Vivid Magazine January/February 2016 by Living Along theThames

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5. Win Lunch for two at L’Ortolan 16. Sparkling Wines 28. Health: 5 Steps to make your last New Year’s Resolution 31. Health: Healthy Gut, Healthy Mind 32. Health: Tempting Times 34. Hair: New Year, New you 38. Beauty: Hot Picks for cold weather 40. Your Stars this January 43. Life after ‘Breaking Bad’ FOLLOW US: @VividMagUK

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46. Win a years supply of ZoFlora 50. Home – Stylish Studies 52. Win tickets to the London EXCel Wedding Show 55. Pets: A new resolution with a difference 56. Motoring – Lexus IS 300h Sport 61. Out and About 64. Travel: Australia’s Barrier Reef

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to 2016, a new year.

It’s at this time of the year that we all reflect back on both personal and business highs and lows from the previous year. What we’d like to change and the things we’d like to do more of. It’s during these reflective moments that I realise that the previous year has flown by and although jam packed with meetings, family and school that I haven’t really stopped and downed tools! I am sure this is the same for many of you who have children and are trying to balance your time between home and business. As we come into January many look to make new year resolutions, but do you make them and if so do you keep them? This edition is full of top tips for staying healthy and fit in 2016 and we have lots of giveaways, including two lemon detoxes, Zoflora products for the year, a three course lunch for two at Michelin Restaurant L’Ortolan and five tickets to the Wedding Show at the end of January. As we start off the year we look to where we can book for our holidays. Our travel article in this edition is about visiting Australia, a beautiful place full of different options and we cover the Barrier Reef in Queensland. In our beauty section we look at ‘hot picks for cold weather’ and in fashion we look at a selection of denim on offer as it can be worn for all occasions, dressed up or down. As always we have a comprehensive guide to what’s coming up in January and February 2016. As always a big thank you to our advertisers and until next time

Serena Edwards Editor ADVERTISING: 01628 627 488 adverts@VividMag.co.uk CONTACT US: Vivid Magazine Studio 108, 5 High Street, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 1JN Tel: 01628 627 488 Contact@VividMag.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS: Christine Chalklin, Kasia Cole, Karine Jackson, Tom Hyland, Jacky & Mark Bloomfield, Cassie Everett, Dru Ross, Jenny Allan, Michael Darren ACCOUNTS: Holly Hooper 07771 883 442 Holly@hjaccounting.co.uk DESIGNED BY: Digital Bear Design LOVE MAGAZINES?: subscribe to 6 copies for £18 a year www.VividTitles.co.uk/magazine/ View our recent editions online at: www.VIVIDTITLES.co.uk FOLLOW US: @VividMagUK LIKE US: facebook.com/ LivingAlongTheThames

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Produced by Vivid/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 Vivid/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.

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

WIN Lunch for Two at L’Ortolan Could you see yourself relaxing in stylish and comfortable surroundings and enjoying exquisite contemporary French cuisine, exceptional service and a warm welcome at one of the UK’s top restaurants? With one Michelin star and three AA rosettes L’Ortolan has first class credentials and a long standing reputation as a special occasion destination. The restaurant was also recently ranked 20th in the Sunday Times Top UK Restaurants List Conveniently located in Shinfield, just 5 minutes from the M4 junction 11, L’Ortolan is housed in a beautiful listed building and offers a tempting variety of dining options for both business entertaining and social occasions. In addition to their regular fine dining experience, 2 – 4 guests can also dine on the Chef’s Table in the heart of the kitchen opposite the pass, choose a private dining option in one of the three beautifully appointed private dining rooms or take part in a chef masterclass in L’Ortolan’s demonstration kitchen. Dining at L’Ortolan costs less than you may think. The lunchtime Menu du Jour starts at £28 for two courses or £32 for three. Also included in the price are complimentary canapés, homemade bread, chef’s appetiser and pre-dessert. Vivid Magazine and L’Ortolan have teamed up to give one lucky reader the chance to win one of these mouth-watering three course lunches to enjoy with a friend. Please see below for details of how to enter. For your chance to win a three course lunch for two answer the following question - What number is L’Ortolan in the Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants List 2015? Send your answer and details to competitions@VividMag.co.uk by 5th February* *please note that all entrants details will be passed onto L’Ortolan. If you do not want your details passed on you must advise us in your email.

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Discover for yourself what all the fuss is about You will rarely come across a school like Godstowe, an all girls’ boarding prep school. Situated in High Wycombe, the school goes the extra mile to make both pupils and parents feel very welcome. In many ways Godstowe is a remarkable school. Yes, we have good facilities. Yes, we have good teaching staff and yes, we get really good results. However, there is much more to school than just that. Anyone coming to Godstowe would be part of an environment that nurtures and encourages character building. Relationships between staff and pupils are respectful but friendly and we have a reputation for getting to know our children extremely well. These days, social pressures and the influence of social media have an enormous impact on children’s development and, without wishing to be old fashioned, we are trying to resist to a degree. One of the features at Godstowe, which is rarely to be found, is that we extend through to 13 years of age, thus providing a challenging but safe haven for girls who do not want to grow up too quickly. More to the point, however, their parents don’t want them to grow up too quickly. Parents who tour the school acknowledge its strengths in and out of the classroom but invariably focus far more on the charming and engaging welcome they enjoy from the pupils and staff. Parents will get

into their cars after their visit and probably choose Godstowe on a gut reaction. We always suggest that parents should trust their gut reaction and somehow it is this third sense that compels people so much to choose Godstowe for their children. No matter how much you spend on flashy websites, unbelievably boring and generic prospectuses there is no substitute for actually visiting and feeling for yourselves what all the fuss is about. We are lucky enough to have an impressive turnover rate in terms of initial visits converting to applications and this speaks for itself. When touring the school the headmaster can often be heard saying that he would replace any facility, no matter how impressive, with better staff if it were necessary. Fortunately, it isn’t and Godstowe can benefit from both. Godstowe is “live and kicking” 24 hours a day with a busy, bursting boarding environment. Currently three boarding houses have no spare beds and many of our year groups are closed. Parents are contacting the school earlier and earlier in order to register their children and this will almost always have been as a result of having been persuaded by an existing Godstowe parent to come and see the school. No amount of marketing gloss can replace first-hand parental recommendation and Godstowe operates in a way in which it hopes that parents will feel inclined to want

to introduce others to their school. Godstowe has very unique elements which you will not find in other girls’ prep schools. If you don’t believe it, come and see for yourself. You will be made to feel most welcome. We believe we are the best at what we do and we hope you agree. Our next Open Day is on Saturday 27th February, from 10am – 1pm. If you would like to visit, or make an appointment at any other time, please contact Mrs Cathy Gainer, the Registrar on registrar@godstowe.org or 01494 429006. VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Godstowe

Open Days: Saturdays, 27th February, 7th May and 8th October 2016 10am - 1pm NURSERY 3-4 PRE-PREP 4-7 PREP 7-13 BOARDING 7-13 BOYS 3-7 GIRLS 3-13

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

For more information about the nursery, school or our Open Days, please contact the Registrar, Cathy Gainer, by telephoning 01494 429006 or emailing registrar@godstowe.org Vivid Dec 2015.indd 1 VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

t: 01494 529273 e: registrar@godstowe.org w: www.godstowe.org 02/12/2015 14:00:27

With New Year resolutions a focus for a fresh start for many, one possible motivation could be to learn a musical instrument… We caught up with Westmount Music after they recently expanded their tutoring services by opening two new music studios close to their shop in Marlow Bottom. Owner Paul gives us the grand tour of the facilities now on offer, “We’ve grown the tutoring and education side of things quite a bit in the last year. With 10 tutors and over 120 students, we felt the need to create some more space!” As we enter the studios and navigate past the large glass sliding door of the first room,

we peer in to see two separate lessons are taking place on drums and piano. Paul continues, “We built two rooms to allow as to have simultaneous lessons. Sound proofing was the biggest challenge, but we’ve managed to create enough privacy between the two rooms, whilst maintaining a bit of a musical atmosphere in the reception area…The next thing to add is a coffee machine!.” There certainly was a buzz in the studio, with lots of people coming and going against a muffled musical

11+ Advice

backdrop, “We offer free taster lessons to get people started and our tutors are always very flexible. As well as one-to-one classes, we also offer lessons for pairs and groups, so anything is possible.” So, with New Years resolutions underway, why not try your hand at a musical instrument. Westmount Music host lessons on a range of disciplines including guitar, banjo, ukulele, piano, drums, flute and singing. To arrange a free taster lesson get in touch in store or online Instrument rentals available from £9.99/ month www.westmount-music.co.uk. 01628 481510

By Tom Hyland

The 11+ is one of the most demanding and challenging examination papers, both for student sitting it and their family. Requiring a consistent and sustained effort, the 11+ will test pupils in ways they have never previously encountered. Although it is meant to be “tutor-proof”, it is advisable that parents consider support for the child, as they will need to learn new techniques and processes for the exam. Having someone who isn’t a parent to structure the learning timetable, can also help improve levels of progress and motivation. The whole process can be a tricky and confusing one. As someone who has taken(and fortunately passed!) the paper and then tutored students taking it, I have garnered some small pieces of advice from my experiences over the years:

Set the record straight

Be very clear with children from the offset- the 11+ is a tough and gruelling process, which will require huge amounts of effort and dedication.

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

As a parent, you need to make an honest judgement of your child’s abilities. If you don’t feel they will pass, don’t make them sit it, unless you believe it would be a good experience for them regardless. It’s also important to appreciate your child’s opinion when it comes to sitting the paper. If they have the ability to get through, but are dead-set against sitting it, try and persuade them about the benefits of passing and how it will give them more schools to choose from. Make it clear from the beginning that it doesn’t matter if they don’t get through the exam- the reason for sitting it is that it gives them more options if they do pass. It’s also worth noting that some children who are “borderline”, can sometimes be coached to get through the paper. However, be honest with them and yourself and consider how comfortable they would be with the academic rigours of a grammar school. Bear in mind the buzz of passing the paper only lasts a short while- once it is over, they will then be at their school for potentially the next 7 years.

Learning

Many questions in the 11+ will be entirely unfamiliar to children, as they will never have encountered anything like it at school. It’s crucial that they are introduced to the techniques required to work out these questions, especially in the Verbal and Non-Verbal papers. Perhaps the most important aspect children will need to develop for the paper is their exposure to and knowledge of vocabulary. Having a deep and varied vocabulary considerably improves their chances of success, notably in the VerbalReasoning, which relies almost solely on a sound knowledge of words. Get them to start up a vocabulary book, recording any new words they encounter; encourage them to read more widely; look at suggested 11+ reading lists; play 11+ vocabulary board games and ones on the computer. In English and Maths, they will need to be working at a higher level than the school curriculum in order to have a good chance of passing the paper. Source 11+ practice materials, workbooks and challenge/ extension resources, to stretch them. If you get the chance, discuss with their class teacher if there are any areas they require improvement in and concentrate on these alongside their work on the verbal and non-verbal papers.

Balancing the timetable

I have come across too many unfortunate instances where parents have overburdened children, piling an enormous amount of pressure upon their shoulders. Obviously, the 11+ requires children to put great effort in, but if the pressure becomes too much, they simply won’t be able to

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cope. Countless children who were seemingly “nailed-on” to pass, have cracked under the strain of the process and have either suffered “burn-out” or “choked” during the exam. Rather than trying to cram children with revision and practise for hours on end each day, the key is a gentle, “little and often” approach. Obviously, as the exam approaches, the workload can slowly be increased, but always at a manageable rate. It’s also worth bearing in mind that those who leave preparation until the last-minute, give themselves a far lower chance of success. Cramming revision and practise in the last few weeks very rarely works and mostly just stresses out both child and parent! Don’t leave it too late! Children’s lives are also so full now, stuffed with activities and after-school clubs. Preparation for the 11+ is just another thing to add to the list and it will gradually begin to encroach on other areas. It’s great for children to have interests and things they enjoy outside of school, but this needs to be balanced with their 11+ work. If it starts to get too much for your child, consider dropping some after-school activities and resuming them once the exam is out the way.

Practice Papers

Practice papers are an essential part of the preparation process. Children need to know roughly what the paper looks like and how it is structured. At the beginning, go through the techniques needed to answer 11+ questions with children, using workbooks to complement teaching. Once you feel they have a grasp of the techniques needed, they can then look at moving on to practice papers. For the first few papers, keep things untimed but gently encouraging them to keep an eye on how long they take. This allows children to go through the paper at their own pace and for you to work out any areas they need help with. After a while, start introducing timed papers, putting a stop-watch or clock in a visible place so they are aware of how long they are taking at different points and how long they have left. Timing then becomes crucial in the weeks leading up to the paper- consider also doing “mock tests”, where you enforce strict exam conditions. This will help them prepare for the test and get them into the mindset of what it will be like on the day. Many tuition centres offer mock 11+ tests in exam halls, which give pupils practise for the sort of conditions they experience.

Choosing the right school

If your child has managed to pass the 11+, thoughts will then turn to picking the right school. This is a

hugely difficult process, which only parents and children can really decide on. Make sure both you and your child look around different schools on offer. Discuss the pros and cons and which one they had a good feeling about. Very often, parents and children will be on the same wavelength on this, but occasionally there are differences of opinion. It’s vital that your child’s opinion counts though, as conflict can arise if they feel a school has been imposed on them. The ethos and atmosphere of a school is very often determined by the headteacher in charge. Consider choosing a school partly on the impression the headteacher makes on you, as they set the tempo and make the big decisions around the place! A final consideration is the practicalities of your choice of school. Consider seriously things like transport and travel. If a school is 45 minutes/ 1 hour away, think about all the time that will add on to your child’s day and how much more tiring it will make things. Little things like organizing things with friends and after-school clubs, will also be made challenging due to distances involved.

Tutors

Tuition is something most parents consider as a means of preparing their children for the 11+. Undoubtedly, a good tutor can add real benefit to a child’s chances, helping them structure their learning and teaching them the techniques required in the paper. Working with someone who is not mum and dad also means children are more likely and willing to complete tasks! However, there is an enormous market for 11+ tuition out there, and as is the case with such huge numbers, there are a lot of “rogue” tutors, with barely any experience and understanding of the test, who are there to make a quick buck. Go on recommendations from friends and decide for yourself if they seem to know what they are talking about!

