JAn 2021 Issue 98
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January 2021
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Hello Readers,
12 CONTENTS 06. Business FREE Web Design offer with Harris Consultancy. 09. health & wellbeing New year, new goals. By Neil Hussey of NHPT. 10. health & wellbeing New year wishes from Thame Therapy Clinic. 12. Childcare Welcome to Lala's House - child behaviour specialist. 14/15. Sound of music Simon Markland talks us through this months music scene and upcoming events. 16. News News from our region. 17. Recipe Spice up your left over Turkey with this delicious recipe courtesy of Mama Dors Kitchen.
As for 2020 - what happened!!!! I think I’ll be in the majority when I say that I’m glad to see the back of last year and am hopeful that this year we will all be able to return to some level of normality very soon. So come on 2021 - please do your best to bring light, positivity and prosperity. Especially to all the businesses who took a real bashing last year. We all need to do our bit to support our local community to help it rebuild and get back on its feet. There’s a wonderful selection of local businesses promoting their products and services in this edition plus we have some great articles from our regular contributors including inspiration for new year fitness and how to maintain it beyond the end of the month, home inspo for those who want to give their kitchen a revamp and Harris Consultancy are running a FREE Website Design offer this month - turn to page 6 for further details. We also have a new regular article from Child Behaviour specialist, Lara Chaplin, who will be offering helpful advise on how to navigate the challenges of toddlers and children - I think after last year we can all do with a bit of guidance in this area. Turn to page 12 for her first instalment.
18. home & garden Look locally over the garden gate, by Lucie Ponsford of Mimosa Garden Design.
And as always, stay safe and support local...
23. Get the Look Give your kitchen a make over! Tips from Coulon Stone.
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23. Home & Gardens The 50Plus Story. 30. Editorial Making a Will - some important decisions.
BOOKING DEADLINE for February 2021 issue:
Fri 15th January 04
Love Emma x W: www.look-localmagazine.co.uk 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, 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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Photo Credit: Front cover and some images within the publication are courtesy of Freepix.
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Happy New Year and welcome to the January 2021 Edition of Look Local Magazine. I hope you all had a lovely (albeit different) Christmas. It was a bitter blow to us all not being able to see family and friends at such a special time of year but I hope that you enjoyed the festive season with your children/household.
January 2021
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Business Support
Free Website Design Offer It’s a new year! Hooray I hear you shout! There is no hesitation that
I’m sure that you’ll be pleased to see the back of 2020. Happy New Year and best wishes for 2021! But let’s not forget the more positive aspects of what we learnt in 2020 and what we took away. Maybe you cherished the time you had to spent with loved ones, or maybe setup your own business, whatever it may be, 2020 will not be forgotten. For many, it was a time to reset, reflect and take the time to plan what we wish to achieve. For businesses It continues to be a testing time, and will be for the foreseeable, as a business we must adapt and transform the way we do things and build on our digital presence. I remember reading several articles over the lockdown period and I still find it baffling that some major high street retailers refuse to drive online sales. The consumer trend is changing, more of us are spending more time at home, because we’re either working from home, our job status has changed or perhaps staying safe. That means trying to segregate our home life and our work - from home life, looking after the kids, whilst also trying to run a house – Time is perhaps more limited in some ways, where we have saved the commuting time, we’ve put on more hats and more responsibilities. Therefore, these behavioural changes will have a profound transformation of habit that exceeds past the end of the pandemic and whatever happens we should all be prepared to be more flexible and find ways to reduce our internal administrative costs to running a business. Spending less time doing laborious administrative tasks means more time selling or fulfilling orders. Resulting in more profit! Having the ability for your services and products to be bookable or purchased online is a great way to automate some of those laborious but vital business tasks, by streamlining your ordering process you will gain valuable time back to enable you to process more orders or explore further ways to market your business. Let’s not forget, whilst we are probably all busy piling the paperwork together to send to our accountant having an online solution that calculates our sales and profits not only benefits the customers as mentioned, but ensures that the tax return becomes far less of a headache for us! We know that times are hard but we also realise that small business will not succeed without a successful responsive, and eye-catching website that converts. That’s why Harris Consultancy is offering businesses a FREE ONE-PAGE WEBSITE DESIGN trial – Allowing you the opportunity to see what can be achieved when working with an award-winning agency. If you supply us with text, imagery and your logo we will create a bespoke page for you. Giving you the opportunity to see what your website could look like, prior to subscribing to our website packages. Our popular pay monthly website packages, gives every business the opportunity to access affordable first-class award-winning digital marketing from a local and committed company, passionate about helping you succeed and grow your business. To take advantage of this offer simply fill out the form found on the link below and we shall get started! https://harris-consultancy.co.uk/free-trial/ If you fancy a chat or need some social media support always drop us a line. We’re a friendly bunch! Here’s to 2021 and let’s start strong as we mean to go on! M: 07799 282042 | E: hello@harris-consultancy.co.uk | W: www.harris-consultancy.co.uk
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Health & Wellbeing
Sophie Lacey
MEDITATION TEACHER Online meditation classes and one-to-one lessons, nature-based meditation, beginners’ courses, workplace meditation, workshops & events, and menopause support. Mindful garden schemes, gift vouchers, hand-made meditation candles and anointing oils
Contact: 01844 351919 / 07982 756609 | www.lindentreemeditation.com Email: sophie@lindentreemeditation.com | Facebook: Linden Tree Meditation
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Health & Wellbeing
New Year, New You with Neil Hussey, PT & Fitness Coach I would firstly like to wish you all a very Happy and Healthy 2021 from us all at NHPT and hope you all had a very good, if not a little different, Christmas.
