FEB 2021 Issue 99
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February 2021
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Hello Readers, 10 27
CONTENTS 06. Business Chris Harris of Harris Consultancy talks to us about why he got into the Web Design industry. 09. health & Wellbeing Could Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Be the Right Option for Your Musculoskeletal Problem? By Thame Therapy Clinic. 10. Childcare Sleep Training - what’s it all about and how to introduce a sleep routine into your home. With Lara Chaplin of LaLa's House. 12/13. Sound of music Simon Markland talks us through this months music scene and upcoming events. 14/15. News News from our region.
Happy Valentines. So how is Lockdown treating you this time around? Home schooling turning you grey yet? It is me.... I genuinely found a whole new strip of a silver running down the middle of my head last week and it’s not a look I’m rocking! I MISS MY HAIRDRESSER and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Which is why we must continue to support all our local businesses but particularly those within the industries that aren’t allowed to trade at the moment. I’ve seen some great acts of diversity from local hairdressers, beauticians, restaurants etc online recently who have really had to change how they operate during the pandemic in a bid to keep their businesses alive. Many food establishments are offering delicious take aways and meal kits online whilst beauticians, lash/nail technicians and hair salons are selling hair and beauty products or offering selfcare tips and advice via their websites and social media channels, so make sure you’re still visiting them virtually, whilst you can’t visit them in person. And on the subject of ramping up your online activity, if your website is in need of a face-lift I highly recommend Chris Harris of Harris Consultancy who is one of the most passionate and skilled web designers I have ever met. As well as working with Chris on the magazine front, he recently build an e-commerce website for my other business, Scratch-em & Vinyl (www.scratch-em-and-vinyl.co.uk) to assist in making the ordering system more streamlined. The new web shop has done this and more. I have gained back the most important commodity - time! As the new website helps to process the orders much more efficiently. Chris has been a regular contributor in Look Local for the last 10 months offering online advice, this months feature is a more personal read. So go check out page 6. I also want to take this opportunity to draw attention to our stunning front cover image this month which was kindly sent to me by the very talented, local illustrator, Sam Osborne. You can view more of her colourful creations via her website: www.sam-osborne.co.uk. And as always, stay safe and support local...
16. home & garden Look locally over the garden gate, by Lucie Ponsford of Mimosa Garden Design.
Love Emma x
21. Get the Look Renovation ideas for your bathroom by Coulon Stone.
W: www.look-localmagazine.co.uk : Look Local Magazine
26. Editorial Making a Will - some important decisions.
BOOKING DEADLINE for March 2021 issue:
Monday 15th February 04
For Advertising contact 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk
: Look_Local_Mag 7,100 copies of Look Local Magazine are printed on a monthly basis and delivered to households in, Aston Rowant, Bledlow Ridge, 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. 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.
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February 2021
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05
Business Support
My Story....
In business we often talk about what we do, the services we offer and the products we sell. But we don’t often talk about why we do it, who we are and how we’ve got here. So, in this article I’m going to tell you my story and why my driven and determined personality has led to my success. Since a young age I’ve always had a passion for detail, design and automating processes. I used to build websites as a hobby when I was young, not for a particular purpose and I’m not even sure looking back that I had any visitors! But I loved, creating a space online where I could talk to the world, making it functional and look great for the end user. I would review the design regularly as I learnt new skills and to refresh my online platform, giving all those invisible visitors a fresh look every time they visited or in my case… did not! I took pleasure from this experience, researching new techniques and then applying them in practice, of course at that time things were very different, this was earlier in the days when the internet wasn’t mainstream and businesses hadn’t really ventured into the online world to start selling their products and services to the scale in which we see today. This meant that I had the upper hand to explore earlier software and build on the foundations that we find in web building today. Alongside this I also studied Marketing and explored psychological purchase behaviour linking into how customers navigate around websites along with ways in which to build a website that converts. In addition, I formalised my website knowledge into recognisable certifications to firm up my long-term achievements. Since then, I ventured into IT where again, detail, design and automating processes are needed, IT is what empowers the technology that a website is created on. There are also lots of synergy in designing a website and designing an IT process that works. All of which require software, a good easy to navigate or understand process and an end result that delivers what you need. After following me on my journey, and