Look Local Magazine, Issue 119, October 22’

Hello Readers,

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!

Welcome to the October issue of Look Local Magazine.

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

My favourite season is now upon us so what better time to don your walking boots and get out into the Chiltern Countryside to absorb all the colours of autumn at its finest. If you looking for inspiration on where to trek, then turn to page 16 to find out more about the fabulous Chiltern Walking Festival which return for its 10th year this month. The good people of ‘Visit Chilterns’’ have put together an itinerary of 50 guided countryside walks, activities and events including routes centred around nature reserves, local produce tasting, iron age hillforts, farms, churches and filming locations. There are lots of opportunities for learning outdoors, from navigation courses to painting. All led by knowledgeable guides and taking in the beautiful Chilterns landscape.

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

For those of you who enjoy Halloween, lots of local farms and attractions will be hosting spooky themed events throughout Half Term such as the ‘Cryptid Safari Halloween trail’ at Waddesdon Manor, pumpkin decorating and broomstick & wand making at Green Dragon’s Eco Farm in Hogshaw or Pumpkin Picking at Rectory Farm PYO. Lots to see and do.

And don’t forget to turn your clocks back an hour on Sunday 30th at 2:00am. the businesses in these areas and also Thame Wheatley. appearing in this publication 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.

16/17. DEADLINE for

*There are five Thame Players’ productions a year. See website for details. of Byron Penfold on 07754 311725 a quote

Reuse and re-purpose natural stone...

By Coulon Stone

One of the main benefits of choosing a natural stone like granite, marble or slate, or their composite counterparts for your kitchen worktop is that they last for many years, making them one the most sustainable options. However, there may be times when it needs replacing, and the durability of natural and composite stones means they can easily be re-purposed with the help of your local stone mason. Reducing our waste means less greenhouse gases contributing to climate change, less pollution in our oceans and is an effective way to save natural resources.

Asking your local stone mason to cut your kitchen worktop into a table is a great way to repurpose the stone. Elevate summer BBQs with a hard-wearing, and chic patio table. Alternatively, top an antique bedside or side table with the stone for a classic French look.

Fireplace Hearth

Natural stones like granite, marble and slate are perfect for fireplace hearths as they are heat resistant. A kitchen worktop can easily be cut to fit a fireplace creating an incredibly durable but elegant hearth for your stove or open fire to sit on. Most composite stones cannot be used as hearths as they are not heat resistant.

Garden Path

A kitchen worktop can be broken down into pieces to create a decorative garden path. Create a structured walkway or keep it rustic by simply laying down stones to create a path. Most natural stones can be treated to create a rougher texture making them less slippery.

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.

T: 01494 484333

Coulon Stone, Wycombe Road, Stokenchurch, HP14 3RP

Here are three ways you can re-purpose your kitchen worktop: Tables

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

Ear &

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.

Why attend one of our award-winning Baby Sensory classes?

Sound of Music

Welcome to our October music

page Here you will find information on local musical events, upcoming concerts and where to find the best music tuition in the area. Thame and the surrounding villages 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

Musical Mayhem - is an awardwinning live music experience giving babies and toddlers in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire a lively introduction to traditional, modern and original children’s songs. The groups is now back for wonderful and creative live sessions!

They are providing regular weekly musical sessions in various local spaces with a different theme every week! Children are encouraged to sing along, use a large variety of instruments and explore different sensory props and activities.

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 make a booking please visit their website via: www.musicalmayhemuk.co.uk

Little Milton Pop Choir! - This brand new choir takes place at Little Milton Village Hall on Monday evenings (term time only) from 7:30pm – 9:00pm.

The choir welcomes new members from the age of 16 upwards. The ethos is to have a great community feel, learn and sing a selection of popular music and music from the shows with the aim of performing at various events throughout the year.

The fee is £8.50 per week/per member (payable on a termly basis) and your first session is free!

To find out more please contact Simon Markland via e-mail: simarkland@hotmail.com

ClockworkMusic! This is a fantastic local group for babies and toddlers to enjoy a variety of music and related sensory activities.

Clockwork Music offer independent music classes for babies, toddlers and pre-school children in Thame, Oxford, Abingdon, Headington and Kennington. Tock the Clock and Brown Bear are at the heart of every class and they feature in the groups core songs, these provide structure within the weekly classes. Children love to wind Tock and Clock and watch him choose the special song of the week!

