Village Eye Magazine August 2020 by Village Eye Magazines

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Issue 91 August 2020 reaching 11,500 households

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4. Community news Who do you know in our Community News round-up? We’ve been finding out all the news around the villages to make sure we keep you up-to-date! 6. Love is in the Hair! Same team, new premises. Elizabeth Kempson Hairdressing tells us all about their re-opening and how you can win a hair makeover. 10. How Well Do You Know Reading? Meet Terry Dixon from Terry’s Tours and hear all about Reading’s fascinating history.

37. On The Box Rob Barnes brings us his thoughts on the latest Netflix sensation, EuroVision. Don’t miss it!

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As always, we’d like to extend a big thank you to our readers, our advertisers and our contributors. Please mention Village Eye when contacting our advertisers.

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We have two more fantastic competitions for you this month, too. How do you fancy winning an Alpaca Experience or …drum roll please….a four person pass to Thorpe Park with overnight stay in their Shark Cabin

If you are a parent of young children, you are probably doing a happy dance to celebrate the end of home schooling. Now you can put the books away, without worrying that your child is getting left behind, and really enjoy the summer. Some local kids camps have the goahead to run and we’ve also put a few ideas together on great places to visit this month. See page 39!

August

42. A free Shred Workout for every reader! If you want to get rid of your UK Southern ‘lockdown Business Awards lard’, a FREE session at the Best Regional Shredquarters Lifestyle Magazine would be a great 2019 start.

Our cover sponsor this month is Queen of the Coiffures, Elizabeth Kempson Hairdressing, whose team has been back up and running since go-ahead was given, with a very wellorganised safety and hygiene system in place, at their new premises in Mortimer. Elizabeth is also giving readers the opportunity to win a hair make over, so if you haven’t had your locks tidied up yet or fancy a change, turn to page 6 to read more!

Hotel! Why not give them all a try? After all, you’ve got to be in it to win it!

VILLAGE

The Village Eye 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, URL’s and telephone numbers are understood to be correct at the time of submission to print. Registered Address: Butlers Lands Farm, Mortimer, RG7 2AG

24-31. Pink Pages Electrician? Roofer? Windows? Whatever you are looking for, check here first! All of our advertisers are following PHE guidelines and wearing PPE when necessary.

s we move into August, restrictions are really easing and it looks as if we will be able to enjoy the last of the summer to the full…hurrah! A pint in the pub garden, perhaps a holiday if you’re lucky and, if you haven’t already had one, a hair cut!

Issue 91

13. Alpaca-tastic! If you would like to walk, picnic or pet the six Mortimer Alpacas, this is your chance. Take a look at our fantastic competition.

August A Contents

22. On the Move with David Cliff If the stamp duty holiday has given you the green light to move house, take a look at these properties to see what takes your fancy.

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

Film Buff: Gardening: Finance: Philosophy Teen Stuff:

Rob Barnes Jordan Curtis Mark Penston Chris Evans Beckie Edwards

SPENCERS WOOD CAF’ACTIV TO CLOSE

Climbing a mountain of stairs!

ntly completed a Mortimer Dad, Paul Carless, has rece? I hear you ask! Why e. rcas stai his of b clim five-day Kilimanjaro planned Paul had a charity climb of Mount Blood Cancer for ey mon - now cancelled - to raise self and has been UK. Paul lives with Leukaemia him demic. pan rus navi coro the ng shielding duri l walked up and To complete this new challenge, Pau 2,000 times for than e mor e rcas stai tep down his 12-s to Thursday ning mor day Sun from five hours every day full kit and e wor he b, clim afternoon. To replicate the would have he ent ipm equ the all with bag a carried needed for the real journey. is to try to raise Paul said: “The reason I’m doing this other charities like h whic UK, cer Can d funds for Bloo e-dive off a cliff nos me inco its across the UK, has seen awareness of e rais to because of the pandemic. Also been shielding up and have ple peo y man – er blood canc incredibly tough time down the country and it’s been an no income and it’s had have for everyone. I personally ng to stay indoors. been quite mentally challenging havi ning for the trai by y bus p kee to But I’ve been able at night, socially s walk mile six challenge, doing five to t me mentally kep ’s that so ple, peo from d ance dist focused during the period.” over £8,000. Well At time of writing, Paul has raised ion. irat insp an t Wha l! done, Pau

WELL DONE AVA!

The recent announcement that Caf’Activ - the cherished cafe at St Michael’s Church in Spencers Wood - is to close for the foreseeable future has been met with deep disappointment in the village. Over the last ten years, the cafe had become the lifeblood of the local community. It became a place for people to meet, particularly for those who don’t get to go out often, and offered a safe and welcoming place for them. As well as lunch and tea, the cafe organised bistro nights, work experience for local teens, a meeting place for new mums and a place to go for a Christmas meal for the isolated. The manager there, Debbie Johnson, said that the job was “a passion from my heart and a gift to my soul” and it is very clear from listening to the locals that Debbie was Caf’Activ. In a recent Facebook post, Debbie said, “Thank you to you, the community, for coming in, for bringing your children, your partners, your parents and your friends and

It seems that the cafe is ‘suspended’, rather than closed, so there is hope for the future, although it is not known at this time when it will re-open. The decision to close has caused a fair amount of anguish. With social distancing necessary, even the 1 metre rule comes with considerable investment for the church and if the number of tables in the cafe is reduced, it just does not make enough money to pay for that. It does seem, however, that the community may be able to play a part in the future of the cafe in the long term, so watch this space for an update in the coming months!

When we heard about 10-yearold Ava Oakes from Burghfield Common and the challenge she had taken on, we just had to congratulate her.

because it wasn’t working. When the family found out that there was nothing more that could be done, their sense of helplessness resulted in a need to do something positive.

a day in the woods near her home.

Ava’s family had received some very sad news about Ava’s uncle, Liam North. He had been diagnosed with a brain tumour five years ago and had been undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but the treatment was stopped

Ava was determined to do something and set herself the challenge of completing a marathon over ten days to raise money for Brain Tumour Research. She really hadn’t run much before, but started running three or four miles

Ava initially set out to raise £1,000 but donations have now topped £3,000. To make a donation to Ava’s JustGiving page please go to https://www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ AvaOakes. Well done, Ava.

She completed her challenge the day before her uncle Liam was laid to rest.

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for becoming our cafe family. Speaking personally, I have had the great privilege of being the manager, of getting to know all of you and your life’s stories and sharing parts of mine. It has been a privilege to be such a part of this great community. I appreciate the love, kindness, acceptance and support shown to me always. We have had a unique gift in the cafe..it has been a true blessing and I know will be greatly missed.”

Mag

ARE YOU?

Tell this community you’re open for business!

LOCAL DOORSTEP PHOTOGRAPHER RAISES MUCH NEEDED CASH FOR ROYAL BERKS!

‘locked down’ families. In their droves, photographers across the land were keen to oblige and so it took off. One of these photographers is Spencers Wood photographer, Carrie Naish, who began her Lockdown Front Door project as a small fundraiser to raise money for the Royal Berkshire Hospital charity to support those working on the frontline. She set herself a target, optimistically hoping to raise £250.

You may have heard about ‘Doorstep Photography’, a creative phenomenon that grew out of lock down. Indeed, our very own local Royal Princess Kate, kick-started her own doorstep photography project with the aim of capturing this unprecedented moment in time to get a snapshop of the nations

Tadley set to go on a Scarecrow Bug Hunt! We’re Going on a Bug Hunt! Are you coming? Tadley Scarecrow Trail is now in its fourth year and is going from strength to strength. This year there are over 50 scarecrows to find in and around Tadley, all made by local families and businesses for the scarecrow trail participants to find… wowsers! The trail runs from 1st August to 9th August and the theme this year is ‘We’re Going on A Bug Hunt’ - eek - what will you find! I bet you can’t wait to find out!

