Eye Magazine, November 2021 - Mortimer, Burghfield, Theale, Spencers Wood and Surrounds by Village Eye Magazines

PRICELESS! Priceless!

Issue 106 November 2021 reaching 13,000 households THURSDAY 9TH DEC - SUNDAY 2ND JAN

WIN! LOCAL Panto Tickets Course FIREWORKS AA Pilates Hair Makeover GUIDE A Wreath Making Workshop

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What’s inside... 4. Community News Who do you know in our Community News round-up? We’ve been finding out all the news from around the villages to make sure we keep you up to date! 6-7. It’s Panto time at The Anvil with Joe McFadden in the starring role. This is one not to be missed… and you can win tickets, too! 10. Eye on Celebrity After taking the music world by storm, Lady Gaga looks set to do the same in film. Find out more about her latest project. 16. Watch Out! Are you a Smartwatch fan? They certainly have their benefits, but it’s worth thinking about the downsides, too. We weigh up the arguments. 20. Eye on Style Holly shares her Novemberinspired Home Styling tips which include vintage glass, home office styling and lanterns…cosy! 22-23. On The Move Are you planning a home move in 2021? Perhaps your dream home is right here. Take a look at what’s on offer…

24-31 Pink Pages Find your local trusted trades within our Pink Pages. If you’re an electrician, a roofer, a windows installer or providing any other trade to our local community, get listed! Give our friendly team a call on 0118 933 33 11. 34. Your Local Fireworks Guide Find your local trusted trades within our Pink Pages. If you’re an electrician, a roofer, a windows installer or providing any other trade to our local community, get listed! Give our friendly team a call on 0118 933 33 11. 36. Screen Time Our regular Movies and TV columnist, Rob Barnes, brings us his thoughts on three new releases this month: No Time to Die, Squid Game and The Guilty. If you’re planning a trip to the cinema or an evening of Netflix, read this first! 39. Puzzle Page Grab yourself a cuppa and check out our selection of fireworks themed puzzles. 42. Perfect Pilates Pilates is well-known for its gentle approach to fitness, while yielding impressive results.

Eye Magazines is brought to you by Pinktomato Ltd, a local, independent creative design and marketing company. All content within the publication is copyright of Village Eye. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for views or opinions expressed by contributors or for the accuracy of claims made by the advertisers. All dates, times, URLs and telephone numbers are understood to be correct at the time of submission to print. Registered Address: Butlers Lands Farm, Mortimer, RG7 2AG

keep it local!

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Heo N ember! It’s November, surely that means we’re now allowed to get a little bit Christmassy! We bring you deals and details for Christmas hair, Christmas food, Christmas trees and advent calendars! Too much? “Oh no it isn’t” because our cover sponsor this month is The Anvil in Basingstoke who are staging their annual pantomime from Thursday 9th December and this year it is ‘the tale as old as time’ Beauty and the Beast, starring Joe McFadden from Holby City and Strictly! Tickets are on sale now from The Anvil box office. And it gets better…The Anvil has teamed up with Village Eye magazine to offer a fantastic competition to win a family ticket to the pantomime. Full details on how to enter can be found on p7. Good luck! We have some other fabulous competitions for you in this issue, too. Do you like to keep fit or are you planning a return to fitness? Find out more about how Pilates can help you on page 8 and be in with a chance of winning a course of Pilates lessons with Berkshire Pilates. We have also teamed up with Elizabeth Kempson Hairdressing in Mortimer to offer a fabulous Hair Makeover for one lucky

Gold Member

PINKTOMATO

Editor: Sub Editor: Social/Design: Beauty:

winner. Elizabeth and her team really know their stuff when it comes to cuts, colours, up-dos and everything ‘hair’ so if your locks need a little attention, turn to p.13 to enter. Staying in the Christmas spirit, Georgie’s Florist is also offering our readers the chance to win two places at one of their popular wreath-making workshops. Turn to page 40 to find out how to enter and bring home your very own festive door wreath. If you are a local business and would like to talk to us about offering a prize to our readers, please do get in touch. Its a great way to promote your business and reach beyond village boundaries! As ever, we’d like to say a very big thank you to all our advertisers, our contributors and our readers for making Village Eye the area’s favourite local magazine. If you are responding to any advert or feature, please do remember to mention the magazine to them.

Hellen & the Team x

Hellen Shaw Jackie Stuart Holly Chrisp Amelia Baird

Film Buff: Gardening: Finance: Travel: Fitness:

To contribute, advertise or let us know your news, please call the team 0118 933 3311 or email hello@eyemagazines.co.uk

Rob Barnes Jordan Curtis Mark Penston Michelle Goulding Steve Shreeve

Bloomin’ Marvellous! Congratulations to the winners of Burghﬁeld in Bloom and a big thank you to the judges Caroline Boardman and Brenda Valentine for assessing the entries for the very ﬁrst year of this new competition. Organiser, Sarah Pollard, presented the prizes on one of the last balmy evenings of the year. The prizes were generously donated by local businesses including The Baobab, Dads Shop, Dobbies, The Flowerstalk and Henry Street Garden Centre.

This year’s winners were Louise Thomas for her hanging basket in memory of her mum, Stephanie Awebury for her beautiful flower pots and The Clemens family’s children Peter, Luke and Jason for the Tallest Sunflower. Next year will have the added theme of red, white and blue in recognition of the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend in June so why not follow the Burghfield in Bloom Facebook page for further announcements?

CAT-ASTROPHE IN WEST BERKSHIRE!

It’s not the ﬁrst time that Village Eye has featured the rumour of big cats being spotted in the West Berkshire countryside. Before now, the most recent was back in 2018 when rumours abounded of The Beast of Spencers Wood - a black puma-type cat - of which there were quite a few consecutive sightings, right across to Mortimer. However, despite a Reading University expert conﬁrming that, theoretically, big cats could survive in our local countryside, there has never been any hard evidence of their existence with photographs being near non-existent. So when we heard another story more recently, potentially involving a wild big cat, we

just had to ﬁnd out more! This story started with the spotting of a mutilated deer carcass by the roadside off Engleﬁeld Road. Justyn Fry from Aldermaston was driving with his wife when he saw it and he could see that the deer had not been there a long time. He just didn’t know what animal could have caused that damage to the deer. He said it was like something you would expect to see on safari. There was no further clue as to what had happened to the deer, but sightings like this only fuel the persistent rumours that there is some sort of big cat living locally. Meow-zers!

LOCAL BUSINESS WINS NATIONAL

COMMUNITY AWARD Dream Doors is a local kitchen makeover company but during the pandemic their showroom was completely transformed into a massive food bank donation centre. And it’s for this outstanding community work that Adrian and Lesley Wallace were awarded Community Champion of the Year at the kbbreview Retail and Design Awards, hosted by Joel Dommett. Lesley said: “I want to express a huge thank you to everyone involved: for every leaﬂet printed & posted, every mile walked and driven, every tin, packet, bag and box collected, every supportive message, every social media reply and every smile and wave at doorsteps and the warehouse. “The contributions from March 2020 until March 2021 equated to 12% of all donations to the West Berks Food bank.” Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved. This really was quite an operation and all to help our neighbours in need.

eye

Comm ity News

GOING THE DISTANCE

ast month saw the 41st annual London Marathon take place with more than 40,000 runners and a return to its iconic central London route. And, with another 40,000 taking on the virtual event, this year’s marathon felt more meaningful than ever after 18 months of uncertainty.

Since the very ﬁrst London Marathon in 1981 there have been over one million runners completing it. We’re delighted to report that we can now add some local runners to that impressive total. The Burghﬁeld Running Club (BRC) had members both in the London Marathon and also running the Virtual London Marathon. BRC members running the London Marathon included Chris Paul, Penny Evans, Amanda Claire and Gary Yeardley who took part raising

hundreds and thousands of pounds. Other BRC members took part in a 26.2 mile (42 km) set of loops around Burghfield, Mortimer and Padworth. They were encouraged and supported by other club members who kept them fed, watered and ran alongside to keep them company! Burghfield Running Club (BRC) is a friendly non-affiliated group of residents who enjoy walking, jogging, running and socialising around the streets and woods of Burghfield.

