Look Local Magazine, Issue 122, January 2023

Spend an evening with the amazing voice of Lou Fowkes singing classics from the likes of Billie Holiday, Etta James, Adele, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Beth Hart and Amy Winehouse......plus a few surprises!

Happy New Year and welcome to the January 2023 issue of Look Local Magazine. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and were able to relax and unwind after what had been another pretty trying year.

Tickets £15 from Thame Town Hall, tel: 01844 212833, or online at thameplayers.co.uk

Exclusive Competition

For a chance to win complimentary tickets for a family of four to a Thame Players’ production * answer the following question: Who travels from England to Monte Carlo? Email your answer with your name and contact details to info@look-localmagazine.co.uk by 31st August *There are five Thame Players’ productions a year. See website for details. 15

As we enter another uncertain year, with the cost of living crisis still very much looming over us it is imperative that we continue to support all our local businesses and service providers, as many have taken a really bashing these last few years - myself included! It’s important that we pull together as a community and support one another.

Whilst on the subject of the rising costs, if you live in a listed or older building our article on page 9, from Eco Tiffin Ltd, may be of interest as they explain ways in which thermography technology can help find ways to reduce heat loss by 50%.

And, if your list of New Year’s Resolutions is made up of wanting to try new things, meet new people, raise money for charity or make a difference in the community, volunteering with Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity could be perfect for you. For more information about this rewarding opportunity turn to page 14.

accept

of

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.

Front Cover Image: Courtesy of Freepix.

The fabric first approach is essential when improving insulation to roofs, walls, floors and windows which are just some of the ways of reducing heat-loss.

The use of thermography (thermal imaging) is an exciting and relatively new application in the building world. If you want to identify areas of excessive heat loss in your home on the way to creating an eco-friendly building, using thermographic equipment is a good place to start.

Robert Tiffin (descendant of the original family) and highly respected building expert and Quantity Surveyor, has seen a rise in the number of families wanting to make their homes work more efficiently by reducing heat loss.

Evidence from thermograms help to provide much of the data to substantiate Robert’s bespoke reports for each property in “seeing the unseen”. To the trained eye, the results can reveal important information enabling a clear diagnosis.

Home owners look forward to maximising their comfort to a warm, cosy, cost effective and healthier environment for themselves and their families.

“seeing the unseen”. As featured in Listed Property Owners Club Magazine.

New looks for the New Year

By Coulon Stone

It’s that time again when we look forward to some of the big kitchen trends predicted for 2023. As stone mason’s for over 30 years, it’s never a surprise to Coulon Stone that natural, and composite stones feature heavily in interior trend predictions every year. Durable, timeless and easy to clean, it makes sense as a surface material for busy homes and businesses. So what are some of the ways natural stones are set to be used in kitchens over the next year.

Japandi Style

Combining Scandinavian design with Japanese minimalism, Japandi interiors are set to be the most popular design choice for 2023. Minimal simplicity with an appreciation for practicality and comfort come together to create these calming schemes. Natural materials, organic textures and earthy tones is key to these nature-inspired rooms. In the kitchen that means choosing a worktop and backsplash made from a natural or natural looking material, like a marble or man-made quartzite, mixed with an abundance of house plants, wooden cabinetry and neutral toned seating.

Painted Islands

If you’re looking for a way to update your kitchen without fully renovating your space, consider injecting some colour by painting your island, or updating your island worktop. Island’s which are unique to the rest of the kitchen will be very popular over the next few years and instantly active a space without much construction work required.

Being Bold Stone in kitchens is a long-standing tradition, but as subway tiled walls and splashbacks start to look a bit tired, more and more people are making a feature of the natural stone used in their kitchens. Bold stones used widely throughout the kitchen, including waterfall kitchen islands and book-matched marble splashbacks, all highlighting the beauty of this natural material. Not only will this provide a statement but be easy to clean too.

If you’re looking for more natural and composite quartz inspiration visit our Instagram (@coulonstoneltd) and Pinterest (@coulonstone) pages, and our website, www.coulonstone.com where you’ll find our gallery.

in our region

This year, why not choose to join our supportive family of volunteers and give your time, in whatever way you choose, to help us be there, with the best possible care and support, for patients with life-limiting illnesses across Buckinghamshire and its borders, whenever and wherever they need it

“Volunteering is the ultimate way to do something truly meaningful and start the new year as you mean to go on. By gifting your time to a Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity shop, you are doing something very special for so many others.” says Charmain Behan, Volunteer Manager at the charity.