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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Black Boys Inn Enjoy our Head Chef’s Chicken liver pâté Preperation time: over 2 hours Cooking time: 10 to 30 mins Serves 4

Ingredients:

15g/1/2 oz butter 1/2 small onion or one shallot, finely chopped 1 sprig fresh thyme, leaves picked and finely chopped 400g/14oz chicken livers, roughly chopped 1 tsp finely ground white pepper 3 allspice berries finely ground (available online and some supermarkets) 50ml/ 2 fl oz sherry or brandy Salt, to taste

Method:

1. Melt the butter in a frying pan. When it is just foaming, add the onion and thyme. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, then add the chicken livers and spices. 2. Turn up the heat and fry until the livers are just cooked through, this should take about 3-5 minutes. To test if the chicken is cooked, remove a piece of liver and cut it open; it should be moist but not bloody, a little tinge of pink is fine. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and leave to cool. 3. Return the frying pan to the heat, pour in the sherry. Allow to bubble and reduce by half, stirring and scraping up any sediment from the bottom of the frying pan as you go, remove from the heat and leave to cool. 4. Put the chicken mixture in a food processor. Pout in the reduced sherry. Pulse the food processor until the pâté is smooth. To make the pâté extra smooth pass it through a coarse sieve. Season with salt to taste. 5. Put the pâté in a terrine dish or pot and chill in the fridge for about 2 hours. If you want to keep the pâté for a few days, cover it with clarified butter.

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The Black Boys Inn, under new management and a new team, is situated on the outskirts of Henley-on-Thames overlooking the beautiful Chiltern Valley. With the River Thames just at the bottom of the lane, the Black Boys Inn is a stylish and relaxing country retreat. We featured some amazing musicians during the recent Brakspear Jazz and Blues Festival. Due to the popularity of having live music in the pub we will be adding this as a regular feature every Sunday from 31st January. Come and join us for some fabulous food and entertainment. With origins, in part, dating back to the 16th Century the Inn is full of atmosphere and charm. Oak beams, nooks, crannies and a wood burning stove welcome guests and act as a reminder of the Inn’s heritage, while the modern facilities and contemporary country feel provide a luxurious haven for our guests. With eight guest rooms the Black Boys will delight any visitor dining or staying overnight while taking in the countryside views. Everybody is welcome including walkers, dogs and those just wanting a drink at the bar, where we have an extensive selection of wine to choose from, our local bitter and a range of spirits and soft drinks. All of which can be accompanied by a choice of bar snacks. Opening Hours Lunch: Monday - Saturday 12-3pm Sunday 12-4pm Dinner: Monday - Saturday 6-9.30pm Reservations T: 01628 824 212 E: info@blackboysinn.co.uk W: blackboysinn.co.uk Black Boys Inn | Henley Road | Hurley Berkshire SL6 5NQ VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Macdonald Compleat Angler

The Riverside Restaurant at the MacDonald Compleat Angler has recently undergone a £150,000 refurbishment and been awarded a prestigious triple AA Rosette to recognise its fine dining experience and unique ambiance on the banks of the Thames in Marlow. Michael Lloyd, the restaurant’s young head chef, has been credited with upgrading the restaurant to its new three AA status and along with new General Manager, Andrew Cresse, they wish to share this new experience with as many as possible. The new menu offers a stylish fine dining delight at prices to rival many restaurants in the local area.

The new menu along with the restaurant refurbishment offer a wonderful contemporary experience very difficult to beat in the area. Michael has designed a mouth watering a la carte menu which demonstrates the precision he brings to every dish and a wonderful array of British produce. Two notable starters are the Pan fried Scottish scallops with a smoked onion puree, pistachio crumb and compressed apple along with the delicious Ham Hock and Foie Gras terrine with a pea mousse and raisin puree. To compliment the starters Michael has created a number of Main Courses designed to ensure there is something to suit everyone’s palate. Most notable however, and a beautifully dramatic dish, is the Crab and vanilla bisque served with a medley of seafood, Marlow rarebit and fennel. This is no ordinary “soup” but a stunning serving of fresh seafood complimented by a rich bisque to extenuate each of the flavours, served for you at the table. To complete your meal there are a number of stunning desserts that can cause a real dilemma in what to choose. It was certainly a very difficult decision between the Blonde chocolate burnt cream with raspberry and hibiscus ice cream and the Semi frozen peanut parfait with a caramel centre and chocolate sorbet. However, Michael has taken away the issue of trying to decide what to choose from his stunning a la carte menu and has introduced an eight course tasting menu featuring the best of the a la carte. This offers a wonderful collection of dishes that work so well together and show case the menu at its best. This is unbelievably reasonably priced at £50 and you have the option to add matching wines to each course for an amazingly priced £90.

Andrew is keen to break down the perceived barriers of hotel dining and to make the restaurant a new destination venue in the local area.

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The MacDonald Compleat Angler is certainly ringing in the changes and offering a new fine dining experience to the local area along with one of the most unrivalled dining views in the country. For more information or to book call 01628 484444 VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

M A C D O N A L D C O M p L e At A N g L e r

lunch in st y le N o v e m be r 2 0 1 5 ; J a N u a r y - m a r c h 2 0 16

Proudly awarded three aa rosettes, join us to celebr ate and samPle our excePtional cuisine. the riverside restaurant serves imaginative british food with mouthwatering dishes prepared by head chef, michael lloyd and his team using fresh seasonal produce.

two courses

ÂŁ18

.50

Per Person

three courses

ÂŁ21

.50

Per Person

Plus 10% off your drinks

macdonald compleat angler, marlow, sl7 1rG

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VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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Sparkling Success Diverse and versatile sparking wine can be just as enjoyable and impressive as a glass of champagne.

LABEL TO LOVE Catering for a trendy crowd, or just appreciate a good-looking label? Then La Escapada Cava Brut NV, Spain (www.hawkesheadwines.co.uk) is a great value fizz that offers quality and style. Made from the traditional macabeo and parellada cava grapes with a splash of chardonnay, it has an attractive yeasty nose with light floral notes, lemon and green apple flavours with a fresh and fruity mouthfeel and tangy finish. Ole, Ole! SUAVE SPANIARD If you like a flavoursome, toasty cava with good weight, try Tanners Cava Brut, Traditional Method, Spain (www.tanners-wines.co.uk) that’s made with the traditional cava trio of macabeo, parellada and xarel.lo grapes. With an attractive, lemony richness, creamy biscuity notes and a hint of green apple and herbs, it’s poised and refreshing. TASTE OF ITALY Could it be the touch of sweetness in an ‘extra dry’ style of prosecco that encourages us to crave this fun fizz? More expensive than some, but streets ahead of bland bubbles, Fantinel Prosecco Cuvee No 7 Extra Dry, Italy (www.ocado.com) has attractive white flower and peach aromas leading to lovely lemon and peach with satisfying depth of flavour and subtle, creamy notes on the fine finish. MEMBERS ONLY Become a member of the UK’s oldest wine club and you can start building a stellar cellar, and access keenly priced bestsellers such as The Society’s Prosecco, Italy (www.thewinesociety.com). A brut (dry style) of prosecco, it’s fresh and fruity with a honeysuckle, blossomy nose and displays delicious apricot, pear and peach flavours with a clean, crisp finish. CAPE CLASSIC A close cousin to a blanc de blancs champagne, Klein Constantia MCC Brut 2011, South Africa (www.sawinesonline.co.uk) is made from 100% chardonnay, and barrel fermentation and 20 months

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of lees ageing blesses the wine with structure and richness. With buttery, toasty aromas, fresh, citrusy fruits and a hint of green apples balanced by good acidity, the finish is long, persistent and uplifting. Classy and satisfying. BRIGHTEST BUBBLES An all-night party fizz with energy and finesse, Nautilus Cuvee Marlborough NV, New Zealand (www.newzealandcellar.com) is a very good alternative to champagne. Made in the traditional method and aged on its lees for three years, it’s pinot noir dominant with soft mousse and toasted brioche notes that give way to a fruity palate with subtle biscuity hints and crisp acidity on the long, lingering finish. A FINE VINTAGE Let’s face it, one bottle is never enough and this terrific trio fromJansz (one of Australia’s top sparkling wine producers) can’t help butimpress. Rich and mature, Jansz Brut Cuvee Vintage 2009, Tasmania, Australia (www.amazon.co.uk) has a distinctive brioche and truffle bouquet with enticing yeasty, buttery, lemony fruit and a luxurious, broad mouthfeel that’s powerful and creamy. Ta-da! LEADING LIGHT One of England’s finest and proof that we can produce world-class sparkling wine, Nyetimber Classic Cuvee 2010, England (www.waitrosecellar.com) is a wonderful festive choice if you want to serve an elegant wine that scored more points than Pol Roger, Veuve Clicquot and Taittinger in a recent blind tasting. Made from the three champagne grape varieties: pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay, it has a discreet toasty, creamy character complemented by baked apple and gentle citrus fruits. Delightfully easy to drink and a style of its own.

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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CHOOSING SAFE & EFFECTIVE NON-SURGICAL COSMETIC TREATMENTS With all the body contouring options available, a wide spectrum of prices and not to mention all the horror stories, how do you really know which machines work, are safe and the right clinic to go to? I’ve tried every non-surgical treatment from cavitation to fat freezing to get rid of stubborn fat around my mid-section, with minimal results after spending hundreds of pounds at specialist clinics. I finally realised that I had to choose an accredited clinic with ‘clinically proven results’. I found ‘Save Face’ is an independent organisation which visits clinics, assesses the environment, the technology and practitioners’ accreditations and ensures that best practices are undertaken, so you know you will get the results you are looking for in a safe environment. I looked on the ‘Save face’ website - www.saveface.co.uk - to find my nearest practitioner and found Marlow Face and Body, who are located in a private home, owned and run by Canadian Elisabeth Bester. The treatment room is like a big chic modern spa, warm and friendly and cost was very reasonable in comparison to the other clinics I had been in. After having talked through my history with Elisabeth, I was advised about COOLTECH FatFreezing which has clinically proven resultsof up to forty percent permanent fat reduction and you can freeze two areas of your body at once. And for skin tightening, Alma Accent XL radio frequency; FDA approved and used by plastic surgeons to tighten skin after liposuction. I have now had two programmes, lost seven inches around my waist, changed my shape to become more feminine and best of all my trousers are comfortable! My skin feels tight and smooth and replicates the images that I was shown at the beginning of the programme that I could expect from the treatment. I am looking forward to my next series of treatments on my thighs. Jennie from Marlow

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

For more information or to book an appointment contact Marlow Face & Body Phone 01628 302028 or info@marlowfaceandbody.com www.marlow.clinic

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Walk This Way By Lisa Salmon

If you’re dreading hitting the gym after Christmas to shed those excess pounds, you may want to swap your gym membership for some good walking shoes. New research from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) found that people over 50, and women of all ages, who regularly walked briskly for more than 30 minutes at a time, had a lower body mass index (BMI) and smaller waists than those who say they favour other forms of exercise, including gym workouts, cycling and swimming. (Men aged under 50 had similar waist sizes whether they walked or went to the gym.) WONDER WALKS So what is it about walking that’s so effective? A very big factor is that people who like to walk tend to do it very regularly, so they are more active overall - compared with non-walkers who, while they may say they do other forms of exercise, are possibly doing them far less frequently. Previous studies have also found that walking can be far more effective - in terms of aiding fitness and weight loss, and warding off diseases - than people might think. And, as Dr Grace Lordan, who led the LSE research, notes, people who take up walking tend to stick with it more than other fitness regimes. “People are also more likely to get walking ‘right’, as compared to gym exercises - it’s easier to know if you’re working to a moderate level with walking than with other exercises,” Dr Lordan adds. She stresses that, although any exercise is better than none, to achieve significant results, walking needs to be at a decent pace, to a level where you’re perspiring and out of breath, for 30 minutes, five times a week.

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ENDLESS BENEFITS As well as helping with weight management, by taking up regular brisk walks, Dr Lordan points out: “Provided you don’t eat any worse, you could lower your cholesterol, blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular ill health, as well as improving your mental and physical health. “Given that regular walking is an easier habit to adopt regularly than high-impact classes or complicated exercise regimes, I would have to say that we do underestimate how a regular walking habit could modify the lifestyles of many people. “And walking costs nothing but your time.” Although Government guidelines recommend that adults should be doing 150 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity every week, there’s no guidance on which activity is the most effective - and it’s estimated that as many as 80% of the UK population aren’t meeting the recommendations anyway. It’s because of this, as well as the multiple and accessible benefits of walking, that Dr Lordan is now calling for a campaign to promote it as an effective way to tackle obesity, rather than public health messages about healthy eating. “I would like to see a walking campaign targeted at people who currently do no activity,” she says. “It would be fantastic to see a campaign that lets people know that every brisk step counts.”

Claire Francis, campaigns manager at the walking and cycling charity Sustrans, agrees, and points out: “Walking is the perfect exercise free, simple, and easily incorporated into our daily routine and travels. But sadly, many of us are missing out. “If taking regular walks were a drug, doctors would prescribe it to absolutely everyone. It’s a silver bullet for so many of our health, economic and environmental woes.”

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

A Hidden Gem: Quad Club at CROWNE PLAZA MARLOW

If you haven’t visited Quad Club at Crowne Plaza Marlow before – or haven’t been there for a while – it might be an idea to take another look. Over £120k has recently been invested on improving their facilities, including a fully integrated app based gym, with state of the art synergy frame. The facility also offers a range of expert personal training, Bootcamps, a deep-blue mosaic-tiled swimming pool, children’s swimming pool, outdoor hot tub, sauna and steam room – all set in stunning surroundings, within 5 acres of beautiful Buckinghamshire and views overlooking the lake, making Quad Club the ideal health and fitness centre in which to unwind.