You can run your NHS Couch to 5k with them with all the support that entails.

They have over 450 members with regular runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays for experienced runners and Wednesdays/Thursdays and Saturdays for beginners. They have many experienced 5k, 10k, half and full Marathon runners along with Triathletes and Ultra-Runners. They have a friendly Starters group with easy local loops and advice and support.

Massive congratulations to all the local residents who ran the London Marathon or Virtual London Marathon. You are all amazing and inspiring!

Many local Facebook users will be familiar with the name Lynn Mansﬁeld from her posts about rehoming exbattery hens. Lynn runs Reading Fresh Start For Hens and often appeals on the local village pages for homes for hens that are rescued from battery farms and the charity is part of a national organisation.

Hen-Picked

Here at Village Eye, we were delighted to hear that four rescued hens from Fresh Start For Hens Bonnie, Hermione, Mirabel and Susan - came to the rescue themselves recently. Channel 5 were ﬁlming Episode 3 of the hit show All Creatures Great and Small when the crew’s hired chickens failed to turn up on time. The crew put an SOS call out to local farmers in a desperate attempt to borrow some hens to star as extras - and this is how the girls saved the day!

The rescue hens took part in the shoot alongside actor Samuel West, who plays vet Siegfried Farnon. The foursome were all given a second chance when they were adopted from the Fresh Start for Hens charity after their commercial laying days were over. It is reported that they were very well-behaved during the scene, which required them to sit in nesting boxes. If you are interested in rehoming some ex-commercial hens (or ducks!) you can get in touch with Lynn through her Facebook page Reading Fresh Start For Hens.

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Big Boobie Bonanza Raises over £8K for cancer charities Recently, local breast cancer awareness evangelist (and in our opinion, total hero) Stephanie Glanville organised The Big Boobie Bonanza, a mahoosive fundraising event in aid of Macmillan and CoppaFeel at Trunkwell House in Beech Hill. The event which had over 50 craft, food and shopping stalls, prize stalls, Disney characters, rides, a BBQ and Bar was well-

supported by local businesses too, with over 1800 people turning up on the day, raising a whopping £8K between them! Steph told us that she is so grateful to her army of volunteers, local businesses and all those who came along on the day. “I just want to raise awareness” she said. Her message remains clear. “Check your boobies!”

Win a Pilates Course!

eye W

of Madonna, Kate Winslet and Cameron If you’ve ever wondered why the likes s answer is simple. They all include Pilate Diaz look so amazing for their years, the looking at ways to are you if So, e... routin ise exerc lar as a part of their regu want control and endurance, you may well strengthen your core, stability, muscle about more read To ! body e whol your tone to consider Pilates as a great way to omenon turn to page 42. this increasingly popular exercise phen to we have a taster course to give away Courtesy of Berkshire Pilates in Shinﬁeld, code or qr the over r hove ing, winn of ce one lucky reader. To be in with a chan er the following question: visit www.eyemagazines.co.uk and answ Berkshire Pilates’ studio is based in which local village? a: Mortimer, b: Grazeley, c: Shinﬁeld

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To contribute, advertise or let us know your news please call 0118 933 3311 or email hello@eyemagazines.co.uk Follow us to keep updated, locally

My Pick

Charlotte Tilbury Shake Your Beauty 12 Day Advent Calendar charlottetilbury.com £150 This beautiful 12 day advent calendar holds some of Charlotte’s best makeup and skincare secrets!

Revolution You Are The Revolution Advent Calendar 2021 £40 Featuring 25 days of new and exclusive Revolution products and accessories, including lipsticks, highlighters, makeup brushes, and more.

LUSH 24 day advent calendar lush.com £185 Includes 25 vegan products, all wrapped up in 100% recycled materials.

Benefit The MORE The Merrier Beauty Advent Calendar benefitcosmetics.com £58.50 From Benefit’s brow bestsellers & mascaras, to pore primers & face powders. Open one door every day for the 12 days of Christmas. Worth £132.46

Countdown to Crimbo

It seems that everyone is getting in on the beauty advent market this year. Whether you’re on a budget or on a mission to splash some cash this year, here are my festive favourites to ensure that your countdown is filled with surprises. Creams, potions, aromas and lotions, all guaranteed to bring some seasonal cheer.

MAC 24 day Advent Calendar maccosmetics.co.uk £135 An optical-illusion keepsake case tricked out with mini and major surprises for you to unbox each day... The gems in this box is equivalent to £340

ail me at To get in touch, em .co.uk ye amelia@villagee

Bug’s Beauty 9

GAGA

eye

Celebrity

Lady Gaga’s versatility was once only thought of across genres of music, or as she bounced between octaves in creating chart-topping soundscapes on both sides of the Atlantic. The fact she has now captured the same variation on the big screen consider the profound difference in playing Lady Gucci (Patrizia Reggiani) in House of Gucci, versus the reticent, uncertain Ally Maine in A Star is Born, opposite Bradley Cooper - and the performer’s swaying between creative modes appears almost ﬂawless. That Ridley Scott is behind House of Gucci makes the attention to detail, the ability to sit in the moment, and the credibility of all involved, perfectly judged. The highly-anticipated biopic details the incredible twists and turns in the business and personal relationships of Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), Paolo Gucci (Jared Leto) – whose body transformation is worth the cinema entrance fee alone – and Aldo Gucci (Al Pacino), amidst a backdrop of glamour, excess, arrogance and anger, which in many places is as sickly as it is stylish and has to be handled impeccably, and that’s the case here. “It’s a project that resonated to me on so many different levels, and it’s the kind of movie where you know it has the potential to become something really elegant and special,” the New York-born singer, songwriter and actress begins. “The reality is, probably only one in 10 of these projects end up coming out in the way you imagine. There will be a handful that simply fail, another few that work in places but overall leave you feeling a bit cheated. However, once in a while you will get something that matches up to the promise, and when I saw the rest of the cast, I just knew it was going to

be one of those occasions.” Filming had been long delayed because of Covid, and even when it began in earnest in February 2021, the crew had to substitute Italian fashion ﬁnesse with a bevy of health and safety rules and regulations. “Making movies is never as it looks like on screen – it’s a really false environment; very disjointed, very unglamorous. However, the Covid situation made it all the more that way. “At least usually on set you can relax back into yourself and have natural interactions with people. This time, we couldn’t even do that – it was very strange, but we got through it.” Filming was entirely in Italy, as you would imagine, with Rome as a central backdrop, although the Italian Alps feature heavily in parts too. And while critics have lauded over a representation that again shows Lady Gaga to be as adept in drama as she is music, the Gucci family have been less than impressed with the portrayal, even though the main subject of the biopic, Patrizia, now 72, initially labelled Gaga a “genius”. And of course, as a fashion aﬁcionado this was always going to be right up her street.

question. I won't get a cent from the ﬁlm. It is a question of good sense and respect.” A joint statement by the Guccis added, “Our family has an identity, privacy. We can talk about everything, but there is a borderline that cannot be crossed.” Regardless, critical reception is said to be overwhelmingly positive, with talk of awards already. A Star is Born landed Gaga an Oscar nomination - many would say for her ability to step outside of the person we thought her to be. In House of Gucci, the invitation to immerse herself in a perfectly designed role – she beat Scarlett Johansson to the tape – puts her right back in the mode and the mindset so familiar to her as a recording artist... glamour, glitz, grace and guile. On ﬁrst glance, few would doubt she can’t take that extra step from nomination to winner. House of Gucci opens in UK cinemas on 26th November

“So much of the creative inspiration in fashion that we take for granted can be traced back to the Gucci empire,” says Gaga. “It was a time when true creative artistry came out and spread its wings. “The whole mode was about looking the way that you wanted, feeling the way you wanted to feel and being the person that you wanted to be.” However, the artist’s decision not to meet the central character - for fear of her sullying or interfering with an interpretation that director Ridley Scott wanted to keep pure - is said to have frustrated the original Lady Gucci, and the wider family. By March 2021, Patrizia stated she was “annoyed” that Gaga had not contacted her to meet her and claimed that “it is not an economic

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To contribute, advertise or let us know your news please call 0118 933 3311 or email hello@eyemagazines.co.uk Follow us to keep updated, locally

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In the lead up to the festive season, many of us take a visit to the salon for an ‘update’. Whether you opt for a new style with this season’s choppy bob in chocolate or a strong fringe in cinnamon, we are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a cut, colour, restyle and blowdry with Elizabeth Kempson! With over 27 years experience in some of the best salons across Hertfordshire and Berkshire, Elizabeth and her team can’t wait to welcome the winner into their Mortimer salon. A beautiful space in which to relax, have some pampering time and escape from the hustle and bustle, you’ll leave feeling refreshed with a whole new ‘do’. To enter this fabulous competition, please hover your smartphone over the QR code or visit: www.eyemagazines.co.uk and answer the following...

