisine situated in the MacDonald Compleat Angler in Marlow.

Chef Prabhu started his culinary career immediately after receiving his First Class Masters from Pune University, one of the premier universities in Western India. Prabhu joined P&O Cruises initially and worked his way up to Chef de Cuisine aquiring a wealth of knowledge opening restaurants on board P&O Cruises as well as working alongside Atul Kochhar launching his Sindhu Restaurants on Azura, Ventura and Arcadia ships. Ganapati Prabhu has had global culinary experience but it is his undeniable passion, likeminded thinking and creativity that will ensure guests receive a culinary journey through the very best of contemporary Indian cuisine.

comfortable, welcoming space – the perfect setting for Atul’s sophisticated cuisine.

Taking inspiration from his native India, while continuously researching regional dishes, Atul has managed to combine his heritage with his love of British ingredients to create a unique and innovative modern Indian cuisine that is totally unique. All this in a beautifully designed space with breathtaking views across the Thames: The transformation of the restaurant took inspiration from the rivers of India and their connection to culture and life. Set against the backdrop of its peaceful riverside location, the splashes of golden saffron across the plush furniture and vibrant canvases are blended with subtle muted tones to create a

The use of unique ingredients continues with the selection of main courses for Sindhu, here we see Atlantic halibut, pan seared prawns and salmon, all given Atul’s touch as well as more customary Lamb, Chicken and Tiger Prawns featuring on the menu. Along with sides of home churned Cottage Cheese, ganda peas with roasted coconut & spices, a potato Keerai Masiyal with pureed spinach, chilli, ginger & browned garlic and a mixed bread basket of naan, mint paratha & peshawari naan.

The menu at Sindhu continues Atul’s love of combining quality British ingredients with his unique method of combining these with Indian spices and cooking techniques. With Appetisers ranging from Crisp soft shell crab, Crab kofta with passionfruit & mango chutney, a Chicken Tikka masala pasty with spiced chicken, chilli pickle and summer berry chutney to a more traditional Lamb Seekh Kebab with mint sauce or an Aloo & Samosa Chaat, Crisp New Potatoes, Samosa with tamarind and pomegranate, the dishes really speak for themselves.

However, should you wish to experience the full range of what

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Sindhu has to offer then Atul has created a six course tasting menu that features some of the best dishes featured on the main menu giving the diner a variety of textures and flavours throughout the meal. If you wish to experience what Sindhu has to offer visit the website to book, plus Atul has introduced a Chef Season for 2017 where he welcomes Chef’s, some of the most celebrated names in the culinary world to cook alongside him, once a month, in the Sindhu kitchen. Each chef will present three dishes alongside Chef Kochhar’s three that will promise to delight the palate and awaken the senses. These evenings will be highly sought after so early booking is essential. Diners will experience a collaborative six-course Tasting Menu created by Atul and Ping Coombes on March 15th & 16th, Jane Devonshire 26th April, and Dominic Chapman from the Beehive pub & restaurant on 9th May and Cyrus Todiwala 29th June. Additional names are to be announced. For general bookings or to enjoy one of the Chef Season evenings, call 01628 405 405 or book directly online at www.sindhurestaurant.co.uk Sindhu at MacDonald Compleat Angler, Marlow Bridge Road, Marlow, SL7 1RG

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CLIVEDEN DINING CARD Join our dining club and take advantage of a range of exclusive benefits...

Single Membership Â£100

Taplow, Berkshire, SL6 0JF Tel: 01628 607107 reservations@clivedenhouse.co.uk www.clivedenhouse.co.uk 18 |

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

EXCLUSIVE SHOWCASE WITH MEISSEN featuring Sotheby’s and Asprey

Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th April 2017

Meissen will be holding a spectacular two day event at Cliveden to launch their 2017 collection, the first time ever in the 300 year history of the company that this has been hosted outside Germany.  Meissen is Europe’s most tradition-rich house of fine art and hand-crafted luxury. In the 300 years and more since it was established by King Augustus the Strong in 1710, Europe’s first porcelain manufactory has evolved into an international luxury and lifestyle brand that enriches all spheres of life with its fine Joaillerie collection and its refined Home & Art collections.  During this wonderful event, guests will have the opportunity to have their own special personal items valued by a team of “Sotheby’s” specialists including Richard Hird, Specialist European Ceramics. Asprey will also be launching their new “Meissen for Asprey” collection that has been developed exclusively for them. Come and meet the designer of the collection Hakan Rosenius, as well as experts and prominent figures from Sotheby’s, Asprey and Meissen.  Dress Code: Smart Casual  Includes: Champagne reception, a three-course lunch designed by André Garrett with wines, followed by coffee and bonbons and a goody bag to take home.   On the 4th April there will be fascinating talks from Liane Werner, Export Director at Meissen

Germany and from Richard Hird – Specialist European Ceramics at Sotheby’s. On 5th April enjoy talks from Liane Werner and Hakan Rosenius, Asprey’s Artistic Director.  Tickets: £99 per person and £89.10 per person for Cliveden Club Members and Dining Card Members and must be booked in advance. Subject to availability. Guests will be seated on shared tables of ten.   Stay over: Why not make a night of it? Rooms are available from £495 per room per night including full English breakfast and VAT, based on two guests sharing a Club Room. Please note the room rate is in addition to the ticket price.  *The valuation service is not exclusive to Meissen pieces. Any items such as jewellery, paintings, furniture and decorative arts may be brought in to be valued by a Sotheby’s expert. If the item is large please do bring a photograph of the work to discuss with one of the specialists.    We look forward to welcoming you to Cliveden House & Spafor this spectacular event.

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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The Phyllis Court

2017 Open Day

Experience all that Phyllis Court Club has to offer when we open our doors on Thursday 6th April 2017 to showcase our unique facilities and services. Everyone is welcome, no need to book.

Whether you are interested in discussing your wedding day, a meeting, special birthday or anniversary, Henley Royal Regatta hospitality or membership – the Open Day is the day all your questions will be answered. Come along and speak to our team who will assist you with the organisation of your special event or can answer your questions about membership at this exclusive club. The stunning riverside setting on the finish line of the Regatta course offers amazing views of the rowing during Henley Royal Regatta. The Club has a wide variety of Interest Groups for Members to join – whilst there are two stunningly different venues to privately hire.

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Open Day Thursday 6th April 2017 11am – 8pm for that special event. The ultra-modern all glass Riverside Pavilion perfect for 60 – 100 guests or the traditional Ballroom and Finlay Suite with their classic columns, French windows and private terrace leading down to the river. The Club offers exquisite cuisine and fine wines for the discerning palate. Why not stay in one of our beautifully refurbished 17 luxury bedrooms available to all, with full English breakfast served in the Orangery overlooking the croquet lawns and river Thames.

To find out more contact our Specialist Team on enquiries@phylliscourt.co.uk or call 01491 570500

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

S p e c ia l l o ff e rs w il le b a b e a v a il e o n th day

TH E P H YL L IS CO URT

OPEN DAY

ON TH U R S D A Y 6T H APRIL 2 0 1 7 11a m t o 8 p m Experience what we have to offer as we showcase our facilities and services

WEDDINgS

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

HENLEY REgATTA

mEmbERSHIP

To find out more contact membershipmanager @phylliscourt.co.uk or call 01491 570 500

M ORE THAN JU ST A C LUB Marlow Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2HT

www.phylliscourt.co.uk

Feta and dill savoury muffins I know when you hear the word ‘muffin’ you probably think of the blueberry or chocolate chip variety.

Nadiya Hus sain

However, muffins can be so much more. According to my husband, muffins are meant to be sweet, but I tend to veer in the direction of a savoury muffin accompanied by a sweet cup of tea – perhaps mainly to prove to him that I am always right. He took some convincing, because he’s not a feta cheese fan, but these are so good: the cooked feta melts down slightly in the muffin, keeping its distinctive salty flavour. The dill adds such a fresh taste, and the crunch of the seeds gives an extra dimension to the texture. These can be eaten fresh out of the cooled, sliced, smothered in cream cheese and topped with smoked salmon. And now when I say muffin, my husband answers, ‘Dill and feta, please!’

Ingredients

Makes 12

175g plain flour 50g wholewheat flour 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon fine salt 275ml whole milk 1 medium egg 100g cottage cheese 75g unsalted butter, melted and cooled 50g feta cheese, crumbled ½ teaspoon wholegrain mustard 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 8 sundried tomatoes, chopped 25g pumpkin seeds

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Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 20–25 minutes Can be frozen Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with cases. Put the flours, baking powder and salt in a bowl, and stir everything together. Now add the milk, egg, cottage cheese, melted

butter, feta cheese, mustard, dill and black pepper. Mix it all together and spoon into muffin cases. Top each muffin with a little chopped sundried tomato and sprinkle with the pumpkin seeds. Bake in the oven for 20–25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Celebrity Photographer Rankin Designs Limited Edition Homesense Aprons For Red Nose Day Red Nose Day is on Friday 24th March 2017 HomeSense has partnered with renowned fashion and portrait photographer Rankin for the third year to create exclusive aprons for Red Nose Day 2017. With all the ingredients to become a design classic, the apron features a selection of unique, quirky and quintessentially British animal portraits including Rankin’s own dog.

A spokesperson for HomeSense said: “Rankin has really risen to the challenge with this year’s apron design, encouraging adults and children to get in the kitchen and make their bakes matter. The quirky and unique design featuring an image of man’s best friend (Rankin’s own dog) and a range of other animals, will encourage people to grab an apron, get messy in the kitchen and support the good work that Comic Relief does to help transform people’s lives here in the UK where we have customers and stores and across Africa.”

This year a host of celebrities have been photographed by iconic photographer Rankin wearing the apron to help raise money for Comic Relief. The campaign is being fronted by the Hairy Bikers, Si King and Dave Myers and supported by a whole host of celebrities including, Nadine Coyle, Pearl Lowe, Nadiya Hussain, Jodie Kidd, Susanna Reid, Kimberley Wyatt, Lesley Joseph & Linda Robson, Una Healy, The Hemsley Sisters, Ella Mills (Deliciously Ella), Fay Ripley, Vogue Williams and Tim Lovejoy.

Rankin said: “When I was asked to create this year’s Red Nose Day exclusive collection for HomeSense I agreed without hesitation. It is a fantastic cause and I knew it would be a lot of fun. What you’re seeing is some of the best talent in the animal business and, although I’m never one for nepotism, my own dog got on the team sheet. I wanted to make these images as cute and fun as possible and I hope I have included something for everyone which encourages both adults and children to get in the kitchen and raise some dough for Comic Relief.”

The adult apron, priced at £12.99, available now to buy in HomeSense and TK Maxx stores, online at tkmaxx.com and rednoseday.com. With at least £5 from every adult apron sale going to Comic Relief, the money will help people living incredibly tough lives in the UK and across Africa.

Michele Settle, Director, UK Campaigns & Brands at Comic Relief said: “Baking is one of the most popular Red Nose Day fundraising activities across the UK and this exclusive apron by Rankin enables you to look stylish in the kitchen and raise money too. So make your bake matter for Red Nose Day 2017.”

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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James Martin’s French Adventure by James Martin, photography by Peter Cassidy, published by Quadrille, priced £20.

“For 10 years, I was waking up thinking about scripts and who’s on the show; now I get up in the morning and I just want to go for a pee,” the bubbly Yorkshireman confides with a chuckle. “I’m getting older! I get excited about going to the osteopath because my back’s killing me - I walk my dog now on a Saturday morning. I miss the buzz, but then 10 years is a long time.” When it was announced last year that Martin, 44, was stepping down as the face of the popular BBC cookery show, there was a national outpouring of emotion, which took him by surprise. “When it was compared to One Direction splitting up, that was a bit excessive, but you don’t realise,” he says. “People around me said, ‘You’re going to be missed’, and I went, ‘Oh, I doubt it’. All I saw was seven cameramen, I never saw three million people. It’s very humbling, but what can you say? It’s just a food show.” Those who’ve been missing Martin’s cheeky-chappie persona have no doubt been watching him cook his way around France, in new ITV series James Martin’s French Adventure. Over the course of 20-episodes, he’s visiting foodie regions from Provence to Brittany and paying tribute to his late friend - and “still the best” TV cook - Keith Floyd, who made his home in L’Isle sur la Sorgue, and in whose old Citroen 2CV Martin drives around the country.