Quad Beauty Treatment Rooms

Impressive Membership Benefits Corporate, as well as personal memberships are available – and because Quad Club is part of Crowne Plaza Marlow, its Membership Benefits are second to none, including discounts on Quad Beauty Treatments. Members get a 25% discount in the hotel’s agua café & bar, as well as Glaze Restaurant, as well as discounts on some of the hotel’s social events, such as Tribute Nights. Quad Club Manager, Will Wood, says “We encourage our Members to make full use of the hotel facilities and they tend to get involved with the hotel events, as well as the social events we put on specifically for them, such as our Quad Club Coffee Mornings and Members’ Evenings.” When you add the free and ample parking (350 spaces) and the stunning lakeside setting and you’ll be asking yourself why you hadn’t joined before. Call 01628 496 957 or email quad.club@cpmarlow.co.uk for more information. Quad Club at Crowne Plaza Marlow, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1GJ. T: 01628 496 957; E: quad.club@cpmarlow.co.uk; W: thequadclub.com

The Club includes three stunning treatments rooms, as well as a nail bar. A full range of treatments, alternative therapies and Spa Packages are on offer at Quad Beauty, with weekly offers, e.g. half price Waxing on Wednesdays and Spa Package offers, such as ‘A Day with Mum’ Spa Day, available throughout March and Get Summer Ready Packages throughout June.

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VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

FITNESS FLASH Could an extra two hours sleep boost your fitness?

Just two extra hours of sleep can significantly enhance sports performance, according to new research from Bensons for Beds. The study saw members of Durham University Sports Team sleep for seven hours a night for a week, followed by nine hours a night for a week. Comparing their training performances each week, as well as their speed increasing by 15%, over half reported higher energy levels, a quarter felt more self-confident, and their pain threshold improved by a third. Reaction times, endurance and relaxation levels were reportedly better after nine hoursâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sleep too. For sleep tips from Benson for Beds, visit www.bensonsforbeds.co.uk/sleep-school

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VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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“Beverley gave me the absolute best service for my hearing loss” This was the message we proudly received from one of our delighted customers recently. At Windsor Audiology Centre, we pride ourselves on our levels of service and customer care we offer in our community. The message followed on... “Beverley gave me the absolute best service for my hearing loss. It's never fun to discover you need hearing aids, but she made the process seamless. And over the following years she has continued to go Invisible out of her way to accommodate my and light needs” From a delighted Michael Camilleri. as a feather Do you suffer from some level of hearing loss? If so, don’t suffer in silence any longer. Please call or visit us and we will be happy to

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talk to you about your hearing concerns. You may be a phone call away from making a huge difference to your quality of life. Just like Michael did. The Which? Survey Independent audiologists, like ourselves, have been given 5 stars across the board in the Which? “Buying a hearing aid” survey. With a customer score of 84%, independent audiologists were praised for their products and pricing, staff and service, and arrangements and facilities. The major chains did not fare as well, with the highest rated at 5% lower than the independent sector. Independents were also the only businesses who scored 5 stars in all of the rated categories ‘products and pricing’, ‘staff and service’, and ‘arrangements and facilities’. FREE HEARING TESTS

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5 ways

to spend an hour more effectively... As our lives become ever more hectic by the day, it can be tough to priorities friends, family, work and socialising and still have enough time to exercise. So with so many ties on your 24 hours, here’s 5 ways that you can make sure you use your gym time wisely. Five ways to use an hour effectively...

Workout using supersets...

Put simply, a superset is two exercises, performed back to back with no rest between. To avoid fatigue it’s a good idea to pick exercises which target different muscle groups. This will A) Make your heart work a lot harder transporting blood to different areas of your body and B) Allow one muscle group to work, while the other rests and recovers. Effectively you can get twice the workout in half of the time. For more information on supersets, how to include them in your workouts and the best way to structure your supersets, view here: http://www.michaeldarren. blogspot.com/2012/02/theresreason-why-supersets-are-called. html

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Workout in a class...

If time is short, working out in a class is a great way to get an effective workout in a short time; and better still, you don’t even have to think about it, someone will guide you through step by step. Don’t run a mile, it’s not all leg warmers and lycra these days; though these classes DO still exist. There are plenty of great classes now that will help you to build lean muscle and burn excess calories. Most gyms run a spinning class these days, give it a go, what’s the worst that can happen?

Workout using timed intervals...

Often it’s not the exercising which consumes most people’s gym time, it’s their long rest periods. An interval timer is a great way to avoid this. My favourite method of interval training is Tabata training. Format: 20 secs work, 10 secs rest for 8 sets. It’s one of the toughest 4 minutes you can have in a gym. You can apply this to a cardio exercise; or for a full body workout why not try a Tabata exercise for the chest, one for the back, one for the core and one for the legs – a full body workout in 16 minutes. You can even download Tabata interval timers for the iPhone for free – you have no excuses now!

Workout outside...

Take yourself outside, but unlike most, don’t just run. Try to create interval runs, altering your pace and terrain you run on. Interval running is far quicker and a more effective way to burn body fat rather than slow, steady intensity running. For even better results throw in some body weight exercises along your run; you’d be surprised what you can do with a park bench.

Workout using just your bodyweight...

Which brings me to my final point: Your body is probably one of your best workout apparatus. There are endless exercises that you can do using just your body weight for resistance. Better still, when you’re short on time you can do them in the convenience (and warmth) of your own home. For a few ideas on bodyweight workouts see this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R819KfRrRe0 Michael Darren, Personal Trainer. VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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5 Steps to Make Your Last EVER New Year’s Resolutions?

So here we go again. The January rush, sales YES my mum LOVES those. No what I meant was the rush to set some New Year¹s Resolutions. All the year¹s plans, hopes, optimism and ambition pinned on one day. But the reality is that 85% of New Year’s Resolutions are broken and get laid aside within the first 3 months of the year. And when you “fail” you feel frustrated and disappointed in yourself. You know that feeling right? When you don’t lose the weight When you don’t grow the business as quickly as you’d like When you don’t spend more family time and relax more. Do you even remember what you New Year’s Resolutions were for last year? Well you’re not alone; you’re in the majority. “It’s how we’ve been conditioned. I’ll do that next year.” So this year let’s make 2016 different for you. Let’s get you set to build your dreams and live a life you love in a body your proud of.

The New Year Myth We think that in the power of that one-day, 1st January each year is magical and we are reborn and have the opportunity to become a new person. In fact we even put life on hold a little, “I’ll wait until the New Year” but the reality is that we face the same challenges and opportunities. But really we can do that anyday. We can choose to make a change and set new habits anyday we want. So stop lying to yourself about it all being on the New Year and making resolutions.

The Problem with Resolutions And as for Resolutions. WOW! They’re hard right? As soon as we set a resolution, you either succeed or fail. There’s no room for progress or moving towards hitting a goal. It¹s ALL or NOTHING. And are they even realistic. Or the true thing you REALLY want? Do they excite and inspire you? Or do they pressurise make you feel stressed?

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Think of all your discarded New Year’s Resolutions. Do you even still remember any of them? 5 Steps to Resolutions That WORK

#1: What is your perfect day? Before you set some arbitrary resolutions think about this. Your Average Perfect Day. What do I mean by this? What would you be doing? Where would you be? Who would you be with? How do you earn your money? DREAM BIG, The Universe is your Shopping List with this. This gives all your resolutions a huge, powerful WHY, which leads to resolutions that step you towards where you want to be.

#2: Who are you in that perfect day? Following on from your Perfect Day who are you in that day? How do you feel about your life? How do you feel about you? What are your values? What do you look like? What is your body like? How are you earning money Again, no if’s and but’s just let your heart open up and truly step into how you want to feel and be. No limitations. Again this shows you where you want to get to and it becomes I¹m confident in who I am and love all that I am.

#3: What lights your heart up? Start 2016 as YOUR year - starting with YOU. So holidays, family time and then work flows from there. What lights your heart up? Make that a priority in your diary. A day is a microcosm of your life so make it fill you with love.

#4: Minimum Effective Dose (MED) We’re often chasing perfection and happiness, which means anything we do, is not good enough. This leads to stress, becoming overwhelmed and not enjoying life. So instead think about 3 stages of a goal:

· Survive · Thrive · Dream Start with the minimum effective dose to make a difference without overwhelming yourself and giving up. For example, losing weight, how often can you get to training? What time can you give to eating better? Be real and true to what you can do WHILST making an impact. Work in a way that leads you to celebrate the small successes.

#5: Make it fun You don’t get a life and body you love doing things you loathe. Make clear goals, take small steps toward them and celebrate the successes along the way. Make it fun now, life is NOW not at the end of your Resolutions. by Nicola Buckley www.strongherformula.com

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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Natural remedies to beat the winter blues SAD is more common than you think and is said to affect over 2 million people in the UK and is almost certain to increase. The reason for such a high number of sufferers is down to working indoors, longer working hours in artificial light, too many grey days during the winter and more shift work resulting in us all not getting enough natural daylight. When immersed in our hectic lives we often miss critical signals from the sun, and our body clocks suffer. So without proper morning light our body clocks don’t produce the hormones we need to wake up and get going. Then when we miss daytime light, we slump and become less productive. At night we then stay up hours after dark, causing sleep and mood problems. In fact, how we sleep, how active we are, and how we feel are all regulated by our body clock. When your body clock doesn’t get the right light signals, you tend to feel tired, moody and sluggish resulting in SAD. The severity of your symptoms will determine whether you are suffering from the winter blues or SAD. People with SAD say they feel like a completely different person during the winter, often finding it hard to function normally or like they would do, in the summer. Switch to only high quality full spectrum light bulbs in your home and office, people tend to feel a profound increase of energy and improvement in mood and sense of well-being within two to three days after exposure to fullspectrum lighting. Here’s what I recommend you do during the winter months to try and overcome SAD, especially when people when feel less inclined to be outside…

Exercise

physical exercise has numerous health benefits, one of which is improved mood control, and is said to be one of the most beneficial things you can do to prevent depression.

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Omega 3

Taking animal based omega 3 fats like Krill Oil, Chia Seeds and Flax Seed Oil are linked to better emotional health.

Plenty of sleep

You were designed to go to sleep when the sun sets and wake up when the sun rises. If you stray too far from this biological pattern you will disrupt delicate hormonal cycles in the body. In winter, this may mean that you’ll want to go to sleep a couple of hours earlier than in the summer.

Avoid grains and sugars

These will increase your risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to depression.

Light therapy

this might be as simple as getting up early and walking outside on a bright winter morning. A technique called “dawn simulation” – in which a light is programmed to turn on early in the morning in your bedroom – can also help.

Light boxes

exposure to a light box can help, when buying one choose one that’s at least 1ft by 1.5ft. These larger boxes have more supportive research. Sit in front of the light box daily for a specified amount of time. Getting bright light in the morning is best for most people.

Run errands

when it’s sunny outside or take a walk during your lunch break.

Avoid alcohol

(remember it’s a depressant). These supplements taken during the winter months will help… • Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin and really helps the symptoms of SAD. Food sources include eggs, poultry and oily fish. Vitamin D taken as a supplement in sufficient doses can actually replace some sunlight

exposure and help increase serotonin levels in someone affected by SAD. The recommended dosage of vitamin D would vary from person to person, for someone who suffers from SAD, research is now showing that taking up to 1000 to 4000 IU per day can provide additional benefits from SAD symptoms without any adverse affects on the user. It’s best to consult your health care professional for the proper vitamin D dosage for you. • Sweet foods and carbohydrates are often the things we crave when we are feeling down, but these have the opposite effect of boosting our mood, as we are sent on a blood sugar spiral. • Introducing nuts and seeds can help to keep your blood sugar levels stable, as well as provide you with essential fats. • 5-HTP can be used by your body to make serotonin so supplementing with 5-HTP is a safe way to boost your serotonin levels. However 5-HTP cannot be taken alongside anti-depressant SSRIs or monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Vitamin B6 and magnesium are important ingredients in the biochemical recipe that creates serotonin so these are important too. • Winter depression is caused by low levels of serotonin. St John’s Wort blocks an enzyme that breaks down serotonin in the bloodstream and so helps to maintain serotonin levels. • The Russian herb, Rhodiola, which is known as an anti-stress tonic, works in a different way; its natural chemicals improve the production of serotonin and help it get to the brain. by Cassie Everett www.absolutehomeopathy.co.uk VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Healthy Gut, Healthy Mind By Marjun Ziarati There’s no doubt about it, our gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to emotions. Whether it’s butterflies when in love, nausea when nervous or the gut-wrenching feeling that comes with grief, our stomachs seem to sense what we’re feeling. Alongside lifestyle choices and what we eat, our state of mind can also have an impact on our digestive system; this process works both ways, with what we eat affecting our state of mind. With a healthy gut potentially helping us to reduce symptoms of stress, never has the phrase ‘listen to your gut’ been more apt. Indeed, this braingut connection is more than just a figure of speech. “Scientists are now revealing that there is a strong link between what happens in the gut and the brain. The bacteria that reside in the gut appear to play an important role and are able to communicate with the central nervous system,” says neuropsychology expert, Helene M. Savignac.

A Delicate Balance

Inside the gut ‘bad bacteria’ and ‘good bacteria’ compete for space and nutrients, and a healthy gut requires a balance of prebiotic andprobiotic foods. “One of the best ways to maintain a healthy gut is to look after your ‘good bacteria’. A natural way of doing this is by selectively feeding your ‘good’ gut bacteria with a special kind of food called prebiotics,” confirms Savignac. Prebiotics feed the good bacteria and encourage growth. Try eating asparagus, leeks and garlic. Probiotics are lacto-fermented foods containing live ‘good bacteria’, present in foods such as cabbage and yoghurt with active cultures. You can also buy pill supplements for both prebiotics and probiotics.

Immune Health

Up to 70% of the body’s immune system is based in the gut. So, what we consume has a significant and direct impact on our all-round health. Studies have shown that as we age, our gut contains less ‘good bacteria’and prebiotic supplements such as ‘Bimuno’ can help improve immune health in older people.

Strike A Pose

There are some yoga poses that are believed to ease digestive problems and the pain associated with trapped wind and abdominal cramps. ‘Apanasana’, otherwise known as the knees-to-chest position, is a gentle yoga position that can help ease gut problems. According to Casey Coviello from the Yoga Journal, many positions including spinal twists and child’s pose, teamed with deep breathing, can help soothe pain associated with digestion.