So… January is here, New Year’s Resolutions made and every 2nd advert you see is either for a summer holiday or a deal on gym membership. Did you know though, of all the people who start a new fitness regime of some sort, 60% will have given up within the first 6 weeks. Mainly this is because it’s the hardest time period, especially at this time of year. Mornings and evenings are dark, wet and not exactly enticing to get out there. So what can you do to maximise your chances of establishing a good exercise habit that will continue beyond Valentines Day? In my opinion the key it to find something that works for YOU, not what your work colleague or partner is doing, not what the latest fitness fad and definitely not something you dread doing and don’t enjoy. This January what are your options?
1. JOIN A GYM The biggest thing about gyms now is there is a plethora of choice. In this case try lots, ask for free trials, try their classes, go at the time of day you are most likely to go. It’s all very well the gym being open 24/7 but are you paying extra to go within “normal” times?
2. GET A PT Personal training is exactly that, personal. It is a way of training which is developed to suit you. Whether in a gym or at home a personal trainer, well a good one a least, should listen to your needs and tailor everything to you to ensure you look forward to your next session. From my 17 years as a PT I have seen many PTs who I would not want to train me. Again ask for a trial and testimonials. Any good PT should jump at the chance to provide these.
3. ONLINE CLASSES With everybody being more confident with using programmes such as Zoom, the online class revolution has well and truly started. Some will not continue and others, like the NHPT Class Pass, are here to stay. Offering a wide range of classes, all from the comfort of your own home these classes allow you to be part of a “family” without feeling uncomfortable in a busy gym.
4. GET OUT AND DO IT YOURSELF There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting out and training yourself providing you do it safely. The biggest issue is motivation though. Will you get a knock on the door from a PT or a reminder on your phone for a class or will you slump back under the covers and press snooze once more? If you would like any further information on the NHPT Class Pass, or at home Personal Training please do not hesitate to contact me on 07590 676205 or Neil@nhpt.org.uk and again I wish you a very healthy and happy 2021.
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Health & Wellbeing
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Heallth & Wellbeing
Happy New Year from Thame Therapy Clinic... Happy
New Year to all patients and friends of the clinic. We are still open with most of our therapies available with face to face consultations. We are of course maintaining our ‘covid secure’ protocol:- Triaging patients before arrival - Sanitising hands frequently - Spacing out the number of patients in the clinic - Wearing masks at all times especially when less than 2m apart
The Government is allowing us to remain open as most of our main therapies are defined as ‘non-medical essential health care’. We offer these therapies to the increasing number of people who feel the growing strain of living in a covid emergency is undermining their physical and mental health. We also have various herbal and homeopathic remedies to help stave off the first signs of colds and coughs and winter illnesses which undermine our immune systems. If you are unlucky enough to have continuing symptoms and malaise after covid 19 we can also offer acupuncture and homeopathic support to help reboot the system. As far as we know there are no medical treatments offered for ‘long covid’. Please call Thame Therapy Clinic on 01844 215555 if you wish to book an appointment and see our website www.thametherapyclinic.co.uk for the latest news on availability of practitioners.
