NOv 2020 Issue 95
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November 2020
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Hello Readers, Welcome to the November 2020 Edition of Look Local Magazine.
18 CONTENTS 06. Business Delivering Digital Excellence. By Chris Harris of Harris Consultancy. 08/09. The Sound of Music Simon Markland talks us through this months virtual music scenes and groups. 10. Christmas Shopping Join Chinnor’s Virtual Christmas Market and shop local this festive season. 12/13. News & Events What’s On in our region. 15. health & Wellbeing The benefits of exercise by Personal Trainer Neil Hussey, of NHPT. 16. health & Wellbeing Acupuncture for infertility by Thame Therapy Clinic. 18. home & garden Look locally over the garden gate, by Lucie Ponsford of Mimosa Garden Design. 23. Get the Look Unusual natural stone for your home by Coulon Stone. BOOKING DEADLINE for december 2020 issue:
Fri 13th November
At last a C word that we can all get excited about rather than quake in our boots at - CHRISTMAS!!!! Ok, now I am aware this is the November issue and that Santa isn’t due to pay us a visit for another 8 (ish) weeks yet - let’s hope he doesn’t forget his facemask in all the excitement - BUT this month is when a lot off festive frolics begin. Covid19 has taken a lot from us this year and although many of the large scale Christmas activities can’t happen in their usual way, doesn’t mean they’re cancelled all together. A lot of businesses have utilised the power of the internet and are using Social Media to ‘host’ events, turn to page 10-11 for a sneak peak of Chinnor’s Virtual Christmas Market. Thame are planning to host a unique ADVENTure around the Town, see page 13. Whilst in Watlington, although there sadly won’t be a Christmas Market, the Raffle returns with more than 30 great prizes from local businesses. Tickets are being sold and distributed online (www. watlingtonchristmasmarket.co.uk/raffle-tickets) or there is the option of buying tickets from the Town Hall on Saturday 21st or Saturday 28th only, with delivery via email. Raffle tickets, which must be purchased by 3rd December to be eligible, cost £2 for 1, £10 for 5 or £20 and winners will be announced online in a video at 12noon on 5th December. Visit the website for more information and to view the list of prizes. For those who would still like to visit an outside festive event, Waddesdon Manor are hosting their Christmas Market and Lights Festival with Social Distancing measures in place. The events start from the middle of this month so head to their website to book your tickets as spaces are very limited. This issue also features lots of lovely articles from our regular contributors as well as adverts from our fantastic local businesses.
And as always, stay safe and support local...
Love Emma x For Advertising contact 07707 386034 or email info@look-localmagazine.co.uk W: www.look-localmagazine.co.uk Look Local Magazine 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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November 2020
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Business Support
Delivering Digital Excellence By Chris Harris, Harris Consultancy As we brace ourselves not only for the cold winter months ahead, but the wider economic uncertainty emerging with COVID19 Harris Consultancy stands by our community to continue to offer support and deliver excellence.
