Look Local Magazine, Issue 113, April 2022

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Apr 2022 - Issue 113

Lets Get social www.look-localmagazine.co.uk |

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Electrician Domestic & Commercial

Plumbing & Heating Engineers

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New Heating Systems

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Heating System Upgrades Boiler Service & Repair

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Landlord Certificates

Power Flushing

Electrical Installation Condition Reports New Distribution Boards

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April 2022

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Hello Readers,

10

Welcome to the APRIL issue of Look Local Magazine.

Spring has sprung and although still slightly on the nippy side, the evenings are lighter, the weathers brighter and we can all start to look forward to a lovely Easter break later this month.

CONTENTS

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07. Home & Garden Loft Ladders you can trust from Home County Loft Ladders. 10. Editorial Feature Working in Palliative Care told by Sue Ryder Nursing Assistance, Vicki Hall. 14/15. Sound of music Simon Markland talks us through this months music scene and upcoming events. 16/17. News & Events News & events from our region.

If you’re looking for activities to do with the family throughout the Easter holidays why not head to the Easter Bunny Steam Train at Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway where kids travel for just £1 on various days throughout the Easter break - see their advert on page 17 for more details on this. I also came across a very helpful website recently, for those with children: www. oxfordshiremummies.co.uk. Here are a select few local events that appealed to me and that I know my little ones would love and felt yours might enjoy too: • NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTIES: There are a number of Easter adventures in various grounds across our region where you have to complete a trail to earn a chocolate egg at the end. - Waddesdon Manor: From Wed 13th – Sun | Pre-book, £3.00 per tickets - The Uffington White Horse Trail: From 15th 18th | £3.00 per ticker plus car park - Cliveden: From 9th - 24th, between 10am 3.30pm, with last entry at 3pm. Costs £3 per child. •

Lillingstone Pick Your Own from 15-18th April. Meet the adorable baby lambs and farm animals, climb aboard tractor trailer ride and complete the eggcellent Easter trail!

Puzzling fun at the Millets Maze Courtyard, from 9th – 23rd April, as well as the weekend of 30th April – 2nd May. Spring into the great outdoors to great quiz trails and activities within the three woodlands, courtyards and castle! Then enjoy the crazy golf, go-karts, pedal tractors, sand pits, trampolines and much more!

18. NEW FEATURE Baby Sensory comes to Thame with Yasmin.

As always, Stay safe, and continue to shop and support local...

20. home & Garden Primroses with Mimosa Garden Design.

For Advertising contact 07707 386034 or Email: info@look-localmagazine.co.uk W: www.look-localmagazine.co.uk

28. Get the Look Granite and Marble Explained! By Coulon Stone. 30. Business Website Showcase, from Harris Consultancy. BOOKING DEADLINE for May 2022 issue:

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Wenesday 13th April

Love Emma x

: Look Local Magazine : Look_Local_Mag 7,100 copies of Look Local Magazine are printed on a monthly basis and delivered to households in, Aston Rowant, Chalgrove, Chinnor, Crowell, Cuxham, Great Haseley, Great Milton, Henton, Kingston Blount, Kingston Stert, Lewknor, Little Milton, Milton Common, Postcombe, Sydenham, Tetsworth, Towersey and Watlington. In addition, the magazine can also be picked up from businesses in these areas and also Thame & Wheatley. Front Cover Image Credit: Frepix | All material appearing in this publication is reproduced as supplied. Although every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers/printers cannot accept responsibility for the content of this publication. All artwork is accepted on the understanding that the description of goods and services are fair and accurate and permission has been given for use in this publication. Inclusion of advertisements does not imply endorsement by the publisher or printer. No part of this publication may be reproduced.