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
Hi! My name is Lara, a mum of 3 aged between 13 years and 1 year, 1 girl, 2 boys to be exact. I have worked with children on and off since having my first child and am currently working as a childminder in Chinnor. 2020 has been a year no one ever expected and many of us have, once more, had to reinvent ourselves to fit around our new way of family life. Lets face it, becoming a parent is an earth shattering event as it is! Throw in a global pandemic and all of a sudden you have seasoned parents clawing at the skirting boards and hanging on by a thread to what is left of their sanity! As for any new parents this year! How are you? Challenges have smacked us all in the face like every single member of Chinnor Youth FC taking a hit at you with all your limbs tied! All you can do is stand there and wait for some of the balls to fly by and others to clout you clean in the face! Mental health has taken a nose dive, our children’s development has been put on hold, online business is soring and we are all appreciating the little things in life so much more. Lalas House sprung from deep inside me. I have always been passionate about strong willed, healthy (both physically and mentally), well balanced children. Who can grow up to take on the world, but be polite and appreciative while doing it. Teach them that the world doesn’t owe them anything, but they can change the world if they so wish! I began researching into the developing brain and at what stages each “part” comes into effect and can help us and our children connect. The brain is such a powerful organ, developing a child is developing the child’s brain. It (you) mould their beliefs, understanding and opinions. How they deal with and react to particular situations. By understanding the brain and its functionality we can determine the difference between 2 main forms of tantrum and deal with them accordingly. Over the coming 3 issues I will be touching on each area of my coaching, Potty Training, Toddler Sleep Training, Behaviour, Picky Eaters & Dummies. So many challenges have come out of 2020 for many. Our children have become feral, snack monsters. Our adult advent calendars are bottles of wine and random things we find in the kitchen cupboards. Regaining some control over ourselves and therefore our children’s health will help us all put 2020 where it needs to be, in the past. Lalas House has tried and tested methods in all areas of support. It is not and will never be a “one size fits all” job. Every child is unique and will be treated as such.
Much Love Lara
Lalas House - Childminder/Children’s Sleep and Behaviour Coach W: www.lalashouse.com | M: 07787 823768 Insta: @lalashousesleep | Facebook: Lala’s House
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January 2021
Potty Training Masterclass 4-day course - with all you need to know about Potty Training your toddler Day 1: Know the signs and avoid rushing them. www.lalashouse.com 07787 823768 larachaplin1985@gmail.com
Day 2: Be Prepared Day 3: Out and About Day 4: Our language
Each participant to complete the course will receive 20% off my Bronze Package Potty Training service and one lucky winner will receive 2 weeks free support.
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Sound of Music
elcome to our January music page. Happy New Year! Here you will find information on how to find the best musical instrument tuition in the area and what musical activities and workshops are taking place at this time.
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. Thame Music Academy Thame Music Academy pride themselves in offering professional, creative and fun tuition in a large variety of instruments 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 teaching rooms, a comfortable 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, Piano, Keyboard, Bass Guitar, Singing, Ukulele, Drums, Percussion, Strings, Woodwind and more! Their team of highly qualified tutors tailor their lessons to each individual to ensure the best musical
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education is given to all. 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. Bookings are now being taken for January onwards, for further information about Thame Music Academy and to book lessons please contact them via the details at the end of this article.
Local Events in 2021 - This year
promises to bring back some of our much loved local events so here are a few dates for your diary‌!!!
Music In The Park
This fantastic local 1 day music festival will be taking place at the start of May 2021 (Date TBC). Having taken place in Elms Park Thame over the last 8 years, the festival has grown from strength to strength,
Entertainment 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: - 3 stages, all showing off the best musical talent from Thame and beyond - 2 bars, multiple food stalls and merchandising - A friendly family atmosphere - Ben’s Busk Stop which offers a great opportunity for budding performers to get up and have a go on the day! 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
Thame Town Music Festival After the huge success of the last few years TTMF is planned to take place on Saturday 10th July 2021! With venues across the town and a main stage next to the town hall this promises to be a wonderful array of live music – Everyone is welcome to come along! The main objectives of the festival are: - To further enrich the cultural life and reputation of Thame as a vibrant, diverse, and enthusiastic community. - To give original artists a platform to perform in a quality setting to a supportive and engaged audience. - To continue the FTMC mission of promoting live music performance in Thame. - To support the local economy and small retail businesses particularly Thame High Street.
- To kick start a fund/campaign to create a performance venue for Thame. The performances will include some brilliant local talent along with artists from further afield. The festival website has further information on all the potential performers and everyone has a chance to vote for and suggest who they might like to perform on the day. To place your vote, suggest potential performers and find out more please visit: www.thametownmusicfestival.org
R
egular local live music?