Elizabeth Kempson’s salon is on which road in Mortimer?

A: East End B: South End C: West End

Love Hair is in the

Win an Autumn Hair Makeover!

Want to book an appointment, or ﬁnd out more about the hair treatments they oﬀer? Get in touch and they’ll be happy to discuss what they can do for you.

07748 922615

7 West End Road, Mortimer Common, RG7 3EE

www.elizabethkempsonhairdressing.co.uk Closing date for entries is midnight on 30th November and full Ts & Cs are available on our website.

SHOULD I CONSOLIDATE MY PENSIONS? Gone are the days when most people would work in the same job with the same company for decades. The landscape of modern work has shifted, resulting in many workers switching jobs as often as every five years, according to a recent BBC report. This means that, by the time you retire, you may have accrued a number of different pension funds with several different providers. This makes it really easy to lose track of some, fail to check whether they still offer good value and decent investment returns, or forget that they exist entirely. According to research from Scottish Widows, more than 3.6 million Brits don’t know how many pensions they have. Therefore, consolidating your pensions may have some merit. There are several benefits to consolidating your pensions. First and foremost, consolidation makes it so much easier to manage your pension fund, as you don’t need to remember the location of every last penny of your savings. With all your pension savings in one place, you only need to deal with one provider. It can make managing your savings much more straightforward. It also makes it easier to measure whether your fund is on track to meet your long-term financial goals and whether it will be able to support you for as long as you’d like.

While there are many advantages of consolidating your old pension pots, there are some factors to consider. Firstly, by consolidating you may be taking money out of pension funds that were performing very well. You may have existing funds that have generated excellent returns and may have low fees. Consolidating may also result in you missing out on certain benefits of your other pension schemes. These could potentially include early access, guaranteed annuity rates, or the ability to take more than 25% as a tax-free lump sum. Lastly, some schemes come with exit fees, which will be levied if you transfer your pension. Consolidating your pension is not a decision that should be made lightly. If you’re thinking of doing so, or you’re not sure whether it would be a good idea, get in touch with us. We can help clearly lay out your options and decide on what’s best for you. Contact us by email at info@blueskyifas.co.uk or call us on 01189 876655.

Jeremy Jackson is a chartered Financial Planner with Bluesky Chartered Financial Planners

(with a little help from us)

Lastly, consolidating your pensions together could give you access to a greater variation of investments. You may be able to choose more diverse funds, or those which align better with your goals and tolerance for risk. For example, your old pensions may be invested in funds which offer either too much or too little risk.

Additionally, consolidation may result in lower fees, which could save you money in the long run, depending on which fund you choose.

Jeremy

Make provision for the things you love

Personalised Financial Planning

For an initial consultation call us on:

0118 987 6655 info@blueskyifas.co.uk www.blueskyifas.co.uk

BLUESKY Chartered Financial Planners is a trading style of BLUESKY Independent Financial Advisers LLP which is authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.’

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PROTECTING YOUR LEGACY

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legal

CAN YOU

PROTECT YOUR

PENSION...

FROM

DIVORCE?

side from property, the most valuable assets in a divorce are usually pensions. It is not uncommon for one spouse to have a significantly larger pension than the other, particularly where one spouse has stayed at home to look after the children. Private pensions, occupational pensions and additional state pensions can all be shared in a divorce but the extent to which they are shared will depend on the circumstances of each case. Once a divorce is underway, each spouse will have to provide full disclosure of their financial resources, including pensions. The value of each pension will be considered alongside the value of all other assets, including the family home. Consideration will be given to the financial resources and needs of each spouse (both now and in the foreseeable future). Also, to when the pensions were accrued (i.e. before, during or after the marriage) and whether there are any grounds to ring-fence them. In cases where pension sharing is appropriate, the following approaches are taken:

1. Pension Sharing Orders - This is where one spouse receives a share of the other spouse’s pension at the point of divorce. Their share is transferred out of the existing scheme into in a new scheme of their choosing. This achieves a clean break at the point of divorce and gives the receiving spouse their own pension fund. 2. Pension Attachment Orders - This is where some or all of the pension beneﬁts are re-directed to the receiving spouse when the pension holder is able to receive them. This keeps the pension fund intact but fails to achieve a clean break. There are also a number of risks associated with this approach for the receiving spouse and so it is rarely used. 3. Offsetting - This is where the value of the pension is offset against the value of other assets, such as the family home. This has the beneﬁt of keeping the pension fund intact but at the expense of receiving a lesser share of other assets.

Stuart Duncan is a specialist Divorce and Family Solicitor at Rowberry Morris, based at our Tadley office. If you have any questions about divorce or separation, please contact Stuart on 0118 982 3774 or stuart.duncan@rowberrymorris.co.uk Tadley Office Sherfield House, Mulfords Hill, Tadley RG26 3XJ 0118 981 2992 info-tadley@rowberrymorris.co.uk FREE car park at rear of office Reading Office 17 Castle Street, Reading, RG1 7SB 0118 958 5611 info-reading@rowberrymorris.co.uk www.rowberrymorris.co.uk Offices also at Richmond and Staines

It is important to get advice at an early stage, particularly in the case of defined benefit schemes such as public sector and/or final salary schemes.

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WATCH OUT BAD BLUETOOTH

GETTING FIT

Unless you have a smartwatch SIM, then many of the features you may rely on will not work unless you are within around 300ft of a connected phone or other device.

The sheer act of investing in a smartwatch is what drives many people on to really fuel their activity ambitions. As with anything you have to invest in financially, you don’t want to see that money go to waste, so just the physical act of purchasing one is a great first step to getting fit.

CHARGED UP

MAINTAINING ACTIVITY

You may well forget to charge your phone one night, leading to the same frustration with a smartwatch of not being able to update your progress. As with all things, technology only operates properly when it’s being powered by something!

We’ve all been around people boasting of their step count and, while we allow them to dine out on the plaudits for a few minutes, the challenge always comes to better that total the following day. And with a device that offers instant updates and reports on activity, there is an addictive element to exercise that’s both inspiring and healthy.

INACCURACIES

SYNCING

If you’re relying solely on a smartphone for measuring something like your heart rate, it can actually be quite dangerous. Some people have reported missing a doctor’s appointment or not properly paying attention to what their body is telling them, because they think smartphone info is gospel. Oh and that sub four-minute mile your smartwatch insists you did the other day… we’ve got news!

While updates from a smartwatch are great, the ability to sync the results with a phone or computer is very useful, enabling the user to build a whole proﬁle of their performance, hopefully one that will show ﬁtness growing and improving over time.

THE HEIGHT OF TECH From measuring your step count each day and managing your health, including your heart rate, to keeping up-to-date with news, messages from work or friends, from checking the weather to listening to music, and even setting it up as a mobile wallet, this tiny gadget is a modern-day wonder available at the ﬂick of a wrist.

ALWAYS ON CALL

IT’S A SUBTLE WAY OF KEEPING IN TOUCH In many situations – such as work or a dinner party – the act of pulling out a mobile phone perhaps won’t go down too well. With a smartwatch, you can negate any accusations of possible bad manners, with people simply assuming you’re checking the time.

Those times when our phones are charging or away from our pocket can sometimes feel like bliss, yet a smartwatch can put you at risk of always being ‘on call’. With a phone on charge, those messages and phone calls have to wait, but a smartwatch means you’re tied to communication.