Meditate

According to a study at Dalian University of Technology in China, five x 20 minute sessions of meditation led participants to a reduction in the amount of cortisol (stress hormone) released. The more relaxed we feel, the less likely we are to experience stress-related digestive problems.

Workout

Exercise helps us deplete stress hormones at the same time as releasing mood-boosting chemicals which help us cope with stress better. These endorphins that are released are often called ‘happy hormones’ and can make us feel less stressed and indeed happier - and our guts will thank us for that. VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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Tempting

Times By Ella Walker

If you’ve never been able to have just one chocolate/slice of cheese/glass of wine (delete as appropriate), it could come down to your personality, rather than how tasty your poison of choice is. Food psychologist Dr Christy Fergusson has, in partnership with ASK restaurants, delved into the science behind what tempts us and why, and has identified that three key factors affect our approach to food stuffs: 45% aroma (how it smells), 35% sight (what it looks like) and 20% positive association (knowing you loved it the last time you ate it). “There are certain factors which play a universal role in attracting us to specific foods. Sometimes it’s in our DNA - for instance, women are more attracted to sweet foods (60%) than men (40%) - or an automatic response to senses such as the comforting reassurance of warm meals,”she explains. “There are also certain foods that appeal across the board. The notion that chocolate is almost impossible to resist really is true - chocolate is proven to be the most tempting of all foods because of the “feel-good” chemicals it releases: endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. We remember the way chocolate makes us feel, so we want to keep eating it. Even hearing the word ‘chocolate’ can make people feel euphoric. So yes - chocoholics really do exist. “However, the foods which prove irresistible to each individual are also heavily linked to their wider personalities,” she adds. “Every person isprogrammed to succumb to different foods, with factors such as gender, childhood memories, senses and wider personality all playing a part in deciding which foods are impossible to resist.”

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Dr Fergusson has identified five temptation personality types. Which are you?

1. The Resister

Resisters easily stave off temptation and see food as fuel, not a source of comforting yumminess. When faced with a bar of chocolate versus a pot of hummus, the hummus will always win. Dr Fergusson says: “You select foods based on your physical, nutritional requirements as opposed to helping yourself psychologically feel better. Although you can appreciate when something tastes or smells delicious, you find it easy to resist eating foods purely for pleasure. You tend to stick with the same types of foods and rarely experiment with new flavours. You’re disciplined, strong-willed and love routine.”

2. The Pushover

At home alone, pushovers find it relatively easy to leave the biscuits undisturbed, but if out for dinner with friends, they tend to crumble. Dr Fergusson says: “You are easily swayed by other people’s food choices and don’t like missing out if they are having something tasty. You are easily talked into dessert, second helpings and an extra glass of wine. “Go on, you know you want to” is enough to make you rethink your menu choice in a flash. You’re laid-back, social and love to look after others. You have a tendency to put others first and to people please.”

3. The Collaborator

Collaborators LOVE food, and particularly love food when it’s social and there’s lots of sharing involved. So opportunities to dig into huge sharing platters, going halves and desserts for two, are always welcomed. Dr Fergusson says: “You always find yourself talking others into enjoying tempting foods with you. You always succumb to the sight or aroma of delicious delights and encourage others to indulge with you. You’re extroverted, fun to be around and love the company of others. You focus on enjoying yourself in the here and now.”

4. The Experimenter

Experimenters will try anything at least once, just as long as when it’s served it looks intriguing. Dr Fergusson says: “You’re most tempted by meals which are visually stimulating and different from the norm. You love to bring a sense of adventure to the dinner table and don’t just stick to traditional and familiar meals. You’re adventurous, creative and a bit of a thrill-seeker.”

5. The Moderator

Moderators are the sensible ones. They’ll nibble on crisps and eat the occasional donut, but won’t scoff the whole bag, and will have a punnet of grapes waiting in the wings for balance. Dr Fergusson says: “Your motto is: a little of everything that you fancy. You avoid resisting and depriving yourself of foods you are tempted by and prefer to enjoy everything in moderation. You enjoy trying new things and tasting new flavours, but have a relaxed attitude with eating.” VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Win

The Lemon Detox, renowned internationally for its wide-reaching benefits and A-list following, is perfect to follow after an overindulgent festive season to help boost health, dispel toxins and shift unwanted pounds. A tried and tested formula, the Lemon Detox provides the body with the essential nutrients and calories for any fasting or detox programme, while warding off hunger and retaining energy levels. Said Dr Sarah Brewer, author of The Total Detox Plan, “During the ‘fasting’ part of any diet or detox regime, using the Lemon Detox Madal Bal Tree Syrup solution allows you to still obtain useful nutrition, especially minerals such as potassium, calcium, manganese and zinc, making it a useful alternative to plain water.” And nutritionist Rita Arora, “The

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Lemon Detox provides a great alternative on fasting days for those following the 5:2 diet. One glass equals about 70 calories so you can get what you need without thinking too hard about it.” For those seeking daily support, you can now sign up to Be Free™ on the Lemon Detox website, a new collaborative programme incorporating fasting, yoga and mindfulness. Designed by a team of leading experts and delivered into your inbox daily, this programme will enhance the benefits of your detox while keeping you on track! Madal Bal Natural Tree Syrup is priced £42.99 for a one litre tin and is available from Holland & Barrett. Be Free™ is available free of charge at www.lemondetox.com. We have 2 lemon detox and book RRP £50 to giveaway. For your chance to win one of these two prizes please send your details to competitions@Vividmag.co.uk by 5th February

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New Year,

New You

Karine Jackson, Director says “Welcome to 2016! It’s time to shake up your hair routine – whether it’s in a bit of a rut or not, it’s good to embrace a change. Experiment with a new colour, brave the cut you’ve always wanted or simply learn a new updo to take your hair from desk to date. This month, I’m looking at the hottest new cuts and how to ask your stylist for exactly what you want.” The Punky Pixie Crop

Think Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Lawrence and Halle Berry for the inspiration for this versatile short cut. Going short doesn’t limit your styling options as you can wear perfectly sleek or super punky, depending on your mood. Ask your stylist for a textured pixie haircut, but ask them to tailor it to your facial features. Like the name suggests, a pixie haircut is ideal if you have small dainty features. If you have larger features such as a bigger nose or ears you may want to steer clear of a cut quite so exposing. If you really want to work this look, your stylist may be able to adapt the cut with a longer fringe and layers to soften.

The Sweeping Lob

This style was undoubtedly the ‘it’ cut for 2015, and it shows no signs of stopping as we enter 2016. For celebrity inspiration look at Reese Witherspoon, Taylor Swift and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Ask your stylist for a ‘lob’ (long bob) with a little texturising at the bottom and a few face framing layers. Ask your stylist to incorporate a gentle side sweeping fringe into the look to finish. This haircut is great for almost everyone, it’s just about adjusting the length to your personal preference. If you have fairly fine hair, I would ask for less texturising around the bottom as you want to retain as much thickness as possible; you’ll want to focus your attention at the top of your style to give you a fuller appearance.

The Effortless All Rounder

Loved by popstars, models and actresses alike (Mollie King is the poster girl for this look), a long length with lots of layers gives you plenty of options including intricate up-dos. For Mollie’s sleek look, ask your stylist to give you a mix of medium and long layers with softly textured ends as this will give you movement and shape. This haircut is suitable for everyone as it’s incredibly versatile to style. If you’ve got a slightly rounder face shape or a square jawline, you should consider losing the medium layers and just keep the longer length layers as this will soften and lengthen your face considerably. If you struggle with a cow’s lick or even a widow’s peak, don’t be put off by this style as you’ll just gain a little more lift around the front.

The Rapunzel length

Go super glam for 2016 with a red carpet-esque cut, like Blake Lively, Elle Macpherson and Michelle Keegan. To achieve this cut, ask your hairdresser to give you a solid cut – essentially it’s just one long layer all the way round. Texturing the ends will take some of the weight out of the style, making it slightly softer and not so graphic. When styling this look your hairdresser should prep your roots using a little spray gel and then blow dry it upside down to get maximum volume at the back – Bridget Bardot-esque. As the haircut is quite simple it can be exposing for those with larger foreheads, soften the look further by perhaps adding a gentle fringe to conceal. On the other end of the scale avoid this voluminous shape if you have incredibly petite features as you could end up looking lost in this look. I think this look works best on those with thick hair to give you that disheveled finish as fine hair would look too wispy. www.karinejackson.co.uk

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VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Silver Edge, contemporary jewellery and gifts, a hidden gem in Maidenhead can now be found at its new home in the Nicholson Centre, opposite Iceland. Please come and visit us at our new shop and browse our ranges.

Along with our More Precious than Silver range, created by Alejandra Cerrillo and the Mexican artisans, we have new ranges from Dalit (an organization that helps children on the streets of India) and Ashley and Burwood Home Sprays. We have a new line of hand-made jewellery, called Aviv from Israel featuring Opals in pendants, earings, bangles and watches. Our artisans have created for Silver Edge a unique double ball silver earring. The earring

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Mexico and around the world. Come and browse all our ranges at Unit 23 in the Nicholsons Centre in Maidenhead (SL6 1LB), opposite Iceland. features a ball at the back of the ear and one at the front, the perfect gift for the special person in your life this Valentines. We are always adding new ranges from both our artisans in

For more details keep up to date with us at www.facebook.com/ silveredgemaidenhead We look forward to welcoming you â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Alejandra and Leonardo Cerrillo.

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Make

DENIM work for you It’s a fact of life that most people get more wear out of their jeans than any other piece of clothing. We all know that a perfect pair of denim trousers can take you anywhere at any time and can be a real life saver but there is more to denim than just comfort and convenience of it. Much more… Firstly, it never goes out of fashion. It might have its heights and lows but denim is always around and you can never be frown upon for wearing it! Secondly, it’s sophisticated because it’s a true classic so just by wearing it you DO make a statement. And last but not least – and that’s a real selling point for those who shy away from denim – it can be worn in many shapes and forms. And just about everyone can find that special thing that will convert them from liking denim to loving it and never being able to part with it again. Jeans by Michele | www.swishboutique.co.uk

Spring season is upon us and here are some great ideas on how to incorporate a bit of denim into your wardrobe. Don’t be afraid to experiment with styles, shapes and colours. And always pick the most expensive piece you can afford as the cut and finish is as important in denim as it is in any other fabric. Denim Dress by Betty Barclay | www.bettybarclay.com

Denim Shoe | www.riverisland.com

Quintas | www.modainpelle.com

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VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Vintage Collection Denim Blouse | www.laredoute.co.uk

Denim blouse by Just White, Denim Skirt by Michele | www.swishboutique.co.uk Jeans by Michele | www.swishboutique.co.uk

Cara ankle boot Richmond Jean Fern Print Silk Blouse |www.jigsaw-online.com

Metallica shimmer boxy tee | super skinny jean | www.longtallsally.com

Jeans by Michele | www.swishboutique.co.uk

Denim Jeans by Betty Barclay | www.bettybarclay.com

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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HOT PICKS weathke-er for conld brightening ma up

Clarins natural lip perfector in plum shimmer| £18 | www.clarins.com

complexio and skin care marvels

Clarins ombre iridescent cream-to-powder, silver pink | £19 | www.clarins.com

Dead Sea Spa Magik BB cream | Voted ‘Best New Face Product’ - 2015 Beauty Awards | £13.50 | Holland and Barrett

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Jane Iredale Smooth Affair primer | 50ml | www.janeiredale.com

Joan Collins Timeless Beauty | luxury body lotion |£37.50 (200ml) | www.joancollingbeauty.com

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Clarins Active day (£42) and night (£44) cream | available February 2016 | www.clarins.com Katherine Daniels Midas Dry Oil £24.50 (50ml) | www.katherinedanielscosmetics.com

Dry Eye Concealer | £11.95 (4.5ml) | www.skinshop.co.uk

Murad Intensive-C Radiance Peel | £49.50 (50ml) | www.murad.co.uk

SEQuadrema™ skincare range | moisture-giving range stops flare ups in their tracks using a unique and patented technology | www.sequaderma.com | £17.99

Environ Revival Masque | 50ml | www.environuk.com

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Pure Body Butters | £4.00 per pot (24g) |£12.00 (90g) | www.purebodybutters.com

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Happy New Year in January 2016 Aquarius: January 20 - February 19

Dynamic Mars reaches the highest point of your chart on the 4th, ensuring that this month will be anything but dull! Career opportunities could come out of nowhere; you can leave recent problems behind and win the recognition that you deserve. The full moon on the 24th brings an exciting meeting.

Pisces: February 20 - March 20

Your close relationships are under optimistic stars this month, as Jupiter and Venus, the planets of good fortune and romance, are well favoured. Venus also highlights career matters so take full advantage of this chance to usher in a whole new era of confidence and success.

Aries: March 21 - April 20

Your highest goals are in the spotlight during January – planning for what could turn out to be a transformational year can begin now. Dynamic Mars, your ruler, is in determined Scorpio from the 4th, bringing excellent opportunities for you to connect with your deepest resources.

Taurus: April 21 - May 21

The Sun and transformational Pluto are lighting up a pivotal sector of your chart; Travel and romance are linked this month, so don’t let work commitments stop you from enjoying what the stars have in store for you. The new moon on the 10th could bring an exciting opportunity.

to you all! An exciting new year begins with the Sun very close to transformational Pluto in Capricorn. We are now faced with a dynamic, possibly unsettling year in which we will need to rethink our strategies. Philosophical and spiritual systems will also be in need of an overhaul. Saturn is now firmly in Sagittarius, bringing some limitation and serious hard work in order to turn opportunity into a solid reality. Mercury, planet of communication and commerce, turns retrograde on the 6th (until the 26th) - once again emphasising the need to reflect and reconsider before making any important decisions. Energetic Mars moves into determined Scorpio on the 4th, that’s just the right place to keep up with those New Year’s resolutions. The new moon is in Capricorn on the 10th and the full moon is in Leo on the 24th. Enjoy your monthly stars and please do contact me if you would like to know what 2016 has in store for you.

Gemini: May 22 - June 22

Dynamic Mars and communicative Mercury are in a powerful aspect at the start of the month. You can now put your point of view across and win support from an unexpected quarter for a new project or idea. Take full advantage of the opportunities that come your way.