April 2022

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Home & Garden

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Editorial Feature

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Driveways | Patios | New Lawns Tree Surgery | Decking | Fencing

Thame: 01844 317 978 Oxford: 01865 985 686 Mobile: 07496 011 858 30a Upper High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3EX Covering Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire For Over 30 Years


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Editorial Feature

There when it matters...

by Vicki Hall, Nursing Assistant at Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire

“It’s a privilege to care for someone at the end of their life. I can’t imagine doing anything else.” Vicki Hall is a Nursing Assistant at Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire, where she provides expert and compassionate Hospice at Home care to people living with life-limiting conditions in the community. Vicki (pictured in the advert) is sharing her story in the hope of inspiring others to find out more about a nursing career with Sue Ryder. “It’s a privilege to care for someone at the end of their life”, shares Vicki. “Especially when you are working out in the community, as you are stepping into their environment and you can get a real sense of who they are; something that is not always possible in a clinical setting. “We meet people when they are going through a very difficult time, but with our specialist knowledge and experience we are able to support them to live the best lives they possibly can. Everybody is on a different journey, but we are here to support them and their loved ones every step of the way.” The Palliative Care Hub is based in Wallingford and its team of Sue Ryder Nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, family support and befrienders provide a Hospice at Home service, Day Service and Care Coordination and Advice Line. As a Nursing Assistant, Vicki visits patients across South Oxfordshire to help manage their symptoms, ensure they are comfortable and provide assistance with personal care. On an average day she will visit between 6-8 patients. Vicki shares the most rewarding part of her job is ensuring that the end of someone’s life is peaceful and dignified. “I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. When you are nursing someone in bed and you make sure that they’re comfortable and peaceful before they spend their final moments with their family, it is so rewarding. You leave the house and you think ‘this is why I do what I do’. Sometimes I go home and my partner asks how my day went and I just say ‘I love my job’. Vicky is also keen to share that Sue Ryder is a supportive employer which helps develop its staff too. “The team at the hub are so lovely and compassionate – we all get on well and support each other when we need it. The flexible shift pattern allows for me to have a great work/life balance and there are lots of training and development opportunities. I am always happy to take staff under my wing and pass on my enthusiasm and passion for the job! “Palliative care is a different way of caring than other healthcare settings. It’s short-term care and it is very tailored and patient-centred. The role is so varied, you meet so many different people and you learn so much. If you can communicate well and you feel confident with difficult conversations, then this is the job for you.” Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire is looking for Nursing Assistants to join its expert team and be there when it matters. Working at Sue Ryder you’re given the time to care and you’ll be part of a multidisciplinary team working in a highly rewarding area of nursing.

To find out more about current vacancies, please Email recruitment@sueryder.org Visit www.sueryder.org/palliativecareers

10 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk


March 2022

Looking for a professional and reliable notarial service? Based in Thame, N.E.B Brown, provide Notary Public Services to clients across Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire.

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£95.00 - Basic Single Will £175.00 - Basic Joint Will £3,900 - Pre-payment Funeral Plans £110.00 - Lasting Powers of Attorney For further information regarding Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Funeral Plans contact Michael Bradley

T: 01844 281013 M: 07868 746406 Please mention Look Local Magazine when responding to adverts.

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April 2022

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Benefits include: Energy Saving | Heats in Winter Improves Air Quality For a quote: Call: 07754 311725 Email: penfoldsaircon@outlook.com

We are a small family-run business with over 30 years experience in the motor trade. We stock a range of hand-picked quality used cars that fall in the low tax and low insurance group making them ideal for first-time drivers or city cars. All our cars come with : Minimum 6 months MOT Engine service if due Valeted to a high standard Free 3-month warranty

12 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk



Sound of Music

elcome to our April music page. Here you will find information on local musical events, upcoming concerts and where to find the best music tuition in the area.

W

Thame has a variety of fantastic opportunities for budding musicians who wish to join together with other like-minded people. From bands to choirs to bell ringing! We also host a huge variety of annual musical events.