DISTRACTING

TECH Smartwatches A help or a hindrance?

If you’re on a journey, particularly when driving, it may be best for you to remove the smartwatch from your wrist and concentrate on reaching your destination. You wouldn’t do it with your phone, so why the smartwatch?

watch out HS single page.indd 1

04/10/2021 15:26

FRESH CHRISTMAS

TREES FESTIVE FLOWERS, CHRISTMAS WREATHS & ARRANGEMENTS

NOW AVAILABLE FOR

WREATH MAKING WORKSHOPS DETAILS ON PAGE 40

PRE-ORDER

FOR COLLECTION OR DELIVERY AFTER 25TH NOVEMBER We know the past 18 months or so has brought some challenges, so if you would rather stay in and order online, we will pick the perfect tree for you. All our trees are premium non drop Nordmann Firs and grown from sustainable English stock. Festive Flowers, Christmas Wreaths, Plants and Table Centres available for local delivery or collection. Use code VILLAGEEYE online for free local delivery!

We’re open from 0930-1700 Tuesday - Saturday 1 Burghfield Bridge Close Burghfield RG30 3RD

www.georgiesflorists.co.uk 0118 986 1467 or 07525 492 729

When you buy from a small local business, an actual person will probably do a happy dance!

hristmas shopping is one of the festive season’s most time-honoured traditions. And, this year in particular, we’re being urged to think a little harder about the gifts we buy and where we buy them from. While it’s considerably easier to shop with big companies, the impact of the pandemic means that we’re all being encouraged to shop locally. Indeed, almost half of small business owners say that if everyone in their local community spent just £5 extra per week with small businesses it would help them to stay open in the long term.

on social media to keep up to date with their latest deals and offers.

So how can we support our local communities? Our villages are lucky to have hundreds of small businesses and enterprises, not to mention farmers markets, Christmas fairs and special festive shopping events happening every week.

Always leave a review Before purchasing from a small business or visiting a restaurant, many of us turn to websites such as TripAdvisor and TrustPilot to see what others had to say about their experience. Leaving a positive review - even if it’s been a while since you visited or purchased - can help persuade others to become customers and could also help give staff and business owners a little morale boost at the same time.

We’ve pulled together some ideas for creative and meaningful ways you can support local businesses in the run-up to Christmas, which will hopefully inspire you to spend your money with those who’ll appreciate it the most. Spread it around When you’re out and about, try and prioritise local businesses over large brands where possible. For example, picking up your fruit and veg from a greengrocer instead of the supermarket will make a big difference to local sellers and suppliers. It’s also worth following them

Give vouchers and gift cards To help support some of your favourite local restaurants and watering holes, see if they’re offering gift vouchers and give friends and family a date night on you this Christmas. Rather than giving Christmas hampers or fancy wines and cheese, give a gift card that gives people the opportunity to go and choose a selection of goodies for themselves from a local supplier. You could also be creating a new customer for life.

Shop online while staying local Finally, search for online marketplaces that speciﬁcally support local businesses. Websites such as locallyuk.com and downyourhighstreet.co.uk help shoppers locate and buy from small businesses either in their area or from anywhere in the UK. For example, last year saw the launch of the phenomenally successful uk.bookshop.org, an online

bookstore set up to create revenue for independent book shops around the UK, where you can even buy from a speciﬁc local retailer if that’s your wish. To date they claim to have generated over £1.6 million for the UK’s independent bookstores. Pledge to Keep it Local this Christmas So why not commit to using some of your Christmas spending power locally this year? There’s a small business owner near you that will (a) notice and (b) celebrate your support.

by David McKenna

Business Travel

Did I Feel Safe?

October 2019 and I, like many others, was on yet another business trip that year. Everything was normal then, very routine and even the non seasoned travellers all knew the procedure when it came to flying. Fast forward two years and the first glimmer of an escape from our home island presented itself, a business trip to The Netherlands for a conference - the first one in Europe since the pandemic took hold and the first since the UK left the EU. Apprehension, uncertainty, concern and unknowns startled me as I found myself no longer that seasoned business traveller that knew what to do, where to do it and what to take with me. Everything had changed and I asked myself how comfortable I was with that. Firstly, did I feel safe at all times on the trip? Yes, absolutely everywhere. In fact knowing that every person around me had been through the same process -

2022

vaccines and multiple tests - it was actually the safest I'd felt in years. But, OMG, the forms, the process, the apps, the new accounts, the multiple tests (and booking of), the screenshots, a required visiting government invite, the health declarations, the passenger locator details, the QR codes, the conﬁrmation codes, text messages and emails that are all required before, during and after the trip really stretch your patience, not to mention the costs that are incurred in doing so. And if you've not been fully vaccinated you've got no chance as this is an early gate in the process. Flying really isn't a straight forward process any more. However, just like 9/11 made changes to ﬂying 20 years ago I'm sure that these will become more streamlined, integrated and accepted into our future. Good luck to my fellow business travellers as we start to get back to face to face business once again.

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During November you may notice a little more facial hair around than usual - and it’s all for a good cause.

This phenomenon is not down to a full moon or a sudden change of fashion, but rather, the fundraising event Movember. The aim of Movember is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, speciﬁcally prostate cancer and testicular cancer, by asking for sponsorship in return for growing a moustache across the course of the month. Are you man enough? According to Cancer Research UK, prostate cancer is the 4th most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 13% of new cases. The organisers of Movember have been working hard to bring this to the attention of all men and campaigned hard to change habits and attitudes men have about the health risks they face and to act on that knowledge, thereby increasing the chances of early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment. Since its humble beginnings in Australia, Movember has grown to become a truly global movement inspiring more than a million men to participate with formal campaigns across the world. Since its inception, The Movember Foundation has raised over $1 billion and funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects across more than 20 countries, focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. If you are one of the millions taking part around the globe then we salute you and at the end of the month, when your Mo-Grow is over, we invite you to post the pictures to our Facebook page facebook.com/villageeyemagazine For details about ways in which you can get involved and for further information about Prostate Cancer, please visit: uk.movember.com

in November

home styling Hello

November

Home

The autumn leaves are in full force and so we’ve put together some home styling ideas to bring into the home this November! From new glassware to coffee corner galore.

with Holly

Vintage Glassware If you love bringing a touch of vintage into your home, why not try going on a hunt for some vintage glassware to brighten up your cupboards? These amber coloured glasses were mainly manufactured in the 19th century and are the perfect colour for November night entertainment purposes.

A POP OF POTPOURRI Bear with me on this one… potpourri can be seen and thought of as very old fashion and outdated, but don’t count it out just yet! Potpourri can not only create a beautiful aroma in your home, but also can be used as decoration with the ability to mix and match smells, colours and the bowls, jars and boxes you hold them in.

orking from home has become one of the fastest growing business trends. No longer seen as an easy option or sneaking another duvet day, home working today is now far more about flexibility, work/life balance and improving productivity. So why not give your home office a little love? To start off, investing in a comfortable chair is investing in your physical health. If you sit for hours on end, being comfortable will go a long way in

eyemagazines.co.uk 20

aiding your productivity. Another way to add your own touch… A few green plants will not only add a dash of colour to your office space but also is known to increase happiness and reduce stress. One of the best parts about a home office is that you can totally dictate the look and feel to the room. Good decor won’t just make your office space feel more inviting, it’ll also make you feel more comfortable in that environment and boost your work ethic.

Home

with Holly

MAKE WAY FOR A COFFEE CORNER

Who doesn’t love a cuppa? Be it traditional tea or a lovely, caffeinated coffee. If you’re thinking of what to do with that spare space on your kitchen counter, maybe try making a dedicated coffee corner? It’s perfect for entertaining and is a great addition for cold winter mornings.

LANTERN LIGHTING AND LOG CABIN VIBES

Outdoor lanterns are fabulous in the summer season, but as the cold weather comes creeping, bringing your lanterns inside is a great way to set the mood for an autumn evening. Additionally, you can swap in and out your favourite scented candles!