Cancer: June 23 - July 23

A close relationship is in the spotlight this month, you may need to focus in your private life and put career plans on hold. The new moon on the 10th helps you reach a new understanding if you trust your instincts. As Mars travels through Scorpio let your intuition be your guide.

Leo: July 24 - August 23

As forceful Mars moves into the domestic area of your chart on the 4th you’ll find that your focus is changing. The importance of long term bonds and family life become increasingly significant. The new moon on the 10th throws some light on an issue that’s been troubling you for a while.

Virgo: August 24 - September 23

Relationship minded Venus meets serious Saturn on the 8th in the domestic area of your chart. You might need to let go of preconceived ideas about the way that you should try to solve a recent problem. The new moon on the 10th brings fresh insight – and lucky Jupiter is in your sign!

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

Libra: September 24 - October 23

Vibrant Mars is in your sign until the 4th, be sure to take advantage of this extra energy before Mercury goes retrograde two days later. Friendship groups are in strong focus around the time of the Leo full moon on the 24th, it also brings a new ambition to your attention.

Scorpio: October 24 - November 22

Venus has just left your sign and now she lights up the financial area of your chart; decision making is now on the cards. Banish your doubts as Jupiter and Mercury are in good aspect to each other, bringing you a new and inspired solution. The 10th brings a surprise communication.

Sagittarius: November 23 - December 22

Creative Venus has just entered your sign helping you to reach a more secure career position. Jupiter, your ruler, is radiating at the highest point of your chart be flexible about the future and be prepared to change your plans. The new moon on the 10th gives you extra powers of persuasion.

Capricorn: December 23 - January 19

Lucky Jupiter aligns with communicative Mercury at the start of the month, marking the beginning of a new chapter in your life. The 6th is an important date as the Sun joins powerful Pluto in your sign and presses you to stand tall and break free from a restrictive situation.

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Unlock the secrets of your personal birth chart by booking a personal astrology consultation - What does 2016 have in store for you? Christine has an international and local client base and all consultations are available in person, by telephone or Skype. Christine Chalklin www.restyleyourlife.co.uk Christine@restyleyourlife.co.uk Telephone: 07813 483549

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

The National Trust reveals best places to Snowdrop spot in the Thames Valley Flowering snowdrops traditionally herald the end of winter and provide welcome assurance that the brighter days of spring are on their way. Their latin name, Galanthus, means milk flower and on warm days they release a fragrance.

Matthew Oates, Nature and Wildlife expert for the National Trust, comments: “It is always a joy when the first snowdrops break through the frozen ground. Along with aconites and primroses, they are the harbingers of spring. The flowers themselves arrive later in pure white glory and, on mild, late winter days, are beloved by honey bees. They are best seen in half-light and, of course, amidst the winter snow.” For that wonderful view of snowdrops in the Thames Valley, beautiful displays will start to appear in January at Stowe in Buckinghamshire. So great for snowdrops is the magnificent landscape garden, that they even have their own season – the beginning of the year is Stowedrop time in the Elysian Fields, Sleeping Wood and Lamport Garden.

Basildon Park’s 18th century garden, parkland and ancient woodland are scattered with white snowdrops as early as the beginning of January.

These places, looked after by the National Trust for future generations, are always popular with visitors who come to see the delicate white flowers. From stunning bulb meadows to beautiful winter gardens, there are some very special places in the Thames Valley to enjoy a day out surrounded by snowdrops, safe in the knowledge that every single visit helps look after these special places for future generations.

They transform the woodland floors around the Berkshire manor house.

For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Before Cliveden’s fantastic spring bedding displays burst into bloom, you can console yourself on a winter walk with gentle drifts of snowdrops, including the double-petalled variety, Flore Pleno. The snowdrops are mostly found on the west-facing side of the garden. They bloom on high ground on top of an escarpment that runs down to the edge of the River Thames on the Berkshire/Buckinghamshire border.

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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Children in the

Wild

Who will look after our wildlife tomorrow? It is looking more and more likely the answer will be no-one. Our children and grandchildren today are less engaged with the outdoors than ever before. We have raised a generation knowing nothing and care even less, about what happens outside.

Unless our children are connected with, love and care for nature we may as well give up all our current conservation efforts now. Without people who care about the outside we might as well concrete over the bits of green. In a recent YouGov poll, commissioned by The Wildlife Trusts, over a quarter (27%) of children aged between 8 – 15 had never played by themselves beyond their house or garden. A staggering 37% hadn’t been out in the garden in the past 6 months. When you ask the parents a different question 91% think having access to nature and wildlife is important for children. In fact 78% were concerned that children don’t spend enough time interacting with nature and wildlife. But long gone are the days of our childhood when we spent a vast majority of our school holidays in Burnham Beeches or by the Thames fishing or in Jacky’s case, out horse riding. These adventures, along with keen bird watchers in the family, influenced our love of nature and wildlife and ultimately how we make our living. Today the outdoors is a scary place. All that mud, lots of sharp things, things you don’t know about. Well to the mud question, to quote our parents, “children

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“Contac t with na ture sho not be th uld e preser ve of the privilege d. It is cr itical to the pers ona of our ch l development ildr physicall en. We will be y, menta lly and spirituall y impov erished they are if deprived of c with the natural w ontact orld.” – Sir David Attenbo rough

fun. Let children get muddy, climb trees. Engage all your children’s sense of adventure; give them physical activity, instead of a screen.

are born washable” and “it’s clean dirt” You don’t need to be an expert, take children to a local wild place and let them discover it. So you don’t know all the names of the things you will see, neither do we. But there are some great resources available to you and your children. Learn together; get dirty together, have a wonderful time. Re-connecting our children with nature is a must, for our landscape and habitats to survive. Only 24% of children said their school had an indoor nature display area like a nature table. It is up to us to bring nature to them. Being outdoors is

The Wildlife Trusts are running a special campaign to re-engage our young people with the outside world. If you would like your children to become involved then, visit the Wildlife Trusts’ special website dedicated to the campaign www.wildlifetrusts.org/everychildwild.

If you decide to try the great outdoors, then why not let other people know how much you and your children enjoyed it via social media. Use the hashtag #EveryChildWild in your post. We will leave you with a quote from someone who has done more to make nature accessible to everyone than perhaps anyone else. Jacky and Mark Bloomfield VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

LIFE AFTER Br eaking Ba d 35

In heart-warming, familydrama Watercolor Postcards, actor Jonathan Banks shows his softer side as homely, small-town barkeep Ledball. The Breaking Bad star talks childhood, values and his joy at reprising the role of Mike for Better Call Saul.

“I’ll give you an example the way I was raised,” begins Jonathan Banks in his trademark, measured drawl, “I was raised by a single mother who, if there was a flower was trying to raise its head up through the sidewalk she always pointed it out to me. And I learnt from her to take joy from the simple things and appreciate how lucky we are.” As you would expect from a man who has been working in Hollywood for 48 years, Banks is unmoved by fame and hype. Unfortunately he has been able to avoid the former since his turn as Mike in the modern day phenomenon that is Breaking Bad.His new film Watercolor

Postcards tells the story of a precocious, young girl named Cotton who following the death of her mother comes to rely on her estranged sister and the local townsfolk for comfort and a sense of family. Among them is Banks’ character Ledball, the local bartender and general purveyor of wisdom. The film VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

was written, produced and starring ex-NFL player turned actor Conrad Goode, who Banks refers to as one of his ‘dearest friends in the world’. In a lot of his recent roles this sense of paternal wisdom has come through; For Cotton, Ledball becomes a grandfather figure, and when asked if he applies his own experience as a father to his roles Banks says: “I’m a father of four and I would imagine at this stage there is a lot of instinct involved just from life lived that transfers itself. You know, you try to be kind. You try to be kind to a child.” Breaking Bad has recently been inaugurated in Washington DC’s Smithsonian Museums, something Banks considers to be a great honour, saying: “We have the hazmat suits, some crystal meth and a whole display about Breaking Bad.

The slang term, or the nickname, for the Smithsonian, which is magnificent, is ‘the nation’s attic’, so we’re in there with I Love Lucy. I’m just thrilled because I grew up in Washington.” Next year will see Better Call Saul return for season two on Netflix. The show has been a huge hit and was up for for seven awards at this years Emmys, including Best Supporting Actor for Banks. It also gave Banks and co-star Bob Odenkirk (Saul) a chance to tell the backstory of their respective Breaking Bad characters, an opportunity Bank’s says he jumped at: “I wanted to go back and do Better call Saul because Mike’s story had not been completely told. You get to back and reveal how Mike lost his soul and the terrible things that have happened to him so I was thrilled CMYK to reprise that character.” For Jonathon Banks Breaking Bad has been an unexpected revival in a long and fascinating career, so how does he feel at still being offered roles that he loves? “I’m lucky. Wildly lucky.”

Watercolor Postcards is out now on DVD courtesy of Simply Media

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Winter Pruning why do it? The team at Calibra Tree Surgeons looks at why dormant pruning has many positive characteristics. One Benefit is that dormant pruning enables us to correct disease problems which would be more risky during the summer season. For example, it is very difficult to prune fire blight from trees or shrubs during the highly infectious spring and early summer times without spreading the disease to other limbs or plants. During the winter, bacterial populations in cankered branches are lower and dormant, and hence, less likely to be transmitted via pruning tools. Proper pruning of trees can make them more storm resistant, whether the storm threat is from ice damage or from high winds. Pruning is often regarded as a proactive, health maintenance insurance plan to guard against potentially serious problems, analogous to the ever more popular and wise preventative care in human health plans. So if you have deadwood or would like to know about pruning your trees in the winter, don’t forget to contact you local tree surgeon.

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Use all over the home from rubbish bins to drains, worktops to floors, toilets to sinks. Zoflora is even safe to use around pets. Use it on litter trays, dog beds and animal cages to keep them hygienically clean and fragrantly fresh. Just allow to dry thoroughly before pets are allowed back in. For more information on Zoflora, and to find your nearest stockist visit: www.zoflora.co.uk Zoflora and Vivid Magazine have teamed up to give one lucky reader the opportunity to win a year’s supply of Zoflora. For your chance to win tell us where Zoflora is made and send your answer to Competitions@VivdMag.co.uk by 5th February.

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ASHFORD KITCHENS - 5 Must Have’s in your New Kitchen This Year It takes time and plenty of planning to create a kitchen that both looks beautiful and works beautifully. Ashford Kitchens & Interiors share the latest gadgets that boast style and substance. Quooker Boiling Water Tap Quooker taps provide instant boiling water which saves time, money and space. The Quooker tank sits inside your kitchen unit directly below the tap, eliminating long runs of piping from the boiler - that means instant hot water and far less waste. Quooker taps are also safety conscious; they feature a built in childproof safety mechanism and aerated delivery of water, minimising the risk of burning. Glass Splashback Glass splashbacks are a really smart way of introducing colour into your kitchen. They reflect light, are really easy to keep clean and are made from toughened glass, making them an ideal option behind the hob. At Ashford Kitchens & Interiors there is a huge choice of colours that we have on display, to help you with the decision. At Ashford Kitchens & Interiors we have a huge choice of colours. For something truly unique you can now even print an image

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or photograph onto a glass splashback and make a real design statement. Induction Hob Induction hobs operate much quicker than ceramic and are very responsive; They will boil a pan of water almost twice as fast as a gas hob! Not only do they complement the minimalistic design of today’s stylish kitchens, they are also very safe. The hob won’t start to heat up until a pan has been put on it, giving parents added peace of mind. LeMans Pull-Out Corner Storage LeMans is the only corner cabinet to combine space with a perfect overview and full access. The trays glide in and out with easy, light movements and offer maximum storage space. The shelves move independently from each other, making every pot and pan easy to reach. The flowing, asymmetrical curves are reminiscent of the famous

motor-racing race circuit in France. Wine Cooler Wine coolers are fast becoming a popular - and stylish alternative to shelving. They create the optimum storage conditions for your wine with precise temperature, humidity and air circulation controls. They also use low vibration technology to minimise disturbance to the bottle. Some wine coolers provide two independently controlled areas with different temperatures perfect if you have both a white and red wine lover in the house. Experience all these products for yourself at the Ashford Kitchens & Interiors showroom on The Parade, The Broadway, Farnham Common SL2 3QJ. www.ashfordinteriors.co.uk, info@ashfordinteriors.co.uk, 01753 642362

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Stylish Studies A New Year gives the chance to refresh, wipe the slate clean and set goals for the year ahead. A great way to start is by having a clear, organised and beautiful workspace at home which will enhance productivity, making those goals easier to achieve. Spending time working at home is becoming more popular as the lines between work and home life are increasingly blurred. The concept and overall feel of a home study should be luxurious and functional, making it an inviting, inspiring place which encourages results. Comfort should be high on the priority list and must be addressed in every aspect of the design.