Our businesses must live and breath digital, what we mean by this is ensuring all of your offerings, products and services can be purchased online so that in the event that further restrictions restrict our physical presence we can embrace and ensure we have a strong digital platform to fall back to. Consumer trend will change heavily over the next few months, with winter weather, flu season and COVID providing a cocktail for behaviour trends to steer consumers towards online resources. Ensuring you have an optimised website which is easy to navigate and ready to serve customers accessing through any device is essential. Once your website is ready, how should I gain traction and customers to the website? How should I budget for marketing? Where is best placed to put my marketing budget? All these questions should be considered before deciding your best advertising avenue. But with so many options and so many questions how do you know where to turn to? The online world can be a confusing conundrum with companies and individuals promising you the world but delivering next to nothing. Always at extortionate prices too, that are never business bank account friendly. We specialise in supporting businesses that wish to make an everlasting online digital impact, providing free ongoing business advice, as well as pay monthly website packages and social media management, giving every business the opportunity to afford first class award winning digital marketing services from a local and committed company that is passionate about helping you succeed. We tailor our award-winning services to suit your individual business needs and if there is something you need help with, we will go out of our way to deliver it – After all, we’re here to develop bright ideas for local business, supporting those sole traders and family run livelihoods around us. So, to help you with those critical business questions around what you should do and how to drive your strategy, or questions around re-aligning your digital strategy or safeguarding your business against COVID then we can schedule an hour’s consultation to go through these essential questions. We will review your business online, look at your current social media trends and provide up to date and helpful guidance on every aspect of your online digital presence to help you steer toward your business objectives. This is achieved through an online Zoom consultation conducted during the evenings as to not impose on your trading hours. In addition, we also offer a variety of bespoke online training courses on a one on one basis to help you with your business – This may include social media advertising, or how-to setup a successful fully optimised page? Perhaps you want to look at online accounting software, or find ways to automate some of those mundane business administrative tasks. Where you need support and additional help we will deliver. If you’re interested in any of the training courses or business consultation or perhaps, you’re needing some business motivation or inspiration then get in touch with us today or drop us a line for a chat. M: 07799 282042 | E: hello@harris-consultancy.co.uk | W: www.harris-consultancy.co.uk
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Sound of Music
elcome to our November music page. 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.
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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 event’s, these will all be back to provide a wonderful calendar of live music in 2021! Thame Music Academy TMA is excited to let you know that they are now RE-OPEN and taking bookings for lessons!
Their fantastic teaching facility based in the centre of Thame has welcomed back their existing students along with meeting many new faces! The academy will have all the required temporary measures and procedures in place in order to provide a safe, clean and friendly teaching environment. More information regarding their measures and procedures can be found via the TMA website and social media platforms. Thame Music Academy provides lessons in
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a large variety
of instruments including; Piano, Keyboard, Singing, Guitar (Acoustic or Electric), Ukulele, Bass Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Violin, Strings, Brass and Music Theory. Recently, the academy welcomed two new tutors to their team! Idony Perrett is a fantastic woodwind tutor who is highly experienced in teaching children and adults alike, in normal times Idony is an avid performer with nationally acclaimed orchestras. Jess Cox is the academy’s new cello tutor, alongside teaching and her involvement with many live and recorded projects Jess is a member of The Electric Light Orchestra and, as such, has toured around the world with the band! For further information regarding lessons and to make a booking please contact the academy via the details at the end of this article.
Char Char Chimps
This wonderful local group is aimed at providing musical fun for babies up to toddler age, they are pleased to announce that sessions are now back up and running in various locations across the county and you can check out their website in order to find one which works for you!
Entertainment The group’s aim is to encourage pre-school children to be interactive with music, lights and sounds along with various different props and themes each week. As well as having lots of fun Cha Char Chimps aims to encourage; Language skills, Coordination, Co-operation, Confidence and Concentration in order to enhance young children’s learning as they enjoy the journey of their first few years, gaining skills which will be used later on in life. For further information regarding classes and to make a booking please visit: www.ccchimps.com/thame
Thame Concert Band
Thame Concert Band was formed in 1993 by a small group of local musicians. They pride themselves on being a community band and regularly, in normal times, take part in some of the biggest events in Thame, including Remembrance Sunday and Christmas Carols around the tree. They have a substantial and varied repertoire and perform several of their our own concerts each year alongside events in Thame. This includes the Last Night Of The Proms concert which is always popular! The band have grown considerably since their formation in 1993 and now boast around 30 regular members - although they are always keen to welcome new
musicians! Currently, TCB are supporting Thame Day Centre, a local charity. The band has recently got back to rehearsing, in a safe and socially distanced environment, and are always on the look out for new members to join their fantastic team. For further information and also if you are interested in joining please visit: www.thameconcertband.com or search for ‘Thame Concert Band’ on Facebook
O
nline live music?