much to my surprise, family and friends started to come to me asking me if I can build them a website. They liked my approach and knew that I was a perfectionist in what I did. I’ve always been a driven, forward thinking individual and I can’t help myself but cannot do something half-heartedly, I would never create something that I do not love and wouldn’t want to have as my own. And it was at this point when I started to realise that it was a unique proposition to take the time to learn about your customers online requirements and build something bespoke for them from scratch, not churning out templates that are used time and time again, and it’s not about building a website and walking away…. but nourishing those individuals and helping them every step of the way to grow their business and adding value to what they wish to achieve. But it was after several conversations with people about the prices in which they paid for their web design and the poor end result of that service, I was shocked of how little and how often some of the basic principles were overlooked and the extortionate prices that were being charged. It was at this moment that the spark hit the fuel and Harris Consultancy was born. Our main objective is always client satisfaction wrapped up in an ongoing service format, there are no hidden costs, our subscriptions include everything you need from email to domain, SSL security, hosting, backup and free content updates. So you can focus on your customers whilst knowing your website is always ready to sell your services. I thought I would share one of my favourite quotes with you, from the late Steve jobs of Apple, who once said “Design is not just what it looks like. Design is how it works” . I really resonate with Mr Jobs and this quote is true of everything we and Harris Consultancy strive for. So, there’s my story, why don’t you tell me yours and get in touch today? M: 07799 282042 | E: hello@harris-consultancy.co.uk | W: www.harris-consultancy.co.uk
06 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk
Editorial Feature
Home Counties Loft Ladders, Quality You Can Trust! These days most homeowners suffer from a lack of storage space. So many precious items that need to be kept – but where to store it all? That’s where Home Counties Loft Ladders come in.
watchwords are Quality, Integrity and Value. Quality in the materials that we use for all our installations and the fact that all our loft packages are fitted by time served tradesmen, so our customers are assured of the best job.
The company, based locally, offers homeowners the opportunity to maximise their storage space with a loft ladder, 50sqft of boarding and a light - all fully fitted in less than a day from just £355! But it’s not just the affordability of the package that makes Home Counties Loft Ladders stand out, as manager Jamie Oakley explains: ‘Our
Integrity in that we will turn up at the time we say and make sure the house is spotless when we leave, and value in that we offer our services at a price people can afford.
us by our existing customers - that simply wouldn’t happen if we didn’t adhere to our overriding principles. At the end of the day the old adage that happy customers lead to more happy customers is true and we work hard to make
that happen for every installation we carry out!’ So, if you want to make use of your loft space, call Jamie free on 0808 301 9558 and he’ll be happy to pop round and give you a no obligation quote so you too can make use of your loft!
Our business relies on referrals and we get a huge amount of our calls from people who have been referred to
Need more storage space?
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07
Health & Wellbeing
08 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk
Heallth & Wellbeing
Could Musculoskeletal Ultrasound be the right option for your Musculoskeletal Problem?By Alok, Chartered Physiotherapist We often associate ultrasound scan with pregnancy as it immediately
conjures up image of a baby in utero. However, ultrasound scan has a much larger use as a diagnostic and treatment modality. A Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound uses that same technology to obtain images of the musculoskeletal system. For example, if a patient suffered a shoulder injury, a MSK ultrasound is used to see the structure of the joint and supportive tissue. Looking at prevalence and impact, it is estimated that up to 30% of all GP consultations are about musculoskeletal complaints. Of the annual incidence of all disorders presenting to primary care, shoulder pain accounts for 1.47% of the UK population and is the third most common musculoskeletal disorder after back and neck pain. Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to produce images of muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints throughout the body. Many conditions can be diagnosed with ultrasound scan as the real time imaging while the patient reproduces his or her symptoms. This is particularly useful for demonstrating causes of pain, muscle and tendon tears. It is safe, non-invasive and does not involve radiation. It is a good tool for guiding minimally invasive procedures such as steroid injections, fluid aspiration and to measure their progress throughout treatment. It has no known harmful effects on humans. Ultrasound images are typically used to help diagnose: •
Tendon tears or tendinopathy of the rotator cuff in the shoulder, Achilles tendon and many other tendons throughout the body.
•
Muscle tears, fluid collections.
•
Ligament sprains or tears.
•
Inflammation or fluid within the bursa and joints.
•
Nerve entrapments such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
•
Ganglion cysts.