Start by considering the layout of the room, the furniture required and the space which is available. A beautiful desk is the key part of a home study design and its position should take priority over all other pieces. Ideally place it near a window as working with natural light is always best, particularly if there is a beautiful view too! Having a bespoke desk made is an ideal solution to making the most of the space available. A beautiful wooden desk, perhaps with leather inlay is such an asset to any home study and will really stand the test of time. To complement the desk, a high quality office chair with adequate back support should be chosen. There are many different materials to choose from such as leather, suede and fabrics which can then be co-ordinated with other

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The finish ing touche s such as ac cessories and perha ps arrangem floral ents will bring the design together a nd make the home study an inviting sp ace.

is usually provided with a central pendant light, while wall lights, which emit a soft glow that is easy on tired eyes, can create ambient lighting. For close up work, task lighting should be included in the form of a stylish desk lamp. The finishing touches such as accessories and perhaps floral arrangements will bring the design

pieces within the room. However, the main focus should be comfort as this is an essential when working for many hours at a time, so ensure the chair is at the right height for the desk and your feet rest firmly either on the floor or on a footrest. Storage is another one of the most important aspects of a study and should be made a priority. Having a place for everything is key to working efficiently so designing customised, integrated storage with cupboards, drawers and shelves is the best solution. Ideally the items displayed on shelves should be attractive, mainly decorative pieces, such as family photos and ornaments that enhance the roomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aesthetic. Once the layout and pieces of furniture have been decided upon, the next consideration is lighting. In a home study it is a good idea to have a mixture of general, ambient and task lighting. General lighting

together and make the home study an inviting space. Over time, it might be an idea to rotate photos, ornaments and decorative items around to make the space feel fresh and newly inspiring. Interior design has the ability to positively affect our minds by increasing productivity and improving the general feeling of wellbeing. Spending time creating an efficient, attractive work place at home will pay dividends in the year ahead. Jenny Allan JCA Interiors VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

5 Tips For Choosing And Using Underfloor Heating By Julia Gray, Press Association

A New Year gives the chance to refresh, wipe the slate clean and set goals for the year ahead. A great way to start is by having a clear, organised and beautiful workspace at home which will enhance productivity, making those goals easier to achieve. Wet underfloor heating works by circulating warm water through a series of pipes under the floor, connected to a boiler or other heat source - usually a heat pump. The pipes don’t have to be laid in concrete - with some wet underfloor heating systems, the installer can lift up the existing floor covering, fit the heating panels, lay plywood on top and replace the floor covering. Most types of floor covering are suitable for underfloor heating, including carpet, tiles, vinyl, laminate and engineered wood (check with the manufacturer if in doubt). Lots of homes have underfloor heating in some rooms and radiators in others, but underfloor heating is more energy efficient. It works at a lower temperature to radiators, yet delivers the same level of comfort, saving you money because the boiler doesn’t have to work as hard and so uses less energy. A radiator heats the air immediately above it, with the heat rising and then falling in a circular motion

as it cools, whereas an underfloor system heats the entire room from the floor up. This reduces the constant air circulation caused by radiators, which creates draughts and distributes dust. If your home has a ground, air or water source heat pump, or you’re considering installing one, this is the perfect partner for underfloor heating. Heat pumps work at their most efficient at low-water-output temperatures, so having a lowtemperature heat emitter, such as underfloor heating, is ideal. Both heat pumps and boilers can heat water to the lowest temperature required for underfloor heating, but heat pumps do it more efficiently than boilers. As wet underfloor heating systems are connected to your home’s boiler or heat pump, they can be cheaper to run than electric versions. They also come with room (or zone) controls, so you can have some rooms (or zones, such as the ground floor) hotter than others, again, potentially saving you money. Another advantage of underfloor heating is that it’s space saving. Some rooms have little free wall space for radiators, but this clearly isn’t a problem if the heating’s under the floor. It is, of course, important to get your underfloor heating from a reputable supplier - some manufacturers guarantee their heating pipes for up to 50 years - and to use a plumber or heating engineer with experience of fitting systems like yours. While prices vary from system to system and home to home, wet underfloor heating for a three-bedroom house costs around £2,100 to £2,600, according to Ask for Underfloor. See www.askforunderfloor.org.uk for more information.

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Win tickets

to the region’s biggest wedding show! The region’s biggest and best wedding show returns to ExCeL London on 30-31 January. With over 80 of the region’s leading wedding experts and suppliers, you can find everything you need to make your dream day a reality at The London ExCeL Wedding Show. Try on dresses from your favourite boutiques and designers, sample mouth-watering cakes, find fabulous flowers and striking stationery to match and book your perfect honeymoon hideaway all under one roof. And if that’s not enough, you can discover the hottest bridal trends and receive inspiration galore at The Catwalk Show, where the latest collections of bridalwear, groomswear, bridesmaid’s dresses and mother of the bride attire will be showcased three times a day. This season’s impressive exhibitor line-up includes Coo Jewellers, Ivory & Co, John Lewis, King of the Booth, Moss Bros, Polka Bridal, Sandals, Weddings By Driven, Young’s Hire and many more, making The London ExCeL Wedding Show an unmissable event you and your wedding party. Don’t forget to pick up your free goody bag, packed with lots of exciting products and a free show guide, so that you can contact your favourite exhibitors after the show.

Vivid Magazine and The London ExCeL Wedding Show have teamed up to offer FIVE lucky readers and their ‘plus one’ the chance to win a pair of complimentery tickets to attend the regions biggest and best wedding show! If you would like to be in with a chance of winning these fabulous tickets, email competitions@VvidMag.co.uk your name, address and if you are picked you will receive a FREE pair of tickets to the London EXCel Wedding show on 30th and 31st January. Tickets are valid any day and are limited to one pair per winner. So what are you waiting for? Send your entry today! All entries must be in by 17th January for a chance to win. Don’t worry, if you are not a lucky winner, you can still book in advance and save £2 off the door price*. To book, visit www.theukweddingshows.co.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0844 874 0787. For more information visit The UK Wedding Show website www.theukweddingshows.co.uk Facebook – www.facebook.com/UKWeddingShows Twitter - @ukweddingshows/ #UKWSNCL • Advance ticket prices revert to the on the door price of £10 at midnight the day before opening

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VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Temple Golf Club – affordable, flexible and family - friendly Temple Golf Club’s lifestyle membership scheme has been a roaring success with more than 200 new members joining the Club in the past year. The scheme offers affordable, flexible and family-friendly membership and prospective members can choose from a range of usage based options starting from as little as 9 rounds, through 20, 35 and 52 round packages to unlimited golf. But Temple is much more than just a golf club. 100 members and guests attended a very successful Christmas Draw and Fundraising Reception which raised nearly £8,000 for Club funds. A specially formed Temple Choir performed at the Reception and led some rousing carol singing. Many of the Club’s newer members have young families and 43 children enjoyed a fantastic Sunday afternoon Christmas Party with organised games, a festive tea and a visit from Santa all a big hit with the Teeny Templers. The Clubhouse was packed for the Club Christmas Lunch and Dinner Disco functions and between Christmas and the New Year, an intrepid group of golfers participated in the annual cross country golf competition with

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

a special layout enabling golfers to play the course in a completely different order to normal with hedges, trees and other obstacles to negotiate during the competition.

season. The Romanian, French, Indian and Greek themes should ensure that there is something to suit all tastes. The extremely popular annual Quiz takes place in January and there are fortnightly and monthly bridge groups throughout the winter. So whilst the fact that it is predominantly built on chalk makes Temple an excellent winter golf venue, the Club also provides a wide range of off-course activities during the winter.

New Head Chef Stefan Maneran Filip has a passion for cooking and the Club has arranged four wine and dine evenings during the winter

To find out more please contact Keith Adderley on 01628 824795 or by email to secretary@templegolfclub.co.uk

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Help Feather Some Nests As the RSPB, bird-watchers and gardeners gear up for the charity’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch on the weekend of 30th and 31st January, the organisation is also asking people to do their bit to protect our birds through the winter by topping up their bird feeders and providing fresh water and shelter for wildlife in their gardens during the frosty weather (identification pictures are available on the RSPB website www.rspb.org.uk). The nature charity says there are three key things that birds will need this winter: food, unfrozen water and shelter. In chilly weather, birds will appreciate a variety of food, but fatty food will be especially helpful. For example, fat balls, or homemade bird cakes made with lard and packed with seeds, fruit or dried mealworms are great treats to put out in your garden. Kitchen scraps will work well, and a recipe for successfully feeding birds over winter might include chopped fat from unsalted meat, cheese, dried fruit and pastry. Unfrozen water for drinking and bathing may be hard for birds to find when there’s been a frost, but with a simple trick you can help to keep a patch of water ice-free. Float a small ball, such as a ping-pong ball, on the surface of the water. Even the lightest breeze will keep it moving and stop an area of the water freezing. Provide shelter by planting dense hedges such as privet or hawthorn, or allowing ivy or holly to grow. These all provide great cover for birds to roost in. Nestboxes can also be good roosting sites. Roofs are also a popular spot for birds trying to keep warm. If birds are getting into a hole in your roof and you need to get the hole fixed, consider putting up a nestbox to replace the gap. Find out more about giving nature a home in your garden here: rspb.org.uk/homes

highest number of each bird species seen in their gardens or local park at any one time. They then have three weeks to submit their results to the RSPB, either online at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch or in the post.

RSPB wildlife advisor Richard James says: “People can make a real difference to garden birds and improve their chances of surviving thewinter. To take part, people are asked to spend just one hour at any time over that weekend noting the

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VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

A New Year Resolution with a difference Are you looking for something special to adopt as a New Year Resolution? One that you will be able to stick with? How about helping your local dog rescue centre? They are more than likely to welcome you with open arms as the four pawed subjects of your efforts will be pleased to see you and grateful for any support you can give. You can support dog rescue centres many ways, financial being the most obvious but in fact time is just as important a commodity.

We tend to think of rescue centres as coming in one form, the ‘pound’ where dogs are kept in kennels with runs and very noisy. While there are many pounds there are ‘virtual’ rescue centres where all the dogs are in foster homes. This tends to be more popular with specific breed rescues, who like to foster dogs with homes experienced in the breed. The idea of fostering is to keep dogs in home environments so their transition into a new home is as smooth and stress free as possible, making the likelihood of adoption success much greater. The demand for foster homes is extremely high, so whether or not you are experienced with a particular breed, you could make a significant difference if you could offer this type of help. Walking a dog kept in rescue kennels is a good alternative if fostering is too much of a commitment, you work long hours or your own dog(s) would be unable to cope with having a ‘stranger’ come into their midst only to go again. It allows you to give some quality time to dogs who through no fault of their own have found themselves in a less than ideal situation. Boredom and lack of good quality stimulation is a real problem for dogs in rescue long term and can make it difficult for them to readjust to home life. Walking, going to play with them or doing some top up training is a great way to help a dog stay ‘positive’ and ready for a new home.

www.bigdogbedcompany.co.uk VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Home vetting is another time consuming activity that can keep a dog in rescue longer than necessary because of a shortage of volunteers. Many rescues check that a family who would like to give a dog a forever home is ready for the change it will make to home life. It is similar to checking that a home is toddler safe. More often than not, it involves advising on things that may have to be altered, if only initially, so that dog and people stay accident and incident free. It does require a bit of knowledge, but training is usually given to prospective home checkers. If time is something you don’t have, then financial support is always needed. Regular giving can be done by sponsoring a particular dog, usually £5 - 10 a month in the hope the sponsored dog will be rehomed; it is a commitment that is not endless and you can have the pleasure of seeing your ‘sponsoree’ going to a new home. You can then decide to transfer the sponsorship to another dog or discontinue depending on what you feel you can manage. Fund raising events are a regular thing for rescue charities – auctions, raffles and/or dog shows to name a few. When a dog has high vet bills, there are one-off fundraisers to pay specific bills. You can contribute items to these or perhaps encourage your place of work/business to provide regular financial support to a local rescue doing its best for our less fortunate canine friends. If you are interested in helping out in any of the rescue centres locally the best option is to google for rescue centres in your area and contact them to see how you can assist. Dru Ross

• Waterproof • Antibacterial • Hardwearing • Comfortable

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Facts At A Glance

LEXUS IS 300h SPORT Vivid Magazine was fortunate to drive the Lexus IS 300h sport recently and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

otherwise be lost as heat, is then captured into electric power which is then stored in the battery for later use.

The “h” denotes the car is a hybrid which combines a 2.5 litre direct injection petrol engine with a high output electric motor ensuring the car is extremely frugal in its fuel consumption. The car can also be driven in EV (Electric Vehicle) mode where it moves in near silence, using no petrol at all and emitting zero emissions.

Having never driven a hybrid before it was an amazing experience when starting up and driving off. When starting the car the electric motor kicks in instantly and propels the car to around 40mph before the petrol engine cuts in. When driving at speeds below 40mph and just using the electric motor the car is spookily silent, a completely new driving experience.

In 2004 Lexus became the first premium car maker to perfect full hybrid technology and since then over 650,000 Lexus hybrid models have been sold. With almost Formula 1 type technology the hybrid has Regenerative Braking which means when the car is braking or decelerating the rear wheels drive the electric motor so that it functions as a generator. Kinetic energy, which would

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The IS 300h appears to be the same size as a Mercedes C Class or BMW 3 series, can seat four adults comfortably and has bags of luggage space along with lots of in car storage. Due to the low emissions this places the car is a very low company car tax bracket making it very attractive to fleet buyers and drivers.

Price: fro Engine: 2.5 m £28,995 Transmissi Hybrid Engine on: CVT/Aut o, Rear Performan wheel drive ce: Top spee d 125mph, 0-62mph Economy: in 8.3 seconds 67.3 mpg co mbined Emissions: 10 101g/km extra0g/km Urban/ CO2 combine urban and s is 97g/km

We were lucky to be given a model with the 15 speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system that delivered a near concert like experience while driving through the Berkshire countryside. You can hook your own smart phone to the sound system and listen to your own favourites in wonderful surround sound. The IS 300h is beautifully finished with hand stitched leather seats and touch sensitive controls. The car is equipped with what feel like space age type controls and it really has the look of a premium car both inside and out. It was easy to adjust the seat position and was extremely comfortable to drive. We would like to thank Martyn Halstead of Lexus Reading for providing us with the IS 300h Sport, it was a great experience and certainly opened our eyes to a modern hybrid vehicle. VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

HIGHER STANDARDS, LOWER PAYMENTS.