At the current time there can be no live music events taking place within venues. However it doesn’t mean you have to miss out entirely. 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! 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. 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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Chinnor Local Virtual Christmas Market With Covid restrictions still making physical events difficult, why not snuggle up on the sofa, hop on Facebook and join Chinnor’s virtual Christmas shopping event and indulge in some retail therapy without even having to leave your house. There’s a vast selection of local arts, crafts, beauty, food, health and fitness businesses showcasing their creations and services all of which make for a lovely Christmas Gift or a nice treat for yourself. Search: Chinnor Local Virtual Christmas Market - 1st Oct - 31st Dec 2020 on Facebook and here’s a sneak preview of some of the local businesses involved: Ellen Higgs, Creations by Ellen: lovingly created handmade crochet home decor and gifts. www.etsy.com/shop/CreationbyEllen Sam Simpson, Sasi Designs: Handmade Jewellery, Hairbands and more. https://SasiDesignsGB.etsy.com/
Alison Noakes: Aliroo Greeting Cards and Stationary www.aliroo.co.uk
Debs Griggs: Jam Jar Posies Beautiful postted Spring bulbs ready to flower for the festive season. Hyacinths, Amaryllis and more. E: homegrownhollyhouse@gmail.com
Shereen Brooks, Mad Batter Cakery www.madbattercakery.co.uk
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Anneka Nugent, Mumma Goose Gifts: Handcrafted frames & wooden items | Facebook & Insta: @mummagoosesgift
Cherry Tatlow, Cherry Eau Baby: Affordable designer inspired fragrances. E: cherryeaubaby@gmail.com
Janey Enticott, Jazzerise www.jazzercisebucksoxon. com
Lucie Ponsford: Hand made natural wreaths & garlands & home grown Christmas trees, Hand painted Christmas cards & watercolours www.Mimosagardendesign.com
Jemma Stevens, CBD Health Coach, offering free advice and a large range of lab tested CBD products. www.flawsomejem.com Natasha Alexander, Independent Consultant, Neal’s Yard Remedies M: 07977 674558 Yvette Raisen, Delicious Homemade Jams & Chutneys Hayley Marshall, Beautiful hair bows & accessories www.lovelyla.co.uk Debbie Donnelly, Body Shop At Home Consultant 07879 925817 Cathy Rose, Spiral Rose www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ SpiralRoseWire
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NEWS & EVENTS
in our region
A special tribute from Chinnor Community Church as the village mourns the loss of a much loved mother and three of her children...
LOVED Loved by family, loved by friends, loved within the church that they were a part of, loved within the community in which they lived, schooled and worked, loved by all who had the privilege of knowing them. Loved by God and now safe in his arms. If you want to bring flowers and lay them at the cross in the garden of Chinnor Community Church, please do. A Just Giving page (https://www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/andrew-welsford) has also been set up to support Josh Powell and his baby daughter if anyone wishes to donate. Here’s the promise of God’s word that Zoe Powell held dear: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3: 5-6)”. Contact details for Chinnor Community Church: T: 01844 352938 | E: chinnorcommunitychurch@gmail.com | W: www.chinnor.org.uk Zoe Powell was also an incredible artist and ran two small businesses. Below are some examples of her beautiful illustrations and links to her websites: The Mama Book: www.themamabook.com Zoe Prose: www.zoeprose.com
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News & Events
Christmas is coming … and not even Covid-19 will stop it! Santa’s elves (well the ones based in Thame anyway) have been working hard to come up with some plans to make sure that - despite the restrictions Covid-19 has brought to our lives – Christmas will be celebrated in style. True, the normal big Christmas Light Switch on celebrations that we have come to know and love will not take place this year – but in its place will be an advent calendar of activities for you to enjoy. And when we say Advent Calendar – we mean at least 24 different activities to celebrate Christmas, and our community, in Thame. Community groups and businesses across Thame are getting involved to bring activities for everyone ranging from a ‘Christmas Spirit Safari’ to Gift Markets; a ‘Window Wonderland’ to live music; Pop-up performances, an ADVENTure Trail, competitions and so much more. Some of these activities will take place on set days, with Covid-19 precautions in place to ensure that you are safe at all times. Many will run for an extended period of time, allowing you to take part in them at a time that suits you and your family. There will be some definite community participation – remember the Rainbows? - Well watch this space for a crafty Christmas activity that you can take part in along similar lines. Covid-19 has taken most of 2020, but it will not take our Christmas Spirit. Find more information on the event at: www.facebook.com/ChristmasInThame and www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/ christmas.