Alok completed his MSc from Sheffield Hallam University in 2008 and PG certificate in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound from Bournemouth University in 2018. He has been treating all types of MSK and sports related injuries at Thame Therapy clinic. He will be introducing Ultrasound Imaging in the new year to the clinic as part of the clinical consultations to help you in getting an accurate
diagnosis and to evaluate which treatments are suitable for you, as well as monitoring your recovery over time.
For more information on how musculoskeletal physiotherapy can help treat your condition, or to book yourself an appointment, please contact us.
Thame Therapy Clinic High Quality Complementary Health Therapies from Experienced Practitioners
Therapies include • Physiotherapy • Reflexology • Osteopathy • Homeopathy • Acupuncture • Holistic Massage • Counselling • Naturopathic Nutritional Therapy and more... 01844 215555 / 261592 23 Upper High Street, Thame, OX9 3EX
www.thametherapyclinic.co.uk
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Health & Wellbeing
Welcome to LaLa’s House with Lara Chaplin,
Children’s Behaviour and Sleep Coach.
Happy New Year. 2021 brings with it some more difficulties but with promise of a return to some form of normality come Summer. Lockdown brings with it so many challenges. Home schooling, Working from Home, maintaining your home, keeping in touch with Friends and Family, getting enough exercise, getting enough sleep! We are all trying to do it all, with little relief. As human beings we have 3 fundamental needs Food, Water & Sleep! Our amazing supermarket key workers have your food needs sorted, whilst our Thames Water Keyworker are keeping our water supplies flowing, let me help you with those sleep needs! To be able to function at our best we need a certain amount of sleep. The total amount of hours we need in a 24hr period reduces as we age, but without that bare minimum we are all like bears with sore heads! Having children in the house shouldn’t mean that sleep is a thing of the past. I hear so often that ‘being tired is just part of being a parent’ or ‘they are children! Of course they don’t sleep!’ BUT! they are children, this means they sleep more, not less! Witch craft?? Far from it! When we understand the need for sleep and how our children need to spread it out we are more able to get the amount of sleep we need too! Our sleep needs go from Babies needing a minimum of 14hrs to our toddlers ranging from 11 - 14 hours in a 24 hour period. How your child spreads that in the day is really down to your lifestyle, but mostly their needs. There is a really bad rep associated with “Sleep Training”. It is expected that you are asked to leave our children to cry for hours without any interaction until they “just give up on you coming back” This is not sleep training! Sleep training is helping your child understand how to self settle, with your help and guidance. Sleep Training, is teaching your children the importance of sleep in enabling them to get the best out of their days, with your help and guidance. One of our biggest sleep regression triggers is change! Our children are going through so much change at the moment, so if you’re struggling with sleep this is likely why and you are unlikely to be alone! I want the very last thing you worry about to be sleep! Bedtime should be a calm time, a chance to really spend some time with your kids without fighting them, it is possible! I promise! With sleep we are calmer, more willing, gentle and less frustrated with our children and our children feel it too! Get in touch and I will make all your sleep worries disappear.
Stay Home, Stay Safe! With much Love, Lara x
Lalas House - Childminder/Children’s Sleep and Behaviour Coach W: www.lalashouse.com | M: 07787 823768 Insta: @lalashousesleep | Facebook: Lala’s House
10 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk
February 2021
Sleep Training (the basics) Masterclass 4-day course - understand your child’s need for sleep and how they are able to achieve it!
GET YOUR EVENINGS BACK! Day 1: Why your child doesnt sleep www.lalashouse.com 07787 823768 larachaplin1985@gmail.com
Day 2: Regression: Why & How to manage it Day 3: Your child’s sleep needs Day 4: The benefits of routine & independence
Each participant to complete the course will receive 20% off my Bronze Package Sleep Training service and one lucky winner will receive 2 weeks free support. Course suitable for children 2 years and above
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11
Sound of Music
February our to elcome will find you Here . page c musi 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. We hope to bring you further information regarding the events which are able to go ahead this year very soon! Academy Music Thame selves them Thame Music Academy pride fun and ive creat al, in offering profession s ment instru of ty varie large a in tuition for both children and adults alike! Based in the centre of Thame, in their purposebuilt teaching premises, they have 3 large professional and well equipped comfortable a rooms, teaching waiting area and the usual amenities.