JAMES MARTIN Does France Saturday mornings couldn’t be more different for James Martin, now he’s longer getting up at 5am to host Saturday Kitchen. 24 |

“He was one of the first ones, where he took that bench away. Before that, it was almost like a school lecture,” Martin recalls of Floyd’s pioneering role in TV cooking. “He never pretended to be a famous chef, he was an amazing foodie, with a vast knowledge and he was brilliant with people. “[Watching Floyd], you never knew what would happen, it was edge-ofthe-seat stuff, where the irate woman in Marseilles is kicking off about the omelette, or he gets p***ed off and downs tools. He made food fun and accessible.” The same could be said for Martin, who grew up on a farm on the Castle Howard estate in North Yorkshire, and first fell in love with France on family holidays. At just 12 years old, he started training in the kitchen at the Hostellerie de Plaisance in St Emilion - and makes an emotional return in the series.

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

He also called up old friend and mentor Michel Roux Sr, and spent “one of the most memorable days of my life” cooking in his garden near St Tropez. “The weather was beautiful, we cooked [quail with sausages and confit tomatoes] outside on a barbecue on his terrace, I went swimming in his pool and beat him at petanque! Now he doesn’t want to speak to me anymore,” he says, chuckling again. The book that accompanies the series is bursting with French classics you’ll find French onion soup, moules mariniere, steak au poivre and, of course, creme brulee and pain au chocolat, which Martin admits he once had an unhealthy addiction to. “When I was pastry chef at Chewton Glen [the five-star hotel in Hampshire, where he’s set to open a new cookery school and eatery in the spring], I could eat about two dozen pain au chocolat before lunch, easy.

Baked Eggs With Bayonne Ham & Parsley Cream (Serves 4)

40g butter, softened 4-8 slices Bayonne ham 8 eggs 2tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley 100ml double cream Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Crusty French bread, to serve Preheat the oven to 150C/ 300F/gas mark 2. Generously butter four individual ovenproof dishes or ramekins and place on a baking tray. Divide the ham slices between the dishes, laying them over the base and up the sides. Crack two eggs into each dish and then top with some of the parsley and the cream. Season with salt and pepper and bake for 12-15 minutes until the eggs are just set. Scatter over a little more parsley and serve warm, with crusty French bread.

French Fruit Tart (Serves 6-8)

1 x 320g ready-made puff pastry sheet 1 egg, beaten 85g dark chocolate, broken into pieces (optional) 300ml double cream 200ml ready-made chilled custard 12 strawberries, hulled and halved 150g blueberries 150g raspberries 200g redcurrants 150g seedless black or green grapes, halved “I eat and drink what I like - I was on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show [the other day] and had half a bottle of red wine, a loaf of bread and some duck rillettes for breakfast! But the problem is, when you get over 40, you have to get something called a gym. I’ve got a gym, it’s calling me now, and I just kind of look at it and go, ‘Really?’” he adds with a laugh. You won’t catch him going down the clean eating route though. “I’m not into wheatgrass and all that stuff. I’ve never supported it, because I don’t agree with it. I’ve always said if you’re going to tell somebody what to eat, you need to be a doctor or a nutritionist,” says James. “I can hopefully inspire people or teach them about food, but I’m not going to lecture people in what they should and shouldn’t do, because it’s a personal choice.” Let the chef inspire you, with two classic French recipes from his new book...

Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to a large rectangle, then cut out a 36cm x 20cm rectangle and place on a lightly greased baking tray. Using a sharp knife, score a 2cm frame around the edge, making sure you don’t cut the pastry all the way through. Brush the border with beaten egg, taking care not to allow any to dribble down the sides, because this will prevent the pastry from rising evenly. Prick the base of the tart (not the border) with a fork, then chill in the fridge for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6. Bake the pastry until golden brown and crisp, about 20-25 minutes. Slide onto a wire rack and leave to cool. Once cooled, gently press the centre of the pastry down to leave the frame around the edge. Melt the chocolate (if using) in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of just simmering water, taking care that the base of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Brush the melted chocolate over the pastry base, keeping clear of the frame. Leave to set. In a large bowl, whip the cream to soft peaks, then gently fold in the custard. Spoon over the pastry base, spreading it out evenly. Draw shallow lines in the cream mixture to create five sections and arrange the fruit on top so that each section is of a contrasting colour.

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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in March 2017 Aquarius January 21 - February 18 Inspirational energy is available to all Aquarians as a powerful connection between maverick Uranus and the action planet Mars set the pace for the month. Reassessing your life goals and your finances will also be high profile. Profit making endeavours look set to flourish after Mercury changes signs on the 14th. Pisces February 19 - March 20 The powerful full moon in your opposite sign of Virgo on the 12th helps to bring clarity and focus into many areas of your life. This is a time for illuminating new beginnings, particularly where love and romance are concerned. Venus and Mars are both in passionate Aries, so be decisive! Aries March 21 - April 20 Abundant Jupiter and the Maverick planet Uranus dominate the most pivotal part of your chart. All this planetary activity is aimed at current relationships, making personal freedom and self-assertion more important than ever before. The new moon in your sign on the 28th may bring some tough choices. Taurus April 21 – May 21 Optimistic Jupiter highlights wellbeing, fitness and health for you this month; challenged by transformational Pluto, who demands a complete lifestyle review. Dynamic Mars moves into your sign on the 10th, bringing a much more stable and focussed energy, enabling you to get those new plans underway. Gemini May 22 - June 21 Mercury, your ruling planet, is in dreamy Pisces highlighting the career area of your chart. Not the best placement for fulfilling goals and ambitions, but great for lively fantasy and intuitive thinking. Keep yourself focussed and this should turn out to be a profitable and productive month. Cancer June 22 - July 22 A heavy planetary emphasis at the highest point of your chart gives you a restored sense of optimism and courage, particularly in your career. Your renewed confidence enables you to push ideas forward. The Aries new moon on the 28th is a marvellous energy boost, possibilities are endless! Leo July 23 - August 23 You will feel the need to broaden horizons and participate in new adventures as Mars, Venus and Uranus, dominant in fiery Aries, occupy an exciting part of your solar chart. There will be more than one chance to travel and you might find that you are ready to lead an independent lifestyle. Virgo August 24 - September 22 The full moon in your sign on the 12th helps you to apply your energies to constructive pursuits. The Sun, Mercury and Neptune are all prominent around this time and highlight inspirational and intuitive experiences. New and exciting ideas to push you forwards occur at the Equinox on the 20th Libra September 23 - October 23 The month’s events hinge around Mars, Venus and Uranus occupying the relationship sector of your chart. Be sure to talk to your partner about the big issues and dig deep to unearth new truths. The Equinox on the 20th shows that freedom and individuality are more important than ever. Scorpio October 24 - November 22 This month’s early planetary activity turns your attention to trust and intuition and you’ll benefit most from a harmonious atmosphere. Grab life by the reigns once the Sun enters Aries on the 20th. The Equinox is full of exciting times, just perfect for a bold move. Sagittarius November 23 - December 21 The first week of March is dominated by a spectacular aspect between wise Saturn in your sign and dynamic Mars in Aries. It’s highly likely that a long term creative project can finally get underway. Prospects to expand your income will flourish as your confidence improves and you put your plans into action. Capricorn December 22 - January 20 Saturn, your ruler, aspects dynamic Mars at the start of the month emphasising the home and family sector of your chart. Guard against making too many sacrifices in the name of duty. The Equinox on the 20th will reveal more about changes of the inevitable kind. Romance comes in to focus after the 10th.

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The Cosmos during March Although the Pisces Sun is prominent during most of March, this month packs a punch with an abundance of fiery Aries energy; culminating at the spring Equinox on the 20th. The Sun in Pisces highlights imagery, dreams and fantasy, making this the perfect time to let your imagination run wild and connect with your personal hopes and wishes. Energetic Mars remains in Aries until the 10th, further emphasising the strong and dynamic quality for turning those dreams into reality. A powerful aspect between Retrograde Jupiter in Libra and unconventional Uranus in Aries is active all month. This signifies a desire to release yourself from obligations and restrictions that have limited your life unnecessarily. Breakthroughs can occur now, bringing revolutionary insights and optimistic farsightedness to all. The full moon is in Virgo on the 12th and the new moon occurs in Aries is on the 28th.

Visit www.VividTitles.co.uk to see how you can navigate your way to success in April

NAVIGATE YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS – with in-depth knowledge and cosmic awareness. How is 2017 progressing for you? How can you turn things around to your advantage? Insights gained by having your unique birth chart explained to you will help you to work with the planetary cycles and maximise your potential to achieve whatever you desire. Consultations are available in person, by telephone or Skype. Book now for a revealing personal astrology consultation. Please contact me for more information. Inspirational Astrologer and Life Coach, www.restyleyourlife.co.uk Christine@restyleyourlife.co.uk Telephone: 07813 483549

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

DIODE LASER l HAIR REMOVAL rks iitt w woorks

it it is is

LL AFFORDABLE OON N AALL AFFORDABLE SSKKIIN PAINLESS N PAINLESS TT YYPPEESS it it is is

Lower Arms Lower Arms Under Arms Under Arms

£75* £75* Normally £160

Lower Arm Lower Arm Face Face

£75* £75* Normally £160

• • • • • • • •

Normally £160

Half Legs Half Legs Under Arms Under Arms Bikini Line Bikini Line Men’s: Men’s: Full Back Full Back Shoulders Shoulders

£95* £95*

Half Legs Half Legs Under Arms Under Arms

Normally £160 Normally £160

£95* £95* Normally £240

Half Legs Half Legs Bikini Line Bikini Line

Normally £160 Normally £160

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£75* £75* £75* £75*

• Full back treatment in only 20 minutes IPL is NOT laser • Full back treatment in only 20 minutes IPL is NOT laser • Diode Laser is currently the most effective laser hair removal Generic Laser systems are not Diode Laser, which is • Diode Laser is currently the most effective laser hair removal Generic systems are most not Diode Laser,forwhich is technology clinicallyLaser shown to be the effective Hair Removal technology clinically shown to be the most effective for Hair Removal • It is relatively painless & Safe and effective for all skin types In most cases results are permanent • It is relatively painless & Safe and effective for all skin types In most cases results are permanent • Dermatologists recommend this system as it prevents folliculitis Special Package includes consultation and patch test • Dermatologists recommend this system as it prevents folliculitis Special Package includes consultation and patch test Sessions usually last no more than 30 minutes Sessions usually last no more than 30 minutes

La La Perla Perla

CLINIC CLINIC 01628 01628 488 488 499 499 www.laperlaclinic.co.uk www.laperlaclinic.co.uk 44 Marlow Bottom, Marlow SL73NB 44 Marlow Bottom, Marlow SL73NB

01628 318 325 01628 318 325 www.lasermed.co.uk www.lasermed.co.uk

27 Nicholsons Walk, Maidenhead, SL6 1LB 27 Nicholsons Walk, Maidenhead, SL6 1LB

* Price per session when you buy a package of 5 or more sessions | Only half the full package is paid in advance | Offer not valid for single session treatments | Terms & Conditions Apply * Price per session when you buy a package of 5 or more sessions | Only half the full package is paid in advance | Offer not valid for single session treatments | Terms & Conditions Apply

With Summer on its way and the days getting brighter, it’s time to spring-clean your hair routine with my top tips and tricks to your best hair ever this season, says Karine Jackson. At the salon…

Take away the crisp dullness in hair with a rebuilding treatment at your next appointment. I love the Revamp Treatment from Organic Colour Systems it works by building the inner structure of the hair, making it feel soft again. If you’re new to colour but want to dip your toe in with something non-committal, try a colour stain to give hair a fresh finish with just a sheen of colour. If you’re trying to grow your hair, don’t avoid your salon. Your hair still needs to be trimmed so hair dusting is a great option. Hair is like a fabric; if it begins to fray at the ends it will become damaged and irreparable. Hair dusting ensures

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you don’t get split ends and as hair is healthier you’ll get the length you want sooner.