‘Fun and Fitness’ returns! written by Neil Topping of Chalgrove. “On Monday 16 March I received an email from an employee at the Vale of the White Horse Council which stated that ‘we recommend you cancel all your sessions’. The sessions referred to were our twice weekly walking football games. Along with millions of others in this country, I was soon to learn that ‘recommendations’, ‘advice’ and ‘guidelines’ meant nothing of the sort and were, in fact, instructions. Alongside table tennis and Zumba classes, our group was established in early 2016 as part of a national initiative to provide exercise for ‘older people’ and was supported by SODC and the Vale Councils. Hence the directive that I received. I duly emailed the 30 or so players to advise them of the decision. This came as no surprise as we had assumed at the end of the last session (held on Friday 13!) that we would not play again for some months.
Pictured: Neil Topping (centre) with the some of the players at last Christmas’ Awards Evening held at the Red Lion pub in Chalgrove. The football was one of only 25 promotional footballs, presented to them from the Vanarama National League for their efforts in promoting Prostate Cancer Awareness.
There then followed a few days of reflection which I’m sure many other organisations run by both professionals and volunteers faced. How do we keep the group together particularly as we draw players from across south Oxfordshire? So, we set up a Whats App group and began sharing football stories, jokes and quiz questions. I suggested
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Health & Wellbeing Cont from page 13... that I replace my post game reports with a weekly newsletter and ‘Reflections’ was launched. Each weekend I sent out an email to the group covering things of interest that had caught my eye that week, some serious, some informative and some humorous. We began exchanging information on supermarkets and what players and their partners were doing to keep fit. From information that I received from being part of the south Oxfordshire patient group, I passed on local information on the pandemic. On a lighter note we discussed what songs might be relevant to lockdown and ‘Livin on a Prayer’, ‘Hi Ho Silver Lining’ and ‘Happy Together’ were suggested! In June, we had a Zoom get together with a quiz in which 35 players and partners took part. This replaced the barbecue that had been booked at the Red Lion in Chalgrove on the same day. After 3 months we received the good news that limited sporting activities could start. At this point one of the Coronavirus stars of the local community stepped forward. The clerk to the Chalgrove Parish Council who had been sent the Government guidelines on the use of open spaces provided advice on mitigation measures required to use the all weather court in the village. Two players, Vaughn from Little Milton and Tony from Chalgrove put the fitness programme into place. On Friday 10 July complete with sanitisers, wipes and with each group of six using separate gates into the enclosed court, we began the first of our six ‘training’ sessions. Of the 25 players who had played this year before the lockdown, 20 were able to take part in at least one session, which culminated in our first game after the further easing of restrictions at the end of July. Our spirits were certainly lifted by meeting up and playing again. If you would like to join us for what one player referred to as ‘fun and fitness’ please call me on 01865 890650. The sessions which are on Wednesdays at 6:30 and Fridays at 10:00 in Chalgrove and are open to both men and women who are over 50. As we play in the open area and we have Covid mitigation measures in place we have been exempted from the recent restrictions. Long may that continue!”
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Heallth & Wellbeing
The Benefits of Exercise with Neil Hussey, PT & Fitness Coach So,
we know we should take exercise to maintain and even improve our health, after all the world we live in is full of gyms, gadgets, technology and online platforms designed to get us active. These are all great, but why? What are the real benefits of exercise? IT CAN MAKE YOU FEEL HAPPY Exercise has been shown to improve your mood and decrease feelings of depression, anxiety and stress. It produces changes in the parts of the brain that regulate stress and anxiety. It can also increase brain sensitivity for the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which relieve feelings of depression Additionally, exercise can increase the production of endorphins, which are known to help produce positive feelings and reduce the perception of pain. This is especially important at the moment as all of our mental health is being tested by isolation and restrictions.