The Academy is within easy reach of the town centre with free parking directly across the road. You can find the academy at: 37 Upper High St, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 2DN. TMA provide lessons in; Guitar, Guitar, Bass Keyboard, Piano, ssion, Percu Singing, Ukulele, Drums, and wind Wood Strings, of team Their more! tutors qualified highly
12
tailor lessons
to
their each
best the ensure to individual all. to given is ation musical educ Alongside this the academy also run regular group sessions, ensembles, baby & toddler groups and holiday workshops and courses. With the local community at the very heart of the academy’s values, they are also heavily involved in numerous local events and endeavour to provide performance opportunities for their students on a regular basis. During the current lockdown TMA has temporarily closed its teaching premises due to government guidance, however they are providing online lessons in all of the instruments the offer and with all of their fantastic tutors! Please use the contact details at the end of this article for more information.
Online Guitar Groups Sessions
Thame Music Academy will be providing online beginner guitar courses throughout the lockdown period (8 week course, 30 mins per week). There will be a children’s group and an adults group. This is a wonderful way of connecting and learning with like minded people. Please contact TMA for further details.
-
Musical Mayhem - is an award-
winning live music experience giving babies and toddlers in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire a lively introduction to traditional, modern and original
Entertainment children’s songs. The groups is now back for wonderful and creative online sessions! They are providing regular weekly musical sessions via their YouTube channel with a different theme every week! Children are encouraged to sing along at home and also use their own shakers, drums and percussion instruments whilst joining in! The online sessions are free of charge and a wonderful resource for budding young musicians. They are called Musical Mayhem for a reason - embracing the chaos that comes with little people! The children don’t have to sit still on your lap - let them wriggle, dance and express themselves and the session teachers do love a bit of cheeky heckling from the audience. The classes are suitable from birth up to school age and are highly interactive with colourful props, hand puppets, masks, scarves and parachute games to bring the songs to life. There is also a sprinkling of computer magic so make sure you look out for that! As well as stimulating the cognitive development of babies and young children, they aim to make Musical Mayhem a special, shared experience for you and your little ones that will inspire in them a lifelong love of music and give you many happy memories of singing together. For further information on current classes and to catch up on all of the recent online musical fun please search ‘Musical Mayhem’ on YouTube to find their channel.
R
egular local live music?
We are sure that 2021 will eventually bring back all the wonderful local and regular live music events which we all really enjoy, but in the meantime don’t forget these brilliant online sessions
so
you
can
get
your
musical
fix..!
The first Thursday Music Club Unfortunately at the current time there can be no live music events taking place within venues. However, the it is providing fantastic online live sets from some of the countries best musicians, whether local or from further afield! This totally free service can be found via the FTMC Facebook page where regular virtual events are added. Open Micsolate! - With all of us forced to socially distance ourselves from each other, and with possibly a little more time on our hands, a group of open mic fanatics wondered if any friends or friends several times removed might like to post a video of them having a bash at a song/ performance open mic style! Any style, any standard! Be brave! Feel free to invite anyone you think may enjoy or contribute. Kind comments only, if you hear anything you don’t like, skip on! All copyrights belong to original artists. The group started in March 2020 on Facebook and since then has grown to almost 6500 members with people from around the world sharing their musical talents. It has also given a chance for people to collaborate online and create some truly stunning music together! The group is a must for any performer who is missing their local music scene. It is all totally free of course and you can join them by searching ‘Open Micsolate’ via Facebook! They are also now running ‘Open Micsolate Live!’ once a month, this gives performers the opportunity to sign up for an online slot and perform live in the comfort of their own homes! Along with appreciating a whole array of fantastic artists at the same time. 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
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13
NEWS & EVENTS
in our region
Hike for your hospice... Three siblings are encouraging Buckinghamshire residents to join them in an 80-mile hike across the Chilterns to remember loved ones and raise much needed funds for Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity. By walking from Swindon to Aylesbury, Adam Dalwood and his family will be taking literally thousands of steps to remember their father who died at Florence Nightingale Hospice in 2018. Adam, sisters Kelly and Hannah, and one of their partners David, will be undertaking the four-day guided hike along The Ridgeway, Britain’s oldest road, on behalf of the Hospice, where their father Robin was cared for before he passed away. Such was the compassion and care of hospice staff that the family are calling on fellow residents of the county to take part, whether that is to remember a loved one, raise much needed funds for a great cause, or just as a way to overcome the lockdown blues. Robin spent his last two weeks at the Hospice and, thanks to the staff, he received an incredible level of care and compassion, even managing to marry his long-term partner. Robin and Kim Dalwood had been together for over 25 years but had just never gotten around to tying the knot. Adam said: “I think they just forgot to do so.” But after losing a