CIRCULAR SEASON If you’re interested in trying something new with your cushions, circular satin may just be the answer for you. Satin is a great choice for the winter months and has plenty of variety in terms of colours to match your décor.

hello@eyemagazines.co.uk 21

Baughurst Substantial 5 bedroom detached home This superb home has been extended by the current owners and sits on a mature plot of circa 0.44 acres in a most desirable non estate location. Offered for sale with no onward chain. • • • • • • •

Total plot of circa 0.44 acres Living accommodation of circa 2606 sq.ft 4 receptions, 3 bathrooms Detached double garage Lovely private gardens Exclusive non estate location EPC Rating C

Guide £1,200,000 Mortimer Stunning views A beautifully presented 3 double bedroom house offered for sale with no onward chain. Situated at the end of a long private drive in a most stunning location with views to the front and rear over well-tended grounds and farmland beyond. • • • • • • •

Home of great charm 3 double bedrooms 2 bathrooms Kitchen/dining room Living room + conservatory Private garden + communal grounds EPC rating D

£650,000 Contact our Mortimer office: Phone: 0118 467 7999 Email: mortimer@davidcliff.com Visit: davidcliff.com A selected member of The Guild of Property Professionals

Offices also at Wokingham, Binfield and Park Lane, London

what’s

property of the month

new Pamber Heath Superb family home

This beautifully presented 4 bedroom home is situated in one of the area’s most favoured locations. The owners have found a suitable property to move to which is ready for occupation.

O.I.E.O £725,000

Pamber Heath Detached bungalow enviable location

• SW facing gardens • Non estate location • EPC rating D

Mortimer Common Retire to the village

Desirable non estate location 4 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms 3 receptions Refitted kitchen Garage and driveway parking EPC rating C

Three Mile Cross No onward chain

Burghfield Common First floor retirement apartment

Guide: £630,000 • 3 bedrooms • Kitchen/dining room • Dual aspect living room

• • • • • •

£315,000 • Two double bedrooms • Open plan living space • Attractive kitchen

• Cloakroom • Allocated parking space • EPC Rating C

Mortimer Common Experience village life

£195,000 • Double bedroom • Over 55s development • Kitchen/breakfast room • Village setting • Lovely communal gardens • EPC rating C

Got a property to let? Talk to us now

landlords & tenants O.I.E.O £190,000

£425,000

• Lovely character home •Two bedroom apartment •55s and over •In the heart of the village •Overlooks Mortimer Common • Much desired location • 3 bedrooms •EPC rating C •Fitted stair lift

• Lovely character home • Much desired location • 3 bedrooms

• Personal • Professional • Thorough

• Attentive • Detailed • Unique

Pink Pages: Trades & Services MTJ Plastering We’ll get rid of unsightly ceilings & walls Whether you're looking for a newly plastered ceiling or external rendering, we provide a wide range of plastering services.

Before

With more than 18 years of experience in plastering, you can expect the highest standards and an excellent finish every time.

After To request a free quote, or to discuss your requirements, contact us today. We'll be happy to help. 11 New Street | Strafield Saye | RG7 2EN

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07789 902 091 0118 933 2121

Short & long term secure storage for home or business Complete Bathroom & Kitchen Installation An independent family owned and run business with almost 30 years of experience of delivering the highest level of craftmanship for the supply, installation and design of quality kitchens,bathrooms, ensuite bathrooms and wet rooms in North Hampshire and West Berkshire.

aFree Design & Consultation aDisability Bathrooms - Our speciality a Highly trained, qualified craftsmen Call in or contact us, we are happy to help and give our expert advice

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Open 7 days a week 8am – 8pm Easy access, all on one level Security alarms, CCTV cameras and 24 hr surveillance 0118 988 0788 e: tadley@barn-store.co.uk

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Pink Pages: Trades & Services

jon@thealegas.co.uk /Thealegas @ThealeGas

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CONTACT JAMES TODAY FOR A FREE QUOTATION. No job too small:

OFFICE: 01189 831246 Mobile: 07766 646430 Email: info@jwfisher.co.uk www.jameswfisher.co.uk The Forge, Reading Road, Burghfield Common, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 3BL

13,000 copies, with an estimated 36,000 readers - monthly!

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OKEElectrical

All aspects of electr ical work from a light switc h to a complete rewire

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& tel: 0118 983 4164 or mob: 07836 751 072

email: davidling007@sky.com | 9 Chervil Way, Burghfield Common, RG7 3XY

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Pink Pages: Trades & Services Miles & Daughters Funeral Directors Serving Tadley and surrounding areas Class IV Testing Station

Servicing • Repairs • 4 Wheel Alignment 4 Better Fuel • Tyres• Safety

Miles & Daughters Funeral Directors are here to support and guide you. We offer a friendly, professional service to families.

Operating Throughout Lockdown

Tadley

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Call us for immediate support, advice or to arrange a home visit. We are here to help 24 hours a day.

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a■aa■

NO CRAFTY EXTRAS Bathing a problem? – we can help • Wet rooms • Walk in showers and baths | 9.19/10 • Waterproof wall panelling • Slip resistant safety flooring • Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets

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543308 •02382 Wet rooms • Walk in showers and baths • Waterproof wall panelling • Slip resistant safety flooring • Grab rails & shower seats • Zero VAT on disabled bathrooms • Discounts for over 60s SSAFA and Ex Service COVID-19personnel - SAFEGUARDING CUSTOMERS & COLLEAGUES • Disabled Facilities Grants Now taking orders for pre-Christmas fittings • Charity work and grants Call for friendly advice and free survey and quote

Call for friendly advice and free survey and quote • Wet rooms • Disabled Facilities Grants • Walk in showers and baths • Zero VAT on disabled bathrooms info@ahminstallations.co.uk www.ahminstallations.co.uk * Terms and conditions apply, visit our website for more details. • Discounts for over 60s, SSAFA and • Waterproof wall panelling • Slip resistant safety flooring EX Service personnel • Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets Discover 134 x94.indd 4 03/11/2020 08:04 • Automatic bidet loos • Established family business

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Wellington 145 x 215 Sept.indd 1

19/09/2020 13:29

Terms and conditions apply, visit our website for more details.

13,000 copies, with an estimated 36,000 readers - monthly!

To advertise HERE, call 0118 933 3311

NEED A NEW BOILER?

eye

TADLEY HEATING SERVICES

EXPERIENCED SERVICE AT COMPETITIVE RATES New Boiler Supply & Installation All new gas boiler installations performed to the manufacturers instructions. Boiler Repair If your boiler or central heating is not working we can assess and repair it using top quality branded parts and components. Boiler Servicing Using state of the art combustion analysers we can service your boiler and help you comply with all necessary gas safety regulations.

Call Phil Capel on:

07760 759318 0118 466 1235 19 Hamble Drive , Tadley, Hampshire, RG26 3UN

• • • • • • • •

ths.ltd@outlook.com /tadleyheatingservices

Professional certificated arborists. 25 years experience. Fully insured. Free quotations and advise. 25 years no claims. All types of tree work and hedge work All types of tree planting. All types of commercial and domestic in fencing.

UPVC & Aluminium: Windows - Doors Conservatories - Fascias - Soffits & Guttering For a friendly, no obligation chat about your windows, please call:

Tel: 0118 970 0525 Mob: 07414 793015 Email: nasharbltd@gmail.com www.nasharborists.co.uk

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Registered in England: Tailormade Windows & Doors of Berkshire Ltd. Unit 2 James Lane, Burghfield, RG7 1NB

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“Lafford & Leavey, experts in bringing the outside - inside”

Windows - Doors -Conservatories UPVC or Timber

One of the leading window, door and conservatory installers in Berkshire, offering free quotations and advice from a company with a formidable reputation spanning 50 years. Choose from a wide range of products in a style and finish which will suit your budget and needs, we are only a phone call away.

LAFFORD & LEAVEY LTD ARROWHEAD ROAD, THEALE, READING, RG7 4AZ Tel: Reading (0118) 9303333 Fax: (0118) 9323707 Email: lafford.leavey@btconnect.com

The nights are closing in and gardens are winding down for the colder months but let's not forget that autumn is nature's time for planting. Before the frosts start, you can put in new plants or move established ones to better positions. Now is a good time to plant shrubs and hedging as the soil is warm enough to encourage root growth, even if the air is cold.