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Carrie said, “I came up with the idea as a way of giving something back to my community and showing my thanks to a hospital which has helped my family on multiple occasions. The first lot of photos were taken locally, but as interest increased I extended my work to Shinfield, Three Mile Cross and Riseley.”

What a perfect way to enjoy the sunshine with your children and best of all it’s almost free! You can pick up your trail maps for just £1 from McColls, Bishopswood Road, Tesco Express in Heath End Road, Party Days in Pamber Heath Road or Claws & Paws in Mount Pleasant. If you would prefer, you can even pay for a map online this year by visiting https://www.paypal.me/ ScarecrowTrail

Carrie’s ‘customers’ have included families, couples, individuals, pets and newborns, all of which she has photographed outside their homes - socially distanced, of course.

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82 photo shoots later, Carrie smashed her target. The final total sent to the charity was a superb £1446. Carrie said, “I am completely overwhelmed with the generosity of our community. It has been an absolute pleasure to meet everyone, their beautiful children, and furry friends.” See anyone you know here? To see some of Carrie’s amazing images, visit www.carrienaish.co.uk

Giggle time!

Our favourite lo post of the moncal social media th goes to:

Jessica Bushn

ell > MVP

All the monies raised will go directly to three local primary schools, a fantastic cause, so go out and enjoy!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS

If you’d like to talk to us about restarting your business with our help, please call 0118 933 3311 for a chat

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Hair & B

is in the

eye Win WIN A HAIR MAKEOVER!

If your lockdown locks have been dragging you down, or you fancy a change this summer, we are giving one lucky reader the chance to win a cut, colour, restyle and blow-dry with Elizabeth herself.

New Premises, Same Great Hair Elizabeth Kempson Hairdressing is BACK! Back to making our hair look great and boy, do we need it! And they are back in their new home, too, which, to be honest, they barely had a chance to settle into before lock down struck. Elizabeth Kempson Hairdressing can now be found on the site of the old NatWest bank in Mortimer. The interior of the salon has been completely refurbished and has a modern, sleek look. As you would expect, all of the COVID-19 safety guidelines are being followed to the letter and even with the safety panels in place, the salon succeeds in achieving a relaxed, welcoming feel.

To enter this fabulous competition, please visit www.villageeye.co.uk & answer the following...

Elizabeth Kempson’s new salon is on West End Road in Mortimer, but which bank was based there before her? A: Barclays B: Lloyds C: NatWest Closing date for entries is midnight on 31st August and full Ts & Cs are available on our website.

Meet Elizabeth (and her team) Elizabeth Kempson has over 26 years experience in some of the best salons across Hertfordshire and Berkshire. The salon is a beautiful space in which to relax, have some pampering time and escape from the hustle and bustle. Elizabeth places consultation and communication at the heart of every appointment. Working alongside her is Vicky Clarke, Amy Griffin, Nicky Sturgess and Dee Harris.

A team bursting with qualifications in cutting and colouring, including years of experience in high end salons. Whether it’s a bold new colour, a glamorous updo for an event, a contemporary restyle, or even if you’re not really sure — and that’s where the consultation is so helpful — once they know what you’re looking for, they can match you to the perfect team member.

07748 922615

7 West End Road, Mortimer Common, RG7 3EE

Just like a well maintained head of hair, Elizabeth Kempson have gone from strength to strength.

More, more, more As you’re probably aware, services at Elizabeth Kempson Hairdressing go way beyond a basic cut! There an extensive range of colour services on offer by highly skilled colour technicians who only work with technically superior products. The colours they produce create beautiful multidimensional tones, are kind to the hair and deliver outstanding results. Of course, if you’re looking for something extra-special, the team are there for you, too, with Bridal work and Special Occasion ‘hair up’ a speciality. So if your longed-for wedding finally has the go-ahead, get in touch soon to talk all things ‘wedding hair’ with the Elizabeth Kempson team. Appointments are made by request but can be very flexible including is in the evenings and weekends.

Love Hair

Safety First: As you would expect, the team at Elizabeth Kempson has undergone full training in COVID-19 hygiene and here are some of the additional measures that you will now see in place at the salon for your safety. You will be asked to wait outside the salon until your appointment time to keep the number of people inside the salon to a minimum. Your stylist will come to collect you at the time of your appointment. There are currently no waiting chairs in the salon, so please come to the salon alone. You’ll be brought over to the sanitation station so that you can sanitise your hands and, if you don’t have your own, supply you with a face mask. Each customer will be given a fresh apron and fresh disposable gown. You will be asked to sign in and out as part of the ‘Track and Trace’ system.

appropriate PPE at all times and hairdressing tools will be disinfected and sanitised in between each customer. On top of these safety measures, there are now disposable hand towels in the bathroom as well as touch-free hand sanitisers around the salon for your use. If you’d like to purchase hair products, just let your stylist know on arrival and they will have them ready and sanitised for you on your departure.

There are now screens between the basins, as it’s difficult to socially distance there, and there are also screens in between each position as an extra safety measure, and also at the front desk. Stylists will wear

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.

www.elizabethkempsonhairdressing.co.uk

Lu c s y

Lucy’s Beauty Roundup

love

Llouvecsy

began this column exactly a year ago and have covered beauty topics from teenage acne to over 50s makeup, fake tan and ‘clean beauty’. Sadly, this is my last column for Village Eye as I begin my career as a secondary school teacher in September. But as I sign off, here’s my “if you remember anything remember this” advice. Last month’s column was all about lockdown beauty. It has been a strange time and you, like me, have probably been watching and searching for skincare/ beauty advice online. The more I watch I ask myself “how much of this advice is sound?” As a Gen X child, I have been following the Youtube/Instagram bloggers since I was a young teenager and I’ve learnt to quickly filter the credible from the crazy. If you follow any blogger, make it Caroline Hirons. A down-toearth mum of four who is a regular on This Morning’s sofa with Holly and Philip. At the risk of sounding like an overlykeen fan, if you are interested in the beauty industry, read her new book. It came out at the end of June and within a few hours I had bookmarked every page relevant to my mother’s skin issues and gave

her a full rundown over the phone of where she was going wrong… (we have a very good relationship).

is offering a discount ask yourself why. Having filler is not the same as having acrylics.

Powder Makeup My mum has a WhatsApp group and one of her friends requested foundation advice, so I jumped on board. She confessed she was STILL using an old compact powder foundation. The result was dry and dusty looking skin. I advised her to ditch the old compact because older powder formulations can look unflattering on the skin. There are many lightweight, liquid formulas that can give you a glow or try a mineral powder foundation.

Know your skin Dry/combination/oily/ dehydrated – those are your skin types. Rosacea/ acne/eczema etc are skin conditions and type and condition are not the same thing. Just because you have mild hormonal acne does not mean that your skin is oily (one exception: boys’ teenage acne) so please don’t treat your whole face as if it is. You still need to moisturise.

Fillers/Botox It’s true that no amount of cream can do as good a job as a needle but if this is the route you want to go down BE CAREFUL. Never ever go to a Botox party. Never ever go and see the person your friend recommended via Facebook. Fillers and Botox are medical procedures which must be done by qualified practitioners. Always, always go to a reputable clinic or salon who specialise in these types of procedure. There can be serious side effects if it goes wrong, and if a facial aesthetician

Warm/cool/neutral - these are the undertones of your skin and it is vital to know yours if you are to get a foundation that suits you. But if your skin is fair it does not mean your skin is cool toned. Cool toned equals English rose type skin, which is often fair and pinky (with blueish veins) and may be prone to burning. Warm skin tones appear more yellow and have greener veins and can tan more easily but may still be pale in the colder months/ if you avoid the sun. Neutral skin tones are a mix between the two. Different skin tones are found in all ethnicities.