battle against pancreatic cancer, nurses and staff at the Hospice helped organise the most important item on their bucket list. In a room bedecked with fairy lights and ornaments brought in from home by staff, Robin reaffirmed the love he had shared with his beloved Kim. “When my father was admitted to the Hospice, it was a shock and, at the time I was just so angry, as that was when we understood he was close to the end of his battle,” Adam explained. “However, I couldn’t be angry with the nurses, I will never forget what they did for my father. For the two weeks he was at the Hospice, they went beyond out of their way. We will be eternally grateful and taking part in the Ridgeway Hike is something positive to do to remember our dad and a small way to support the Hospice to provide such an amazing service to anyone who needs it.” Adam and his family are encouraging others to join the Florence Nightingale Hospice Ridgeway Hike on 3rd – 6th June 2021. Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity has been badly affected by the pandemic and, with the announcement of further restrictions at the start of the year, has closed all its shops again and most fundraising activities have come to a halt. However, the Hospice is continuing to provide high quality end-of-life care and support to patients and their families, either in the In-Patient Unit or at home. For more information about the Hike visit www.fnhospice.org.uk/ridgewayhike or email: fundraising@fnhospice.org.uk with any questions.
14 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk
Recipe
The Thame Green Living Plan is here! Starting now – a ten-year plan for a cleaner, greener Thame by 2030. Healthier lifestyles, more green spaces and more connected communities – these are just some of the outcomes that the Thame Green Living Plan is aiming to achieve for the Thame community. Adopted unanimously by Thame Town Council in July 2020, the Green Living Plan is a ten-year plan for a cleaner, greener Thame. It has been developed to protect and enhance quality of life for everyone locally in the things that really matter – our air, our water, our overall wellbeing, and the natural world that surrounds us. It has benefited from the contributions of many individuals and local groups. While concentrating on Thame, the plan explicitly recognises the vital importance of the town’s links with its surrounding communities and countryside. Actions and projects The plan recommends a series of actions and projects across five focus areas – green spaces and biodiversity, clean air, water, energy and waste – that involve and benefit the whole community. The actions can be taken by individuals, businesses and community groups, plus longer-term infrastructure changes are included. And all with the support of a new community organisation, proposed to be called Thame Green Living (TGL). One of the projects that is already getting off the ground is working with Thame Town Council to improve signage and information boards on existing – and new – walking and cycling routes around the town and extending this more widely. Another project is how to help households improve their energy efficiency, including supporting a ‘Solar Streets’ project initiative in Thame – more news on this later in October. Get Involved! Charles Boundy, who led the development of the plan through RSA Thame Group, is clear: “This plan is just the start. Without everyone in Thame getting involved, it will remain simply a set of ideas. But by working together we can make the changes we need. Whether you’re a resident, business, part of the council or community group, we’ve set out some easy steps that everyone can take straight away.” The first of those steps is to discover more, by reading the full Green Living Plan on the TGL website, and follow TGL on Facebook and Instagram. Charles continues: “Going forward, we have seen from other community schemes how local, personal and community efforts and success will inspire others to take action. People often respond to cues from others before they change their behaviour, and so we urge everyone to get involved!” Website: www.thamegreenliving.org.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThameGreenLiving Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thamegreenliving Contact: info@thamegreenliving.org.uk
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15
Home & Garden
Look locally over the garden gate with Lucie Giselle Ponsford
Hello February; cold and faithful as bulb tips muster on, determined winds blow and rains whip around our ears. Yet the prospect of Spring brings hope eternal! On quieter days where frost stills us, the winter scented plants have their moment and for those who see no rewards in venturing out of doors to your gardens in this season why not invest in a few of the best shrubs performing with beautiful bouquets. I for one cannot resist: Sarcococca confusa, the Christmas Box dark evergreen leaves perfect to mark a door or entrance as it is compact and stately and the smell hits you like a wave! Lonicera purpusii the Woody Honeysuckle. Unexceptional at other times of the year this municipal plant is in its element now. Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ with pink flower clusters and statuesque habit, Chimonathus praecox is a beautiful waxy & delicate flower, Mahonias’ too, M. x media’ Winter Sun’ look like fireworks and smells divine. Stachyrus praecox is quite the performer with long drooping racemes you just have to seek out. Some of the scented prowess is reserved for the acid dwelling plants such as Witch Hazel Hammemelis. But there are also Winter Stocks, now with perennial staying power: Erysiums in purples, orange and yellow. I have Narcissus’Thalia’ planted throughout the border to bring a waft of delicious freshness as you walk alongside, a desperate bid to recreate the bedding display of one Winter at RHS Wisley. Then there is Winter Jasmine, the divine cottage door surround, cheering and fresh and then Forsythia beckons. A top tip with Forsythia is to bring in stems now and watch them open early in a vase with the jolly yellow flowers and scent on demand from the comfort of a cosy room. Although there is no doubt, I assure you that the scent is better in the crisp morning cold.