At home…

Healthy hair starts from within so to get hair feeling thicker start adding foods rich in Omega 3 and Zinc into your diet. Oily fish is a great option, but you could also add a supplement into your diet, specifically targeted for hair. My clients love the Organic Colour Systems supplement and are really seeing some great growth. It can be tempting but try not to over-wash your hair. Like with skin, over moisturizing or over cleansing can strip away the natural oils,

leaving hair thin and fragile. Give your hair a break. When you style your hair, the trick to lasting volume is to create a great, solid foundation. My top trick for lasting volume is to spray in a bit of gel to damp roots, then really ruffle the roots with your fingers as you dry the hair. This ‘confuses’ the roots making the hair follicle stand up and giving great volume. Style into your desired shape, then whenever your hair feels a bit flat during the day give the roots another ruffle with your fingers; just like muscle memory, the roots will remember to stand up straight again, reawakening the volume.. www.karinejackson.co.uk

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

BOUTIQUE Spring/Summer 2017 10th Year Anniversary Backstage Blank Connock London Eden Rock FDJ Jeans Frank Lyman James Lakeland Joseph Ribkoff Just White Lauren Vidal Luisa Cerano Markberg Michelle Monari One Life Clothing One Season Onjenu Pranella Seeberger And moreâ&#x20AC;¦

6 Liston Court Marlow | SL7 1ER 01628 485075 www.swishboutique.co.uk Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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Hooray! Spring is here and it’s time to re-arrange our wardrobes, put away our woolly jumpers and welcome the sun and blossom that is evident all around us. I have chosen few floral pieces but they are all very adaptable. Whatever the pattern is let’s just celebrate this gorgeous season!

Sequin Jacket, Glamorous.com £89.00

Cup & Saucer Glasshouse by Dee Hardwicke for the National Trust £14

Cath Kidston, Large Painted Pansies Formal Pumps £28.00

Cigarette trous La Redoute £29.0ers 0

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Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Metal Plate Purse, Folli Follie £115.00

Simply Be Floral Blouse £35 at www.simplybe.co.uk

Natalie Lace Dress in Butter Cream: £390 www.arzukara.com Radley Hardwick Medium Zip Top Multiway Bag - Pink, Littlewoods Ireland EUR 270.00

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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TRIED AND Tested What’s best for defining brows; pencil, pen or gel? Our testers put three new launches through their paces...

ner and y tool boasts a pencil, sharpe “A brow triple threat, this nift e g in four shades, the gel textur spooly brush all in one. Comin ss pre you e sur ke ma but , scratching!) means it’s easy to apply (no and build a natural arch.” firmly to deposit the colour Paul & Joe Eyebrow Pen in Brown 02, £14 (BeautyBay.com)

“My sparse brows need all the help th ey can get, but I’m low-maintenance an d never going to sp end ages on them, felt-tip-like pen wa so this s ideal. Really quick and easy to apply, I filled in the gaps wi simply th small strokes. It dries really quickly doesn’t look too ‘d and one’ or fake, and sta yed perfectly put all day.” scara-like wand, which you “This comes with a short ma gel through your brows to use to brush the microfibre ural-looking finish, as the fill in any gaps. It has a very nat es seconds to apply. You fibres mimic real hair, and tak and it lasts all day. Genius!” could even do it on the bus, Laura Geller ‘Brow Gel Pencil’ in Charcoal £18, Debenhams (www.debenhams.com)

Brow Fiber Gel Too Faced Brow Quickie Brush-on in Universal Brunette, £17 (www.toofaced.com)

QVS 5 Piece brush set | £14.99 www.Tesco.com & www.Asda.com

Murad Hydro Dynamic Ultimate Moisture | £55 | Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum | £65 | www.murad.co.uk

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Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

CHOOSE YOUR

Texture

From matte to moisturised, there’s no single rule when it comes to skin this season, but a subtle shine is the finish most make-up artists opted for - not harsh blasts of highlighter, however. It’s about enhancing your natural complexion forgo foundation in favour of a few dabs of concealer for the most authentic take on the trend. Nars Soft Matte Concealer, £23 (narscosmetics.co.uk)

Vita Coco Coconut Oil 50ml £2.29 | 250ml £5.99 | 500ml £9.99 | 750ml £14.50 | Holland & Barrett

Merumaya Lip Line Restoration 9ml | £19.50 | www.merumaya.com

MAC Strobe Cream in Silverlite, £25 (www.maccosmetics.co.uk)

Katherine Daniels Multi-tasking eye balm | 15ml | £32 | www.katherinedanielscosmetics.com

Clarins Skin Illusion Blush 3 colours | £16 | Clarins Daily energizer lovely lip balm | £16 | Clarins Hydra Essential Bi-Phase Serum | £44 | Clarins Hydra Essential Silky Cream SPF15 | £36 | Clarins Hydra Essential Cooling Gel | £36 | Clarins Hydra Milky Lotion | £36 | www.clarins.co.uk

Natura Siberica Gentle Face Peeling 150ml | £5 Natura Siberica Oblepikha Mask for severely damaged hair 300ml | £8.50 Natura Siberica energizing & protective Conditioner 400ml | £6.10 Natura Siberica Extra Firming Night Mask 75ml | £4.70 www.naturasiberica.co.uk

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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Seven Simple Ways To Boost Heart Health Switch up your snacks

Most us need something to graze on between meals, and nuts are proof that good (nutritional) things really do come in small packages. “All nuts are a good source of heartfriendly fats, including oleic and linoleic acid and fibre, which help maintain healthy cholesterol levels,” says Fiona Hunter, a nutritionist for Healthspan (www.healthspan.co.uk). “Other heart-friendly snacks include oatcakes, fresh and dried fruits, soya yoghurt, and hummus with vegetable crudities.”

Download British Heart Foundation leaflets

The charity has a series of ‘10 Minutes to Save Your Life’ leaflets, outlining clear and achievable ways people can adopt a healthier lifestyle. There’s one for being physically active, healthy eating, stopping smoking, tackling alcohol and stress, as well as leaflets for high blood pressure, cholesterol and managing diabetes. “We came up with the idea because for most people, the approach of radically revamping their diet and exercise routine overnight simply doesn’t stick. Making small steps to better health is less daunting and easier to incorporate into our everyday lives, ”says Lucy Wilkinson, a British Heart Foundation senior cardiac nurse. “We know even a little exercise is better than none at all, and it’s proven that every 10 minutes of physical activity counts when it comes to your heart health.” Find them all on the charity’s website (www.britishheartfoundation.co.uk).

Learn to forgive

“People who have learnt to forgive tend to live longer, healthier lives with lower risks of chronic diseases, especially heart disease,” says leading UK lifestyle doctor, Dr Chidi (drchidi.com). “Resentment and anger cause us to produce more stress hormones, such as cortisol, which raise our blood pressure, thicken

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day. This social interaction will also help reduce stress.” arteries, and age us prematurely. So learn to let it go - keep your health and your good looks!”

Get your oats

There are so many ways to get a heart health-boosting breakfast; oats whether you make them into a steamy porridge, or just enjoy them with yoghurt - are one of the simplest and most affordable examples. “Porridge oats contain beta-glucan, a type of soluble fibre which, in the body, forms a thick gel which binds to excess cholesterol, helping prevent it from being absorbed,” says Hunter. “Studies show that consuming 3g of beta-glucan a day can help lower both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.”

Laugh as much as you can

While not a direct risk factor for heart disease, stress is believed to play a part in our overall risk levels. Managing stress can impact our wider behaviours too, keeping us motivated to exercise and eat well, for instance. “Laughter has been shown in research to lift mood and improve sleep quality,” says health psychologist Dr Megan Arroll - two things which also play a role in managing stress. “This can be achieved simply by laughing out loud without any prompt! But if you prefer to have a trigger, arrange with a friend to share a joke every

Embrace those tea breaks

Little rituals help keep us functioning, and a tea break works on so many different levels when it comes to heart health. Firstly, it’s a moment to slow down and refresh, plus the tea itself is beneficial. “Tea is a rich source of polyphenols that have beneficial effects on artery elasticity, blood pressure, blood stickiness and inflammation,” says GP and Healthspan medical director, Dr Sarah Brewer. “Data from 22 studies involving over 856,000 people shows that, overall, drinking three cups of tea per day reduced the risk of heart attack by 27%, and of a fatal heart attack by 26%, compared with those who did not drink tea.”

Be supplement savvy

Most of us are familiar with how ensuring we get plenty of ‘good’ omega fats in our diets, or taking a high-quality supplement, can benefit heart health, but did you know there’s a strong case for co-enzyme Q10 too? “Co-enzyme Q10 is needed for energy production in cells -especially heart muscle cells that are constantly contracting,” notes Brewer. Studies have linked co-enzyme Q10 supplements with lower rates of recurrent cardiac events in people who’ve previously suffered a heart attack. It can also be helpful for people taking statins for high cholesterol, to rebalance the reduction in circulating co-enzyme Q10 levels those drugs can cause.

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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April Is Ibs Awareness Month! Millions of people suffer with the symptoms of IBS; statistics* show that IBS affects 10-20% of the UK population with 6 million GP appointments made every year by people seeking help with IBS symptoms. However, this statistic does not include the many millions more that suffer in silence, embarrassed and living in fear of their symptoms, causing social isolation and depression. The cost to the NHS is estimated at over £600m a year, but in my experience around 80% of symptoms can be controlled with the right treatment. Unfortunately IBS is very poorly understood and managed by orthodox medicine. That’s because of a misunderstanding of the mechanisms by which it manifests, one of the number 1 causes of IBS is a gut infection, like food poisoning, that can cause diarrhoea, ‘washing’ out much of the ‘friendly’ gut bacteria, causing gut inflammation and pre-disposing towards IBS symptoms. Because of this IBS can respond well with a course of multi-strain probiotics. Because probiotics are currently not recommended by NICE, doctors tend not to advise patients to take them, hence we have more and more people developing IBS, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation and so on because they simply have an imbalance in their gut microbiome that can easily be rectified with probiotics.

Tips for managing IBS

IBS should be diagnosed by your GP. I loathe it when medics say ‘there’s no cure for IBS’. I would throw down the gauntlet and challenge anyone on this statement! So once you have a diagnosis, it is perfectly possible to manage, and greatly improve, your symptoms with probiotics and IBS diet plan.

Common IBS triggers

About of IBS can be triggered by one of these foods, so it is worth experimenting with decreasing or eliminating them completely from your diet: Cow’s milk; Corn; Yeast; Caffeine; Citrus fruit, Fizzy drinks including carbonated water. Pork, beef, veal, sausages and processed meats Shellfish Gluten grains: in addition to wheat – barley, spelt, kamut, rye Soybean products

Sugar and sweeteners such as Sorbitol Fructose syrups, maple syrup and sugar Dried fruit, packaged fruit juices Alcoholic drinks Look carefully at labels for ‘hidden’ ingredients – avoid MSG, rusk, wheat starch, bran, farina and malt.

Tailoring your supplements as part of an IBS diet plan

Every IBS sufferer, in my experience, needs to take daily high-strength multi-strain Live Bacteria (probiotic) capsules. Just For Tummies Live Bacteria contains four strains and a minimum of 4 billion colony-forming units, and is the product I recommend most often to my clinic patients to re-colonise their gut with “friendly” bacteria. Live Bacteria probiotic capsules have two unique lactobacilli strains – acidophilus and rhamnosus, both shown to reduce bloating and abdominal pain in IBS. The second most important supplement is a digestive enzyme, to help the body digest food so that painful bloating is less likely to occur. Take Live Bacteria with your breakfast and a Digestive Enzyme with your main meal in the evening – I’ve found this to be the best combination of supplements for most IBS symptoms.