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

Products for BAME skin tones are harder to find on the high street. If you are struggling, try Fenty Beauty or Pat McGrath Labs as they have huge shade ranges. Look after your health Don’t let your face tan – always wear an SPF, don’t smoke and drink in moderation. This is the best recipe for keeping your skin healthy. If you see any strange moles/freckles or marks get straight to the GP without delay. Please don’t stress about wrinkles, remember ageing is a privilege as Jonathan van Ness on Queer Eye always says. Now I’m off to the classroom to swap beauty advice for the English Literature curriculum but old habits die hard, woe betide any child in my tutor group wearing orange foundation.

Lucy x

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READING? s t u o b a ry’sWalk How well do you know

The chance to discover the town’s hidden historical & cultural treasures on foot return this month with: Reading is full of local characters. Along with ‘Reading Elvis’, perhaps one of the best known ‘infamous’ Reading folk is Terry Dixon. Since 2014, Terry has been sharing his lifelong affection for the town, its history and fascinating facts with locals and tourists alike. He’s even gained a Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence for his efforts too. Ask locals if they’ve heard of Terry, “You know, the guy who does Terry’s Tours” and it’s more likely than not that the name will start to ring a bell. Former Project Manager and fledgling historian, Terry, set up Terry’s Reading Walkabouts after taking early retirement in 2016 and now regularly meets tourists and quizzical residents to take them on an easy two hour walk around the town. What began as a desire to get out of the house, get fitter and meet people, has mushroomed to cover many themes and

Ter

routes while raising funds for local charities in the process. “I have lived in Reading all my life and my parents before me,” explained the grandfather of four. “I feel that so many people now living or traveling to Reading do not know about or fully appreciate it’s wonderful history and facilities. Terry’s Main Town Centre Walkabouts take in the great landmarks of Reading including the Town Hall, Abbey Ruins, the Famous Reading Gaol, the Butts and shopping treasure, Harris Arcade. To date, Terry has completed hundreds of tours and has raised over £7,000 for various local charities including Launchpad, Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Sue Ryder, A few interesting snippets that Terry might let slip as you walk:“A 1960’s cafe in Harris Arcade was owned by Marrianne Faithful’s mother. The Rolling Stones used to

sit and drink coffee in there and that is where Mick Jagger met his future girlfriend”. As the tour continues to St Laurence Church, close to where Paddington author Michael Bond narrowly survived a WWII bombing, Mr Dixon continues to pull out nuggets of Reading history that offer a different colour to the staples of local knowledge. The fact that part of Bugsy Malone was filmed in the Huntley & Palmers factory or that Arthur Conan Doyle’s Doctor Watson was inspired by a war veteran listed on the Forbury Maiwand Lion, is news to most life-long Reading-ites (correct term – Redingensians). “I’m a people person and greatly enjoy meeting and helping people and I cannot think of a better way of doing this than hosting Terry’s Reading Walkabouts.”

DID YOU KNOW? Five things you may not know about Reading! The first ever Little Chef to open in the whole of the UK was in our very own Oxford Road, Reading. It opened in 1958. Reading is home to the largest Caribbean population outside of the Caribbean There is a long list of famous people who were born in Reading, including the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, who was born in Reading’s Royal Berkshire Hospital in 1982. Reading University was the first University in the UK to appoint a female university professor. Edith Morley was appointed as Professor of English Language in 1908 Jane Austen, author of Pride and Prejudice, attended the Abbey School in Reading (then Reading Ladies Boarding School). For the second year running, Reading has been voted the UK’s 2nd best town or city to live in by Price Waterhouse Copper’s Good Growth for Cities index. (#pippedbyOxfordagain)

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Take a Tour

Terry charges £5 pe r adult, £2 per child (Free under 5) and £12 fo r a family of two adul ts and two children. All the monies less minimal expenses go to Charity, His ch osen charities this ye ar are Thames Valley Air Am bulance & Sue Ryde r/ Duchess of Kent Hous e, and will be adding a military charity in Oc tober. 07505 351517 .

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

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Pubs, cafés and restaurants are gradually, cautiously reopening their doors and encouraging customers to return. Inevitably, there are some very noticeable differences in the way we now go about grabbing a quick bite at our local... And, If you are yet to bravely venture beyond the boundary of ‘Ourgate’ then here’s a taste of what you might expect when you do...

IS IT SAFE TO EAT OUT, OUT?

For a start, most establishments now insist that you pre-book your ‘seated table’. In many cases, reservations can be made online or by phone. This is so that they can limit and manage the number of patrons onsite to be able to exercise social distancing measures to the letter. Yes, we’ve become accustomed to queuing outside the supermarket, but queuing up in a socially distanced manner outside your local, watching others supping a pint, waiting/hoping for someone to leave might cause a serious amount of FOMO [Fear of Missing Out] and prove to be a wait too far. But, if you are lucky enough to get in, when you do arrive, you’ll need to hand over your personal details to staff, or, in some cases, scan a bar code. (just in case they need to pass these onto the Government’s track and trace team). Once these new ‘formalities’ are over, you’ll be allocated a table, socially distanced in your own ‘bubble of up to 6 people. This table is where you’ll remain for your visit.

Now, we all know that plastic glasses might not be the most environmentally friendly receptacle of choice, but if your drink is served in one, please try to refrain from complaining to the management at this time. They will have had a million hoops to jump through just to be able to reopen their doors and welcome you in. Remember that are all doing their best to adhere to ever changing guidelines and keep you safe and that, for now, disposable glasses are one of the ways they can do this. Speaking of safe, standing around at the bar or in corridors for a chat with other villagers you’ve not seen since what seems like a thousand years is also no longer safe of permitted either. Our advice if you do see John from down the road or Sue from round the corner - and you wan tot have a chat/catch-up is to wave from a distance, holler and then facetime each other from the safety of your own

table. So you’re not necessarily OUT OUT, you’re more kind of ‘semi OUT OUT (with a digital twist). Also, as stupid as it sounds to state the obvious, if you do go out with friends from other households, it’s probably wise NOT to share food or drink. Finally, remember to take your card or digital payment method with you too, as in most instances, contactless payment is now the only option. But is eating out safe? There are risks in everything we do, but being alert, mindful and aware of the facts will all help thwart the spread. If the level of community transmission remains relatively low (as it has been) in this area, it’s relatively safe to eat out, but it’s sensible not to eat indoors if you or anyone you live with is aged over 65 or at risk of severe illness. Lowest risk: Take-away - Food is delivered or picked up and carried off site.

Moderate risk: On-site dining outdoor seating, reduced seating capacity and tables placed at least 2m apart. Moderate-high risk: On-site dining indoor seating, reduced seating capacity, and tables placed at least 2m apart. Coronavirus doesn’t appear to spread through food. COVID-19 travels in respiratory droplets, which means you could get sick if an infected person coughs or sneezes near you. Even being in close proximity to someone speaking increases your risk of contracting the virus if they are infected. However, we cannot remain couped up forever, and with careful planning and exercising sensibility and caution, we are now all being encouraged to rebuild the economy and get on with our lives. Our new lives. If you’re in doubt about what to expect, you can always check ahead and satisfy yourself that safe practice is being adhered to. Ask if staff will be wearing face coverings while on duty, and if seating follows social distancing requirements. Ask if you can pre-order so that your meal is ready when you arrive if you wish. Above all, stay safe, stay calm, stay tolerant and enjoy just being OUT OUT!