For more top tips on planting and flowering or for other garden services see my Facebook page Mimosa Design, email me on info.mimosadesign@gmail.com or call 07737 286784.
With love, Lucie, Mimosa Design 16 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk
Home & Garden
18 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk
Home & Garden
Property Care, Home Improvements & Maintenance By Paul Costin Kitchens | Bathrooms | Plumbing Electrical | Plastering | Brickwork Roofs & Guttering | Flooring Decking | Fencing | Paving Painting | Conservatories Extensions | Double Glazing
Property Care, Home Improvements & **** Established Since 1981 Maintenance By Paul Costin
References available upon request City and GuildsFor a free quote contact Paul Qualified Property Care, Home Improvements & Telephone: 07860 400960 Maintenance By Paul Costin Email: pcostinbuilder40@yahoo.co.uk Public Liability Insurance
✓ Established Since 1981 ✓ References available upon request ✓ City and Guilds Qualified ✓ Public Liability Insurance ✓ Checkatrade Approved ✓ Established Since 1981 ✓ References available upon request ✓ City and Guilds Qualified ✓ Public Liability Insurance ✓ Checkatrade Approved
For a free quote contact Paul Telephone: 07860 400960 Email: pcostinbuilder40@yahoo.co.uk
*Kitchens *Bathrooms *Plumbing For*Electrical *Plastering *Brickwork a free quote contact *Roofs & Guttering *Flooring *Decking M: 07860 400960 *Fencing *Paving *Painting *Conservatories *Extensions E: pcostinbuilder40@yahoo.co.uk *Double Glazing *Kitchens *Bathrooms *Plumbing *Electrical *Plastering *Brickwork *Roofs & Guttering *Flooring *Decking *Fencing *Paving *Painting *Conservatories *Extensions *Double Glazing
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Home & Garden
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Home & Garden
GET THE LOOK -
Renovating Your Bathroom? Ideas to Inspire You. By Coulon Stone Ltd
Is your bathroom a space that energises your morning routine? Is your bathroom a place you go to unwind at the end of long day? Does your bathroom bring you simply bring you joy? If your bathroom does none of this maybe it’s time to think about making some changes, and we have some ideas which could take your bathroom from bland and broken to home spa. Statement Vanity The vanity is a space where you can create real drama, a focal point for your bathroom. Over the last few years art deco style marble vanity tops with metal pipe legs have gained popularity and they continue to be one of our favourite looks. They are completely customisable including the stone (dark granites work just as well as lighter marbles), the design and the legs, Coulon Stone can help with every step. If you’re looking for something more contemporary try a solid floating vanity using a spectacular slab of something like Titanium, a dark granite that can come in a matte finish. It will also be really easy to look after as is less likely to get water stains than softer stones like marble. Bookmatched Bathrooms Create a real sense of luxury, your own home spa with bookmatched, floor to ceiling marble in your shower. Bookmatching involves taking two stone slabs cut from the same block (similar to slicing a loaf of bread) and fixing them next to each other to create an exquisite mirror image effect. It looks most effective with heavily veined or patterned stones like Calcutta Marble. Please feel free to visit our showroom for more inspiration and advice, we’re adhering to all social distancing guidelines.