LEXUS NX 300h S 5dr CVT/Auto

LEXUS CT 200h S 5dr CVT/Auto

LEXUS IS 300h SPORT 4dr CVT/Auto

LEXUS RX 450h SE 5dr CVT/Auto

6+47, 8,000mpa List price £29,495

6+23, 8,000mpa List price £21,245

6+23, 8,000mpa List price £29,995

6+47, 8,000mpa List price £46,995

LEXUS READING Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, Berkshire RG2 0HS Martyn Halstead, Lexus Business Centre Manager T 01189 758877 M 07939 987850

www.reading.lexus.co.uk martyn.halstead@lexus-reading.lexus.co.uk

Models shown are IS 300h Sport from £29,995 ex VAT; CT 200h S from £21,245; NX 300h S 5dr from £29,495; RX450h SE 5dr from £46,995. Prices exclude metallic paint £610. *For Business Users only. Initial rental and VAT applies. Available on new sales of models shown ordered and proposed for finance between 1 October and 17 December 2015, registered and financed by 31 March 2016 through Lexus Financial Services on Lexus Connect Contract Hire. Rentals based on non maintained contracts at 8,000 miles per annum. CT, IS, NX and RX over 3 years. Excess mileage charges apply. Other finance offers available but cannot be used in conjunction with this offer. Free servicing offer is subject to purchase being made via Lexus Financial Services and is available on new orders of CT when ordered between 1st October 2015 and 31st October 2015 and registered before 31st March 2016. Free servicing offer is not available in conjunction with any other non-finance offer, it includes the vehicle’s first two services booked within the first two years of ownership in line with manufacturer servicing schedule and must be booked at the Lexus Centre where the vehicle was purchased. Participating Lexus Centres. Lexus Centres are independent of Lexus Financial Services. Terms and conditions apply. Indemnities may be required. Finance subject to status to over 18s only. Lexus Financial Services is a trading name of Toyota Financial Services (UK) PLC. Registered Office: Great Burgh, Burgh Heath, Epsom, KT18 5UZ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

CT 200h S fuel consumption figures: urban 78.5 mpg (3.6L/100km), extra urban 80.7 mpg (3.5L/100km), combined 78.5 mpg (3.6L/100km), 82g/km CO2 (13% BIK). New IS Series fuel consumption figures: Urban 22.8 (12.4) – 64.2 (4.4), Extra Urban 38.7 (7.3) – 62.8 (4.5), Combined 30.7 (9.2) – 65.7 (4.3). 213g/km – 99g/km CO2 (16% BIK). NX 300h S fuel consumption figures: urban 53.3 mpg (5.3 l/100km), extra-urban 55.4 mpg (5.1 l/100km), combined 54.3 mpg (5.2 l/100km), 116g/km CO2 (18% BIK). RX 450h SE fuel consumption figures: urban 43.5 mpg (6.5 l/100km), extra-urban 47.1 mpg (6.0 l/100km), combined 44.8 mpg (6.3 l/100km), 120g/km CO2 (19% BIK).

Cryptic Crossword ACROSS

1. Cut 7 with 1 for a change (4) 8. I am to have a job? That’s an unreasonable demand! (10) 9. Brief era of scarcity (8) 10. Harvest of more appropriate crops (4) 12. Wear out profane oaths as weapons (6) 14. Runner going in bus to London (6) 15. Strips of wood suitable for making vestas (6) 17. The gambler is cured? (6) 18. In nothing flimsy (4) 19. No, I’d rise to ridicule (8) 21. Very small volume needed for meeting records (6-4) 22. Little Edward in a whirl in the water (4)

DOWN 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Indicator of the guards’ darkest hour? (5,5) Something to eat right on the jetty (4) Horrifies father getting up before friends (6) Property arranged in complete groups (6) Begin as ace tipster? (5,3) What one gets from a bad-tempered photographer? (4) 11. Honourably open but incomprehensible to directors (5-5) 13. Use van or become very hungry (8) 16. Very wet turf on lair (6) 17. Handcart featured in quarrel in pub? (6) 18. The book is apparently coming my way (4) 20. Benefit from Japanese drink (4)

Martin adaMs

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

VEHICLE SERVICING

Across: 1 Snip; 8 Imposition; 9 Shortage; 10 Reap; 12 Swords; 14 Stolon; 15 Staves; 17 Better; 18 Thin; 19 Derision; 21 Minute-book; 22 Eddy. Down: 2 Night watch; 3 Pier; 4 Appals; 5 Assets; 6 Start out; 7 Snap; 11 Above-board; 13 Ravenous; 16 Sodden; 17 Barrow; 18 Tome; 20 Sake.

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Distinctive craft with lots of history 1931 Thames Launch Tug For Sale

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Lying in Private Marina

Guide price £42,500 For full details visit www.abnb.co.uk For friendly helpful advice from our experienced and knowledgeable team of boaters www.abnb.co.uk • admin@abnb.co.uk • Open 9.30 to 5.30 every day • Tel: 01788 822 115 or 01788 822 508

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VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Out & About A Comprehensive Guide to What’s on in your local area. in&around Marlow, Maidenhead, Henley, Cookham & Bourne End. If you would like your event added, please email us at Contact@VividMag.co.uk

JANUARY 05: ‘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! 07: ‘Circle Dance in Lane End Village Hall, HP14 3EY, 14:00-16:00, come and join in for some gentle dancing to beautiful music from around the world, £4 no experience or partner needed – 01235 520608. 11: ‘Boutique Cinema – “Maggie” at Claytons, Marlow, sit back and sip a cocktail or grab some food on a comfy leather sofa and enjoy a film on a big screen, caters for 25 people, 20:00, booking recommended – 01628 488404 12: ‘Marlow & District Horticultural Society – The Opposite of Chelsea – The Chauman Garden Festival in France by David Marsh’ at Liston Hall, 20:00 – 01628 486206. 13: ‘U3A Henley on Thames Fran Sandham - Hotfooting it 3,000 miles his illustrated experience of traversing Africa alone.’ at YMCA Hall, Noble Road, Henley on Thames, RG9 1NZ. U3A members £1 and non-members £2. Prompt 2pm start, followed by tea and biscuits. Free parking. Penny Evans 07901 674779 www.u3asites.org.uk/henley-on-thames 13/20/27: ‘Wednesday Lectures’ at Hughenden Manor, popular free lecture series, topics this year include salvaging Hughenden’s library and Disraeli and the music hall, 14:00-15:00, free event but normal admission applies – 01494 755573. 14: ‘Marlow Archaeological Society – Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Part 1 – Eamonn Baldwin’ jointly arranged with Archaeology in Marlow at Liston Hall, SL7 1DD, 20:00, £4, members £3, students £1.50 – 01628 523895. 14/21/28: ‘Behind the Scene Tour’ join a member of the house team for a tour behind the scenes, see our conservation

work in action and get a sneak peek in to some of Hughenden’s rooms which are not normally on view, 11:00-11:45, £4 plus normal admission to book call – 01494 755573. 16,22+23: The Hazlemere Players Pantomime ‘Treasure Island’ by Martin Scott, at Hazlemere Community Centre, Rose Avenue, HP15 7UB, £9, concessions £7 under 16’s £5, 16th 14:30 + 19:30, 22nd 19:30, 23rd 14:30 + 19:30 – 01494 713357/444753 18: ‘Boutique Cinema – “Minions” at Claytons Marlow, sit back and sip a cocktail or grab some food on a comfy leather sofa and enjoy a film on a big screen, caters for 25 people, 20:00, booking recommended – 01628 488404. 23: ‘Burns Night’ at Cookham Dean Village Hall from 7.30pm. Tickets from The Jolly Farmer 25: ‘Boutique Cinema – “The Man from U.N.C.L,E” at Claytons Marlow, sit back and sip a cocktail or grab some food on a comfy leather sofa and enjoy a film on a big screen, caters for 25 people, 20:00, booking recommended – 01628 488404. 28: ‘The BBO Berks, Bucks & Oxon Big Bands Charity Concerts, 17 piece Big Band with two Vocalists at The Royal British Legion. 30: ‘Marlow Transition Town Community Market’ local crafts and produces, refreshments available at Liston Hall, 09:30-13:00. 30: ‘Marlow Community Choir at Borlase – presents Johannes Brahms Ein Deutches Requiem German Requiem and Edward Elgar From The Bavarian Highlands’ at All Saints Church, High Wycombe, 19:30 doors open 19:00 tickets £13, concessions and U18’s £11 – www.mccab.org.uk or 07746 307218 for tickets.

FEBRUARY 01: ‘Boutique Cinema at Claytons Marlow, sit back and sip a cocktail or grab some food on a comfy leather sofa and enjoy a film on a big screen, caters for 25 people, 20:00, booking recommended –

01628 488404. 02: ‘Marlow & District Wine Circle – Beekeeping – Paul Hurley’, we are a social club who have an interest of wine and beer, at Liston Hall, 20:00-22:00 – 07882 102179. 02: Tea Dance at Flackwell Heath Community Centre, 14:00-16:00 £5 per person – 07891 614491. 02: ‘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! 03/10: ‘Wednesday Lectures’ at Hughenden Manor, popular free lecture series, topics this year include salvaging Hughenden’s library and Disraeli and the music hall, 14:00-15:00, free event but normal admission applies – 01494 755573. 04: ‘Circle Dance in Lane End Village Hall, HP14 3EY, 14:00-16:00, come and join in for some gentle dancing to beautiful music from around the world, £4, no experience or partner needed – 01235 520608. 04: ‘Behind the Scene Tour’ join a member of the house team for a tour behind the scenes, see our conservation work in action and get a sneak peek in to some of Hughenden’s rooms which are not normally on view, 11:00-11:45, £4 plus normal admission to book call – 01494 755573. 08: ‘Boutique Cinema at Claytons Marlow, sit back and sip a cocktail or grab some food on a comfy leather sofa and enjoy a film on a big screen, caters for 25 people, 20:00, booking recommended – 01628 488404. 10: ‘U3A Henley on Thames – Stefan white – Skullduggery in the shrubbery.’ at YMCA Hall, Noble Road, Henley on Thames, RG9 1NZ. U3A members £1 and non-members £2. Prompt 2pm start, followed by tea and biscuits. Free parking. Penny Evans 07901 674779 www.u3asites.org.uk/henley-on-thames

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 VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

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Out & About 15: ‘Boutique Cinema at Claytons Marlow, sit back and sip a cocktail or grab some food on a comfy leather sofa and enjoy a film on a big screen, caters for 25 people, 20:00, booking recommended – 01628 488404.

03: ‘Circle Dance in Lane End Village Hall, HP14 3EY, 14:00-16:00, come and join in for some gentle dancing to beautiful music from around the world, £4 no experience or partner needed – 01235 520608.

19: Marlow Jazz Club -‘The Long Overdue Return on The Genius of Djgango-Style Guitar: Gary Potter & Trio’ at The Royal British Legion, £10 – 01628 486571.

05: ‘Henley Design Day’ at Henley Town Hall from 10-3pm

22: ‘Boutique Cinema at Claytons Marlow, sit back and sip a cocktail or grab some food on a comfy leather sofa and enjoy a film on a big screen, caters for 25 people, 20:00, booking recommended – 01628 488404. 25: ‘The BBO Berks, Bucks & Oxon Big Bands Charity Concerts, 17 piece Big Band with two Vocalists at The Royal British Legion. 25: ‘Marlow Archaeological Society – Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Part 2 – Paul Garwood’ jointly arranged with Archaeology in Marlow at Liston Hall, SL7 1DD, 20:00, £4, members £3, students £1.50 – 01628 523895 27: ‘Marlow Transition Town Community Market’ local crafts and produces, refreshments available at Liston Hall, 09:30-13:00 28. Norden Farm Festival Chorus and Orchestra perform Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music, Schubert Mass in G, Bach Brandenburg Concerto No.3 and Howard Goodall Eternal Light. 3pm, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead. Tickets 01628 788997. 29: ‘Boutique Cinema at Claytons Marlow, sit back and sip a cocktail or grab some food on a comfy leather sofa and enjoy a film on a big screen, caters for 25 people, 20:00, booking recommended – 01628 488404.

MARCH 01: ‘Marlow & District Wine Circle – My Family & Other Setbacks – Mel Rees’, we are a social club who have an interest of wine and beer, at Liston Hall, 20:00-22:00 – 07882 102179. 01: ‘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! 01: Tea Dance at Flackwell Heath Community Centre, 14:00-16:00 £5 per person – 07891 614491.

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07: ‘Boutique Cinema at Claytons Marlow, sit back and sip a cocktail or grab some food on a comfy leather sofa and enjoy a film on a big screen, caters for 25 people, 20:00, booking recommended – 01628 488404. 09: ‘U3A Henley on Thames – John Ambrose – Tax, Care and Toy Boys.’ at YMCA Hall, Noble Road, Henley on Thames, RG9 1NZ. U3A members £1 and non-members £2. Prompt 2pm start, followed by tea and biscuits. Free parking. Penny Evans 07901 674779 www. u3asites.org.uk/henley-on-thames 10: ‘Marlow Archaeological Society – Searching for daily life and community in Anglo-Saxon settlements – Dr Sally Crawford’ at Liston Hall, SL7 1DD, 20:00, £4, members £3, students £1.50 – 01628 523895. 14: ‘Boutique Cinema at Claytons Marlow, sit back and sip a cocktail or grab some food on a comfy leather sofa and enjoy a film on a big screen, caters for 25 people, 20:00, booking recommended – 01628 488404. 19: Marlow FC v Larkhall Athletic, League Match at Oaktree Road, Marlow 15:00. 21: ‘Boutique Cinema at Claytons Marlow, sit back and sip a cocktail or grab some food on a comfy leather sofa and enjoy a film on a big screen, caters for 25 people, 20:00, booking recommended – 01628 488404. 24: Archaeology in Marlow – “Archaeology Treasures Discovered Recently in Bucks” ros Tyrrell, Bucks Finds Liaison Officer, in The Garden Room of Liston Hall, members £3, non members £4, 20:00. 26: ‘Marlow Transition Town Community Market’ local crafts and produces, refreshments available at Liston Hall, 09:30-13:00 28: ‘Boutique Cinema at Claytons Marlow, sit back and sip a cocktail or grab some food on a comfy leather sofa and enjoy a film on a big screen, caters for 25 people, 20:00, booking recommended – 01628 488404. 31: ‘The BBO Berks, Bucks & Oxon Big Bands Charity Concerts, 17 piece Big Band with two Vocalists at The Royal British Legion.

INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELLING & INTERPERSONAL SKILLS COURSE 14th January – 24th March 2016 10am-12pm every Thursday at the Christ Church Centre in Henley. Riverside Counselling Service is a charity that has been providing affordable counselling to people in the Henley area for over 25 years, and we now work from premises in Wallingford as well. One of our goals has always been to increase knowledge, awareness and understanding of counselling and mental health as people have many reasons for taking an introductory counselling course. The course will again be led by Teresa Johnstone, our Chair of Trustees. She is an experienced therapist with a private practice in Hurst and she also teaches on the counselling training courses at Birkbeck College, University of London. The cost for the 10-week course is £210. If you would like more information or a registration form please look on our website

www.riversidecounsellingservice.co.uk, email us at centremanager@riversidecounsellingservice.co.uk

or leave a message on 07879 381334.