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Win an Alpaca Experience! Courtesy of Mortimer Alpacas Cuteness Alert... How would you like to win the chance to take a summer stroll with some alpacas, give them a little stroke and even join them for a picnic? Well, here at Village Eye, we are delighted to say that is exactly what we are offering in, what is possibly our cutest competition to date. During lockdown, fun and frolics pictures of Mortimer Alpacas 6 adorable young boysGeorge, Zippy, Bungle, Vincent, Valentino and Cappuccino’s adorned local social media sites, bringing a smile to many of us. So, as lockdown eases, we’ve teamed up with the lovely folks over at Mortimer Alpacas who are kindly giving the chance for one lucky reader to win an alpaca experience for up to 10 people! The prize will include a 90 minute private walk & picnic session with plenty of opportunities to get to know the little fellas in a beautiful countryside setting. The prize is valid for 12 months Opening earlier this year, Mortimer Alpacas was set up to provide an opportunity for the public to spend time with these adorable creatures with walks, picnics and general ‘alpaccafoolery’ Alpacas by nature, although curious, are normally very shy and not naturally forthcoming. The boys in Mortimer however, have been completely socialised and have the right temperament for socialising with humans. They love being hand fed, petted, and even enjoy spending time together with human friends around picnic tables and posing for quirky selfies! For more information visit www.mortimer-alpacas. co.uk

HOW TO ENTER

For your chance to win this exciting prize, visit www.villageeye.co.uk & answer the following question:

Mortimer Alpacas have 6 ‘boys’, Their names are: George, Zippy, Bungle, Vincent, Valentino, and...? A: Latte B: Cappuccino C: Mocha Closing date for entries is midnight on 31st August and full Ts & Cs are available on our website.

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Win

” N U H A Y “I’ll PM The Fisher This person routinely posts vague bits of information hinting at some big news or trauma but then says they can’t share more - either “ever” or “yet.” These posts are usually followed by a string of intrigued friends asking HOPE YOUR OK HUN... Firstly - It’s YOU’RE not YOUR... and secondly, please stop with the I’ll PM YA HUN replies to their concerns. It’s annoying. On Facebook or Twitter, the snippet could be a short “so excited!”; or a simple cross faced emoji, or on Instagram, a photo of a hand or a selfie in profile. Engagement? Baby? Your House burned down? Stop fishin’ and tell us already (or don’t tell please, just don’t post something in between).

Drunk & Going LIve As if posts and less than flattering pi**ed up pics were not enough, the introduction of live streaming on our social media platforms has given drunken nightrevellers (and all their connections) a realtime insight into their alcohol fuelled antics. Yikes! What did I say or do last night? That post-party HANGXIETY question needs never be asked again we all saw your live stream, and it wasn’t pretty. Remember, some things simply can’t be unseen and chances are, your boss is on your friends list!

The *@#$er

Mr.Overshare With this friend, you’re privy to every marital disagreement, selfdoubt, health issue (in all its gory details) and financial problem. While it’s annoying to hear about someone whose life is seemingly perfect, the opposite is also true. It’s all about balance: sharing some of the good and some of the bad, being real and accessible but leaning to the positive. And this friend not only shares all his or her feelings but even all the personal details that are best left to private messages, like address, phone number and birth date, all in an accessible public package.

If you aren’t one to curse in your posts, and it pains you to see bad language in your own news feed, it can be awkward to deal with - especially if it’s written by someone you know well. Asking nicely by private message that he or she cease and desist in using expletives in comments on your posts (because you have younger family members on your friends list) will normally resolve the isuue. If it doesn’t, unfollow, delete or ‘take a break’

It’s All Unicorns, Kittens, & Rainbows Positivity is great. But when this friend only posts photos and messages that are over-the-top happy and seem to indicate her life is only awesome or more awesome, her marriage is amazing, her children never bother her or do wrong, and she seems to have everything she ever dreamed of and more, you really want to see a few posts admitting that sometimes life can be (gasp!) normal.

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It’s A Love Thing Relationships are between two people. We repeat, two people. Telling the entire digital world that “[insert boyfriend’s// spouses name here] was texting [tag someone elses name here] and I absolutely hate him. #SoOverIt” is highly immature, and distasteful. Do you really need every person you have on your social media knowing what’s wrong with your love life? Same goes for ‘gushing’, so cool it with the endless snaps of the roses your man sent you, the gifts he buys you, or the updates about how

you’re the “luckiest girl in the world.” #boydonegood / #couplegoals. It’s not only annoying, but it’s actually working against you: Studies have shown that people who brag about their relationships on Facebook are actually the most insecure about them. Apparently, the most healthy relationships are the ones with no sign of them on social media whatsoever!

Nom Nom Nom

No one cares what you had for breakfast. No one. Why are you telling people about mundane things like meals or the minutiae of your schedule? Maybe it’s loneliness. Maybe it’s narcissism. Maybe it’s just lack of thought. But whatever the reason, maybe it’s time to stop.

The Politico

It’s fair to say that there’s been a lot of important and often divisive issues dominating our headlines this year, and of course, everyone has their own perspective. But the constant rolling news updates have seen even the most nonpolitical among us suddenly tweeting, posting and sharing their views to Insta about their favourite (or hated) ‘political personalities’ and topics than usual. But if your friend has suddenly turned into a political activist, and preaching dominates their daily postings, it’s probably time to hide their feed. For now anyway.

Bet You Wish You Were Here No we don’t. Period. Legs in the sand, pedicured toes in the sea… why is it always more appealing to get our holiday tootsies into that beach or pool snap? Truth is though, nobody really likes seeing those vague knees-up shots that

are so easily confused with tinned sausages. No one sitting at their desk on a rainy Tuesday afternoon in Theale wants to know that you were one of the lucky ones who could afford a holiday this year - let alone see what a fabulous time you’re having sipping cocktails in Benidorm. Neither do Mortonians wants to see every minute of your R&R in Zante whilst waiting in the queue to get into the supermarket.

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I T

Are you facing redundancy? Are you aware of your rights?

A S

S E R V I C E

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t is a sad reality that many companies are considering making employees redundant and as an employee you should be aware of your rights when facing redundancy. Redundancy is one of the potentially fair reasons for a dismissal. Either your work must have disappeared or have been greatly reduced. Your employer must notify you of the risk of redundancies and then consult with you to explain why it is happening and how employees will be selected for redundancy. It is an opportunity for you to discuss your situation with your employer This all takes time; your employer cannot simply decide to make you redundant and inform you of that fact – they must allow a reasonable amount of time to follow a fair process which includes consulting with you. Your employer cannot discriminate against you and you should not be selected for redundancy based on a protected characteristic such as age, gender, pregnancy or disability. Any redundancy based on a selection process that (directly or indirectly) uses those characteristics could amount to an unfair dismissal. Your employer may offer you another job if one is available somewhere else within the company. You are entitled to have a trial period in that new role. However, if you do not accept the new role without good reason you may lose your entitlement to any redundancy pay.

If no other possible roles within the company exist your employer should allow you to take reasonable time off to look for another job. Your employer will have to give you notice and if you have been working for your employer for more than 2 years you will be entitled to redundancy pay. The amount you will receive will depend on your length of service, your age, your level of pay and any contractual provision you may have. If you are facing redundancy and need advice regarding your rights please get in touch with our employment law team on 01189 516 621, or email: employment@ rowberrymorris.co.uk Anna Illingworth Head of Employment and Dispute Resolution Tadley Office Sherfield House Mulfords Hill Tadley RG26 3XJ TEL: 0118 981 2992 E: info-tadley@rowberrymorris.co.uk FREE car park at rear of office Reading Office 17 Castle Street, Reading, RG1 7SB TEL: 0118 958 5611 E: info-reading@rowberrymorris.co.uk Offices also at Richmond and Staines WEB www.rowberrymorris.co.uk

Contact Barnaby at IT As A Service Ltd 0118 997 7300

info@it-aas.co.uk

/itasaserviceltd

07766 443311

www.it-aas.co.uk

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Make provision for the things you love (with a little help from us)

IT AS A SERVICE Zoom & Socially Distanced Face to Face appointments available 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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Financially, what are you waiting for? At the start of lockdown I read an interesting article by a fellow financial planner who pondered whether life in lockdown would be a vision of the future in the sense that with so much time on our hands and limited ability to spend money, maybe lockdown was some sort of ‘dry run’ for retirement? With many of the things that we would like to have been doing not being available to us, it is easy to draw parallels between lockdown and retirement in the sense that there are constraints on how and where we can spend our money. Most clients that come to see us have a ‘pension problem’ or an ‘inheritance tax problem’, however, ultimately all most people want to know is will they have enough money to do the things that they want to do now and in retirement?