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When the digestive system has been out of balance for some time, it can become inflamed and weakened. The intestines are coated with fatty acids. If this fatty acid coating has been destroyed through inflammation, it needs replacing and Omega 3 capsules assist with this. If constipation, or alternating constipation and diarrhoea, is a feature of your IBS, then a daily fibre supplement can help regulate your bowel movements and create a ‘brushing’ action to keep your bowel wall clean. If smelly wind accompanies your IBS, two capsules of activated Charcoal capsules before, and after, each meal will help break up your gas into tiny bubbles so that it can be eliminated more gently and comfortably. Taking Garlic tablets alongside Charcoal will help address any offensive smell by addressing the toxins in your gut that are responsible for the odour.

Colonic hydrotherapy

Colonic hydrotherapy is a must for IBS - a skilled colon hydrotherapist can quite effectively cleanse the large bowel of impacted and compacted stool, irritating endotoxic substances and ‘de-pressurise’ it of painful excess gases. This allows the large bowel to relax and the congestion backing up in the small intestine will move through the ileo-cecal value, along and out, ‘deflating’ the 7 metres or so of intestines, releasing spasm and reducing bloating and pain. The colonic treatment can help restore bowel motility, at the same time assisting in rehydrating the bowel. However, I would point out that colon hydrotherapy cannot be used in isolation. It is an adjunctive therapy and should be used alongside dietary and lifestyle advice. Linda Booth www.justfortummies.co.uk

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Maidenhead Golf Club Celebrating 120 years and still going strong A beautiful mature course set in lovely rolling parkland A ‘hidden’ gem in the heart of Maidenhead

 Membership available in all categories  Attractive discounted rates for under 35’s  No Joining Fee  Weekend Membership now available  We welcome visitors competitive green fee rates offered  A well-stocked Pro Shop Just a short ‘drive’ from the town centre, opposite Desborough School - easily accessible by road M4 & M40 and only a five minute walk from the local mainline railway station.

For further information please telephone 01628 624693 or email: manager@maidenheadgolf.co.uk

Maidenhead Golf Club, Shoppenhangers Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 2PZ www.maidenheadgolf.co.uk

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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Get a good grip

on your leisure time!

Temple Golf Club is beautifully situated in unspoilt landscape and enjoys extensive panoramic views of the River Thames and Chiltern Hills beyond. The view from the 1st tee is simply stunning. Although Temple is over 100 years old, the Club combines heritage with a modern approach and its affordable, family-friendly and flexible lifestyle membership continues to be a huge success. This membership is aimed at today’s time-poor golfer who is trying to juggle business and family commitments but at the same time seeks value for money. Prospective members can choose from a range of usage-based packages each of which attracts the usual benefits associated with being a member of a club. Our entry-level Blue membership provides up to 9 rounds of golf but is currently full, Bronze up to 20 rounds, Silver up to 35 rounds, Gold up to 52 rounds and our Platinum category includes unlimited golf. To find out more about lifestyle membership, please contact the Club Secretary. The excellently maintained and beautifully presented course, designed by twice Open champion Willie Park Junior, is challenging enough to test the low handicap player but friendly enough to encourage those with higher handicaps and we aim for 3 hour two-ball rounds and a maximum of 4 hours for a four-ball. Whatever the season, the course always has something very special to offer: Spring has its many shades of green as the leaves burst into life. Summer brings a myriad of colour with the wild flowers including several rare species of wild orchids. Autumn at Temple is spectacular with the varying russet shades of the countless specimen trees on the course creating a stunning backdrop and, due to the fact that it is built on chalk, Temple is an excellent winter golfing venue. The original clubhouse is still in use today and provides a wonderful setting for a quiet drink, a snack or a meal and the Club prides itself on providing a

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friendly and efficient service in a relaxed atmosphere and comfortable surroundings. Temple is much more than “just a golf club”. The beautiful setting, great attention to detail, wonderful hospitality, excellent value for money and friendly service guarantee an enjoyable and memorable visit. If you have not played at Temple before, please call us and we will be only too pleased to make the arrangements for a casual round of golf. Whilst we can’t guarantee the weather, one thing that you can be sure of, is that a warm welcome awaits you.

For more information please call 01628 824795 Temple Golf Club, Henley Road, Hurley, Berkshire, SL6 5LH email: secretary@templegolfclub.co.uk www.templegolfclub.co.uk

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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5 Tips For A New Staircase

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Start by deciding on the look of your new staircase - do you want a similar style and materials to your existing one, or something different? While most of us have wooden staircases, don’t overlook other materials, such as metal, glass and concrete, which can work well in a modern property. “When installing a new staircase, we always recommend working with an expert builder or joiner, because aside from the style and design of a staircase, there are a number of building regulations homeowners must comply with,” says Scott Storey, MD of staircase specialist James Grace. “The maximum pitch of the stairs should be 42 degrees, although many people prefer a shallower staircase as it’s easier to climb. There is no minimum width, but in many cases a staircase 86cm-90cm wide is perfect. Anything more than 1m wide will need a handrail on both sides of the stairs.” There are, of course, different types of staircase, including straight, spiral, curved, and cantilevered, where just one side is attached to the wall. Although you’ll probably want to stick to the same type if you’re keeping the staircase in the same place, you may want

19/08/2015 13:15

something different if you’re repositioning it. Moving a staircase is a big and expensive job, but can dramatically improve your home’s layout and flow, so it’s something to consider if the stairs are in the way where they are, or could work better elsewhere. The basic components of a staircase are the treads, which are the horizontal bits you step on; the risers, which are the vertical bits between the treads (staircases without risers are said to have open risers); the handrail; the spindles; and the newel posts, which are the chunky posts that go at either end of a run of spindles. Some staircases have a wall-mounted handrail (without spindles and newel posts), which can be a nice feature in its own right. Changing one part of the staircase may be something you can do yourself - if the original period spindles have been replaced by modern ones that aren’t in keeping, for example. A new staircase can blend in to the room or stand out and make a statement, and it can cost thousands of pounds, so getting the look right and ensuring it’s practical is vital - stairs without a carpet or runner

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

aren’t ideal for young children, for example. “The staircase is a focal part of the home, so it is important to ensure the aesthetic of the staircase fits in with the rest of the decor,” says Storey. “We often find that people forget to consider the space under the stairs, which can be used as additional storage or an open reception area. For halls in need of light, stairs with open risers are the perfect solution.” If your home’s listed, changing the staircase is likely to require listed building consent from your local council, so check before doing any work. And in a leasehold property, you may need the permission of the freeholder (or the other freeholders, if you own a share of it), to significantly alter the staircase.

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Finishing Touches

Home accessories are the interior design equivalent of jewellery as they can transform a space. Interior designer Jenny Allan advises on how to use accessories to enhance your home.

The way a room is accessorised is an important part of a successful scheme, as it is the finishing touches that take a design to the next level. Accessories should be included throughout the house to create a homely, dressed feel without being too cluttered. Shelving is the most popular way to display accessories and there are certain methods that can make a shelving display look more stylish. Firstly symmetry is a fundamental design principle and should be introduced within accessory displays. For example balancing a shelving scheme by placing two pieces of coral on one side and then two picture frames on the other, using their different shapes and textures to stop the design become too regimented. Varying the size and shape of accessories is also important to create an interesting style so by using tall vases on the shelf above with one low wide accessory below helps to further balance the display. Using accessories in groups of three is also an effective display tool. Another way to enhance a shelving unit is to include mirrored back panels and downlights or LED lighting strips which will really add to the drama of the design. They can also make a room feel larger and lighter which is always a bonus. Other areas that benefit from the addition of accessories are tables. Side tables can simply be accessorised by a small vase or bowl with flowers, a picture frame, agate or perhaps a couple of crystal champagne flutes. These small additions create a big impact and make the room feel dressed

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and welcoming rather than empty or overly cluttered.

trays built into them which is a useful feature to include.

Coffee tables can be accessorised in many ways and the items chosen should reflect the purpose of the room. For example in a living room plenty of coffee table books, perhaps a diffuser, a textured item and photo frames are ideal. However, in a games rooms the use of the coffee table would be very different, so include tumblers on a tray, playing cards and other items which would be more appropriate. You can even have coffee tables made that have

Another table to accessorise is the console table which lends itself to floral displays, table lamps and sculptural pieces. As with display shelving adding a mirror above the console gives the accessories greater impact and in turn improves the roomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s balance and aesthetic. Accessories can really transform a home and taking time to select the right objects that complement each other to beautifully enhance a room is definitely time well spent.

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

5 Tips For SMALL ROOMS In small bedrooms, storage is allimportant. Fitted wardrobes provide floor-toceiling storage and are most useful if built in what might otherwise be wasted space, such as the alcoves next to a chimney breast. Fitted wardrobes aren’t expensive if you make them out of MDF (or get a carpenter to), and can be customised for your storage needs. A bed with built-in storage may also be a good investment.

come to sell, but may be worth it if it improves the bathroom for you. If you want to keep the bath, there may be a better bath for the room, such as a shorter, narrower or tapered one. Fitting everything in a small kitchen can be a challenge. Consider moving the washing machine to the bathroom or under-stairs cupboard, for example, and fitting smaller appliances, such as a twoburner hob. Clever kitchen designs make more of limited space - try a pullout worktop and wall-hung table that folds down. Tall wall units, if the ceiling’s high enough, give you more storage by using otherwise wasted space.

To make a small bathroom work well, think about re-jigging the layout - would there be more space with a corner toilet, shower cubicle or basin, for example? Also consider the depth of the toilet - some are a lot shorter than others, giving you more useable floor space. If you don’t use the bath, could you save space by replacing it with a shower cubicle? This may put off some buyers when you

A small boiler will free up space. Dated properties often have a big, floor-standing boiler with a hot-water cylinder, plus tanks in the loft.

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5 Tips For Ceiling Roses Decorative ceiling roses come in lots of different designs, so look for one that matches the period of your home and the style of the light fitting. You probably don’t want an intricate Victorianstyle ceiling rose with a contemporary ceiling light, for example. Also, consider the proportions of the room - a big room with a high ceiling will suit a large ceiling rose, but a smaller room with a lower ceiling may not - and the style of the coving or cornicing. Plain coving goes best with a simple ceiling rose, such as one with concentric circles, and more elaborate designs suit each other. Ceiling roses are also available in different materials. The easiest to fit is an expanded polystyrene ceiling rose because it will be really lightweight - all you need is suitable adhesive. However, polystyrene ceiling roses come in a fairly limited range of designs and aren’t for everyone. Original ceiling roses are made of plaster and modern replicas of original designs are available, but like anything made of plaster, they’re heavy. They’re so heavy, in fact, that it pays to get a professional to put them up, because they could do a lot of damage - and even injure someone - if they weren’t fitted properly and fell down as a result. Perhaps the best choice for DIYers is a polyurethane or hard resin ceiling rose, because it will be sturdy, but relatively lightweight and so straightforward to fit. It can be glued with suitable adhesive, but gluing and screwing is a much better option. Screwing the ceiling rose into the joists above (the screws can be countersunk and filled over for a neat finish), gives the most secure fixing and allows the adhesive to set properly. Fitting a decorative ceiling rose often involves moving the electrical ceiling rose - if you’re not confident about doing this, get a qualified electrician to do it. While it’s sometimes possible to fit the decorative ceiling rose over the

electrical ceiling rose (by removing the white cover), this isn’t a good idea because you won’t be able to get to the wires easily if something goes wrong with the light. An electrician may be able to fit a junction box above the ceiling light (in the loft, for example) so you don’t need the electrical ceiling rose, but, again, it’s less accessible if there’s a problem. Some decorative ceiling roses have a flat bit in the middle - without this, the electrical ceiling rose won’t sit flat or look good. If you want to leave the electrical ceiling rose in place, choose a decorative ceiling rose with a hole in the middle - it should simply slot over the electrical one.