C

lockwork Music - This is a

fantastic local group for babies and toddlers to enjoy a variety of music and related sensory activities. Clockwork Music offer independent music classes for babies, toddlers and pre-school children in Thame, Oxford, Abingdon, Headington and Kennington. Tock the Clock and Brown Bear are at the heart of every class and they feature in the groups core songs, these provide structure within the weekly classes. Children love to wind Tock and Clock and watch him choose the special song of the week! A few of the many attributes of Clockwork Music are: - Age specific curriculum written and delivered by qualified and experienced music teachers. - Four separate age groups are offered on a weekly basis - A large variety of

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musical instruments are available to use during sessions - Interactive and sensory props to engage babies and young children - Fun and interactive classes for both children and the adults to enjoy! For more information regarding class times and venues visit: www.clockworkmusic.co.uk

M

usic in the Park - This

fantastic local 1 day music festival taking place on the 1st May and be will the date is coming up fast! Having taken place in Elms Park Thame over the last 10 years, the festival has grown from strength to strength, offering a unique opportunity for local musicians, bands and acoustic acts to gain valuable performance experience and share their talents within the local area. Alongside this artists flock from far and wide to be a part of the day! This year you can expect: - Fantastic main stage acts including: Abba All Stars Uk, Prog Floyd, Bootlegger, The Memphis Rattlesnakes Young Rocks and many more!

- 3 stages, all showing off the best musical talent from Thame and beyond


Entertainment - 2 bars, multiple food stalls and merchandising - A friendly family atmosphere - Ben’s Busk Stop – A fantastic place for a relaxed acoustic based musical performance or 2! MITP have a few acoustic solo/small group slots available at ‘Ben’s Busk Stop’, this is a wonderful opportunity to show off your musical talents to a very appreciative audience. The slots are roughly 20 minutes long. Please contact Simon Markland via e-mail: simarkland@hotmail.com, to express your interest and to book a slot, these will be available on a first come/ first served basis. Tickets will be available from the Town Hall, local businesses and on the gate, come along for a musical mainstay in your local town! For further information please search ‘Music In The Park’ via Facebook.

Regular Local Live Music The First Thursday Music Club

FTMC have now moved home, after 10 great years at the Stables behind the James Figg pub they have now relocated to a bigger room at Thame Snooker Club in central Thame. The room can hold a lot more people, there is a stage and room for instruments, the artists, and the sound guys. The club have their own dedicated bar and loos. There is also ample free parking right outside. The dates are on the first Thursday of each month. Please search ‘The First Thursday Music Club’. via Facebook for further information.

covid restrictions at the venue, the open mic will be back up and running again from April 2022! The first date back will be Friday 8th April. This is a totally free event and a wonderful opportunity to perform or just come along to watch the huge host of local musical talent. The music kicks off from 8 pm onwards with 20 minute slots given on a pre-booked basis, though some availability may be left on the night. To find our more please search ‘Friday At The Fish’ via Facebook.

Gin & Vino Thame This fantastic local wine and gin specialist will be playing host to a huge variety of local and national musical artists every second Wednesday of the month. With it’s atmospheric setting, plenty of locally and internationally sourced drinks on hand plus the option to purchase one of the famous ‘Graze Boards’ G & V makes a perfect setting to enjoy some fantastic mid week live music. For further information on their upcoming performers please visit: www.ginandvino.co.uk

This feature is brought to you by Simon Markland of Thame Music Academy

Tel: 07743 032292 Email: info@thamemusicacademy.com Web page: www.thamemusicacademy.com

Friday At The Fish Open Mic! After having to take a short break due to

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NEWS & EVENTS

in our region

Celebrate 25 Years of Midsomer Murders with a Midsomer Tour of Thame ... This year marks the 25th Anniversary since Midsomer Murders was launched back in 1997. After two difficult years in which few tours took place, due to Coronavirus, why not celebrate the 25th year by taking a Midsomer Tour of Thame? The ever-popular Midsomer Tours of Thame start the new season on Wednesday 6th April, continuing each Wednesday until 26th October. The tours are led by a team of seven knowledgeable guides (all volunteers) who are enthusiastic experts, not only on Midsomer Murders locations, the episodes, the actors, the bizarre methods of murder and much more, but on local history too. Thame is one of the most-filmed locations, sometimes appearing as Causton, sometimes as one of the many picturesque villages in Midsomer County (aka Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire). The tours start from outside the Town Hall at 2pm, where you will be greeted by your friendly guide. You will be escorted round the 23 Midsomer filming locations in Thame, and your guide will tell you about each one – including Thame Town Hall (aka Causton Town Hall), the Spread Eagle and Swan Hotels, the Black Horse, Rumsey’s Chocolaterie and Thame Museum. You will also learn fascinating snippets about Thame’s history, from its ancient Neanderthal remains to the English Civil War and Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. A popular location is the Prebendal, not only rich in history as a building, but also the former home of Bee Gee Robin Gibb, who is buried in St Mary’s Churchyard nearby. Tony Long, tour coordinator, commented, “In this 25th anniversary year of the launch of Midsomer Murders, we are delighted that our popular Midsomer Tours will be starting a new season from Wednesday 6th April. When people see Midsomer Murders on TV, they want to come and visit the beautiful towns and villages of Midsomer, in which Thame is a hub with over 20 filming locations”.