For most of our clients, thankfully, the answer to this question is ‘yes’ however, it may surprise you to read that in many instances we actually find that our clients don’t plan to spend enough during their retirement! As financial planners we are focused on helping our clients to live the best life possible with the assets they have. This means being able to show our clients in a very straight-forward and engaging fashion what their future might look like based on prudent assumptions. Frequently we come across clients who will die with large estates which, whilst benefiting their families (and the taxman), often comes with a sense of regret about the experiences that were not had earlier in life (missed holidays, time spent with the grandchildren etc.). Lockdown has taught many of us that missing out on time spent with

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loved ones creating memorable experiences are the things in life that we will regret not being able to do most of all when, through old-age, we no longer have the ability to do them. These are the things that provide us with the vivid memories of fulfillment and satisfaction - not buying more material goods that provide only a fleeting ‘high’ which is soon forgotten. If you are interested about getting the best life possible from the assets that you have, please give us a call as we would love to help. And remember, precious time is slipping away.

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

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SMISHING Meet the new kid on the fraud squad’s block. By Eye Geek

A few years ago, ‘phishing’ was big news. There can’t be a person in the UK who hasn’t received an email from an imaginary Nigerian prince or a shady London Investment Office. Most of us are wise to phishing emails. But now there’s ‘smishing’. This is shorthand for SMS phishing. SMS stands for ‘short messaging service’ and is basically ‘texting’. So smishing is the text equivalent of phishing! Smishing texts are sent for the sole purpose of committing opportunistic fraud. The texts look like they’re from a reputable company and they all have one thing in common – they encourage you to take action, often calling a premium rate number or sharing your confidential information. It can be easy to mistake smishing texts for genuine messages but there are give-aways: They are often peppered with spelling mistakes. They may tell you your account is in danger and you need to act immediately, the threat being that if you don’t your account will be suspended or reported or blocked. This is a scare tactic, to prompt you to follow their instructions. They may tell you that you have won a prize, or that you will miss out on an exclusive offer unless you call a number immediately.

STOP If the text is badly written and full of spelling mistakes, it’s unlikely to be genuine. If your account is in danger then no phone company, bank, credit card company or HMRC will expect you to contact themdirectly from the text. GO TO THE ORIGINAL SOURCE OF THE COMPANY THE TEXT CLAIMS TO BE FROM. Phone them from the number on official documentation, such as a bill, or a bank statement, or use the contact details from the company’s official website. DO NOT call any numbers given in the message. They will tell you whether the text came from them. If it didn’t, they may refer you to their fraud department. If a prize or an offer seems too good to be true it almost certainly is. Simply receiving a suspicious message won’t breach your phone or bank security. Scams won’t work unless you follow the instructions in the text. DON’T RESPOND in any form to the message as that indicates the number is active and you may be repeatedly targeted. If you accidentally fall for one: Change your passwords immediately to all bank accounts, phone accounts,social media and email accounts. Contact your bank and your phone company for advice. Don’t feel embarrassed; smishing messages are designed to look convincing.

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Human Resources...

Business

CHANGE AND CHANGE AGAIN by Sharon Beardmore

My passion for HR comes from my belief that it’s people, working together, with a common vision who create business growth and ultimately profitability. I have worked in many diverse companies however they all wanted to succeed and grow. As a generalist HR professional covering employment law, recruitment, development, business strategy, compensation and benefits, I use all my knowledge and experience to create the best result. I’ve spent many years delivering initiatives that include cultural transformations, organisation change and talent development as well as leadership coaching and business integration. I love what I do. When I see passionate, engaged people creating success with care, respect and integrity, I am energised. Three months ago, a ‘normal’ workplace was very different, Since then we’ve seen home working and furloughs, and now we are

moving into a new phase. If you can reopen your workplace, how do you manage social distancing and ensure employees and customers remain healthy and safe? If homeworking is still an option, how do you maintain engagement and motivation? Where the future looks very different, how do you manage redundancies or a revised business that needs different skills? This is a time of opportunities: for growth, for building cohesiveness, for strengthening and investing in our employees. Communication will be key to success, involving people early in plans and encouraging the sharing of ideas, as well as thinking creatively about people’s skills to recreate the business in a different and improved way. It’s impossible to predict the future so now is the time to be adaptable in our thinking and to build flexibility into the workplace. Transforming our workplace is no longer only for a few, it is essential for us all. Very rarely do we have these opportunities to re-think our businesses. Seize the moment and you will create a more flexible, sustainable business that puts people first and, critically, is successful.

PICTURE

Having worked in many different industries before I set up my consultancy business, I know that change is inevitable and that to not only survive, but flourish, requires flexibility and adaptability. Now, more than ever, we have to change, the question is how and how to retain core values whilst doing so?

If you would like some help in thinking through strategies or in delivering any element of your workplace plan, please do get in touch on 07900 693448 or sharon.beardmore@outlook.com

Workplace transformation ‘Top Tips’ Think creatively about the work that needs to be done and whether it’s possible to reinvent how it is delivered. Re-arrange the working day to best suit your employees and your customers. Now is the time to try new things but be prepared to keep fine-tuning as you learn what works best.. Re-look at your company values and see if you can develop new ways of working that create engagement and motivation. Consider how people find balance and meaning outside of work; allow time for this or even incorporate it into the business. Review where you spend your time and money and invest in areas that create stronger customer and employee experiences. Consider a phased return; take it slowly and be considerate of those who are anxious about a return, allowing for reduced hours to start with if that is feasible. Have a workplace readiness plan that covers how and where people work, hygiene, social distancing, customer interaction and tools. Lead by example and keep communicating. Don’t assume ‘normal’ has to be the way that it was.

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

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STAGING

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G Homes &

If you are planning to put your house on the market, it goes without saying that you are hoping to sell your home as quickly as possible and get your asking price. Set the stage for success with these six expert tips for styling and upgrading your home, to boost your home’s value and speed up the sale process.

Start with a sparkling clean slate

Give your house a thorough cleaning before you open it up to potential buyers. Deep clean and deodorise carpets and window coverings, dust all surfaces — including the walls, ceilings, light switch covers and baseboards. The more your home shines, the better for prospective buyers.

Making a Grand Entrance

Make the best first impression by sprucing up the lawn and landscape. Mow your lawn and trim your hedges, and remove dead or overgrown shrubs. Touch up any peeling paint, and power wash the outside if needed. Repair any cracks in the driveway and walkway. Top it all off by buying a new doormat. Often overlooked but so effective.

Declutter and neutralise (including smell!)

Look at each room objectively and start packing. Remove anything that will distract buyers from seeing your property, including personal collections, a wall of family photos, knickknacks, books and magazines, etc. Also remember that not everyone loves your pooch as much as you do, so be sure to ensure your pet can’t be detected by the potential buyers nose! Smell is one of the most emotive sences we have.

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Brighten and add warmth

Open the curtains wide and push back the drapes on every window to let in as much natural light as possible. Also, replace any light fixtures that are outdated and make sure all existing lights are working. Turn on every light in the house to exude a warm glow throughout your house that will make your home feel cozy and bright.

Set the scene

Lay logs in the fireplace, and set your dining room table with dishes and a centerpiece of fresh fruit or flowers. Make your bathrooms feel luxurious by adding a new shower curtain, towels, and fancy guest soaps. Think hotel chic...