Acer, hawthorn and birch all give wonderful seasonal displays in gold. red and orange. Cotoeasters are loaded with red or yellow berries, which birds feast on. Do your bit for wildlife by planting native hedges, such as hazel, and the already mentioned hawthorn and birch. It will help encourage a host of wildlife as well as bringing nature and diversity into your garden. When planting shrubs and trees, add slow-acting fertiliser to the planting hole and be generous with the compost to get them off to a healthy start.

on Homes & Gardens

Get fruity this month and plant fruit trees and soft fruit ready for next year. Apple, pear and plum trees are in the garden centre, along with raspberry, blackcurrant and gooseberry bushes. It’s the right time to plant them for a ripe harvest next summer.

eye

Tulip bulbs can go in the ground now and this is your last chance to plant all other spring bulbs. You’ll be glad of the effort in the spring. Five inches is the right depth for bulbs that will be lifted after flowering, or eight inches for permanent planting. Plant them on a good sprinkle of horticultural grit to help with drainage too. If you’ve planted any bulbs in bowls, place them out of direct sunlight and water them when the soil gets dry. Happy Gardening!

Jordan

Garden Jobs For November As we’re approaching the frost season, remember to protect tender plants with horticultural fleece. Now’s the time to tidy up the garden before it gets too cold. Clear away fallen branches and leaves, but leave it a bit untidy for wildlife to go about their business.

Get some winter colour in your life! It’s lovely to still have colour in the garden at this time of year. Cyclamen and chrysanthemums add welcome bursts of colour. Winter flowering pansies look good in containers or could add clusters in your borders to brighten up dull patches. Or how about a Christmas rose for a wintery display of white flowers?

Move containers close to the house so they are less exposed to the elements.

Roughly dig over empty patches of your borders and dig in some manure so it will be broken down by next spring. Don't forget wild birds! Put bird feed or scraps on a bird table, and add nuts to your bird feeders, along with a water source that's kept topped up.

Contact Toby on 07737 784 244

for a free quotation or email: info@bluebanana.tv

• • •

No Signal? we’ll fix it

www.bluebanana.tv

• Digital Television Aerials • Radio Aerials, (DAB and FM) • Sky HD & Freesat

Home cinema systems IRS Systems Hidden cables

• Multiroom systems • Repairs to existing systems, • European satellites • Domestic and Commercial Work undertaken • TVs mounted on walls

To contribute, advertise or let us know your news please call 0118 933 3311 or email hello@eyemagazines.co.uk Follow us to keep updated, locally

WE ASKED YOU ON FACEBOOK!

Your Opinion

SHOULD THERE BE A BAN ON SELLING FIREWORKS TO THE PUBLIC? The subject of fireworks has become a hotly debated topic in recent years, but do the loudest voices really represent the feelings of every day people? We asked you for your opinion and you delivered! We must start by saying that there are a swathe of people that are very firmly on the side of using and enjoying fireworks with no restrictions. Their argument is that fireworks are beautiful, fun to watch and top off a lovely event whether they are held in your garden or at a public celebration. We don’t think there are many people who would argue with any of that, but there are other factors outside of these to consider which concern people and, in turn, make them question the use of fireworks. One of these factors is the affect that fireworks have on our pets. Anyone with a family dog or cat will know that they are a true member of the family and so, when they are worried or distressed, it can be truly upsetting to watch. Having seen some of the videos posted that show the extent of the fear experienced by pet dogs in particular, it is easy to see why their owners would take an antifireworks stance. Similarly, our wildlife is affected by the sight and sound of fireworks (along with horses who are often in fields or stables adjoining the land where fireworks events are held). As society is now aware of the negative affects that fireworks have on wildlife, is it right to continue to have fireworks events? Again, those with knowledge and experience of these issues take a much firmer view 32

Join our fantastic, friendly, village school The Federation of Mortimer St. John’s Infant School and Mortimer St. Mary’s Junior School

against the sale or use of fireworks. Safety is also a key issue with the NHS reporting more injuries from fireworks every year that goes by. Fireworks in the garden may sound like a great idea, but is it really the best way to enjoy them when you weigh up the risks involved? And of course, there are our army veterans to consider: men and women who have served our country in conflict abroad. For them, the sound of fireworks can trigger Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) resulting in panic attacks, sweating, chest pain and more. However, it does seem that knowing when to expect fireworks can ease the majority of the problems. Forewarning of firework events means that people can take necessary steps to minimise the negative affects on people and pets. The verdict? Allowing organised firework events on certain days of the year could be the answer. This would inevitably mean a ban on selling fireworks to the public which would certainly be a compromise for those who like a DIY approach, but if we want to be a considerate, caring society, it certainly feels like a sensible step. Join the debate at facebook/eyemagazines

“Leaders want the very best for pupils. They have a coherent vision, which is ambitious and uses topics well to develop skills from different subjects.” “Children enjoy strong relationships with their friends, feel happy and safe. They take pride in their work and enjoy achieving.” - Ofsted Report Dec 2019

Please contact us to book a place on a small group tour officemsj@mortimerschools.org | Tel: 0118 9332242

www.mortimerschools.org

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17:00 - 23:00

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WHATEVER THE MAKE, WE CAN SOURCE YOUR NEXT CAR. JUST ASK!

Whether you already know what you’re looking for or need some guidance, call us for a chat about your requirements and we’ll do our best to help:

0118 933 2338

sales@spratleys.co.uk

Service | MOT | Repairs | Car Sales www.spratleys.co.uk November Spratleys Sales 2021.indd 1

60/62 Victoria Road | Mortimer | RG7 3SG

04/10/2021 14:39

We are very happy to announce that firework displays are back with full force this year! So wrap up warm and get ready for a great family night out at one of the many firework displays locally. Enjoy all the thrills watching one of the organised displays that are on at some great venues for all the family to experience. Firework displays are back with full force this year! So wrap up warm and get ready for a great family night out at one of the many organised local firework displays.

Newbury

Newbury Lions Club is holding its award-winning Firework Display on Saturday November 6th at Newbury Racecourse. Due to the uncertainty of Covid-19 restrictions, planning has been delayed but it’s now all systems go to produce an amazing event to be enjoyed by all. The event will feature a fabulous display of fireworks set to music, various food and drink outlets including a licensed bar, a funfair and a children’s entertainer will be on site too. Gates will open at 5.30pm and the display will start at approximately 7.30pm. Tickets are available online at www.eventbrite. co.uk The Lions are appealing for help from the local community. As ever, there is a need for sponsors to come forward to offset the overheads of the event and to optimise the return as 100% of the proceeds will go back into the community and other good causes. They are also appealing for volunteers to act as stewards on the night. If you would like to support or volunteer please email fireworks@newburylions. org.uk. You will help to make a lot of people happy and, of course, get to see the display for free!

Pangbourne

Pangbourne Fireworks Fiesta is taking place on Saturday 6th November at Pangbourne Primary school on Kennedy Drive, RG8 7LB. Gates open at 5.30pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.fopps.co.uk or available to purchase on the door on the night.

Baughurst

Saturday 6th November sees the return of Baughurst Scout and Guide Group’s long running annual, professional firework display. As well as the fireworks display, there’s always a great range of hot food and drinks, a large bonfire as well as toilet facilities as usual. Held at Adams Field, Baughurst, Gates open 6pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6:45pm and fireworks start at 7pm. Ticket prices: Family - £20 (£17 in advance) Adult - £8.00 Child/OAP - £4

Abingdon

Famous for their enormous bonfire and breathtaking quarter mile wide fireworks display, choreographed to music by double British firework champions Illusion Fireworks Ltd! Abingdon Bonfire & Fireworks is like no other and will be back on Saturday 13th November with a MEGA-sized funfair. Standard Adult £9.50, Standard Child £4.50, Family Ticket £27.50

Bramley

The Bramley Fireworks are back at Bramley Primary School! Enjoy a spectacular display by the award-winning F1 Pyro. The team CANNOT WAIT to be back on Friday 5th of November for an amazing family friendly evening! Fill up on delicious hot food by the Bramley Village Bakery Ltd and Smokin’ Street Food then enjoy pudding from one of the incredible sweet treat stalls. Warm up with a hot drink or a drink from the bar, including mulled wine, while listening to the amazing music they have lined up. The children can enjoy a ride on the carousel, have their face painted, have a go at a game and there will be lots of fabulous glow toys to keep them entertained. Get your tickets at www.pta-events. co.uk/bramleyschoolassociation or from local shops. £5 per adult, £4 per child and under 5s are free.

