Advertiser May 15

The

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May 2015

Advertiser Essential shops & services with everything you need all wonderfully local!

Inside this month: Richard Marfell: Healthy Tips The Regent Cinema: May Movies Wine Review: The Home Of Sherry FollyFest: Fundraiser Sun 24th May Oxfordshire Art Weeks: 2nd-25th May Hare In The Woods: Spicy Chicken Skewers My Best Friend: New Dog Care & Grooming The Crown Shrivenham: Newly Refurbished The Old Berks Countryside Day: Sun 17th May Promoting local business, trade and services.

Advertise! Be Seen! Call Lou 01367 244975 or 07894 554551

The

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|May 2015|

Advertiser

Remember how far you’ve come, not just how far you have to go.

You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you use to be.

CAR BODY REPAIRS WELDING & FABRICATION NOW AVAILABLE

TEL 01367 243324 07918 660725 www.carbodyrepairsfaringdon.co.uk jimers213@btconnect.com 14 Pioneer Road, Faringdon, Oxfordshire SN7 7BU

This Month’s Cover

Al Hayball derives much inspiration from the creatures and

coastline around his Dorset home.

His wildlife drawings let the animal's character shine through, whether it be captured in the way the eyes are drawn or that little smile he includes in some of his subjects.

In a departure from his usual naive way of painting, Al has taken a change of direction and now portrays wildlife, in this unique style of graphite, featuring hares and his 'muse', Tilly the Whiplington Lurcher!

Using a range of pencils, on Bockingford watercolour paper, his priority is to capture the personality and essence of the individuals he chooses to portray. The movement created in the drawings relates a depth of quirky realism, that enables the observer to view the scenes as if they were leaping from the surface of the paper!

Al says, "I am really enjoying this new way of working and I’m looking forward to taking on new animal subjects'.

Al has always had a vivid imagination and sense of humour, from his school days when he would doodle in the margins of his exercise-books, to the evenings in the smokey old Bristolian pubs his dad would frequent on 'darts' night, where you would see him sat in the corner scribbling 'caricatures' of all the locals, very much inspired by Scarfe and Steadman.

Alan will be at Penshurst Place Kent drawing Caricatures of people and showing his art 2 - 4 May bank holiday and at Stansted house garden show in Hampshire 5-7 June.

To view more of his work, visit: www.facebook.com/alanhayball www.ahayball.co.uk

To Advertise call Lou on 01367 244975 or 0789 455 455 1 or email lou@theadvertisermagazine.net

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WHO’S NEXT?

Call Trish: 01367 820060 Cowleaze Farm, Woolstone, Oxon SN7 7QS Email: thedogstudio@live.co.uk

Business Update A few interesting things are going on in town at the moment that we wanted to tell you about. Firstly, the Faringdon Chamber of Commerce has been working in partnership with the Town Council to commission an “Economic Development Strategy” for Faringdon.

This can now be seen on the Chamber website at www.faringdonchamberofcommerce.co.uk and is an interesting summary of where we are now. The next stage will be to concentrate on a number of key themes to help encourage business activity in the town.

We would encourage you to read this document and let us know if you have any comments on president@faringdonchamberofcommerce.co.uk Second, the consultation period on the planning application to develop the A420 site for retail will soon be closing. If you wish to comment on the proposals (and we would urge you to do so) then go to the Vale of White Horse District Council website as soon as possible and comment under reference P15/V0394/O. The application will be determined later this month.

Finally, a big shout out for the Faringdon Town Team and their continuing successes with Saturday markets. Saturday 16th May will see the next one, it being “Blackbird Day”. This will be a celebration of the unique connection the town has with the history of the famous nursery rhyme, Sing a Song of Sixpence.

There will be a colouring competition, craft workshop, town trail and lots of other activities as well as authentic blackbird pie tasting. For further information about Blackbird Day, or to book a stall contact faringdon.townteam@gmail.com

Faringdon Business Breakfast Club Following an enjoyable Easter break FBBC gathered at Sudbury House Hotel on 13 April to gain an insight into ‘Getting your customers to click’ and hopefully more business by getting the ‘copy’ right. Our round of 60 second ‘slots’ focused on what referrals we are looking for before Rob Bullard from Perfect Text took the floor.