Create vignettes

throughout the home Perhaps an openbook on the coffee table or a chess game in progress. These help buyers envision living there. Staging a home to sell doesn’t require spending a lot of money, just making smart decisions. Your Estate Agent can also help with suggestions you can make that will add value to your home and entice the buyers who come for viewings

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Padworth Common

Views over countryside This beautiful Grade II listed home, built in the early 1700`s has been updated and greatly improved by the current owners and sits amongst attractive third of an acre gardens and is surrounded by pastureland and countryside. • Detached thatched home • Updated and improved • 4 double bedrooms • 4 reception rooms • En suite to master • Beautiful kitchen/breakfast room • Double cart lodge + workshop

£999,950

Pamber Heath

Handsome flint fronted home This stunning Westbuild home has been extended and greatly improved by the current owners. Situated in a lovely quiet location away from traffic this property has been transformed into a magnificent family home with a lovely mix of traditional and contemporary design and style. • 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms • 4 reception rooms • Superb open plan living • Utility + cloakroom • Double garage and parking • No onward chain • EPC rating C

OIEO. £800,000 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

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new Mortimer Stunning new family homes Built to exacting standards by a local developer this detached 4 double bedroom, 3 bathroom home is only one of a pair built in the centre of the village and offering everything for the modern family. • Lounge and study • Open plan kitchen/dining room • Garage and parking • West facing garden • Walk to the station

from £699,950

Burghfield Village Views over countryside

Burghfield Common Chalet bungalow plus annex

£685,000 • Detached bungalow • 4 double bedrooms • Dressing area + wet room

• Garage and good parking • Attractive gardens • EPC rating C

Riseley Charming Victorian Cottage

OIEO £590,000 • 4 beds in main home • Flexible living • Excellent presentation

• Two receptions • Detached garage • EPC rating E

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Mortimer Central village location

£415,000 • Period features • 2 Bedrooms + loft room • Open plan living

Mortimer Spacious and flexible living

£550,000 • Extended and improved • 3/4 bed semi detached • Family room/bed 4

Mortimer Last plot remaining

£395,000 • No onward chain £239, 500

• 3 double bedrooms • Living room

• Beautiful Orangery • Carport and parking • EPC rating C

• Conservatory • Study • EPC rating C

£310,000 • Brand new apartment • First floor • Circa 784sq.ft

• Two double beds • Two bathrooms • EPC rating B

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MTJ Plastering We’ll get rid of unsightly ceilings & walls

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We are a friendly, local customer-based business with many years of experience. Whether you are replacing old flooring or have moved into a new home, Endura promises our customers a fast, reliable, and competitively priced service.

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James W Fisher Property Maintenance

PAINTING & DECORATING With our extensive range of facilities and FREE services, can you afford to go anywhere else for your vehicle maintenance needs? SERVICING MOT TESTING DIAGNOSTICS MECHANICAL REPAIRS MOT TESTING TRACKING / ALIGNMENT WHILE YOU WAIT TYRES / BATTERIES / EXHAUSTS TYRES ALL MAKES FREE COLLECTION / DELIVERY

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CLEAN

Clean House Services is a small friendly team with over 10 years of cleaning experience.

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We offer the highest standard of Domestic and Commercial services using professional cleaning equipment and products

We are always happy to offer a quote, so don’t hesitate to contact us. Domestic cleaning Office cleaning End of tenancy cleaning Carpet cleaning

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SOUTHERN M BILITY SERVICES Powerchairs

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CORNWALL

Travel

Last minute escape to:

From iconic landmarks to Caribbean-rivalling coastline, chocolatebox villages and historic harbours – Cornwall boasts an abundance of breathtakingly beautiful spaces and sights that can only truly be experienced in their exquisite, natural state. (And the food is amazing too!)

St Ives Bay

If you’ve had your plans to escape to a beautiful farflung tropical beach scuppered by recent events, how about rethinking your getaway this summer? In just under four hours (the average time it takes to drive the airport and board a plane), you could be sitting on, some of Englands finest beaches. And relax... 32

Newquay

Located on the North Cornwall Coast, Newquay has been voted one of the “Top 10 UK Beach Resorts” by TripAdvisor users and we know why! With its stunning scenery, 9 beaches (yes 9), vibrant night life, surfing history, waterparks and more outdoor sports that you can shake a wetsuit at, it’s the perfect choice for a fun filled break. Fast becoming a foodie hot spot too, with lots of quality restaurants, cafes, Newquay is also home to Rick Steins

‘Fistral’ which overlooks the iconic Fistral beach. His casual and laid-back restaurant & takeaway serves Rick’s famous fish & chips as well as dishes inspired by his travels around Asia, including Goan chicken curry, beef mussaman curry, pad Thai noodles, nasi goreng and Sri Lankan cashew nut curry.

Kyance Cove

You’ve probably seen images of Bingewatcher Kyance Cove crop up on your

Ifsocial you have made theespecially lockdown media feeds, during summer months leap of the casual television – that’s because it’s a truly watching ‘of an evening’ to stunning place. Visiting Kyance competitive Netflix bingeing Cove is anight mustthen (as isthis their famous day and one’s for cafe), and we really think that it you. You have your list of Netflix should be on everyone’s travel recommendations and you are bucket but with going tolist, watch thembeauty come hell comes popularity, whichismeans or high water. The clock ticking. planning to Kyance Bring beeryour and trip snacks! Cove is essential. There is a really great planning guide at Blog site www.lukosaurusandme. co.uk tips-for-planning-a-trip-tokynance-cove-cornwall

Porthcurno Beach

waters and For Caribbean-blue south to ad he , nd sa fine silky high Porthcurno Beach. The lter from she e vid granite cliffs pro ow for all s pe slo e ntl ge the wind, am stre all easy access and a sm al tur na a m winds down to for ildren. It’s paddling pool for ch m another fro t as co the ng just alo Vounder dn amazing beach, Pe show a tch ca n where you ca inary ord tra ex an , ck na at the Mi

on a rock open-air theatre built August, s Thi . sea to jutting out providing they are hoping to be ws, sho d an some story telling , are nt pri of e but at the tim es, nu ve ce an rm rfo pe like all nce and awaiting further guida s. Please on issi rm pe Government their website call ahead or check . TIckets on for details of what’s e to du ed ok must be pre-bo t well bu g, nin pe reo restricted e. worth the experienc 736 810181 www.minack.com 01

If you’re in Cornwall then visiting the Eden Project in St Austell is a must. Experience the jungle, visit the education centre & enjoy various play centres at this exciting family day out! Dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World by some, the Eden Project is a dramatic global garden housed in tropical biomes that nestle in a crater the size of 30 football pitches, home to plants from all over the world. Its gardens and open spaces, indoor & outdoor activities will provide memories which will last a lifetime. Tickets must be prebooked at: www.edenproject.com

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Escape this summer and enter our exciting competition to win a mini-break at Thorpe Park!

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NOW REOPEN FOR THE SUMMER, WE ARE GIVING ONE LUCKY READER AND 3 FRIENDS OR FAMILY THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE EPIC THRILL RIDES, FAMILY ATTRACTIONS AND UNIQUE EVENTS AT ONE OF THE UK’S BEST THEME PARKS.

In possibly what is one of the coolest competition prizes we’ve ever offered, our lucky winner will bag themselves an overnight stay for four people in a hotel like no other - Thorpe Shark Cabins! Quirky, compact and comfy, these bite-sized rooms have everything you need for a perfect night’s rest to refuel including free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, interactive TV, funky lighting and super comfy beds! The prize also includes breakfast at the Infinity Bar & Kitchen, a two day park entry ticket for their party & complimentary parking. Wowsers! To be in with a chance of winning this ‘Jawsome’ prize, dive onto our website at www.villageeye.co.uk and answer the following question: Q: AFTER A STAY AT THORPE SHARK CABINS, IN WHICH OF THE RESORT’S MANY MOUTHWATERING RESTAURANTS DO GUESTS ENJOY BREAKFAST? a: Infinity Bar & Kitchen b: Infernos Pizza & Pasta Buffet c: The Cantina Find out more about Thorpe Shark Cabins visit www.thorpebreaks.co.uk

Closing date for entries is midnight on 31st August 2020, T’s&C’s apply

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Due to the restrictions of lockdown over the past months, they have also sent their wish families regular care and ‘cheer you up’ packages by post. Gini told us, ‘We felt we had to do something!’ Bucket List Wishes has also supported local elderly, disabled and vulnerable people with afternoon tea boxes to cheer them up during lock down. To-date the Gourmet Queens have delivered 85 afternoon tea boxes!!