For more information regarding class times and venues visit: www.clockworkmusic.co.uk

WHAT’S ON at the PLAYERS THEATRE in THAME

WHAT’S ON at the PLAYERS THEATRE in THAME

Sunday 9th October at 7.15pm

Moon Age

This highly accomplished band give a fantastic tribute to David Bowie, featuring all Bowie’s big hits

Tickets £18 from Thame Town Hall

Telephone 01844 212833 or online from thameplayers.co.uk

Friday 21st October at 7.45pm

Tuesday 6th September to Saturday 10th September Thame Players present Lucky Stiff Book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens music by Stephen Flaherty

Crunch

A comedy by Sarah Archer, described in the press as ‘really, really, funny ’ A show not to be missed

Tickets £12 from Thame Town Hall

A madcap, hilarious romp of a musical that follows Harry Witherspoon’s journey from England to Monte Carlo, based on Michael Butterworth’s novel "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo".

Telephone 01844 212833 or online from thameplayers.co.uk

Tickets £8 to £10 from Thame Town Hall, tel: 01844 212833, or online at thameplayers.co.uk

Saturday 22nd October at 7.45pm

Shadowing Hank

Justin Daish performs an authentic tribute to Hank Marvin, playing all the greatest hits from the Shadows

Sunday 25th September at 7.45pm The New Foxtrot Serenaders return with The Fabulous 40s

Tickets £15 from Thame Town Hall

Telephone 01844 212833 or online from thameplayers.co.uk

Friday 28th October at 7.45pm

The show is a celebration of the swing era featuring the music of the greatest swing bands and crooners of the 1940s. Featuring the music of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin.

Doing Shakespeare

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

A funny show performing Shakespeare as you’ve never seen him before. The show is a must.

Tickets £13 from Thame Town Hall

Telephone 01844 212833 or online from thameplayers.co.uk

Saturday 29th October at 7.45pm

Friday 30th September at 7.45pm Giles Shenton Productions present Lou Fowkes

Celine Dion

Julia Martin performs the songs of superstar, Celine Dion, featuring ‘the Vegas Years and Beyond’

Tickets £16 from Thame Town Hall

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!

Telephone 01844 212833 or online from thameplayers.co.uk

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

Exclusive Competition

Exclusive Competition

Exclusive Competition

For a chance to win complimentary tickets for a family of four to a Thame Players’ production * answer the following question:

For a chance to win complimentary tickets for a family of four to a Thame Players’ production * answer the following question: Who will be performing a tribute to Hank Marvin?

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

Email your answer with your name and contact details to info@look localmagazine.co.uk by 31st October

Q: Who will be performing a tribute to Hank Marvin?

*There are five Thame Players’ productions a year. See website for details.

*There are five Thame Players’ productions a year. See website for details.

Email your answer with your name and address to info@look-localmagazine.co.uk by 31st October.

*There are five Thame Payers’ productions a year. See website for details.

• We would love children and adults to dress up in Halloween costume to look spooky.

• All children returning their completed entry forms to the tent before 4.00pm will receive treats.

• Collect additional wrapped treats outside the shops along the way.

AND SH O P WI ND OW ART TRAI L

• Fancy some extra goodies? Start at our Farmers Market in King George V Park on Wellington Avenue between 1pm-2pm for a treat box that is perfect for collecting all your goodies in!

Saturday 29th October 2022

NEWS & EVENTS in our region

1.00pm-4.00pm

The Chilterns Walking Festival

Returns for its 10th year....

Come & join us for some fang-tastic fun this Halloween. You are invited to participate in a High Street window art trail and spooky fancy dress trail. Our High Street shops will be decorated with spooky window art, each design will incorporate a number of little black bats.

PRINCES RISBOROUGH

15th - 30th October | Various locations

Get out and soak up the autumn splendour this month with the golden beech trees and hedgerows bursting with colour. The ‘Visit the Chilterns’ organisation has put together a programe of over 50 walks and events throughout the Chilterns.

• On Saturday 29th October we invite accompanied children to find all the bats in the shop windows.

• Pick up an entry form, from the haunted house tent from 1.00pm.

• We would love children and adults to dress up in Halloween costume to look spooky.

• All children returning their completed entry forms to the tent before 4.00pm will receive treats.

Here is a flavour of what’s on offer:

• Collect additional wrapped treats outside the shops along the way.

- Join Pipsticks walks on the day before All Hallows Eve for a spooky walk along the River Thames and lots of ghostly tales from the Riverbank! Or take a Walk on the Dark Side with an exhilarating stroll through Bones Wood and Crowsley Park, tuning into the sounds and sights of the night, and ending at the pub for hot chocolate.