Apostrophes, commas, semi-colons were not on the agenda but grammar certainly was and a small quiz at the end of the presentation was enough to persuade Stephen Quirk to invest in a copy of Rob’s book – Business Writing Tips for Easy and Effective Results. Rob did however dispel some writing myths. And you can start a sentence with “And”.

Rob skilfully guided us through the way in which we consider our website content so that it might differentiate ourselves from the competition and identified the value of starting with a question that has been researched within the market you are working in. He went on to tell us about how to differentiate our website's from the vast number out there using the 5 ‘S’s’ – Simplicity, Scan ability, Slow readers down, Sign-writing and Strap-Lines. As already mentioned he finished the talk with a quiz and I am not going to share how I did, but then perhaps I do need a copy of the book.

Looking Ahead - Please note that due to the early May Bank Holiday the May meeting will be on the second Monday of the month 11th May 2015, at Sudbury House Hotel from 07.30 09.00 am. At this meeting Angie Major from Blueberry Business will be giving the presentation.

The Advertiser Magazine

Unicorn Plumbing & Heating Ltd WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING SERVICES

All Gas Work All Plumbing Work Bathrooms Underfloor Heating LPG Gas Gas Appliances Boiler Servicing Central Heating Landlord Cert's

211749

SPECIALISING IN BOILER CHANGES AND SYSTEM UPGRADES QUALITY WITH CARE Locally based - call Steve: 01367 240160 or 07901 772 058 E-mail: info@unicornplumbing.com

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Little Coxwell, Nr Faringdon, Oxfordshire. SN7 7LW Tel: 01367 241879 Email: eaglelittlecoxwell@gmail.com

The Regent Cinema M.GOUGH GARDEN SERVICE Grass Cutting - Weed Spraying - Hedge Cutting - Beds & Borders - Pruning - Turfing Tree Work - Stump Removal - Planting Scarifying - Garden Clearances MOD Maintenance - Fencing - Decking Sheds - Patios Pressure Washing - Driveways - Ponds Call Martin on 07974248409

Wednesday 6th May - Grace Of Monaco (PG) Matinee Club @ The Regent Cinema, The Corn Exchange, Faringdon. Doors open 12:30pm, film starts 1pm. £4 Single Entry. £24 Annual membership (min. 12 films). Free tea and coffee. For more information and tickets please contact Faringdon Community and Tourist Information Centre on Friday 22nd May - The Theory Of Everything (12A) Blockbuster Nights @ The Regent Cinema, The Corn Exchange, Faringdon. Doors open 7pm, film starts 7:30pm. £4 Adult. £3 Under 18’s. £10 Family ticket. For more information and tickets please contact Faringdon Community and Tourist Information Centre on 01367 242191, email tic@faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk or www.faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk/faringdon-cinema

Crowdy & Rose Solicitors of Faringdon and Lechlade We have a wealth of local knowledge and are an established part of the local community providing for the needs of our clients

Faringdon Branch

2 Market Place, Faringdon, Oxfordshire SN7 7HW Tel: 01367 240285 High Street, Lechlade, Gloucestershire GL7 3AE Tel: 01367 252644 www.crowdyandrose.co.uk

Info@crowdyandrose.co.uk

Lechlade Branch

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0 0 0 1 It was my Dad who initially introduced me to the amber nectar when we used to share a few drams of Famous Grouse (a pretty good introduction as the blend contains, amongst others, Highland Park and Macallan) but my first experience of a single malt came some years later when I fancied trying one for an aperitif and Ken recommended an Aberlour. I can remember even now the pleasure this smooth and honeyed dram gave. Here was a whisky I could find all sorts of different aromas and flavours in, that I could sit and contemplate life with, and generally enjoy the company of. Ahh, definitely true love!

Since then I have gone on to discover many more malts but every now and then I go back to rediscover my first love and when I do I’m reminded of the visit I made to its birthplace a few years after getting to know it. A warm welcome at the small, stone built and turreted gift shop was followed by a pleasant walk up to the distillery alongside the clear waters of the Lour, burbling a merry greeting and serving as an introduction to the water that has always been so important to this area. Historically it has early connections to the Druids, who believed the ‘chattering burn’ spoke to them and had healing properties, and later on St. Drostan’s well was said to have been sited there. Once the distillery was built the burn was used to provide power via a waterwheel (and did so up to the 1960's) and now it provides water to cool the wort, whilst a spring emanating from the brooding Ben Rinnes mountain nearby provides the pure, soft processing water.