Wokingham

Saturday 6th November The fun starts at 6pm when a torchlight procession leaves from Market Place in the town centre. The procession will be led by St Sebastian’s band and various local dignitaries. If you’ve never attended the procession we strongly recommend it. The sight of several thousand people with 500 flaming torches walking down Broad Street is truly memorable! Fireworks start at Cantley Field at 7.30pm. www.wokingham-fireworks.co.uk

On Events

WAYS TO HELP YOUR PET THIS FIREWORKS NIGHT

Going to an organised event will save you ‘burning’ your hard earned cash (literally). It’ll get you out into the community helping to raise money for good local causes too. But more importantly, it will help minimise the traumitising effect ad-hoc and random home-lit fireworks can have on sleeping babies, animals and veterans in residential areas. If you are concerned about your pet’s reaction to fireworks, ask your vet for advice in advance. Invest in a pet calming spray or diffuser — vet practices and pet shops stock them. Keep dogs and cats inside from early evening on days when fireworks are likely to be set off. Close windows and lock cat/dog flaps to stop pets escaping and keep noise to a minimum. Draw curtains and blinds, and switch on a TV or radio to block out some of the noise. Prepare a choice of ‘den’ for your pet where he can feel safe and comfortable – perhaps under a bed or an enclosed pet bed or cardboard box. If your pet paces around, whines, miaows, or hides himself away, don’t over fuss or try to coax them out. Allow them to settle in their own time and choose their own safe spot. Stay relaxed, act normally and praise your dog or cat for calm behaviour. It’s OK to cuddle and stroke your pet if it helps them relax. He might not bark or whimper, but that doesn’t mean your dog is not stressed by the lights and sounds. Walk your dog earlier in the day before the fireworks start. Ensure your dog wears a collar and name tag. If he does run away in a panic you have a better chance of being quickly reunited. Our thanks to The Blue Cross and British Hen Welfare Trust for these tips

Screen

Time

with ROB BARNES

The Guilty

While cinemas get back to business Netflix continues to release more intriguing star-studded movies. The latest off the rank is a nail-biting, single location thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal.

No Time To Die

Daniel Craig serves up a fitting farewell in his fifth and final outing as the world’s most famous super spy. When CIA friend Felix Leiter asks for a favour Bond is lured out of retirement only to find himself on the trail of a mysterious terrorist leader developing a deadly new technology. Amongst other returning cast members, Léa Seydoux reprises her role as Madeleine Swann, newcomer Lashana Lynch introduces us to a new 007 agent Nomi, and Rami Malek takes on the coveted Bond villain Lyutsifer Safin.

Gyllenhaal plays Joe Baylor, an LA police officer demoted to the emergency dispatch desk on the eve of a court appearance that threatens to end his career. His night takes a dramatic turn when he receives a call from a kidnapped woman in a van. In a desperate race against time Joe must track down her location from coded conversation, on a night when police resources are thin thanks to a raging wildfire. A remake of Gustav Möller’s Danish movie, this glossy remake harnesses the cacophony of noise and claustrophobia of the mundane call centre to ratchet up the tension. One of the most underrated actors of his generation, Gylenhall gets the chance to flex his acting muscles in what is essentially a one-man show. A satisfying watch with a twist to match!

No Time To Die has all the vital ingredients of a classic Bond movie - spectacular action, effortless glamour, exotic locations, fast shiny cars and ridiculous gadgets, and of course a heavy dose of dry wit. And while this mix is perfectly in balance it’s the human element and family themes that set it apart from its predecessors. Beneath the gritty stone cold killer, Daniel Craig’s SUDOKUWEB Bond will be remembered for the more poignant moments that reveal a beating heart that’s never more touching than in this epic love story. The perfect swan song!

Sudoku Solution #008 Hidden Message Wordsearch

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Spot the difference solutions

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“If at first you don’t suceed, then skydiving definitely isn’t for you.”

Reminiscent of the Hunger Games and Lord of the Flies it’s a fascinating  and shocking examination of the human mind and spirit in the ultimate game of survival. Prepare to be shocked!

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‘If at ﬁrst you don’t succeed, then 6 4 deﬁ3nitely2 isn’t5for you.’ 8 9 skydiving Steven Wright

Poo Pot Pro Rip Tip

Impoverished, marginalised members of society are plucked from the streets and given the chance to gamble with their lives in a series of winner-takes-all death matches inspired by children’s playground games. Those who lose are killed instantly and so one by one the field is whittled down to the final few who battle for the 45.6bn won (about £29m) cash prize.

Pictionary Risk Scattergories Scrabble Sequence Tsuro Twister Uno Yahtzee

Write the hidden message here:

Nip Opt Pin Pit Poi

Unless you’ve been living under a rock it’s been hard to escape the buzz of Netflix’s most successful original TV series, the ultra-violent Korean psychodrama Squid Game.

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Never Give Up by Bear Grylls To have one autobiography is impressive, but two… Well, Bear Grylls’ public appeal and accomplishment across so many different areas – as a survivalist, as someone who served in the SAS, as a TV personality and even the first ever Chief Ambassador to the World Scout Organisation - probably qualifies a further look into what makes this tour de force of the outdoors so inspirational. This sequel to the multi-million copy selling global phenomenon Mud, Sweat and Tears chronicles the global adventurer and presenter’s life and career since stepping onto screen, taking readers along with him on his most famous adventures, documenting personal stories from his favourite expeditions and capturing his hairiest survival challenges. He shares valuable lessons he's learned in the wild, opens up about his most personal challenges and achievements and celebrates the true value of adventure and the enduring importance of courage, kindness and resilience. A great, inspirational read for a blustery winter’s day when venturing outside perhaps comes low down the list of priorities! Published by Transworld on October 28th

Check out our pick of the best inspiring autobiographies due for release this autumn.

Reflections by Holly Willoughby A heartfelt, perceptive book about finding beauty, inside and out, Holly Willoughby is the UK's most popular female TV presenter and is best known for her work on This Morning, Dancing on Ice and, formerly, Celebrity Juice. The book explores the idea of gaining courage, contentment and awareness from within, recognising the beauty that is within all of us and promoting the opportunity to take time to look after ourselves, rather than just others. “I'm finally at a point in my life where I can see a little more clearly,” Holly says. “Writing is such a personal process and between these pages you will find many little pieces of me. I want to share my truths in the hope that maybe they'll help you too.” This is a book that will start conversations, whether they're about how to find your signature lipstick, reclaim your sexuality, or treat yourself more kindly, written by someone who seems to traverse perfectly generations and perspectives. Published by Transworld on October 28th

My Life in Dire Straits by John Illsley One of the most iconic and important British pop/rock bands of a generation, Dire Straits cracked America at a time when many consistently struggled to engage with the US audience, in the process building a transatlantic fan following that celebrated beautiful tracks, heartfelt anthems and timeless melodies that stand the test of time some four decades on. In this revealing tale of life as a founding member of Dire Straits, bassist John Illsley reveals the working man's clubs to Madison Square Gardens, sharing gigs with wild punk bands to the Live Aid stage at Wembley. John's story is also a tribute to his great friend Mark Knopfler, the band's lead singer, songwriter and remarkable guitarist. They were the only band members to stay the 15-year distance and his memoir is told with searching honesty, soulful reflection, and wry humour. Published by Penguin on November 9th

‘Why fit in when you were born to stand out?’ Jubilee Gems is a small and friendly, term time nursery set in rural West Berkshire with a passion for outdoor learning and play. Babies and children are part of a unique experience centred around our ethos of ‘learning by doing’, inside and out, every day. Children are free to discover, imagine and - crucially - to play, which is the most important way in which a child can learn in the early years. For babies & children aged 3 months to 5 years old Set in 60 acres of farmland and woodland Experts in Forest School learning Freshly prepared food Funding available NHS & Armed forces discount

Jubilee Gems Nursery continue to adhere to the Government’s protective guidelines regarding COVID-19.