We are sure that 2021 will 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 First Thursday Music Club 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! - During Lockdown a group of open mic fanatics wondered if any friends or friends might like to post a video of them having a bash at a song/ performance open mic style! Any style, any standard! It is all totally free of course and you can join them by searching ‘Open Micsolate’ via Facebook! 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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NEWS & EVENTS
in our region
Project Shoebox delivers again... Thame Therapy Cinic, with the help of the local community and thier clients put together 150 shoeboxes worth of goodies for women and children in refuges in Oxfordshire. It was a great effort considering the limited opening of shops and it was greatly appreciated by the organisers in Oxford.
Buckinghamshire healthcare charities join together to launch Nightingale’s Rainbow Appeal Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Charitable Fund and Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity have teamed up to launch Nightingale’s Rainbow Appeal to raise money for healthcare in Buckinghamshire. The focal point of the appeal is the new Nightingale’s Rainbow installation planned at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury which is being funded by local organisations. Members of the public are being asked to sponsor Rainbow Tiles on the structure with the proceeds being shared between the two charities. With fundraising opportunities limited and an increase in the demand for services and equipment this year, the money raised by Nightingale’s Rainbow Appeal will make an amazing difference for both charities and their patients. Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Chief Executive, Neil Macdonald said: “We’re delighted to be joining Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity to launch the Nightingale’s Rainbow Appeal. This year has been the one of the hardest in NHS history and the demand on our staff and services has increased dramatically. I’ve seen first-hand the generosity of the local community during the pandemic and I have no doubt that the residents of Buckinghamshire will come together to support this vital appeal.” Rainbow Tiles can be sponsored for a donation of £20 a tile at: fnhospice.org.uk/nightingalesrainbow, where you can also find more information about the Nightingale’s Rainbow project.
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Recipe
Cook with... Karahi Turkey Serves 4
Ingredients: • • • • • • •
2 tablespoons of Mama Dor’s Karahi Spice Blend* 500g lamb shoulder, cubed 1 large onion, diced 2 tablespoons natural yoghurt 2 tablespoons tomato puree 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 fresh chillies (optional)
Method: 1. Create a paste using the Spice Blend, yoghurt, tomato puree and vinegar. Add the turkey and leave to marinate for at least two hours, covered in the fridge. 2. When you’re ready to cook, take the marinated turkey out of the fridge and leave to sit at room temperature for 30mins. This is an important step to ensure the yoghurt doesn’t split when you add to the pan. 3. In a deep frying pan, brown off the onion with chillies (if using) in the olive oil. Once nicely brown, add the turkey mixture with about 100ml of tap water. Give it a good stir, cover and turn to a low heat. 4. Cook for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. The sauce will become thick and the meat beautifully tender. Serve with warm naan bread or fluffy basmati rice. * Note: this blend is usually used on lamb but will work equally well on Turkey. And if you do not have the Mama Dor’s Karahi Lamb Spice Blend, you can substitute for a generic curry powder blend. It won’t be as aromatic or authentic but the method described above will give you a delicious dish.
Mama Dor’s Kitchen provides a range of authentic Indian Spice
Blends. All blends are sugar & gluten free and are suitable on a vegan diet. They are provided in a refillable glass spice jar and come with an easy to follow recipe card. There are over 15 blends to choose from, all created with family and ease of use in mind. So they are all mild and flavourful, and typically can be made using ingredients you already have in your store cupboard. The jars range from £5 to £10 each, with each jar containing enough Spice Blend for 12 servings. And when your jar is empty, bring it back for a refill, at a lower price. If you’d like to try the Karahi Lamb recipe above, or any of the other delicious blends, visit www.mamadorskitchen.co.uk
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Home & Garden
Look locally over the garden gate with Lucie Giselle Ponsford
January a moment of calm in the garden, well at least on the surface of things,: there are plenty of jobs (pruning roses a priority, see my FB for more info & how to’s) and there are plenty of things performing their hearts out for the rewards afforded to the few at this time of year.
Hope and promise with new shoots of the bulbs planted in the autumn or those
lying latent since last winter, daffodils, snowdrops, first dwarf Iris all showing face. Cyclamen too, bedding beauties: naturalised they will flower in shady spots, or brought from the hothouse to our window sills, they are a hopeful and enduring show of colour, red, white, pinks and purples. The lovely thing about the cyclamen is their ability to endure. They are the symbol of eternal and steadfast love because of their round corm, which will flower, sometimes for centuries and even lie latent in harsh conditions till it suits to grow. Cyclamen persicum (from Persia) are not hardy, but others, all in the Primulaceae family will happily naturalise in your garden in similar conditions to your primroses so plant out once they have finished flowering in your pot arrangements. But for now enjoy their happy, down turned faces and heart shaped leaves perfect for New Year cheer. 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 18 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk
Home & Garden
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Home & Garden
MJC Electrical Ltd.