My tour of the distillery helped reveal how the character of its delicious whisky is created. Unpeated malt is milled and mashed before being fermented into a wash that resembles (to my palate) a light lager. Squat bottomed, tall necked stills distil the wash to produce a light, fruity and sweetish spirit which goes into either ex-bourbon or ex-sherry casks, which are married at a later stage to produce the various whiskies in the core range of 10, 12, 16 and 18 year olds (the small batch A’bunadh which I spoke of last month is the one exception, being purely ex-Oloroso sherry cask maturation).

All the different influences of the production process that result in the characteristic notes of honey, sherry, spice, malt and fruit in Aberlour are rather charmingly referred to as ‘voices joining the conversation’ – another echo of the chattering burn at the heart of the distillery.

The location of the distillery, it’s links to nature and history, the friendly, knowledgeable staff and a tasting of six delightful whiskies all ensured that this visit to the birthplace of my first (single malt) love was truly memorable.

Fran Thomas Arkwrights Whisky and Wines

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K….

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Please contact us for a FREE market appraisal

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01367 240241

THE GRANGE CARE CENTRE Stanford in the Vale, Faringdon, Oxfordshire Quality 24-hour residential nursing care for elderly persons.

Do you need a long or short stay holiday break?

If you’re looking for a nursing home for yourself or a loved one, make sure to come and visit us. Ÿ Daily activities Ÿ Beautiful landscaped gardens Ÿ Entertainment Ÿ Nutritional meals Ÿ Residential hairdressing Ÿ Highly trained staff Ÿ Personal furniture Ÿ Single/companion Whether you require 24 hour nursing care, a short break or Ÿ En-suite facilities rooms you’re recovering from an operation, you’ll find just the care you need at The Grange. Ÿ GP visits/24 nursing Ÿ Superb facilities In the serene setting of what was originally a 17th century vicarage, you’ll benefit from the kind of considerate attention our dedicated staff are noted for. We cater to all specialised needs and many of our rooms are en-suite.

Although a restful place, there’s no shortage of activities.

Live entertainment is often the order of the day and many of our activities take place in the garden.

Please do phone and come and visit us. We would love to meet you and your family.

Call 08444 725 182 or email: thegrange@foresthc.com Visit our website: www.foresthc.com

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Faringdon and the surrounding villages Will play host to fourteen venues and more than forty artists, for Oxfordshire Artweeks this year as artists and designer-makers prepare for more than 400 exhibitions and events across the county from 2nd-25th May, in the longest-running and biggest open studios event in the UK. Painters and designers, potters and sculptors, wood-turners, photographers, jewellers and textile artists will all be opening their homes and studios across the county to the public for free to showcase their talent through exhibitions and demonstrations. From fashion to furniture, in collage, ceramics, mosaic, on fabric, on film and on canvas, artists are telling tales of wonderful places and journeys travelled, their inspiration and idea.

In Faringdon’s historic centre you’ll find a new face in multiartist exhibitions in two of its oldest buildings from photographic collages of local landscapes meticulously reconstructed from hundreds of originals, vibrant paintings, jewellery, textiles and sculpture in, The Rookery, with its chequered heritage; to local landscapes in watercolour and oils contrasting with fresh animal portraiture in the Old Town Hall, once the venue for Hanging Judge Jeffrey's infamous sentencing. Head to Longcot for three stone carvers a stone’s throw apart with neighbouring funky mosaic mannequins, or visit the beautiful National trust village of Coleshill for 4 art spaces of quirky black and white fine art photography and lino-prints, paperwork's, pottery and more in Old Stable Yard studios. Take the ever popular artist trail through Great Coxwell or Watchfield for kinetic & sonic sculpture at a community-owned wind farm with occasional performances too.

Jo Marshall - Louise Remington - Trudi James Uffington Potters Jo Marshall and Louise Remington come together with textile and mixed media artist Trudi James in the beautiful setting of the Tom Browns School Museum, Uffington.

16-17 23-25 May 11-5pm Tom Brown's School Museum Broad Street, Uffington , Nr Faringdon , SN7 7RA Trudi James, Jo Marshall, Louise Remington

The Folly Artists Vibrant, innovative artwork for a new group of eight established local artists in a magnificent historic venue. Old Town Hall, Market Place, Faringdon.