S E H S I W G N I T N

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s r a e y n e for sev

ted celebra p by o h w s e u s set t Wish cket Lis The charity waf her mother u B o t s onth. ulation mory o shes Congrat birthday last mHackett in me- and makes wi shire. i k h their 7t ld resident, Gined 75 this yearnd around Ber a e n r fi n i u h s ve t Burg ill adult ould ha - who w e for terminally u Across those seven years, Bucket List Wishes come tr has granted 100 wishes! The 100th wish was

granted in July for Sheila. Sheila had written poems for many years and her daughter wished for Sheila to see them published before she passed. Bucket List Wishes published an A5 book of poems called ‘Keep Me in your Heart’ for the family. Gini says, ”It was an absolute pleasure to do this for Sheila and her loved ones, and her work will now be in this book for them to always have and to cherish.”

The charity has granted some amazing wishes and met some incredibly brave people over the past 7 years. Kevin’s Wish was to meet Lionel Richie & see him live.....Mark’s Wish was to meet meerkats and he had an amazing day with his loved ones at a zoo in Bristol….Jacqui’s Wish was to have a professional photo shoot with hair and make-up. Those photos will live on forever. You can read lots of their inspiring Wish stories on www.bucketlistwishes. org.uk and on our Facebook page: Bucket List Wishes The charity is run with volunteers and without them, the charity just couldn’t continue granting wishes. Bucket List Wishes relies on donations and local fundraising to fund all the wishes, so please do continue to support them and their fantastic work. Here’s to granting another 100 wishes!

To celebrate and mark the 7th Birthday of Bucket List Wishes, Gini has organised a number of activities to celebrate. One of these was to ask the local community to nominate their local ‘Lock Down Heroes’. With help from the fabulous local caterers, Gourmet Queens, each person nominated had a box of cakes delivered to thank them for supporting the community during lock down.They will also be celebrating Bucket List Wishes’ 7th Birthday by posting out a beautifully presented packet of seeds to 50 ‘wish families’ for them to plant in memory of their loved one, and in memory of Gini’s own mother, Jean Evelyn Vaughan.

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ON TV with Rob Barnes

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How can something so wrong be so right? I confess I am not a huge Eurovision fan but can appreciate all it stands for in all its kooky and kitsch glory. So whilst I was intrigued at the prospect of Will Ferell bringing this unique world to the screen I was doubtful if it would properly reel me in. Oh how very, very wrong I was and what a complete joy to discover a brand new guilty pleasure! Directed by David Dobkin and written by Will Ferell and long standing collaborator Andrew Steele, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is a hilarious and heartwarming love letter to Eurovision from the fans for the fans. Packed with cameos from past winners, outrageous haute couture, and the kind of cringeinducing performances and choreography that are so bad they’re good. The saga follows the ambitions of lifelong friends Lars (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit (Rachel McAdams) to win the Eurovision Song Contest much to the dismay of Lars’ widowed father, Erick (Pierce Brosnan). Hailing from the small town of Husavik in Iceland, Eurovision is in their blood and is worshipped like a family ritual. We watch them as children gather around the TV to watch Abba winning the contest in 1974 before flashing forward to them penning homemade music and performing as a duo in the local bar. They are spectacularly mediocre and the locals only appreciate one of the songs, the wonderfully titled JaJa Ding Dong. But this doesn’t dampen their dreams and Singrit, who believes in the national tradition of Elves, visits their miniature home on a local hillside to seek their spiritual help and guidance. The performance is a disaster and singer Katiana (Demi Lovato) is picked to represent her country, but of course there’s a twist. Tears of sorrow turn to tears of inappropriate joy as the party boat hosting all of the contestants inexplicably explodes leaving sole survivors Lars and Singrit as the only representatives left. And so with their dream revived they pack their bags for host city Edinburgh. Singrit, harbouring long standing feelings for Lars, catches the eye of the Russian favourite Alexander Lemtov (Dan Stevens). It’s not long before the silky smooth charms of Lemtov threaten to sabotage the duo’s relationship and Eurovision chances. Eurovision and indeed this film works because it exists within its own bizarre bubble. The fact that the contest still has such mass appeal in today’s increasingly politically correct world gives it a cult-like mystique that is totally disarming. Will Ferrell, best known for his gregarious roles gives a more playful and childlike performance here, more reflective of his turn in Elf. Rachel McAdams also channels her own inner child with clear inspiration drawn from the quirky and eccentric

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Icelandic singer Bjork. Together they make for an irresistibly sweet and charming double act. But arguably it’s the bronze adonis Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey, Beauty and the Beast) who steals the show camping it up to the absolute hilt, closely followed by Pierce Brosnan as the most handsome man in Iceland complete with another wayward comedy accent. This is first and foremost a comedy and yes it is very funny but it’s secret is it’s dedication and respect to the world of Eurovision. From the gaudy costumes, to the toe-curling videos, and the onslaught of musical hits and misses this is a movie that has been crafted with care with it’s heart firmly in the right place. Drawing on themes of home, friendship, love and ambition there’s also a good dose of wholesome, universal themes that keeps just one toe grounded in some kind of reality. The only slight misstep for me was choosing Edinburgh as the host city but it was the venue for the 1972 contest and Director Dobkin saw it as the perfect location for a Eurovision Song Contest. But when a movie gives so much unadulterated joy to the world at a time when light relief is in such short supply such criticisms are easy to ignore. Eurovision is of course very much a marmite affair, you’re either in on the joke and embrace the nonsense or you shuffle on somewhat bemused and disappointed. So whilst it will have it’s legion of fans there will also be haters. I’m happy to report I sit comfortably in the former camp. With song titles like Lion of Love, Volcano Man, Running with the Wolves, Coolin’ With Da Homies and Hit My Itch I find little to grumble with. I leave you with the words of Lars and Sigrit’s Eurovision entry Double Trouble ‘how can something so wrong be so right?’ Watch this now, JaJa Ding Dong!

5/5

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Ready, steady…GO!

Children at Jubilee Day Nursery have celebrated their Sports Day in true Jubilee spirit.

he pre-school children (and their parents!) had great fun taking part in plenty of traditional races on the day, which included an egg and spoon race, an obstacle course and running races. The children had plenty of fun preparing for the event the week before, by practicing the races in their new bubble groups. They even brought in their bikes from home to practice riding around the paddock with their friends. The Sports Day event was held outside and adapted to ensure the children, staff and parents remained safe amid the coronavirus pandemic. The nursery also held a ‘takeaway tea’ once the races finished, with freshly made snacks and drinks made by the on-site chef. Emma Hirst, deputy manager at Jubilee Day Nursery said: ‘It was a lovely opportunity to spend the time together on a warm and sunny day, giving the children and parents the most wonderful sports day to remember. ‘As a bubble group down in the nursery’s woods, it has been brilliant allowing the children to organise and practice the activities they wanted to take part in during sports day. They had plenty of fun practicing

egg and spoon races and showing their constitutive side while racing around our paddock area. ‘We were delighted we could still go ahead with the event under the circumstances and would like to say a huge well done to all of the children who took part.’ Jubilee Day Nursery is a well-established and highly-regarded private day nursery located in Padworth. The nursery remained open throughout the lockdown period, providing childcare for children of key/critical workers. It reopened to all children on Monday 1st June. Set in 60 acres of private land, woodlands and with a working farm, the nursery has a fantastic focus on outdoor learning. A highly caring and experienced team provide exceptional childcare to children from 3 months to 5 years old, all-year-round. For more information and to receive a prospectus please visit www. jubileedaynursery.co.uk or contact 0118 970 1600 to arrange a visit.