IT CAN HELP WITH WEIGHT LOSS To understand the effect of exercise on weight reduction, it is important to understand the relationship between exercise and energy expenditure. Your body spends energy in three ways: digesting food, exercising and maintaining body functions like your heartbeat and breathing. While dieting, a reduced calorie intake will lower your metabolic rate, which will delay weight loss. On the contrary, regular exercise has been shown to increase your metabolic rate, which will burn more calories and help you lose weight. Additionally, studies have shown that combining aerobic exercise with resistance training can maximize fat loss and muscle mass maintenance, which is essential for keeping the weight off. As a personal trainer I insist that people do resistance (weights) work if they are looking to lose weight. It not only burns more calories, can increase your metabolism for a much longer period, it can also be a lot less boring than pounding on a treadmill for hours and hours.
IT CAN HELP SKIN HEALTH Your skin can be affected by the amount of oxidative stress in your body. Oxidative stress occurs when the body’s antioxidant defences cannot completely repair the damage that free radicals cause to cells. This can damage their internal structures and deteriorate your skin. Exercise offers incredible benefits that can improve nearly every aspect of your health from the inside out. Regular physical activity can increase the production of hormones that make you feel happier and help you sleep better. It can also improve your skin’s appearance, help you lose weight and keep it off, lessen the risk of chronic disease and improve your sex life. Whether you practice a specific sport or follow the guideline of 150 minutes of activity per week, you will inevitably improve your health in many ways*. *Read the full article at https://www.look-localmagazine.co.uk/the-benefits-of-exercise-with-neil-hussey-pt-fitnesscoach/
For more information about NHPT or to book a session with Neil, contact: M: 07590 676 205 | E: neil@nhpt.org.uk | W: www.nhpt.org.uk
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Health & Wellbeing
Fertility Issues? Unexplained Infertility?
Can Acupuncture Help? By Deborah Amlot, acupuncturist at Thame Therapy Clinic Between 20 and 30 % of people with fertility issues are, unfortunately, not given an explanation in Western medical terms for their infertility and feel their only main option to try to get pregnant is assisted reproduction technology and IVF. This can be an expensive and stressful route without a high success rate. Research shows that acupuncture can be beneficial for people with unexplained infertility, both in terms of helping with the side effects of the IVF medication and to increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. As acupuncturists we look at the situation holistically and encourage balance in the body, looking at ways the body is out of balance and how this may be contributing to fertility issues. For example, we help regulate hormones, increase blood flow to the reproductive organs or reduce the effects of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Most importantly, Acupuncture can also help reduce the stress of trying to get pregnant and can help diagnose and treat physical, mental and emotional blocks that may be hindering conception. Acupuncture is much less of an intervention than the medication required as a part of IVF and the IVF process itself. It is also a person centred treatment where we will look at your whole lifestyle, can help reduce stress and make people feel more in control of the situation. Many Western fertility clinics now employ acupuncturists to help increase the chance of conception. Research shows that having acupuncture either side of the embryo transfer increases the chance of success by 30%. For more information about acupuncture and assistance with fertility issues please call Thame Therapy Clinic on 01844 215555 or visit www.thametherapyclinic.co.uk
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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November 2020
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Home & Garden
Look locally over the garden gate with Lucie Giselle Ponsford
The leaves are turning, the seeds are set and how do we feel? There is always a sense of changing mood as the nights draw in and the leaves fall from their branches...