Local charity launches Women’s Mental Health Service... Mental health charity, Response, marked Women’s History Month (in March) by launching a mental health housing service for women with personality disorders and complex traumas. Response is launching a supported housing mental health service for women in Oxford. The new service will accommodate five women aged 18 and over who have complex Mental Health concerns such as borderline personality disorder. The focus on women specifically aims to meet a rising need due to mental health issues and vulnerability in the community. The women moving into the house will likely have experienced past abuse, often at the hands of men. This reflects broader statistics showing that 71% of people with borderline personality disorder experience trauma and abuse in their past. Abuse can be sexual, physical, emotional, neglectful, or financial. To help build back a sense of belonging and ownership over their environment, all the women will be encouraged to personalise and decorate their rooms themselves, picking out paint colours, bedding, and accessories. The service will also be working towards Enabling Environment Accreditation. If successful, it will be the first women-only mental health facility of its kind in Oxfordshire. For further information about the charity and this service, visit: www.response.org.uk

16 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk


THE ICKNIELD LINE STEAM & CLASSIC DIESEL TRAINS ON SUNDAY 10 APRIL EASTER WEEKEND 15 - 18 APRIL THURSDAY 21 APRIL SUNDAY 24 APRIL EASTER KIDS FOR A QUID ON 15 - 18 & 21 APRIL* ALSO HISTORIC STEAM-AUTOCAR ON SAT 16 APRIL • Family / Private Compartments with drinks & snacks £59 • Open-Plan Seats: Child (0-2 yrs) Free | Child (3-15 yrs) £1* / £5 • Adult (see website) £8 - £12 Free parking, toilets, Gift Shop & Pop-Up Refreshments at Chinnor. FOR TIMETABLES & INFORMATION PLEASE SEE WEBSITE OR CALL BELOW

CHINNOR & PRINCES RISBOROUGH RAILWAY 07979 055366 | www.chinnorrailway.co.uk STATION ROAD . CHINNOR . OX39 4ER




Home & Garden

Look locally over the garden gate with Lucie Giselle Ponsford

April and the sun warm our bones and the soil beneath our feet. This is the time of year my eyes are fixed low to the ground, in deference to reemerging life. Watching the contrasts of lime and deep red shoots reveal against dark brown soil. Followed by delicate dancing flowers breaking fresh and crisp from their latent buds. Growth revived after the winter’s rest. Here is where my plant of choice for this month brings open-faced, pale, butteryellow joy. The Primrose, flowering and colonising shady spots in our gardens. Primula vulgaris (the common primula) is a species scattered across western and southern Europe, northwest Africa, and parts of southwest Asia. They are best suited to the dappled dry of the woodland floor and do not thrive so well in full sun or on wetter sites. There are Primula candelabra, Primula Vialii and these conversely will fare well in bright marshy conditions and originate from similar growing environments in China. All of the aforementioned are species primulas and are crossbred and cultivated to give us the hybrid vigour of our loud and proud bedding Primula. Planted for winter interest they look their best now in spring as the heat and daylight stretch on. Plant these bedding perennials in your garden after you have cleared your pots. Over the years they will flower with more natural colours, their blooms reduce and hybridise with wild or neighbouring primula and you will have a carpet of pinky, cream colour to herald in future springs. To care for these perennials, they can be divided when they have expanded beyond one central crown after a few years. Lift from the ground and pull apart with two hand forks or cut with a spade. Note: they are very vulnerable to Vine Weevil if you leave them in their containers over the summer. Their fleshy roots, like those of the Heuchera, are almost guaranteed to be chewed clean off by the grubs. However, the flowers are also edible for us. Keep yourself a stock of primroses in open soil, harvest fresh and create candied flowers for a delicate and delicious addition to a spring cake!