Email info@coulonstone.com | Showroom (Social Distancing measures are in place): Wycombe Road, Stokenchurch, HP14 3RP | Call: 01494 484333
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21
Home & Garden
Hardy Plant Specialists
Quality Thatching Services If you’re looking for a roof thatching company to help in maintaining, re-thatching or re-ridging your thatched roof, trust the experts at Premier Master Thatchers.
Premier Master Thatchers 40 Ardley Road Fewcott Bicester OX27 7PA
Contact us 01869 250 292 07985 842 824 info@premiermasterthatchers.co.uk
- Herbaceous perennials, shrubs, climbers, trees, hedging and hardy annuals in a beautiful nursery set in Chiltern woodland - UK grown and peat-free - Wide range of common and unusual plants - New workshops and experiences available for 2021! Opening Hours Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm Summer (British Summer Time) 10am-4pm Winter (Greenwich Mean Time) www.stottsnursery.co.uk Ibstone Road, Stokenchurch, HP14 3XS 07542 718307
OAKWOOD
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0800 747 1718 | 07376 745561 E: oakwood1970@outlook.com
22 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk
Home & Garden
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23
Home & Garden
BVS skip & Roro bin hire For all your waste and recycling needs. Available to hire for Domestic and Commercial use in Aylesbury, Henley on Thames, High Wycombe, Oxford, Thame and surrounding. RoRo Bin Sizes
Skip Sizes
15 yards 20 yards 35 yards 40 yards
2 yards 4 yards 6 yards 8 yards 12 yards
e For a Quot
01844 281381 07792 286131
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Home & Gardens
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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25
Editorial
Making a Will - some important decisions, by Mike Bradley of Integrity Wills Having made the decision to make your Will, there are some important points you need to consider before meeting with a Will Writer. By having many of the answers available it will leave more time to discuss the other important issues which may arise during the consultation.
A professional Will Writers job is to take your instructions and translate them into your Will,
creating a document which accurately reflects your wishes. The Will needs to be understood by your executors and most importantly, The Probate Court, to ensure that it is proved quickly, thus minimising any problems after your death which could cause delays leading to hardship for your loved-ones.
THE APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTORS You may choose to appoint a member of your family, a prime beneficiary or close friend to act as an executor. Remember, an executor can also be a beneficiary. If you do need to appoint a professional executor, you could opt for either a solicitor, chartered accountant or a Trust Corporation to act on your behalf. Your Will Consultant will be able to advise on the best option for your circumstances.
APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIANS If you have children (under the age of 18) you will need to appoint guardians. It may be helpful to make at least one guardian a joint executor as they have a right to money from your estate to help towards the upbringing of your child. This amount can be restricted to a certain amount or could be left in a trust fund. If you have a child with additional needs, who are likely to require specialist care either at home or in the care of the Local Authority, a trust will be required to ensure adequate funds are available for their future.
PROPERTY How you hold your property will determine how it passes on after your death. As ‘joint tenants’ your share will pass on to the survivor automatically. If you wish to pass your ‘interest’ in the property to your children or others, you should hold your property as ‘tenants in common’. More in-depth information can be discussed with your consultant. For more in-depth information or experienced advice regarding Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Funeral Plans contact Michael Bradley on 01844 281013 or 07868 746406.
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY TREE GUARDIANSHIP WILLS WITH INTEGRITY Basic Single Will from £95.00 Basic Joint Will from £150.00 Pre-payment Funeral Plans from £3,900 Lasting Powers of Attorney from £110.00
T: 01844 281013 | E:integritywills@aol.com
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Voted the Best Antique Centre in the UK High Street, Tetsworth, Oxon, OX9 7AB
01844 281777 www.theswan.co.uk antiques@theswan.co.uk
WE ARE MAKING OUR VENDORS THOUSANDS OF POUNDS! We are now accepting consignments for our next auction which takes place on 4th March 2021 SOLD for £1,000 hammer
SOLD for £11,000 hammer
SOLD for £7,000 hammer SOLD for £4,500 hammer SOLD for £3,500 hammer
We are still open for valuations and virtual valuations, from a single item to a complete house clearance or specialist collections. For all enquiries M: 01844 281777 | E: antiques@theswan.co.uk