But the colour! Oh the colour! There is the reward: the final hurrah! Stimulation for all the
senses with the large crunching of leaves of horse chestnut underfoot and children searching for smooth, shiny conkers. Prickly, pixie hats from beech husks and the whipping, twisting helicopters of Acers from hedgerows and gardens spin and wheel around; appeasing our autumn soul. But what is happening, why the colour changes, why even drop leaves. Well we know, even if we have forgotten all biology teaching the devastation of winter water as ice, rupturing, moving mountains, de-grouting our patios!! So the deciduous tree is preparing for the seasonal protection. Leaves are the active factory of the plant converting sunlight and nutrients, dilute in water, through photosynthesis. However with reduced sunlight and drying winds this process is a liability. Instead the tree seals up the union point of the leaf (known as a scar) with a cork like barrier and as this happens, Chlorophyll the green pigment responsible for photosynthesis, is broken down into the needed sugars and drawn down into the safely of protected roots. Thus the green disappears first, leaving the remaining pigments/trace minerals to give a slow reveal of colour: Carotenoids for yellow – orange on birch & Acer. Anthocyanins are responsible for the red fire of Cherry, Liquidamber & Virginia creeper. These cannot be mobilised in the same way for the tree so they are dumped, a cleansing before dormancy & rest. There is the need for decay in order to have rebirth and the leaf mould is good stuff too. The tree stands denuded as a rooted reminder of the resilience and the continual cycle of life. With love to all who are mourning, and hope that nature can be a comfort. 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
Garden design &
BORDER INSTALLATION
• Small & large renovations on front and back gardens. • Hard landscaping to improve maintenance of borders. • Plans for you to follow or full installation. Award winning designer, Lucie Ponsford will help you make the best use of your space and create a beautiful outdoor room.
Right plant, right place
www.mimosagardendesign.com info.mimosadesign@gmail.com 01844 354 949 / 07737 286 784
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 -
Three unusual Natural Stones you’ll want in your home. By Coulon Stone Ltd
We’ve been working with natural stones for over 25 years, so you can imagine we’ve seen many
different colours, textures and patterns, from all corners of the world. However interior experts and home décor brands encourage us to grab for the classics – Carrara marble, black granite and traditional limestones - and whilst we love them too, there are some lesser known naturals that we would love to see in more homes, and we think you will too. Black Fossil Marble Densely populated with the fossils of marine molluscs and invertebrate animals, both of which went extinct alongside dinosaurs, this marble is visibly full of geological history. So you may be excited to hear it works perfectly in homes. It’s a particularly durable marble so works well as a kitchen worktop, as well as shower trays, and vanity tops. If you’re just looking to add a small piece of natural stone to your home, try Black Fossil as a show stopping splash back for your cooker or as a chopping board that sits permanently on your countertop. Verde Guatemala Marble Another marble more durable than the popular Carrara, Verde Guatemala is a beautiful stone. Strangely not from Central America at all, but instead quarried in India, this green glory would make an incredible bathroom vanity, shower tray, floor tile, or even better, all of the above. We also think Verde Guatemala would make a statement fireplace hearth, or a beautifully unique desk top paired with some black hairpin legs – why not rejuvenate your home office? Aurora Fantasy Quartzite Natural quartzite’s have been growing in popularity over recent years. Typically more durable, a quartzite like Aurora Fantasy offers an alternative to light coloured marbles. The mix of glassy white with the deep earthy toned greys and coppers works beautifully in rustic kitchens, or interiors favouring the warmth of Mother Nature. Aurora Fantasy would wrap you in luxury as a shower wall and tray. If you’re interested in using any of these natural stones in your home, visit our showroom, where 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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We are here to help you and your loved one. Hempton Field Care Home is welcoming new residents and provides the reassurance that residents’ well-being and safety are our priority.
• Personalised nursing and respite care. • All staff are well-trained in infection control and dementia care. • We’re keeping relatives connected with their loved ones. • Wide choice of nutritious and delicious menus, prepared by talented chefs. • Daily life-enriching activities, to keep the fun in everything we do. • Part of Barchester Healthcare – one of the UK’s leading care providers – with 25 years’ experience and award-winning health and safety record.
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