With love, Lucie

For information on these or any other flower join me on Facebook @mimosadesign. Email: info.mimosadesign@gmail.com Call: 07737 286784.

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Home & Garden

Hardy Plant Specialists Herbaceous perennials, shrubs, climbers, trees, hedging and hardy annuals.  Set in beautiful Chiltern woodland.  UK grown and peat-free. 

Plant Propagation, Willow Weaving and other workshops available Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm Summer (British Summertime) 10am-4pm Winter (Greenwich Mean Time) www.stottsnursery.co.uk Ibstone Road, Stokenchurch, HP14 3XS 0 7542 718307

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Garolla garage doors are expertly made to measure in our own UK factories, they’re strong and solidly built. The electric Garolla door rolls up vertically, taking up only 8 inches inside your garage, maximising valuable space. Our experienced installers will fit your new door and they’ll take away the old one too, so there’s no mess. Give us a call today and we’ll come and measure up FREE of charge.

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Welcome to our farm shop where we stock Wild Bird Feed

Pet Food - brands include Burns, Natures Way, Chudleys Heygates Farm Animal Feed Animal Care including, Hay, Straw, Wood Shavings for Horses, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs Snowflake, Bliss and Bedmax Animal Bedding Bulldog Gardening Tools Garden Sundries & Seeds Melcourt Farmyard Manure, Topsoil & Ornamental Barks Extensive range of Hozelock and Miracle Gro products Opening Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm Saturday, 9:00am - 4:00pm Tel No: 01865

874636

Address: Old London Road, Wheatley, OX33 1YW Website: www.wheatleyfarmshop.co.uk

SPECIAL OFFERS ON COMPOST Mix and Match across the whole Erin Compost Range

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Home & Garden

Automower® AUTOMATIC CHARGING ULTRA QUIET OPERATION BUILT FOR SAFETY IN STOCK NOW WITH PRICES STARTING AT £674 INC. VAT

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farol.co.uk/automower 24 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk


Home & Garden

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Home & Garden

What actually is granite and marble..? Coulon Stone explains

Each month we share ideas for the ways natural stones can be used to enhance your home. We know that they are durable, easy to clean and look after, and they look beautiful. But what actually are these stones, where do they come from and how do they end up in our homes? We explore a little bit about two of the most popular stones used in homes and businesses around the world; granite and marble.

GRANITE

Granite is an igneous rock, a type of rock formed when magma slowly solidifies and crystallises below the Earth’s surface. When we look at granite we can see large crystallised grains. Granite is predominately composed of quartz and feldspar, but other minerals including mica and amphiboles are present as well, and it’s this mixture of minerals that gives each piece of granite it’s unique colour. Many are black, grey, white, pink and gold. It is the most common igneous rock on Earth and therefore we’re likely to encounter it in everyday life, as paving stones, cladding for buildings, curbing, staircases, gravestones, and of course kitchen worktops. Granite is found all over the world but India and Brazil are two of the biggest exporters of granite. India has such an abundance they only quarry 3% of the granite that they have. It’s found close to the surface so quarries are shallow, and are predominately quarrying granite that’s above ground. Small holes are drilled into the granite and a small explosive separates it from the surface. Once cut in to blocks and then slabs, it’s shipped all over the world to stone stockists. From there it’s bought by local stone masons who cut and finish the stone for their customers.