Graham, volunteer at Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity said: “Once you start volunteering, you are hooked. It’s an absolute pleasure to volunteer and the people are all fantastic. I would highly recommend anyone thinking of volunteering to just do it.”

Volunteering offers an opportunity to gain new skills, experience something different, whilst giving back to your local community. Becoming a volunteer also allows you to develop valuable job skills, build your confidence and connect with other people.

There are volunteer roles available to suit everyone, whatever your interests and availability, from helping in their eleven shops across in Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas, to volunteering in the Hospice, helping at events throughout the year, or even becoming Florrie Bear!

To find out more about volunteering and the roles available visit fnhospice.org.uk/volunteer/ shops or email volunteering@fnhospice.org.uk or call 01296 429975.

To

Sound of Music

Article brought to you by:

Welcome to our January music

page! Happy New Year! Here you will find information on local musical events, upcoming concerts and where to find the best music tuition in the area. 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 -

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 purpose-built 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 (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 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.

The Academy is also starting a brand new Children’s Choir which is open to any children from the ages of 4 – 12 years old. The sessions will be held

on Saturday’s from 10 – 11 am, commencing mid January 2022! For further information please contact TMA via the details below.

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 IS 2023...

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 on Sunday 30th April 2023! 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!

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 or via the website: www.musicinthepark.org.uk

Thame

Carnival

This year’s carnival will be taking place on Saturday 17th June 2023! The parade and afternoon of wonderful family activities will be taking place from 11:30 am – 5 pm! For further information and to get involved in the planning/running of this year’s carnival please visit: www.thamecarnival.co.uk or e-mail: thamecarnival@gmail.com

Thame Music Academy

E: info@thamemusicacademy.com

T: 07743 032292 W: www.thamemusicacademy.com

Baby Sensory provides ideas for creative play, massage, tummy time, movement, visual development, textures, scents and music in simple practical ways that can be easily repeated at home. We also use a combination of original and traditional songs and rhymes to develop early speech and language skills, and sensory signing activities to help you and your baby communicate from birth.

An educational, interactive and developmental programme, which will help your baby learn and develop important skills.

Every class has been carefully designed, planned and researched by Dr Lin Day with you and your baby’s needs in mind.

Classes built on your baby’s natural play-rest-play cycle to ensure they are not overstimulated. An ideal place to meet new parents, ask questions, share ideas, experiences and memories together.

Highly trained Class Leaders who are all DBS checked.

Received the Gold Award accreditation with the Children’s Activities Association (CAA) - peace of mind for parents.

Ear & Hearing Centre Thame

Aston Hearing have been in Thame for the past 6 years. We are delighted and excited to welcome you to our new premises in Greyhound Lane, Thame. Please call in to say hello - hope to see you soon.

Kate & Duncan Collet-Fenson Directors of Aston Hearing

Transformational Hearing Care

Hello January 2023 and cheers to the year ahead!

Now is the time we wait and welcome the gentle awakenings of our garden plants and cultivate the grand visions for our outdoor spaces. This year I will be taking you through a 12-month guide to transforming your garden from mucky to marvellous. Maybe!

Each month we will look at a seasonal job that could make all the difference to how you enjoy your garden. There will be tips on design, plants, hardstanding, screening, and outdoor kitchens so be bold, think big and get your hands dirty.

Let us begin with these grey post-festivities months and see what we can do. January and February are the perfect time for planting trees. That is because most trees, even evergreens, will be inactive as the low light levels and temperatures mean photosynthesis is off the agenda. Dormant plants transplant well as long as the spot is not too wet, or dry! So far, the season has not threatened the latter. If your soil is very wet choose a tree that won’t mind wet feet Willow or Betula for instance.

I would really encourage everyone to bring trees into their garden no matter what size and bring them into the central garden space rather than along the boundary of your garden like sentinels, as this just draws your eye to your garden boundary reducing the appearance of space.

One of my favourite things about garden design is creating depth of field – you may say you “don’t have a field! I have 4 m x 10 m square of grass”. Well so do I and it is abundant. Because of trees, it is full of birds, even with two cats, it is also full of pollinating insects including butterflies, it is full of colour and it has the appearance of being full to the brim. But I promise there is still space to play and sit.

Top Mimosa Design tip why not try planting in a circle: 5 x Prunus Kanzan trees with a bench in the middle you would create a glade of cherry trees. Plant with bulbs and blooms beneath and create a divine space to read a book or stare at the sky through pink blossoms . . . time to get dreaming and get planting.

For more garden tips and information visit my Facebook page @mimosagardendesign

Email: info.mimosadesign@gmail.com | Call: 07737 286784

Lucie Giselle Ponsford