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kitchen, bedroom or home office Ashford Kitchens & Interiors offer a complete design, supply and fully projectmanaged installation service. Being established for over 30 years, with a large, newly refurbished showroom in Ashford, Middlesex and a recently opened showroom in Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire; Ashford Kitchens & Interiors can be sure to provide you with a hassle-free, individual service which exceeds expectations, meeting your needs in terms of design and budget. The family run business are proud to have completed over several thousand installations in and around the local area. ‘We heavily rely on recommendations – in fact, over 70% of our business is from recommendations alone’ says company director, Stephen Flower ‘We are very proud of this and recognize the importance of it.’ Offering high standards of quality and attention to detail, it’s no wonder Ashford Interiors has built up such a loyal clientèle’. The company offer a free, no-obligation, design visit and planning service with computer aided design software, which helps client’s visualise their renovation project and make adjustments right for them. Their skilled designers can plan a kitchen to suit different budgets, style requirements and spaces making every effort to make things right from day one, so that you will be delighted with the end result. Ashford Kitchens & Interiors pride themselves on facilitating a fully project managed service. Customers can feel at ease that their project is in safe hands; not having to worry about going elsewhere to search for appliances or flooring. The company provide expert knowledge and excellent

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prices on their high quality cabinetry from leading British manufacturers and a vast range of appliances, specialised worktops, flooring, tiles and lighting - all of which can be viewed in one of the spacious showrooms. Ashford Kitchens & Interiors has been a specialist member of the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) since 1984. They are one of 300 fully accredited, UK based, independent retailers recognised for providing the highest quality advice about key home improvements. Therefore you can be doubly assured that they will always offer a highly professional and cost effective service from design to installation. Being a local, family run business Ashford Kitchens & Interiors genuinely care that their customers receive the best possible service and are happy with their experience from the moment they step into the showroom. You are welcome to visit the spacious showrooms in Ashford, Middlesex & Farnham Common, Bucks where you will be able to experience the variety and quality of the extensive displays that will inspire you to create your dream kitchen, bedroom or home office. Ashford Kitchens & Interiors is at The Parade, The Broadway, Farnham Common, and 85, Church Road, Ashford, Middlesex. www.ashfordinteriors.co.uk | info@ashfordinteriors.co.uk Ashford 01784 245964 or Farnham Common 01753 642362 Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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Work It...

Opting to work from home may seem an easy way to slip away from the time-wasting and stress of commuting, office politics and irritating bosses, but to be successful, it’s essential you do your homework first. The work space can be anything, from a designated room to a small corner on a landing, or even a garden shed. Whatever your base, it will need to be well-equipped and functional to ensure you’re able to be productive, organised and efficient - but also stylishly designed and comfortable, so you enjoy the experience when you join the estimated four million people who’ve already made home their work base. “The average person requires a lot of discipline and motivation to successfully work from home, often because of the lack of separation from the distractions of home,” says Emma Brindley, group interior design manager at Redrow Homes. “But when the balance is right, the results can be profound. There’s less stress, no difficult colleagues to contend with, and you can tailor your environment to perfectly fit your needs.” “You should aim for a setting which inspires you, appeals to your taste and, if necessary, is also suitable for hosting meetings,” she adds. “Often we find these areas may be multipurpose and used as a library or study for children in the family, somewhere to deal with household admin, or a place to enjoy a hobby.”

SERENE STUDY

“The kitchen’s undoubtedly one of the most popular areas to site a home office, as our research found around a third of homeowners used that area, while seven per cent were specifically renovating that area so they incorporate a work or study space into it.”

Your work space can be a haven of calm if you choose a soft pastel colour scheme and avoid clutter. “It can be difficult disciplining yourself if you’re working from home, as there are often so many distractions around you. The right decor’s key when creating a motivational environment, and a simple colour scheme with pastel shades can really make a difference,” says David Roebuck, managing director at online blinds retailer, Direct Blinds. “Use a window blind which tones with the rest of the colours used for the walls or furniture, and add a rug in complementing shades. That will give the space an identity and you can conjure an informal style enlivened by colourful touches, which will be a brilliant contrast to the grey uniformity of a standard office.” TIP: If your desk is in a living area, it can be hard to distance yourself from work at the end of the day - consider disguising it with a folding screen. WORK WISE: A dining table which doubles as a workstation is a good choice if you’re space-starved. Furniture Choice’s Vila White Gloss Table, £369.99; could be paired with its white Leon Leather Dining Chair, £39.99. George Home’s Sadie Dining Table with four chairs, £249, comes in three appealing shades: pink, grey and duck egg. Its grey wooden Wyatt Dining Chairs, £130 each, would also look good. Express your personality with accessories: A wall-mounted white Cloud Storage Pot, £11.90, Red Candy; a bright pink Leitmotiv Z Lamp, £29, Furnish, and for clock-watchers, a Hometime Light Pink Wall Clock, £19, JD Williams.

STREAMLINE STYLE

A monochrome scheme, a compact desk and slim storage will integrate easily into an open-plan living area.

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“We’ve noticed a rising trend on Houzz for flexible work stations in kitchens, living rooms and even hallways,” says Victoria Harrison, editor of online home design destination, Houzz.co.uk.

TIP: Transform a wall with chalkboard paint, which will not only ‘zone’ the office area but help you stay organised if you use it to display lists, plans, notes and dates. Colours Black Matt Chalkboard Paint, £11.73 for a litre, B&Q; or Magnetic Chalkboard Paint, £14.99 for 750ml from Homebase WORK WISE: A smart office needn’t cost a fortune. JD Williams Pemberton Computer Work Centre is a snip at £119, and you could stay within budget with a Brooklyn Office Chair, currently reduced to £69 from £99, Very. If you want to splash out on finishing touches, Furnish has a Nordic Desk Lamp Charcoal Shade With Brass Stand, £180. Refurb a window with a black and white stripe Roman blind, from £123, Apollo Blinds. Dramatic backdrops for a home office can help spark creativity: oversized graphic motifs, images, paintings and mood boards will make your space pop and create an inspiring atmosphere.

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

5 Tips For Lower Heating Bills Fit a new boiler. If you can afford to, replacing an old boiler with a new one will improve your central heating system and save you money because it will be more efficient. A boiler that’s 15 years old or more is only around 60%-70% efficient, so around 30p-40p of every pound spent on heating and hot water is wasted, but a new A-rated condensing boiler is around 90% efficient. Replace or insulate the hot-water cylinder. New cylinders for boilers come with a thick layer of built-in insulation, so they’re a good investment, but lots of us have older cylinders that benefit from being fitted with an insulation jacket (at least 75mm thick). According to the Energy Saving Trust, fitting an insulation jacket to an uninsulated cylinder will save you around £110-£135 a year (based on a typical gas-heated home in England, Scotland and Wales). Cylinder jackets, such as the BSI-approved Hot Water Cylinder Jacket (£8.45, Screwfix) are inexpensive, easy to fit and will keep the water hotter for longer. Another way to save money is to set the thermostat on the cylinder to the right temperature - 60˚C-65˚C is recommended - so the water inside isn’t heated unnecessarily. Change the radiators. To ensure your home’s radiators are working at full capacity, bleed them with a radiator key or small screwdriver (when the heating is off and the radiators are cold), depending on the type of bleed valve. Replacing old radiators, although not cheap, may reduce your heating bills because new radiators should work better than old ones. They may heat up quicker when the heating’s turned on and retain heat for longer when it’s turned off, for example. You often get as much, or more, heat output from a new smaller radiator than an old bigger one. Upgrade the radiator valves. Many old radiators don’t have adjustable valves - they’re either on or off, so fitting adjustable valves will enable you to turn the heat down without turning it off. The Energy Saving Trust says the

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

thermostat should be set to the lowest comfortable temperature, which is usually 18°C-21°C. It should turn the heating on until the set temperature is reached and then turn the heating off until the temperature drops. Use a smart control system. Smart controls, such as Worcester’s Wave, enable you to control your heating and hot water from your smartphone, computer or tablet, and although they usually cost more than conventional controls, they could save you money. For example, instead of leaving the heating on when you go out on a cold day, you can turn it on using your smartphone when you’re on your way home.

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Countryside walk

– Cookham & Cock Marsh

Cookham village is the location for our spring walk. It’s a walk with something for everyone, including those just out for a pub lunch. It’s a 4 mile circular walk, starting at the National Trust carpark, Cookham Moor, OS 176 Explorer, SU 89237 85327. From the carpark cross the road to the Fleet Bridge; built in 1929, a gift from Mrs Balfour Allen, to the village, in memory of her late husband. Turn left, and walk towards the war memorial, and Cookham high street beyond. At the end of high street, you pass the Stanley Spencer Gallery on your right. The gallery is dedicated to one of the 20th century’s greatest painters Sir Stanley Spencer, who was born and lived much of his life in Cookham. If you want to extend your visit, ask at the gallery for details of other walks, which take you on a tour of Spencer’s Cookham. Cross the over the high street and follow the A4096 for about 80 metres turning left into Church Gate. You are heading for the 12th Century Holy Trinity Church, which has a long history as a place of worship dating back to 1140. Continue left of the church and through a gate, turning left onto the Thames Path. With the River Thames on your right, this section of your walk is especially good for bird watchers.

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Continue on through another gate and onto Cock Marsh. This is an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) with several species of rare wildflowers. Summer is time for grazing cattle on the Marsh so if you have a dog it needs to be kept on a lead. Continue on the path, with the Thames on your right, pass “The Bounty” pub. After the line of houses, go through the gate, turn left and head out across the Marsh, on the grass path. You now head away from the river, towards Winter Hill. The four bumps in the grass are actually ancient burial mounds. Make your way to the boardwalk, which is a raised walkway crossing an old remnant course of the river Thames. Once over the Boardwalk turn right and with Cock Marsh on your right and a steep slope on your left, after 400 metres, turn left up a steep path. At the crossing path turn right and walk on the level. Look out for a wooden gate to your left. Head up the slope, through the wooden gate and along the field edge. Just before the buildings, turn left, on to the waymarked footpath. You will cross the Winter Hill Golf Course, to a bridge, which crosses the railway line between Cookham Rise and Bourne End. Cross over the railway and turn right. Follow this path, as it heads towards a lane. But before you reach the lane, take a left, onto the waymarked footpath. This footpath narrows as you descend. At the bottom, go through the kissing gate and turn right. There is a small stream on your left with the grand name of Strand Water and paddocks on your right. When you meet the crossing track turn right back towards the carpark. We hope you will enjoy this walk, as we have done over the years accompanied by a chocolate Labrador called Bella. Jacky and Mark Bloomfield Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

FINDING A QUOC OF GOLD

The beach vendor sets down a thick bamboo cane, laden at either end with heavy hanging baskets of mangoes and coconuts, which she has been balancing on her shoulder. With deft precision, she peels and cuts the ripe mango, handing it to the tourist before lifting the cane back on to her shoulder and walking on down the beach, a tiny figure wearing a conical hat and carrying what looks like an outsized weighing scale. This is just one of the regular sights on Long Beach, a sandy stretch skirting tropical island Phu Quoc, 45km off the coast of south Vietnam. It’s a sun-splashed haven roughly the size of Singapore and billed as the next Phuket, but so far less tainted by tourism than the popular Thai destination. Visitors will need to get there soon to enjoy the simple pleasures this relatively peaceful island has to offer. When direct flights launch from the UK this year, the world and his wife are likely to descend. Hotels have sprung up quickly on Phu Quoc in the last decade - and its first golf course opened last year - but more are being built along the coastline in preparation for the arrival of the masses. Phu Quoc, also called Pearl Island, was once a backpackers’ haunt, yet a number of five-star hotels now provide an oasis of luxury and calm to those who’ve experienced the bustling madness of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) on the mainland, with its cacophony of motorbikes, war museums and chaotic, sweaty markets. Regular direct flights operate from the UK to Ho Chi Minh City, and from there, it’s a 50-minute flight to Phu Quoc. The itinerary allows for a multi-centre break, combining a taste of Vietnam’s frenetic pace of life with paradisiacal island relaxation. I’m staying at La Veranda Resort, a charming, luxurious boutique hotel on 12-mile Long Beach, the island’s longest stretch of sand in the west. The Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

hotel’s French colonial-style buildings feature large louvred windows and rooms devoid of bling, walkways fringed with lush tropical planting, eye-catching bright orange bird of paradise flowers and soft pink hibiscus. It’s a jewel in the crown of the island. Stepping on to its private beach, I’m surprised by the many beachfront bars which have already sprung up alongside it, one of the most popular, Rory’s Bar, being right next door.