For more information please contact: Jubilee Day Nursery - 0118 970 1600 www.jubileedaynursery.co.uk 38

A 12 hole course taking golfers back to the drama and excitement of the Jurassic age, Jurassic pop-up Adventure Mini Golf Course, is an incredible sight. Bold, bright and bursting with scenery and props, this fun, family golfing attraction place golfers in the midst of a world where dinosaurs roam dangerously free. Visit: www.wokinghamfamilygolf.co.uk

SEE AMAZING RAINFOREST PLANTS AND ANIMALS, RIGHT ON YOUR DOORSTEP AT THE LIVING RAINFOREST Pop over to the Living Rainforest at Hampstead Norreys this summer to to experience the sights, sounds and smells of a lush tropical rainforest.

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Don’t get bored, get out & PLAY!

For times, prices visit: www.livinggrainforest.org

Wellington Country Park in Riseley is where memories are made. Follow your outdoor imagination and begin a safe adventure with them. Please note that all tickets must be prebooked in advance on their website:

Now taking registrations

www.wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk

Treetop Adventure has returned to a forest near you! With adventures at Alice Holt Forest in Farnham and at The Look Out in Bracknell, Go Ape are now taking bookings for your next adventure. Visit: www.goape.co.uk

THESE local family favourites are now open! please check their websItes for updated opening times & restrictions!

Fun is an essential ingredient at Green Park Day Nursery and Preschool where the care and education opportunities for each and every child are as extraordinary as our colleagues who provide them. FOR CHILDREN AGED 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS

OPEN 7.30AM TO 6.30PM

Quality tuition at affordable prices Fun and exciting dance classes Ballet, Tap, Modern, Street, from 2 - yrs to adults Gymnastic Dance Musical Theatre Course from 5 yrs

Singing, Drama, Street Dance

Free trial lessons available To find out more, please contact Louise on 01189 868000

info@allstardance.co.uk www.allstardance.co.uk “Excellent nursery. Attentive and caring staff. Lots of activities. Fabulous menu. My 1-year-old son has a blast and I have absolute confidence in the staff and the quality of care to leave him at the nursery full time.” Parent, www.daynurseries.co.uk

Please call 0118 931 3115 or email greenpark.nursery@childbase.com Green Park Day Nursery and Preschool, Green Park Business Park, 200 South Oak Way, Lime Square, Green Park, Reading, RG2 6UQ

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU www.childbasepartnership.com

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Jack worboys

Drives...

Suzuki SX4 S-Cross

MOT TESTS RETURN THIS MONTH A six-month exemption has been in place since March 30 as part of efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus. However, mandatory MOT testing is being reintroduced from Saturday 1st August This means that vehicles which are due to take the test from this date will need to pass an MOT to legally stay on the road. In normal circumstances, vehicles must have an MOT on the third anniversary of their registration, and then every 12 months. You can check the status of your vehicles MOT on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/ check-mot-status

KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) is an advanced technology associated with Formula 1. A large number of manufacturers are now installing these kind of systems on road cars, but I was surprised to find Suzuki were the first manufacturer to install KERS on all UK models. I thought I would check out the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross. While this technology may be associated with some of the fastest racing cars on the planet, that speed doesn’t rub off here. This system is there to improve fuel economy. KERS recovers energy from the cars momentum when coasting or braking where the energy would otherwise be lost. The energy is stored in a battery where it can be used in this case to restart the engine as part of the start-stop system and help power other electrical systems in the car. Suzuki claim a 15% increase in fuel economy and 20% reduced CO2 emissions. The SX4 S-Cross is the largest of three SUVs in the Suzuki range, sitting alongside the smaller Vitara and tiny Ignis. A substantial facelift was introduced in 2016 to help the car compete against the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, Renault Kadjar and Vauxhall Mokka X in the increasingly competitive SUV market. Styling is always a subjective and, while it’s clear the facelift made the SX4 more current, for me it’s not the most exciting

SUV design on sale today. The interior is very much the same with functional design which is not unpleasant, but isn’t anything to write home about. It should be a nice place to be with dual-zone climate control and a Bluetooth infotainment system fitted as standard. All but the base model get adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto as well as 17” polished alloy wheels. The top model gets leather heated seats and a panoramic sunroof. The only engine option available is the 1.4-litre petrol engine with the hybrid system described earlier on all but the SZ5 model. Most models have 129 horsepower, getting the S-Cross to 60mph in 9.5 seconds, driven through sixspeed automatic and manual gearboxes. A four-wheeldrive system is available on some models, but it lowers the acceleration and fuel economy so I would only tick that option if you have a habit of driving around on wet grass. The S-Cross currently ranges from £20,749 to £25,749 which sits about £1000 lower than the premium for a Qashqai at the time of writing. Overall the driving experience is positive although the suspension is a little firm. Some may find the looks a bit odd, but the dashboard is sensibly laid out and it represents very good value for money. If you’re in the market for a sensible and practical medium-sized SUV I would recommend having a look at the SX4 S-Cross!

If you are unsure, contact your local MOT testing centre who will be able to help guide you further.

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YOGA PADDLEBOARDS & GIGGLES

Here’s what happened when we had a splashingly good time on the river with the Shredquarters Team! At VE, we’re big believers in having a go at new things that put us slightly out of our comfort zone. So, when we were invited by Adam Waters, owner of one of Reading’s fastest growing fitness companies, Tilehurst-based ‘Shredquarters’ to join BBC Berkshire’s Michelle Jordan,

Anoushka Williams and pal, Jane for a socially distanced paddle-boarding yoga session on the Thames, how could we refuse? So off we went with an open mind, knowing that there were at least two certainties. Firstly it was bound to be a

giggle and secondly, getting wet was inevitable. And we did both, in abundance. Arriving just before 10, the early morning temperature was already soaring into the 20s, so a refreshing dip into one of Britain’s cleanest stretches of freshwater on the Thames would be most welcome. After a short equipment safety briefing, we set off for a gentle meander upstream past the water-lillies to the picturesque spot where Kenneth Graham’s Wind in the Willows is said to have been written. This proved the perfect way to gain confidence and maintain balance. Once we’d all stopped flailing about with all the finesse resembling octopuses on roller skates and core balance set in, Emma, Shredquarters friendly residential yoga instructor started the session. Gentle stretching, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques helped build our confidence to attempt more daring moves (like lifting a leg or an arm). Now, lifting a limb doesn’t sound like much, but when you’re floating about on something akin to an oversized inflatable ironing board, any movement (and staying afloat) is to be celebrated! By the end of the hour long session, we were all able to hold position in some of the more traditional yoga poses which felt like we’d really achieved something. So what was our verdict? A tranquil yet exhilarating experience and surprisingly relaxing too, given the sporadic bouts of splashing followed by howls of laughter as one by one, members of our group took an unintentional and indiscreet plunge into the soothing water below. I seriously cannot ever remember exercise being so much fun. So much so, that it didn’t really feel like exercise

- but given the tell-tale post workout stiffness (albeit mild) I felt in my legs, arms and core the next day, I’d say it definitely worked muscles I hadn’t used since prelockdown. I was a fan. Paddleboard Yoga is just one of the new and different kinds of exercise on offer with The Shredquarters. As a functional gym, their regular ‘dry’ classes offer a balanced mix of HIIT training, freeweights, kettlebells, sleds, battle ropes and nutritional advice for people of all fitness levels (including those like me, who would be considered a relative beginner). Whether it’s serious training for a sporting event, overcoming a Tough Mudder, or you simply want to look and feel the best you ever have – they have classes to get you to where you need to be. We can definitely see why locals are flocking there in droves to get real results. And, if their dry courses are run with as much enthusiasm and support as their wet ones, where it seems, you get coaching from real people, we can see why their members describe SQ as providing them with the best sense of community you will ever experience in a fitness environment. If you’d like to have a go at one of their dry classes and lose the lockdown lard, we’ve arranged for every reader to have a session on us, just call them to book! You’re welcome, Hellen x.

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Village Eye Magazine August 2020

Articles inside

Love is in the Hair at Elizabeth Kempson

Yoga, Paddleboards & Giggles