HALLOWEEN FANCY DRESS AND SH O P WI ND OW ART TRAI L

Saturday 29th October 2022 1.00pm-4.00pm

• Fancy some extra goodies? Start at our Farmers Market in King George V Park on Wellington Avenue between 1pm-2pm for a treat box that is perfect for collecting all your goodies in!

Come & join us for some fang-tastic fun this Halloween. You are invited to participate in a High Street window art trail and spooky fancy dress trail. Our High Street shops will be decorated with spooky window art, each design will incorporate a number of little black bats.

• On Saturday 29th October we invite accompanied children to find all the bats in the shop windows.

• Pick up an entry form, from the haunted house tent from 1.00pm.

• We would love children and adults to dress up in Halloween costume to look spooky.

• All children returning their completed entry forms to the tent before 4.00pm will receive treats.

• Collect additional wrapped treats outside the shops along the way.

- Foraging walk amongst the magnificent sweet chestnut trees to learn about and enjoy the bountiful autumn ‘fruits of the forest’.

- Literary walk discovering George Orwell’s ‘golden country’ in south Oxfordshire including the house where he once lived.

- Discover and walk some of the ancient routes which criss-cross the Chilterns, exploring Drovers routes and the ‘Slow Ways’ historic routes.

- Nature walk at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of National Nature Reserves. Join the Natural England rangers to see the wildlife that makes them so special, finishing with tea & cake.

- Lacemaking and cream tea experience in Marlow where tour guide Bobbie Latter will take you on a guided walk around historic Marlow, followed by a hands-on lace-making experience and a delicious afternoon tea.

To keep updated join the Chilterns Walking Festival on Facebook or visit this link to download the festival programme: https://www.visitchilterns.co.uk/uploads/ images/walking_festival/CWF_Oct_2022_ Programme-final.pdf

• Fancy some extra goodies? Start at our Farmers Market in King George V Park on Wellington Avenue between 1pm-2pm for a treat box that is perfect for collecting all your goodies in!

The Wildlife on the Chilterns

Naturalist and expert Ian Gamble, from A Rocha will be sharing his knowledge of the flora and fauna of this beautiful area

Where : St. Andrew’s Church, Chinnor

Date : Monday, 24 October, 7 pm (Doors open from 6:30pm)

Refreshments Available

Organised

Organised by Princes Risborough Town Council risboroughtowncouncil princesris princesrisboroughtc

Organised by Princes Risborough Town Council risboroughtowncouncil princesris princesrisboroughtc

October’s garden focus is Bulbs... Every autumn I think of bulbs!! Ha! It’s the small things, if they can make you happy then you’re winning!

There are the obvious Daffodil (Narcissus) Tulip (Tulipa), Snowdrops (Galanthus) Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus). There is no doubt they are a wonderful gift to yourself and the garden. Lying latent under the soil and bursting forth with promise for a new year.

However, there are so many more bulbs you could plant that will add interest and WOW to your borders.

Alliums, we all feel pretty familiar with them thanks to Chelsea Flower Show, Nerines, beautiful late summer flowering and all shades of magenta pink (must have full sun, ideally against a south facing wall), Turks head lilies (Lilium martagon) and Foxtail lilies (Eremurus robustus). But what about Fritillary? Crown Imperial, Snakes head, or the purple racemes of Fritillaria persica. Now, in my forever home I will invest in these beauties.

They do need a little consideration when planting as they originate from different parts of the world and so need different conditions. Fritillaria meleagris the (Snake’s head) like clay grass lands and partial shade. This makes sense when you know they are native to these regions in the UK, Europe and western Asia. The more resplendent Fritillaria persica or Fritillaria imperialis are from the plateaus of Turkey, Iraq and Iran, no wonder they like free drained aspect in full sun.

If I were to encourage you to try one of these genera it would be the Crown imperial. Less fussy than the others so suitable for most borders (though I still recommend a sunny spot) and returning year on year they will tower above other perennials that in early spring will be only just emerging. With their strong stems, whorls of shiny green leaves and bright reds and golds they conjure all the pageantry and trumpeting of the trooping of the guard.

Bulbs need to be planted at 3 times their depth in order to flower year on year so the large bulbs need a fairly deep hole. But also in the case of Fritillaria imperialis the weight of the stem and flower can cause them to slump if not planted low, not to mention you’d likely to skewer them when weeding the border.

Plant these beautiful bells that chime in the spring now. They could even be the bells that toll in remembrance with their deferential drooping heads; maybe a nod to our recently departed queen?

For more garden tips and information visit my Facebook page @mimosagardendesign and our community group @ilovemynewgarden 07737