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Beach at Pho Quoc

Refreshingly, there’s no in-your-face, pushy tourism with waiters badgering you to go into their restaurants or hawkers hounding you to buy their wares. There’s a relaxed feel to the pristine sweep of sand, where quiet couples enjoy a drink watching the burnt orange and deep pink hues of the sunset, or head for a smattering of beach barbecues where locals cook freshly-caught fish. While many prefer to stay put, swimming in the tepid waters of the Gulf of Thailand, I want to find out what sets Phu Quoc - an island which stretches 30 miles north to south apart from the conventional fly-and-flop destinations.

Surprisingly, some 50% of it is national park, made up of jungle, mangrove forests and woodland. Some of it is inaccessible, home to macaque and silver langur monkeys, fruit bats and reptiles, including pythons. You can rent a motorbike and attempt to see some of it by dirt track, but the road is rocky, bumpy and - after the frequent short, sharp tropical downpours - often muddy, so it’s not the most comfortable ride. I’m also told that the jungle is so dense in the north east that you can easily become disorientated. That, coupled with the fact that Vietnamese soldiers guard restricted areas and may appear unexpectedly should you veer into no-go zones, convinces me to pursue a different course. Phu Quoc is actually closer to Cambodia - just nine miles away - than to mainland Vietnam. Cambodia lays a competing claim to the island, which is why the Vietnamese keep a substantial military presence there and much of the north is off-limits to the public. You can go on jungle hikes and treks, but it’s humid and hot, so I venture to the cooler mountain waterfalls of Suoi Tranh further south, a regular picnic spot for locals. Trying to ignore the unnecessary additions of tacky concrete animals on a winding path in the shade of the forest, the click-clack of cicadas ringing in my ears, I arrive at one of the

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Living Living Along Along The The Thames Thames | MARCH | MARCH / APRIL / APRIL 20172017

bananas, ‘milky’ star apples and mangoes growing within spitting distance of each other. On the water, pumpkins and pineapples, coconuts and papayas are piled high on traditional sampans (small rowing boats) and larger vessels at the floating market at Cai Rang, the largest in the Mekong Delta, where traders go about their business oblivious to the boat-loads of inquisitive tourists.

Tranh stream waterfalls where bathers are swimming in the refreshing, crystal clear water below. These can dry up between November and March, but we strike lucky today as a torrent of water provides some cooling relief.

Eager to escape the crowds, I’m persuaded by a local woman with a huge smile and a convincing nature to let her take me on a different type of boat trip on her little sampan. We cannot communicate - very little English is spoken in this neck of the woods - but she leads me across to a quieter stretch, turning into narrow inlets and switching off the motor, gently rowing as I take in the floating boatyards in the hidden veins of the river, vessels cushioned by the dense foliage of water hyacinths.

As well as its beaches and waterfalls, Phu Quoc is famous for its fish sauce (nuoc mam), considered the finest in Vietnam. Much of it is sent to the mainland, but it’s widely exported and you can buy it in specialist shops and online in the UK. There are family-run fish sauce factories all over the island - just follow your nose for directions, because the stench of anchovies as they go through the fermentation process is truly unforgettable. Ironically, you can’t take it home in case the bottle breaks on the plane, releasing that pungent whiff of the festering essence. Phu Quoc also produces high quality pepper, 55% of which is exported to India, China and Thailand. And this you can bring home. Of course, many tourists will end their trip in Phu Quoc after visiting Ho Chi Minh City and cruising through the Mekong Delta, a watery maze of rivers, paddy fields and floating markets, which extends from the city limits southwest to the Gulf of Thailand. A three-and-a-half-hour drive south-west from Ho Chi Minh City is Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong and a great base from which to explore the nearby floating markets. Muddy, quaggy, brilliant green rice fields line the main highway to the river, while along the route, families sit at makeshift stalls selling a hotchpotch of goods, from home-grown vegetables to children’s clothing, gas canisters and motorbike helmets. On land, fruit is in abundance and in one orchard, we see rugby ball-sized jackfruit, vibrant pink dragon fruit, Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Here, families live in corrugated shacks balanced precariously on stilts above the water, grey washing hanging forlornly over rusty balconies while small children smile and wave from their rickety jetties, seemingly content with the world. This is rural, idyllic Vietnam at its best, despite tourism. Let’s hope Phu Quoc can weather a similar storm.

Vietnam Airlines (vietnamairlines.com) offers the UK’s only non-stop flights to Vietnam, with daily Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner services from Heathrow Terminal 4 to Hanoi or Saigon. Experience Travel Group (www.experiencetravelgroup.com; 020 3468 6268) can tailor-make seven-night holidays to Southern Vietnam from £2,101 per adult, including two nights at the Park Hyatt Saigon (saigon.park.hyatt.com); two nights at the Victoria Can Tho (victoriahotels.asia/en); three nights at La Veranda, Phu Quoc (laverandaresorts.com); daily breakfast; Experience Travel Group signature Saigon tour; private guides and transfers throughout, and return flights with Vietnam Airlines.

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Are you taking your dog abroad? So, now is the time to consider your forthcoming Easter or Summer holiday plans. What are you doing with the dog? Are they coming with you or being left at home? Either way you need to make some preparations in advance.

Travelling abroad with your dog is much easier than it used to be. Rightly or wrongly, the Pet Passport Scheme has become a lot simpler and less expensive when travelling to EU countries and other specified destinations. Check the rules for the country or countries you will be visiting to well in advance. Dogs must be microchipped, which has been compulsory in the UK for all dogs since April 2016 anyway, and vaccinated against rabies. This must be done a minimum of 21 days before travel. The day of vaccination is day zero so do not plan to travel until at least 22 days after the vaccination has been done. If it is a while since your dog’s chip was read, ask your vet to check it before you leave the UK. Microchips do fail and if it can’t be detected at your port of exit eg Calais, you will not be permitted to travel to the UK and will need to re-passport your dog abroad which will mean staying away for an extra 21 days. Apart from the expense, work probably wouldn’t be too

www.bigdogbedcompany.co.uk

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pleased at you not turning up when expected!

At the end of the holiday, you must visit a vet to have the health of your dog checked and a worming treatment administered before you return. Research the location of vets near where you are holidaying in advance or as soon as you arrive so you are not frantically searching for one at the last minute before you head home. The window for seeing a vet is now longer, being no more than five days and no less than 24 hours before you enter the UK. If you are travelling via ferry or tunnel from France, this is actually when you arrive at the ferry port and check in, not when the ferry gets to the UK port of arrival. You will be prevented from travelling if you do not comply with these rules or if the vet you visit makes a mistake with the specific medication given – as I know from personal experience. But really, it is very simple if you do the groundwork and errors are rare. Most vets in countries from which it is common to travel

to the UK are fully aware of the rules, but you might consider asking your own UK vet for the list of approved medications to show the vet overseas just to be certain you end up with the right thing. It is a good idea to check how dog friendly the country you are travelling to is as this will make a big difference to you and your dog’s enjoyment. France is pretty much open to dogs – campsites, hotels, restaurants and so on. This is not the same for the Scandinavian countries for instance. Dogs are not routinely permitted in restaurants or hotels and there are tight rules about dogs on leads in wildlife areas, which seem to be pretty much every green area in Denmark and Sweden, that you’d want to walk your dog in. There are several websites that provide good advice on travelling in Europe which make it easier for you to do your homework in advance. Dru Ross

• Waterproof • Antibacterial • Hardwearing • Comfortable Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Reader’s Offer

It’s ‘Disneyland for dogs’ and you could win tickets! All About Dogs shows are the stuff of doggie dreams. There’s a hound-some line-up of entertainment, canine competitions and games to try and endless opportunities to pamper your pooch with treats and new toys. Yes, if you’re a lover of dogs there’s no better place to spend quality time with your loyal pal – and this year visitors will enjoy an incredible performance on Sunday by Britain’s Got Talent finalists Lucy Heath and Trip Hazard! All About Dogs returns to Newbury Showground over the jam-packed weekend of 8-9 April with everything from stunning main arena demonstrations to expert advice on grooming, nutrition and pet behaviour. Aztec Events director Matt Upson said: “The All About Dogs shows offer a great day out for the entire family and your pup, whether young or old, pedigree or scruffy mutt. We’d love to see you there so don’t miss out on this paws-some chance to secure your place at the UK’s largest outdoors event for dogs!”

We’ve got four tickets for five families up for grabs! To be in with a chance of winning tickets for your family, tell us where the Show is held and send your name, phone number and address to Office@alongthethames.co.uk by 1st April (subject of email: win tickets to all about dogs). For more information or to book discounted advance tickets to any of the All About Dogs shows, visit: www.allaboutdogsshow.co.uk.

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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Budgeting Setting a budget is often seen as one of the simplest ways of getting your finances back on track - but does budgeting actually work? With the Christmas bills having thudded onto doormats and the squeeze from rising living costs expected to take a tighter grip on household finances in the coming months, many people will be mulling over how they can steer their finances back onto the road to recovery. A research project by financial services mutual Royal London has shed some light on whether a budget could help. Some of its customers used smartphone budgeting apps, while others preferred to use a pen and paper, over a three-month period. While budgeting wasn’t for everyone and some people gave up, around half (49%) of those who kept going said budgeting was helpful. More than a third (37%) said they have a better understanding of their income and spending and 34% said budgeting has improved their ability to track their spending. Several people said they had tried budgeting in the past, but would end up estimating how much they had spent. But by having to write down or enter into a budgeting app every bit of spending, they had a much better idea where their money went.

Some also discovered there were areas of spending they hadn’t taken into account, such as buying birthday gifts. Others spotted patterns in their spending - with one person saying they had realised that they made needless purchases on the day their pension was paid in, and another realising they often over-estimated their bank balance because they weren’t sure of the dates of various regular payments coming out of their account. By identifying where they were going wrong, they were able to change these patterns. And around a quarter (26%) of people now feel more likely to discuss their household finances with their partner, or family, or other members of their household. Some reported making significant changes to their behaviour, including shopping at cheaper supermarkets, cycling to work, cancelling long-forgotten regular payments and buying a coffee machine instead of takeaway coffees. Some also cut out impulse purchases in favour of saving the money instead. Sir Steve Webb, a former pensions minister who is now Royal London’s director of policy, says: “What was interesting about our research project was the way in which the simple act of monitoring what you spend every day or week made some people more aware and put them more in control of their finances. “They were then able to make their own choices about priorities.”

So is there a difference between using a notebook to monitor your spending and using new technology? The study found that despite the preference among some people for the latest technology, a simple pen and pad of paper can work very well.

Some were surprised by how much they had under or over-estimated their spending in certain areas.

Three-quarters (74%) of people who used this method of budgeting said it was good, or very good, at encouraging them to interact with their finances.

By seeing it all written down, they could identify areas where they were spending more than they wanted to, such as on eating out, takeaways, transport or socialising.

So it appears that budgeting could potentially make a big difference, although not everyone may feel it’s for them. And different ways of budgeting suit different people - meaning good old-fashioned pen and paper can potentially be just as effective as the convenience of an app.

This in turn helped them identify where they could make savings.