ONGOING EVENTS - MARKETS Maidenhead Produce Market 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month on Maidenhead High Street The Farmers Market, 2nd Sunday of the month from 10:00, Grove Street Car Park Bourne End Country Market product. Small Hall 10 - 12 , Every Friday Henley Farmers Market, every 4th Thursday in Falaise Square, Henley, 8:30-14:00 Bourne End Community and Craft Market second Saturday of every month 10:00 - 13:00 in the Jackson Room of Bourne End Library. TTM last Saturday of every month | 9:30 13:00 | Liston Hall, Chapel St, Marlow | 07904 369829

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Out & About ONGOING EVENTS - General

What’s On at the Regal We are looking forward to some very strong performances in the new year in the run up to awards season. The Heart Of The Sea stars Chris Hemsworth in the story that inspired Moby Dick. It looks set to be a breathtaking adventure filled with sea, survival, and a massive whale! The Danish Girl serves as another showcase for Eddie Redmayne’s talent and poignantly explores thought-provoking themes in this beautifully filmed biopic drama. Jennifer Lawrence returns to the big screen to weave her acting magic in Joy, giving an impeccable portrayal of the real-life character Joy Mangano, the entrepreneurial woman behind the Miracle Mop. Plus, we enjoy intense performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy in Revenant. DiCaprio plays Frontiersman Hugh Glass who is set on vengeance after being left for dead in the wintry American Frontier in the 1800s. Room, a favourite amongst book clubs, transfers to the big screen. Both highly suspenseful and deeply emotional it is a unique and touching exploration of the boundless love between a mother and her child. We also enjoy a cinema remake of Dad’s Army, the classic sitcom that many of us grew up with. Met Opera Encore: Les Pecheurs De Perles Bizet’s gorgeous opera of lust and longing set in the Far East returns to the Met stage for the first time in 100 years. Live Sat 16 Jan, 5.55pm Encore Mon 18 Jan, 1.00pm ROH Live : Two Pigeons/Rhapsody This delightful Frederick Ashton double bill opens with his setting of Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Tues 26 Jan, 7.15pm Holocaust Memorial Day: My Nazi Legacy A poignant, thought-provoking account of friendship and the toll of inherited guilt, WHAT OUR FATHERS DID explores the relationship between two men, each of whom are the children of very high-ranking Nazi officials and possess starkly contrasting attitudes toward their fathers. Wed 27 Jan, 6.30pm NT Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses National Theatre Live brings the highly anticipated new production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses to cinemas broadcast live from the Donmar Warehouse. Thu 28 Jan, 7.00pm Met Opera: Turandot Christine Goerke, Lise Lindstrom and Nina Stemme, three of opera’s greatest dramatic sopranos, take turns in the title role of the proud princess of ancient China. Live Sat 30 Jan, 5.55pm Encore Mon 1 Feb, 1.00pm ROH Live: La Traviata La Traviata is regarded as one of Verdi’s finest operas, and Richard Eyre’s traditional staging, is one of The Royal Opera’s most popular productions. Thu 4 Feb, 6.45pm Exhibition On Screen: Goya Goya is not only a brilliant observer of everyday life and Spain’s troubled past, he is a gifted portrait painter and social commentator par excellence. Mon 22 Feb, 6.30pm NT Live: As You Like It Shakespeare’s glorious comedy of love and change comes to the National Theatre for the first time in over 30 years. Thu 25 Feb, 7.00pm Regal Picturehouse, 2 Boroma Way, Henley RG9 2BZ | 0871 902 5738 www.picturehouses.co.uk

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Marlow Art & Craft Society 1st Thursday in month | 19:30 Marlow Bottom Village Hall Marlow Antique bric-a-brac fair 1st Saturday of the month at Liston Hall | 9:00 - 16:00 Marlow Museum | Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays | 1pm to 5pm | www.marlowmuseum.org | Pound Lane opposite the Leisure Club Marlow Camera Club every Tuesday with a prearranged programme on Tuesday evenings | 19:45 - 20:0 | The Methodist Church Hall, Spittal Street, Marlow, SL7 3HJ Henley Photographic Club pre-arranged programme on Tuesday evenings | 20:00 - 22:00 | YMCA Hall, off Waterman’s Road, Henley www.henleyphotoclub.comStanley Spencer Gallery 2nd April - 1st November 2015 | 10:30 - 17:30 daily Speak Spanish in Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield High School Wednesdays | 19:30 | Suitable for all levels except beginners | Tony on 07947 508755 | anthony.mitchelmore@sky.com 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 in Maidenhead www.eastberksrspb.org.uk Maidenhead Archaeology society last Wednesday of the month | WRVS, Maidenhead, | 630 839 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 Henley and Goring Ramblers regular walks programme available www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk/HG.htm Cookham & Cookham Dean Horticultural Society last Wednesday of the month from January May & September - November | 19:30 | Cookham Dean Village Hall clairephillpot@btinternet.com Maidenhead National Trust second Thursday every month but August | 19:45 | Altwood School, Maidenhead | 01753 516502 Jazz held at The Hedsor Social Club, Hedsor Road, Bourne End, Bucks, SL8 5ES every Thursday Evening from 8.30 pm. We have a regular band, The Clive Burton Quintet, plus many famous guests. Entrance is £6, with free parking right outside.

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Great Barrier Reef

ugh David Attenboro

By Sam Wylie-Harris

Attenborough's Reef Encounter Exploding in the darkness, thousands of astral flecks dance andsparkle, forming brilliant clusters like galaxies in the night sky. Alien shapes float past me as I hang weightlessly, freed temporarily from the constraints of gravity and suspended above a world which I struggle to identify as my own.

Only when I hoist my head out of the salty seawater and fill my lungs with air do I finally return to reality. Above, stars beam brightly from another universe but just metres below, in a liquid underworld, there’s an even more extraordinary spectacle to behold. I’m lucky enough to be witnessing coral spawning, a mass reproduction which happens only once a year around the time of a full moon. Guided by torchlight, I’m snorkelling along Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, where millions of coral polyps are simultaneously releasing egg and sperm bundles in what resembles an underwater meteor shower.

nature’s greatest wonders”.

Mangrove Beach, Lizard Island

The wildlife enthusiast first dived here in 1957, and almost 60 years later he’s completed a three-part series due to be screened on BBC One this Christmas. Travelling on board 56m research vessel Alucia and using a Triton submersible, he took part in the deepest dives ever attempted on the Barrier Reef. During a three-week filming schedule, he visited Lizard Island, a remote, granite continental island 33km off the Queensland coast, where I’m fortunate enough to be experiencing the remarkable coral spawning. After a 50-minute flight from Cairns in a Cessna light aircraft, stingray-shaped Lizard and neighbouring smaller islands (part of the Lizard Island Group) come into view, with turquoise ribbons fringing each land mass. From above, it’s easy to identify the damage wreaked by two cyclones in 2014 and earlier this year, when almost 85% of vegetation was lost.

Eventually they will rise to the surface and fertilise, then sink to the ocean floor to become part of the largest natural structure on Earth.

Following a major refurbishment, the island’s only hotel, the upscale Lizard Island Resort, reopened in June, allowing tourists the opportunity to explore this protected National Park.

Measuring 2600km long, made up of 3000 coral reefs and hosting more than 1600 species of fish, the Great Barrier Reef is, according to naturalist Sir David Attenborough, “one of

To get my bearings, I hike to the island’s highest point, Cook’s Look, famously scaled by explorer Captain James Cook in 1770, as he searched for a safe passage through the surrounding shoals.

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I set off on the three-hour round trip at 6am to escape the searing

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

heat, making my way through a mangrove swamp and scrambling across steep boulders sprouting kapok trees between crevices.

originally consisted of six academics camping on a beach in army tents. Now it accommodates 350 researchers every year, whose work focuses on the health of the Reef and ways it could be better managed.

Yellow-spotted monitors - who inspired Captain Cook’s choice of name for the island - skulk timidly into the shade, as trilling, yellowbellied sunbirds compete with the constantly whistling wind, while flitting through wispy fronds of purple kangaroo grass. Excavated shell middens indicate Lizard’s first visitors came here more than 3000 years ago, when young Dingaal Aboriginal males would learn survival skills during a rite of passage. Surveying the terrain, I imagine it would be extremely challenging to make a living on this rocky, weather-beaten land. Coral spawning

TV crews, including Attenborough’s team, also come here to film; recently a BBC crew were gathering footage for a nature documentary about oceans, due to air in a couple of years.

Guided tour of Lizard Island Research Station

Breathing through a snorkel, I hover above a garden of furled, stony rose petals and clusters of tangled branches. Clown fish peer through the waving, rubbery fronds of anemones and giant clams, some as big as a suitcase, gape open, revealing their colourful treasures. But damage caused by successive cyclones is obvious; calcified coral skeletons litter the seabed and remains of much larger corals are signs of a once healthy fringing reef. Over time, they will grow back, but it could take up to a decade. Yet even in it’s damaged state, it’s still an astounding place.

From 360m above sea level, I try to pick out Lizard’s 24 white sand beaches, seeping into the South Pacific Ocean and the Coral Sea. The resort can arrange trips to the pristine outer reef, where dive sites include Cod Hole and the ominous sounding Snake Pit, although these are not daily. In fact, anyone wanting to scuba dive should plan to stay for at least three or four nights, to allow rest periods before and after flights. Short on time, my boyfriend and I use a motorised dinghy boat to explore the island’s shallow fringing reefs and go snorkelling. “People say, ‘What is the most magical thing you saw in your life; the most magical moment?’,” says Sir Attenborough in the first episode of his new Great Barrier Reef programme, due to air in late December. “I always say, the first time I put on a mask and went below the surface and moved in three dimensions with just the flick of my fin.” Those words resonate with me as I immerse myself in another awesome world, where time is quickly forgotten as minutes slip easily into hours.

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The alarming deterioration of coral reefs is a worldwide concern, with various theories proposed for the rapid decline. In search of answers, I head to The Lizard Island Research Station, one of the world’s leading on-reef research facilities. Lizard Island Resort arranges regular tours to the station, for 65 Australian dollars per person, with money donated directly to the facility. Set up in 1973 with support from the Australian Museum, the station

I’m guided around the centre by Jamie McWilliam, a Scottish PHD student conducting research into sounds transmitted underwater. “In the last 30 years, there has been a 50% decrease in coral,” he tells me gravely. Climate change, and subsequent rising water temperature, is one of the key causes of coral bleaching, while fertilizer run-off from the land is also highlighted as a killer. One of the main threats to the Great Barrier Reef is the crown-of-thorns starfish, a parasite ballooning in numbers due to disruption of the delicate marine ecosystems. Jamie is confident though that with care and attention, the beauty of the Reef can be saved. David Attenborough has an equally positive outlook. As he says: “It would be untruthful and unnecessarily sensationalist to say, ‘Oh yes, it’s all ruined since I was there last time’. “The beauty is so profound and deep, and the wonders to see are so sensational that even if they have diminished, it’s just one of the most wonderful places in the world.”

Travel Facts Sarah Marshall was a guest of luxury Australia specialist Bridge & Wickers (020 3642 8551; www.bridgeandwickers.co.uk), who offer a tailor-made 10-day Lizard Island and rainforest stay from £3,785 pp. Price includes three all-inclusive nights on Lizard Island, three nights at Silky Oaks Lodge in Daintree National Park and three nights at Port Douglas’ Peninsula Boutique Hotel. The price also includes Cathay Pacific flights from Heathrow via Hong Kong, domestic flights and private transfers throughout. Cathay Pacific (www.cathaypacific.co.uk; 0208 834 8888) flies from London Heathrow to Hong Kong five times daily and from Manchester to Hong Kong four times per week, and onwards to over 190 destinations globally. Lead in return fares from Heathrow to Cairns are from £989 in economy. Great Barrier Reef With David Attenborough airs on BBC One on Wednesday, December 30

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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 Maidenhead 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

01491 628284 01491 573943 01491 636253 01491 574499 01491 57774 01491 57671 01491 57927 01491 572230 01491 576988 01491 573958 01491 576929 01491 577909 07989 396210 07901 674779

MARLOW Liston Hall 472558 Archaeology in Marlow 72126 Marlow Archaeological Society 523896 Bowls 485274 Boxing 01494 532826 Crafts 473872/473539 Football 483970 Hockey 521830 Plants (Orchids) 486640 Petanque 521783

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Photography 483030 Rugby 483911/477054 Marlow Striders 475548 Four Seasons Club 474095 Tennis 483638 New Marlow Tennis Academy 488438 Rifle & Pistol Club 01494 676676 ALF (Longridge) 486595 Marlow & District Wine Society 483294 Marlow Society/History 476140 MOAS 07899 867757 Rotary Club 01494 530952 LETS 01494 523978 U3A 485220/488865 Community Choir 602581/661182 Railway Society 486433 Choral Society 472998 Marlow Orators 07738 540287 COUNCIL SERVICES MARLOW Bus Services 0871 200 2233 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 HOSPITALS NHS 24 111 St Mark’s Hospital 01628 632012 Wycombe 01494 526161 Townlands Community Hospital 01491 637400 Cookham Medical Centre 810242 POLICE Non Emergency 101 Emergency 999 Congratulations to our winners from the November/December edition ‘Rome’ by Katie Caldesi : Ken Harris Two Together Rail Card – Carole Reardon Posh Paws Mat: Patricia Havenga

VIVID | JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2016

Winner of ‘Best 5 Star Venue’ WEDDING DATES AWARDS

STOKE PARK

WEDDING SHOWCASE - Sunday 21st February 2016

An intimate Wedding Showcase, designed to give you an insight into Stoke Park as a Wedding Venue – whether you’ve booked your special day here with us already or have yet to decide, this is the perfect opportunity to see our beautiful ceremony rooms dressed in all their splendour. Our experienced Wedding Co-ordinator and Events Team will be on hand throughout the day to give guided tours and answer any questions you may have about holding your special day here with us, at Stoke Park. Entry from 10:30am until 3pm – there is no entry fee and no need to book. Appointments will be available throughout the day with our Wedding and Events Co-ordinators, please note it is advisable to book these before the day to avoid disappointment. Please contact our Wedding Co-ordinator on 01753 717188 or weddings@stokepark.com Stoke Park, Park Road, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire SL2 4PG. 35 minutes from London and 7 miles from Heathrow Airport