/ JubileeGems For more information, please visit:

www.jubileegems.co.uk School Road, Padworth, Reading, RG7 4JA |0118 983 4018

/JubileeDayNur

Hidden Message Wordse

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Mortimer’s

BENGALDICT CUMBERCATS!

celebs popping into We often hear reports ofg among us), but livin the area (and even we learned that imagine our surprise when members of our ve fi but one not are there tly gracing the community who are curren mberbatch’s new Cu ct edi Ben silver screen in is Wain! Lou of Life flick, The Electrical gals - Chicca, Local award-winning Benlum and Nomi - were arp Sug zie, Jaz Luminara, two days on set recently invited to spend or as they filmed act g nin with the BAFTA-win icipated movie; a scenes for the highly antpic which recounts bio ven une , ting captiva ish artist Louis Brit ric ent ecc the the story of wing cats! dra h wit ion ess Wain and his obs alongside Golden Cumberbatch plays Wain Emily Richardson, as Foy ire Cla ner win Globe erness to his five gov as ed serv t tha n the woma omes Wain’s bec tely ma ulti She younger sisters. a driving and ion irat insp an wife and serves as force behind his art. d here) made quite Apparently, Chicca (picture l Sharpe who Wil r cto Dire h wit the impression cat acting he’d ever t bes e “th s remarked that it wa e! A carefully crafted tak last seen” at the end of her it to see these felines wa ’t and charming film, we can omes available on Amazon in action when the film bec Prime on November 5th.

November 5th

To see what Chicca and her sisters have been up to, check them out on Facebook @orchidhousebengals

WIN TWO PLACES at a

Wreath Making Workshop Advance booking required. Full payment required to secure place and due to limited spaces is non refundable. Booking is essential as spaces are limited!

A great activity with friends, neighbours or family! You will be let loose on an impressive array of fresh foliage, dried fruit, feathers, baubles and ribbons, so you can create your very own wreath for your front door! Tea, coffee and festive treats will be provided throughout, along with all the materials you will need to make your wreath, just wrap up warm.

0118 986 1467 or visit www.georgiesﬂorists.co.uk

To book onto a workshop or to ﬁnd out more call:

How to Enter

We have two places to give away in our festive competition this month. Scan the QR code or head over to www.eyemagazines.co.uk and answer the following question: How many years have Georgie’s been supplying ﬂowers in the area? A: 20 B: 30 C: 40 You can still enter even if you are already booked onto a workshop. If you’re our lucky winner, we’ll simply refund your ticket payment. Good luck!

December workshop dates:

Friday 3rd (7-9pm) Saturday 4th (12-2pm & 3-5pm), Thursday 9th (7-9pm), Friday 10th (7-9pm) & Saturday 11th (12-2pm & 3-5pm)

Win

Ts & Cs Apply at www.eyemagazines.co.uk

For 40 years, Burghﬁeld-based family run business, Georgie’s Florist has been supplying beautiful bouquets and arrangements to this community. Each year, they enjoy sharing their knowledge and skills by running popular Christmas Wreath Making Workshops!

MAPLEDURHAM 10

GUT BUSTER

Date:

Sunday, 5 December 2021 @ 10:00

Tuesday, 28 December 2021 @ 10:00

Location:

Mapledurham Estate Mapledurham Reading Berkshire RG4 7TR

Butlers Lands Farm Mortimer Reading Berkshire RG7 2AG

Distance:

10km and 10 mile

www.mstevents.co.uk/mapledurham10

www.mstevents.co.uk/gut-buster

www.mstevents.co.uk MST Events Mapledurham.indd 1

12/10/2021 16:17

FROM INCREASED FLEXIBILITY TO MENTAL HEALTH, THE BENEFITS OF PILATES ARE FAR-REACHING.

ilates is a method of exercise that consists of low-impact flexibility and muscular strength and endurance movements. Emphasising proper postural alignment, core strength and muscle balance, Pilates is named after its creator, Joseph Pilates, who developed the exercises in the 1920s. Local Pilates instructor, Edyta Grigg, first read Joseph Pilates’ book Return to Life Through Contrology as a student and had always had a strong interest in health and wellbeing, but at the time had never considered it as a career. Edyta was running a successful company importing fine glassware when she came to a crossroads. She realised that she wanted to do something more rewarding mentally and physically. As a Pilates enthusiast attending regular classes, Edyta decided to train in Body Control Pilates in London and worked to become a certified Pilates Instructor so that she could share her passion with others.

PILATES ISN’T JUST FOR FITNESS FANATICS. It’s a very accessible way to build strength in your core muscles for better posture, balance and flexibility. If you’re considering a Pilates class for beginners, read on.

“IN 10 SESSIONS YOU WILL FEEL GREAT, IN 20 SESSIONS YOU WILL SEE THE DIFFERENCE, AND IN 30 YOU WILL HAVE A NEW BODY”

Joseph Pilates

A Pilates routine generally includes exercises that promote core strength and stability, muscle control and endurance, including exercises that stress proper posture and movement patterns and balanced flexibility and strength. It can also be helpful in training for sports or in physical rehabilitation. At her local, Shinfield-based studio, Edyta understands that to get the most out of our bodies we need confidence that we are moving in the right way and doing the right things to help ourselves. LOWER BACK PAIN? 90 percent of us will experience at least one episode of lower back pain in our lives. It’s also likely that many of us will hear this: “Back pain? You should try Pilates.” The incidence of back pain is rising because of our sedentary lifestyles and increased dependence on technology (tech neck, anyone?), combined with a “Weekend Warrior” mentality when it comes to exercising.

awareness for proper posture and healthy body mechanics. When we stand or sit with a tall spine, we create space between the vertebral discs, relieving pressure. These two actions, pulling in the abdominal muscles and lengthening the spine work in tandem to create a stronger, more supple back. So whether you’ve been

Pilates strengthens the core, a corset-like group of muscles that stabilise the trunk and pelvis much like a weightlifter’s belt. Equally as important, Pilates increases

• Pilates Studio • Pilates for Golfers • Backcare Professional Therapy • Reformer Pilates Swedish & • Sports Massage Therapy GP Exercise • Referral & Nutrition

Louise Amanda Sheppard

WIN A PILATES TASTER COURSE, hunched over your PAGE 8 computer or overdoing DIY, as a Back4Good Practitioner Edyta would love to help you feel your best again! Join Edyta’s Back4Good Healthy Back Classes: Monday 17:15 to 18:15 and Thursday 17:30 to 18:30 To book a class or private session email her at: info@berkshirepilates.co.uk

Tel: 07788 151917

www.berkshirepilates.co.uk

(BA/Dip)

Mobile Hypnotherapy Therapist covering Oxfordshire & Berkshire

Hypnotherapy

EMDR Specialist Hypnotherapist

• • • • • •

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Pain Anxiety Feers Phobias Smoking Weight Management

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In the comfort of your own home

Age Regression/ Past Life Regression Gestalt Therapy/ Dreamwork Parts Therapy

T: 07842 262583 E: lashepphard61@gmail.com

To contribute, advertise or let us know your news please call 0118 933 3311 or email hello@eyemagazines.co.uk Follow us to keep updated, locally

YOUR GOALS, YOUR GOALS, YOUR GOALS, GOALS, OUR MISSION OUR MISSION OUR MISSION

ISSION

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property values are

ROCKETING

SOLD

Even if you’re not thinking of selling right now, call us - we’d love to give you a free valuation of your home this November. contact our mortimer office: phone: 0118 467 7999 email: mortimer@davidcliff.com visit: davidcliff.com Offices also at Wokingham, Binfield and Park Lane, London