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There were even reports of people giving up smoking after seeing where their money was going - so budgeting could potentially benefit some people’s general wellbeing as well as their financial health. Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Lamborghini Aventador S WHAT’S NEW? The original Aventador was launched in 2011, and so it’s high time that it received some attention to bring it up to date - which brings us to this, the Aventador S. The original car was one of the most successful models ever made by the Italian supercar maker, so the new 730bhp Aventador S has a huge amount of weight upon its shoulders. However, it’s now armed with four-wheel steering, as well as uprated software, which should make it even sharper to drive than the previous generation. It also gains ‘Ego’ mode, which gives the ability to split the separate driving modes to suit the individual and makes it easier to set up the car just as you’d like it.

LOOKS AND IMAGE

Here’s where a Lamborghini really needs to succeed, and thankfully the Aventador S doesn’t disappoint. Its new look, upgraded for 2017, looks impressive in the flesh. The front end, for instance, now has additional inlets, or ‘teeth’, as Lamborghini calls them. At the side, the air intakes have been cleaned up and the overall impression is of a simpler, more purposeful vehicle. The iconic scissor doors remain, which means that wherever you pull up, you’re sure to make an entrance.

staggering 730bhp - 40bhp more than before - as well as 690Nm of torque. This is sent to the road through all four wheels via a single-clutch automatic gearbox. It’ll reach 60mph in just 2.7 seconds, and continues ferociously accelerating until it hits a top speed of 217mph. The biggest change comes in the form of four-wheel steering, which aims to improve handling and stability at high speed, as well as making the car easier to drive at lower speeds. The first Aventador was somewhat of a brute, with very little finesse in terms of handling or dynamics. The same cannot be said for the S, which now demonstrates a delicacy to its handling. Now able to send up to 90% of its drive to the rear wheels, the Aventador S feels far more adjustable than before. There’s actually a fair amount of feel translated from the road through the steering wheel too, which makes placing the car - and given its size it takes a lot of placing - a little bit easier. The performance afforded by that incredible V12 is addictive. In all-out Corsa mode it is truly brutal, with each gearshift intensifying the fury. It revs out insatiably, and continues pulling throughout the range. It’s a car that feels keen and eager to attack corners just as hard as the straights. The Aventador S’ ride is also something special. It’s firm, there’s no doubt about that, but it remains composed. One point of contention is that gearbox. When pushing on, it makes complete sense, with crisp up and downshifts completing the racing package. However, around town it’s simply too jerky - and when compared with modern dual-clutch units it feels a touch outdated.

VALUE FOR MONEY

SPACE AND PRACTICALITY

As a two-seater, £270,000 supercar, the Aventador doesn’t offer too much in terms of practicality. You do, however, get a small boot in the front of the car, which is just about large enough for a soft weekend bag. The golf clubs will have to stay at home, unfortunately!

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Rejoice, as the Aventador S retains that original car’s iconic 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12. It puts out a Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

At more than £270,000, the Aventador S is not what you’d call cheap. However, for that money you get a mechanical masterpiece in that V12 engine. You also get a hugely impressive design, which stands out in the presence of almost any other car. That price tag also brings you a part of history. Flagship Lamborghini cars aren’t released often, and though this is based on the original Aventador, this latest car is just another part of that iconic story.

WHO WOULD BUY ONE?

The Aventador S is ideal for someone who wants to stand out from the crowd. Not only that, but it’s for people looking for supreme performance, high levels of craftsmanship and a serious attention to detail. It’s a truly impressive package, and one that is hard not to fall for with the overall impression being of a car that has been refined and given a well-needed level of finesse.

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DOWN 1. 2. 3. 5.

Don’t accept what has already been rejected (6) Making no progress, but not having collapsed yet (8,5) Make an entrance to be elected (3,2) Describing one who has been willing to set up an Art Gallery (7) 6. One highly esteemed in the ring (8,5) 7. Mitigating the effect of wickedness in a troubled age (6) 8. Ask questions about one showing self-assurance (5) 13. More than one stoppage makes a violent impact (7) 15. Bandage what’s been damaged before the end of the battle (6) 16. To have property in back-street built-up areas (5) 17. Oblique references to endlessly strange disease (6) 20. What those who steal eggs do when hungry? (5)

Martin adaMs

MARTIN ADAMS:MARTIN ADAMS.qxd 13/04/2010 10:31 Page 1

VEHICLE SERVICING

8 9

17 20

Across: 1 Resign; 4 Staple; 9 Fractiousness; 10 Sidings; 11 Alien; 12 In use; 14 Genus; 18 Weser; 19 Opposes; 21 Thinking aloud; 22 Enlist; 23 Sheets.

1. Either leave the office or put your name to another contract (6) 4. Various plates required for this kind of diet (6) 9. So certain fuss will come from this peevish state (13) 10. Different signs I had put inside the shunting areas (7) 11. Line broken by a foreign body (5) 12. Being operated from the terminus efficiently (2,3) 14. Species of antelopes round the capital of Ethiopia (5) 18. Piper’s destination was a converted sewer (5) 19. Shows some resistance to work attitudes (7) 21. Expressing one’s ideas when cogitation is permitted, we hear (8,5) 22. Join up broken tinsel (6) 23. The girl gets an assortment of set papers (6)

Down: 1 Refuse; 2 Standing still; 3 Get in; 5 Testate; 6 Precious stone; 7 Easing; 8 Poise; 13 Strikes; 15 Swathe; 16 Towns; 17 Asides; 20 Poach.

ACROSS

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Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Bolshoi Ballet: A Contemporary Evening (12A) The Bolshoi takes on a bold new challenge in Hans Van Manen’s Frank Bridge’s Variations, Sol León and Paul Lightfoot’s Short Time Together and Alexei Ratmansky’s Russian Seasons. Sun 19 Mar, 3.00 Met Opera: Idomeneo (12A) James Levine conducts a rare Met revival of Mozart’s Idomeneo, set in the aftermath of the Trojan War. Live: Sat 25 Mar, 4.55 Encore: Mon 27 Mar, 1.00 ROH: Madama Butterfly (12A) Muchloved soprano Ermonela Jaho sings the title role for the first time at Covent Garden, in Moshe Leiser and Patrice Caurier’s stunningly beautiful production. Thu 30 Mar, 7.15 National Theatre: Twelfth Night (12A) Tamsin Greig is Malvolia in a new twist on Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identity. Live: Thu 6 Apr, 7.00

PATRIOTS DAY (15) On the morning of April 15, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (Alex Wolff) and his brother Tamerlan (Themo Melikidze) head into Boston with homemade bombs concealed in rucksacks. They move into the thick crowds of spectators thronging the marathon course, drop the bags and move to safety before detonating the devices in quick succession near the finish line.

ROH: Jewels (12A) George Balanchine’s evocation of the sparkle of emeralds, rubies and diamonds is a brilliant ballet classic. Tue 11 Apr, 7.15 National Theatre: Rosencrantz And Guildenstern Are Dead (12A) Daniel Radcliffe, Joshua McGuire and David Haig star in Tom Stoppard’s brilliantly funny situation comedy, broadcast live from The Old Vic theatre in London. Thu 20 Apr, 7.00 Met Opera: Eugen Onegin (12A) Anna Netrebko reprises one of her most acclaimed roles as Tatiana, the naive heroine of Tchaikovsky’s opera adapted from Pushkin’s novel. Live: Sat 22 Apr, 5.55 Encore: Mon 24 Apr, 1.00

Hundreds of people are injured in the blasts. “We’ve got to decide who’s running this and we’ve got to decide quickly,” Deval Patrick (Michael Beach), the Governor of Massachusetts, tells Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis (John Goodman) and the assembled responders. “It’s terrorism, we’ll take it!” responds FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers (Kevin Bacon) as he discovers fragments of a bomb at the scene. Sergeant Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg) and his wife Carol (Michelle Monaghan), a registered nurse, are on the front line during the subsequent man hunt. Their resolves are tested along with Boston’s mayor Thomas Menino (Vincent Curatola) and other figures in public office including Police Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese (JK Simmons). Meanwhile, Dzhokhar and Tamerlan steal a car belonging to student Dun Meng (Jimmy O Yang), which they intend to drive to New York to carry out more atrocities. Director Peter Berg’s bombastic approach to action sequences sets our pulses racing and he effortlessly holds us in a vice-like grip for more than two hours, even if we know the chain of events from news coverage. Wahlberg portrays another steadfast all-American hero, who refuses to let anyone harm the city he loves. Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

TED Cinema Experience (12A) TED2017 presents cinema audiences the opportunity to watch new TED Talks presented for the first time in front of 1,500 TED attendees - who represent the world’s leading thinkers and doers in Vancouver, Canada. Opening Event: Tue 25 Apr, 6.30 Highlights: Sun 30 Apr, 4.00 RSC: Julius Caesar (12A) The race to claim the empire spirals out of control. Angus Jackson directs Shakespeare’s epic political tragedy. Wed 26 Apr, 7.00 Regal Picturehouse, 2 Boroma Way, Henley RG9 2BZ 0871 902 5738 | www.picturehouses.co.uk

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March

Diary Dates

11/18/25: Adult Workshops ‘Photographs not Snaps’ a course for Digital SLR Cameras, this popular four-week course, led by members of Wycombe Photographic Society will help you get to know your Digital SLR camera and learn various techniques to produce quality images, at Wycombe Museum, 09:30-13:00, £80 – to book in advance call – 01494 957210.

04+05,11+12,18+19,25+26: ‘Game of Clues Murder Mystery’ a new game around the gardens of Cliveden, band together with your family and friends to solve the murder of Lord Mucke, seek out clues, solve puzzles and unravel the mystery, £5 per group, 8+ years, between 10:00-15:00.

08: ‘The Four Seasons AGM’ club meeting in Liston Hall, Chapel Street, 10:15.

09: ‘My Work as a Dendrochronologist’

16: ‘Rebellious Pottery’

Marlow Archaeology Society talk by Martin Bridge – Institute of Archaeology at Liston Hall, 20:00, £4, members £3, students £1.50 – 01628 523896.

at The Perch, High Street, 19.00, a chance to paint some fab pottery and try some of Rebellion’s most popular beer – 01628 290505.

12: Marlow Jazz Club ‘Rebellion Big Band’

16: The Four Seasons – ‘Alan’s Big Surprise’

plus star singer from The Syd Lawrence Orchestra Miranda Wilford, £7 pay on door at Marlow Royal British Legion – 01628 486571

13: Boutique Cinema ‘Café Society’ at Clayton’s Marlow, 20:00, caters for 25 people so booking advisable – 01628 488404.

13: ‘Elizabeth House talk - Lady Young on her father Oscar Nemon’, 18:30 for 19:00, Bel & the Dragon, Cookham Village, Tickets £15 | stephaniediggon@hotmail.com

14: The Four Seasons Trip Milestones Museum, £23.50, 09:15 from the Marlow Donkey, to become a member call – 01628 484528.

15: ‘The Story of Georgian Architecture: Dan Cruickshank’

speaker Alan Copeland at Liston Hall, Chapel Street, 14:30, £2.00.

16: The second of two evenings celebrating high quality, imported Italian food and wine. This week ‘Italian Wines’. Your chance to sample 5 different wines, beers or ciders with additional food tastings. 17.30 – 20.30, The Italian Shop, next to the Post Office. Advanced booking possible, £9.99 per person. Buon Appetitio!

16+17 +15 Apr: ‘Vintage Cinema’ creating pop-up cinema experiences in fun locations across the Chilterns in unique and interesting places, fun family night out – Kings Chapel, Old Amersham – www.vintagecinema.co.uk

18+19: ‘Stubbings House Open Garden’ in aid of Nursing and Health Charities, 10:00-16:00, Henley Road, SL6 6QL, Tickets £3.50 adult entry, children free.