MARBLE

Marble is a metamorphic rock formed when limestone (a sedimentary rock) is subjected to heat and pressure – metamorphism. It’s composed of many minerals, primarily calcite, as well as clay minerals, micas, quartz, iron oxides and graphite. Under the conditions of metamorphism, a mineral called calcite, found in limestone, recrystallizes to form a rock with interlocking crystals, you can see this when you look at a piece of cut marble. Marble is typically much lighter in colour than granite. When formed with a limestone which has very few impurities in it, it will be white. Marble formed with more impurities such as clay minerals or iron oxides can be grey, pink, or black in colour. Traditionally Europe has been the largest exporter of marble, particularly Italy, where Carrara Marble is from, Greece and Spain, but more and more marble is coming from the Middle East and China. It’s quarried in a similar way to granite using a small explosion to separate it from the bedrock. It’s then cut in to slabs or blocks, and shipped around the world.

Join us on Social Media for Natural Stone inspiration Instagram: @coulonstoneltd| Facebook: @coulonstoneltd Web: www.coulonstone.com

28 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk


Home & Garden

The

50 plus

Home Repairs

• Plumbing • Electrical • Handy • Decorating • Gardening • And more from

- Tap washers - To consumer units (fuse boxes) - Fencing and external works - Plus technology and help at home for the elderly

Call or visit our web site for full details of our broad range of services, helpful advice & pricing

01844 392 823 www.the50plus.co.uk

Serving customers for over 20 years

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Business

Website Showcase

www.thamemidsomertours.co.uk Harris Consultancy provides web and social media services to ensure businesses are ready and optimised for online success. We recently completed the design of the Thame Midsomer Tours website and spoke to them about their business challenges and their experience of working with us Describe your business & your objectives

Thame Midsomer Tours promotes and runs weekly tours from April to October around Thame filming locations used for the ITV show, Midsomer Murders, for the general public. It is a notfor-profit organisation operating under the banner of 21st Century Thame and two thirds of the income generated by ticket sales from the tours is donated to local charities.

What challenges were you having prior to appointing Harris Consultancy as your web designer?

Starting completely from scratch and with no previous experience or understanding of building a website, it was essential to find a web designer who could guide us through the design process sympathetically and in non-technical language. With very little funding available, the challenge was to find a top-quality designer at a reasonable cost.

How would you describe the website build process from your perspective?

With no other web design experience to draw on, we were delighted to find that, with Harris Consultancy, the process was easy to understand, required no technical knowledge on our part, and was quick and straightforward to implement. Reviewing elements of the design during the build process was simple to do and amendments were actioned quickly.

How has your business changed following your new website?

The website has transformed the flow of communication for the tours from the previous cumbersome referral system from other local websites and has provided a platform for enquiries from groups and individuals interested in the tour. It has also facilitated enquiries about the tours in Thame and the surrounding villages and encouraged sales of the guidebook.

What would you say to anyone contemplating a website with Harris Consultancy?

For any organisation considering starting a website but which does not have the experience or technical know-how to undertake it themselves, seeking the services of Harris Consultancy would be a sensible move. Their explanation of the costs and design process is clear and presented in a friendly pressure-free manner.

How would you rate & describe your overall experience with Harris Consultancy?

We would have no hesitation in recommending Harris Consultancy to others thinking of starting their own website but lacking the technical knowledge or time to do it all themselves. The service was friendly and efficient, always carried out within agreed timescales and provided at reasonable cost. To maximise your online presence, contact us today M: 07799 282042 | E: hello@harris-consultancy.co.uk W: www.harris-consultancy.co.uk

30 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk



THE SWAN AT TETSWORTH

01844 281777 High Street, Tetsworth, Oxon, OX9 7AB

Voted the BEST ANTIQUES CENTRE in the UK

Art Deco Design 18ct White Gold and Diamond Bracelet .

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SOLD £7,500 HAMMER

Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Submariner Gent’s Wristwatch.

Garrard, a Pair of Victorian Silver Tea Caddies.

Highlights from the 10th & 11th March Sales...

WE ARE MAKING OUR VENDORS THOUSANDS OF POUNDS!

NEXT AUCTIONS: 14th and 21st APRIL

Both sale dates will be filmed by Cash In The Attic!

Here is an upcoming highlight from the 14th April lot... Lot 410 - Campbell Archibald Mellon Oil On Canvas ESTIMATED £15,000 £25,000

We are open for valuations and virtual valuations, from a single item to a complete house clearance or specialist collections.


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