Napit&TrustmarkReg.
All Electrical Works undertaken: Electric Car Chargers Extra Sockets & Lights Fuse Board Upgrades Complete Rewire Gate Automation Intruder Alarms Fully Insured Over 20 years experience
Call Matthew
01491 614494 or 07714 236982 mjcelectrical1@btinternet.com
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 -
New Looks For The New Year. By Coulon Stone Ltd
upcoming kitchen trends. At Coulon Stone we’ve found more of you than ever have used this year of on-andoff lockdowns to make changes and upgrades to your home, and kitchen’s in particular have been a popular space for renovations. Here are three of our favourite kitchen design trends for 2021.
Open Shelving (Image Source www.plainenglishkitchen.co.uk)
It’s that time of year again to look at
Matte Natural Surfaces In 2021 we will see more than ever people surround themselves by nature including filling their homes with earthy materials, plants and natural surfaces. Natural stones like granite and slate will continue to be used in our kitchens, however opt for more of a matte finish rather than the traditional shiny surface, mimicking a straight from the earth feel. This reflects other home décor trends for example using jute, linens, organic cotton, hemp and bamboo, along with colours like terracotta, mustard and dark greens. Open Shelving for a Curated Kitchen With a rise in the use of social media and sites like Pinterest being used as a home design tool, along with high street brands like H&M and Zara making beautiful home décor pieces more accessible, more of us have developed an interest in design and home styling. This is reflected in our growing use of open shelving and glass cabinetry making our kitchens beautifully curated design spaces, as well as practical. Why not add open shelves to your kitchen made from the same stone you’ve used as your kitchen worktop and splashback. This will create a completed look to your space as well as create opportunity to display beautiful pieces of crockery and glassware. Dramatic Marbles Marble has been a popular interior choice for many years. However 2021 will see an increase in more unusual and dramatic marbles being used in our kitchens, the busier the stone the better. Some of our favourite more dramatic and unusual marbles include Verde Guatemala, an earthy dark green marble with grey and white veins, and Calcutta, a glassy white marble with scorings of deep, dark grey. 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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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, hedging and hardy annuals - UK grown and peat-free - Wide range of common and unusual plants - Wreath Making, Natural Christmas Decoration Making and other workshops and experiences available Opening Hours Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm Summer (BST) 10am-4pm Winter (GMT) www.stottsnursery.co.uk Ibstone Road, Stokenchurch, HP14 3XS 07542 718307
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Home & Garden
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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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The
50 plus
Home Repairs
• Plumbing • Electrical • Handy • Decorating • Gardening • And more
- Tap and washers, electrical, consumer units / fuse boxes - Fencing and external works - Technology and help at home for the elderly
The 50plus Story
50plus began as a handyman service almost 21 years ago; they’ll have a birthday party - when they can! Today the service portfolio has grown to include a broad set of home repair, improvement and commercial services and very much in keeping with the company’s name - a range of services for the elderly. Today 50plus is run from their head office on Chesham High Street with field staff distributed over a wide area. Customers often pop in to the offices to get questions answered and are always welcomed. In keeping with the times the company offers online booking and has embraced technology to provide a range easy to use technically enabled services for our elderly customers under the ‘Umbrella Care’ branding. 50plus was originally conceived as a means of providing employment for those aged 50plus and whilst they remain true to the original ideal, the idea of using mature service providers together with a service orientated structure, chimes with customers who are 50plus. So telephones (and today email, web, WhatsApp and more enquiries) are answered, free advice is provided and appointments are run on a date and time basis. So as they say: they are different - its all about the service.
01844 392 823
www.the50plus.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
28 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk
January 2021
Please mention Look Local Magazine when responding to adverts.
29
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
30 To advertise, call 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk
Voted the Best Antique Centre in the UK High Street, Tetsworth, Oxon, OX9 7AB
01844 281777 www.theswan.co.uk antiques@theswan.co.uk
HAPPY NEW YEAR WISHES FROM THE SWAN
We have some fantastic entries for our NEXT AUCTION to be held on Thursday 4th February
FREE VALUATIONS, from a single item to a complete house clearance or specialist collections. OUR RETAIL DEPARTMENT IS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 10am - 5pm (Sunday 10am - 4pm) or by appointment. For all enquiries M: 01844 281777 | E: antiques@theswan.co.uk