19:00, Cliveden House & Spa, Taplow SL6 0JF | 01628 607107 | reservations@clivedenhouse.co.uk

19: ‘Windsor Fun Run Series:

15: ‘Gardeners’ Question Time’

5km, 10km, 15km, 20km’, Dornay Lake, Windsor | 07909 915444 | www.f3events.co.uk

Henley Town Hall, Henley-on-Thames, Ticket £2 on the door.

15-18: MAOS Presents “The Wedding Singer” The musical comedy at The Shelley Theatre, Marlow SL7 2AE; tickets from £17.50, available online at www.maosmarlow.com. For any queries call 07899 867757 or email maosmarlow@gmail.com.

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19: The Artisan Food and Crafts Pop-Up Market at Clayton’s Marlow, 16 Oxford Road, Marlow, SL7 2NL from 11am-4pm. Preserves, juices, cakes, tea infusions. Local crafts including jewellery, knitwear, room perfumes, upcycled furniture.

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Diary Dates 19: Marlow Town Mayor’s ‘Charity Dinner’ in aid of Thames Hospice, at The Compleat Angler Hotel, £40 includes a glass of prosecco on arrival, 3 course meal, half a bottle of wine and coffee. During the evening there will be a raffle and live auction, 19:00 for 19:30, carriages at 23:00, to book your place e-mail jan@marlow.tc.gov.uk

19: ‘Music for a Sunday Afternoon’ Robert Manasse – Flute, Zoe Smith – Piano, afternoon tea will be served after the concert at All Saints’ Church, free admission, retiring collection in aid of All Saints’ Marlow Music Trust, 15:00.

20: Boutique Cinema ‘The Girl on the Train’ at Clayton’s Marlow, 20:00, caters for 25 people so booking advisable – 01628 488404.

26: ‘Mother’s Day at Cliveden’ free entry for mums on their special day, a special treat awaits on their arrival, 10:00-17:00 – 01628 605069.

27: Boutique Cinema ‘the Usual Suspects’ at Clayton’s Marlow, 20:00, caters for 25 people so booking advisable – 01628 488404.

30: ‘BBO Big Band’ at the Marlow Royal British Legion in aid of Iain Rennie Hospice, 20.15, tickets £8 on the door.

30: ‘Behind the Scenes Manor Tour’ join a member of the house team for a 45 minute tour behind the scenes, see our conservation in action and get a sneak peek into some of our store rooms at Hughenden Manor, 11:00-12:00, £4 plus admission – 01494 755573

20-24: ‘Vintage Cinema’ creating pop-up cinema experiences in fun locations across the Chilterns in unique and interesting places, fun family night out – Hell Fire Caves, West Wycombe – www.vintagecinema.co.uk

21: ‘Marlene VerPlanck sings the Great American Songbook’ Christchurch URC, Oxford Road, Marlow, 20.30. Licensed bar (doors open one hour before start), tickets £10 – 01628 486227 – www.musicinmarlow.org.uk

24: ‘Mike Hurst – In My Time’ with special guest Ray Fenwick ex Spencer Davies and Gillan Band at Kenton Theatre, Henley, £19, £17.50 concessions – 01491 575698.

25: ‘Marlow Community Market’ local crafts and produce, refreshments available at Liston Hall, 09:30-13:00.

26: Mothering Sunday Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

30:’Banff Mountain Film Festival’, Hexagon, Queens Walk, Reading RG1 7UA | www.banff-uk.com

30 Mar – 01 Apr: The Marlow Players present ‘Relative Values’ a comedy where ‘Hollywood’ meets ‘Downtown Abbey’ by Noel Coward at The Shelley Theatre, Court Garden, 20:00, £12, under 12’s £5 tickets from The Marlow Information Centre located in Marlow Library – 01628 483597

April Sundays + Thursdays: ‘House Chapel Tours’ let our knowledgeable guides lead you into the famous Cliveden House and the remarkable Octagon Temple Chapel, 15:00-17:00, £2 plus normal admission – 01628 605069.

01-17: ‘Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt’

visit Hughenden Manor this Easter and see if you can find the giant eggs the Easter Bunny has hidden, find them all to win a special chocolate prize, £3 plus normal admission, for 2-12 year olds, 10:00-16:00 – 01494 755573.

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Diary Dates 01+02,08+09,15+16,22+23,29+30: ‘Game of Clues Murder Mystery’

a new game around the gardens of Cliveden, band together with your family and friends to solve the murder of Lord Mucke, seek out clues, solve puzzles and unravel the mystery, £5 per group, 8+ years, between 10:00-15:00.

03+04: ‘Vintage Cinema’

creating pop-up cinema experiences in fun locations across the Chilterns in unique and interesting places, fun family night out – Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton – www.vintagecinema.co.uk.

04: ‘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!

04+05: ‘Exclusive Showcase with Meissen, featuring Sotheby’s & Asprey’

at Cliveden House & Spa, Taplow SL6 0JF | see page 19 for more details.

04+11: ‘Trail Trackers’

children can be trail trackers with our ranger team at Hughenden Manor, grab a map and compass and explore the estate, for 5-10 year olds, £4 plus normal admission, 10:30-12:00 – 01494 755573.

05-08: ‘Vintage Cinema’

creating pop-up cinema experiences in fun locations across the Chilterns in unique and interesting places, fun family night out – The Natural History Museum - Tring – www.vintagecinema.co.uk

06: ‘ Phyllis Court 2017 Open Day’

11:00-20:00, to show case their unique facilities and answer all questions – for a wedding day, a meeting, special birthday or anniversary, accommodation, Henley Royal Regatta hospitality or membership. Everyone is welcome, no need to book | enquiries@phylliscourt.co.uk | 01491 570500

08: ‘Easter Wreath Making Workshop’

Henley YMCA, 2 Lawson Rd, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1NZ, Tickets £35 | p.price-davies@henleytowncouncil.gov.uk

08+09: ‘All about Dogs Festival’

fun family night out – Kings Chapel, Old Amersham – www.vintagecinema.co.uk

15: ‘Windsor Fun Run Series:

5km, 10km, 15km, 20km’, Dornay Lake, Windsor | 07909 915444 | www.f3events.co.uk

16: ‘The Henley and District Theatre Organ Trust’

join us for a Sunday afternoon of Musical Entertainment with the country’s best loved organists playing the Allen Digital Theatre Organ at The Town Hall, Henley-on-Thames ‘ Chris Powell, international organ virtuoso, 15:00, £7, concessions £6.50, refreshments and raffle – 0118 9724988.

22: ‘Marlow Community Market’

local crafts and produce, refreshments available at Liston Hall, 09:30-13:00.

22: The Great British Dog Walk’

at Hughenden Manor, 11:00, Adults £12 (£10 online) Children free, bring your family, friends, dog and picnic, in aid of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People – www.greatbritishdogwalk.org for more info email – michelle.sapwell@hearingdogs.org.uk

23: ‘The Old Rectory, Farnborough, Open Garden’

Newbury Showground – see page 57 for the opportunity to win family tickets to this even

in aid of Nursing and Health Charities, 14:00-17:00, Henley Road, SL6 6QL, Tickets £5 adult entry, children free, Wantage OX12 8NX

10: ‘Elizabeth House talk – Love, Sex & Sewage: Ted Harris’

27: ‘BBO Big Band’

18:30 for 19:00, Bel & the Dragon, Cookham Village, Tickets £15 | stephaniediggon@hotmail.com

15: ‘Vintage Cinema’

creating pop-up cinema experiences in fun locations across the Chilterns in unique and interesting places,

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at the Marlow Royal British Legion, 20.15, £8 on the door.

27: ‘World War I Conscription Appeals’

a talk by Archaeology in Marlow member Andy Ford and chairman of ‘Marlow Remembers World War I Group’ at Liston Hall, 20:00, members £3, non-members £4.50 – 01628 481792.

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

Diary

Dates

ONGOING EVENTS Marlow Art & Craft Society 1st Thursday in month | 19:30 Marlow Bottom Village Hall

29: ‘The Great British Dog Walk’

Marlow Antique bric-a-brac fair 1st Saturday of the month at Liston Hall | 9:00 - 16:00

The Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, Englefield Green, Surrey TW20 0UJ, Tickets £10, children under 16 free | www.hearingdogs.org.uk

29 Apr- 03 Jun: ‘Wycombe Arts Festival’ 30: ‘Danesfield Dash 10k’

Marlow Museum March to October, Saturday, Sunday, bank holidays 13:00-17:00, Wednesday 14:00-17:00 Marlow Camera Club every Tuesday | 19:45 - 20:00 | The Methodist Church Hall, Spittal Street, Marlow, SL7 3HJ

plus children’s race, SAS, Marlow, SL7 2EB, enjoy a multi-terrain 10k route set in the Chiltern countryside between Marlow and Henley, 10:00, enter on-line at www.purplepatchrunning.com

Henley Photographic Club every Tuesday evening | 20:00 - 22:00 | YMCA Hall, off Waterman’s Road, Henley www.henleyphotoclub.com Stanley Spencer Gallery 30th March – 1 October ‘ An Artistic Affair’, High St, Cookham, Maidenhead SL6 9SJ. 10:30-17:00 | www.stanleyspencer.org.uk

May

Speak Spanish in Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield High School Wednesdays | 19:30 | Suitable for all levels except beginners | Tony on 07947 508755 | anthony.mitchelmore@sky.com

10-21: ‘Cookham Festival’

for tickets The Stationery Depot, Station Parade, Cookham Rise, SL6 9BR

Maidenhead Camera Club every Tuesday, Cox Green Community Centre | 01628 630861 The East Berks RSPB Group monthly | 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Thursdays High Street Methodist Church Hall, Maidenhead www.eastberksrspb.org.uk

ONGOING EVENT

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

Maidenhead Heritage Centre last Wednesday of the month | WRVS, Maidenhead | 780555 Colenorton Dragon Boat Club Sunday 10.00 - 12.30 | Bray Lake Water Sports, Maidenhead SL6 2EB | www.colenorton.co.uk South Bucks Walking Group Regular walks programme + club weekends, coach rambles, and other social walking events | Di Olden - 01494 714486 | www.southbuckshfwalkingclub.co.uk

Bourne End Country Market Small Hall 10 - 12, Every Friday Henley Farmers Market every 4th Thursday in Falaise Square, Henley, 8:30-14:00 Bourne End Community Market second Saturday of every month 10:00 13:00 in the Jackson Room of Bourne End Library.

Cookham & Cookham Dean Horticultural Society last Wednesday of the month from January - May & September November | 19:30 | Cookham Dean Village Hall | clairephillpot@btinternet.com

Transition Town Marlow last Saturday of every month | 9:30 - 13:00 | Liston Hall, Chapel St, Marlow | 07904 369829

Maidenhead National Trust second Thursday every month but August | 19:45 | Altwood School, Maidenhead | 01753 516502

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

Jazz Every Thursday | 20:30| Hedsor Social Club, Hedsor Rod, Bourne End, SL8 5ES | £6 Henley & Goring Ramblers No need to book, just turn up, we are a friendly group and new walkers and non members are always welcome | www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk Midsummer Wlaking Tours 18 March – 28 October – Midsomer Walking Tours, 11:00-12:00, The Argyll Pub, Henley-on-Thames | info@theargyllhenley.co.uk

Living Along The Thames | MARCH / APRIL 2017

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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 07901 674779

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 | MARCH / APRIL 2017

‘Refurbishment has helped Stoke Park offer parkland golf at its best!’ TODAY’S GOLFER ★★★★★

The Ultimate golf and Country Club... Enjoy all the benefits of a friendly, welcoming and buzzing golf Club with world class facilities plus the added magic of Stoke Park luxury! There has never been a better time to join as 2017 sees the completion of the full bunker refurbishment on our Colt and Alison courses. For more information about the various memberships available or to join, please call the membership team on 01753 71 71 79 or by email membership@stokepark.com Stoke Park, Park Road, Stoke Poges, buckinghamshire SL2 4Pg 35 minutes from London, Ascot, Sunningdale,Windsor and Virginia Water and only 7 miles from Heathrow Airport.