Artworks include both classical and contemporary pieces in a variety of media. Prints and cards will also be for sale.

16-17 -19- 23-25 May 11-6pm (Sat 12-6pm, Tues 9am-noon) Members.

Ann Allen-Stevens, Shelagh Baxter, Elaine Cox Karen Spence, Delia Taylor-Brook WOA, Kathy Webster Krystyna Dembny, Jo Webster.

The Vale Artists An exciting and diverse exhibition of work from a new local arts group - The Vale Artists - housed in The Rookery 35 Marlborough St, Faringdon. Come see the Artwork painting, photography, sculpture and jewellery the biophilic hair salon and the natural therapies, The Rookery have on offer not to mention the scrumptious cake and coffee in the cafe. Well worth a visit!

2-6 8-13 15 May 9:30-4:30pm most days, please check web site in advance.

David Parker-Woolway, Sharon Rich WOA, Pat Elmore Tara Parker-Woolway WOA , Sam Thulin WOA.

Great Coxwell Artists Invite you to meet them and view their work at venues in Great Coxwell Village.

Work includes painting, drawing, photography, stone carving, ceramics, jewellery, printmaking, handmade books and green woodworking demonstrations May 16-17 23-24-25 11am - 5:30pm The Great Barn, SN7 7LZ, off A420 near Faringdon.

Join in the BIG BARN DRAW! All materials provided Delicious coffees, lunches and teas all day in the Reading Room Proceeds to Reading Room and St. Giles Church Plant sale at the Church Jools Elphick, Margaret Townsend, Annabelle Zinoveiff Martin Carter, Fiona Giles, John Rounce William Rounce, Julie Smith, Karen Vogt

Artists At The Vine Six talented established artists exhibiting an extensive variety of paintings, pottery, collage and print-making.

Open 12-6 each day David Morton, Claire Powell, Yvonne Robinson, Mike Skidmore, Lawrence Ward, Seija Wentworth.

The Vine, Mill Farm, Faringdon Rd, Stanford in the Vale SN7 8NP Parking, refreshments and wheelchair access.

To Advertise call Lou on 01367 244975 or 0789 455 455 1 or email lou@theadvertisermagazine.net

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Faringdon Bridge Club Learn to play Bridge in your local, friendly Club Faringdon Bridge Club has announced that it will be starting Bridge lesson for beginners from this summer and is calling for expressions of interest from anyone who is thinking of learning this wonderful game.

The teaching will follow the English Bridge Union syllabus and will lead to achieving a competent standard for playing in a club, and at home with friends. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary – just an interest in playing cards!

Faringdon Bridge Club meet at 7pm every Monday evening (including most Bank Holidays) at the Old Crown Coaching House, Market Square, Faringdon.

Visitors and new members are always welcome.

Please contact one of the people shown below to find out more and to register your interest in learning to play Bridge: Faye Slade, Chair of the Club: 01793 782935 Françoise Stacey, Secretary of the Club: 01367 241813 Malcolm Higgins, Teaching: 07788 582244

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Some time ago, I wrote a piece on sherry, following my participation in International Sherry Day. Now, two years down the track, the opportunity to visit this fascinating region has materialised.

Based in the city of Jerez de la Frontera, we toured the area that comprises of the ‘Sherry Triangle’. This is within the province of Cadiz, between Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlucar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa Maria, located on the western side of the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula. The highlight had to be the barrel tasting's at Bodegas Hildago, where Javier Hildago explained the differences between his sherries, skilfully presenting them from the barrel, using a venencia (a type of ladle). When questioned upon the difference of tasting from the barrel and from the same wine bottled in a shop, we were replied with the concept of the difference in tasting an apple freshly picked and eaten whilst under the apple tree and eating an apple from a supermarket.

Hmmmmm…

What is sherry?

Sherry is a fortified wine made from the white grapes of Palomino, Pedro Ximenez or Moscatel. Sherry has a protected designation of origin status, something along the same lines as that of Champagne in France. According to Spanish Law, all wine labelled as 'Sherry' must originate from what is known as the 'Sherry Triangle’.

The production of sherry facilitates the diversity of style.

Following the fermentation of the base wine, grape spirit is added, fortifying the wine and increasing its alcohol level.

In short, the fortified wine is stored in 500 litre North American oak casks (aka butts) which are filled, leaving an ullage, or empty space ('two fists' width) at the top to enable a 'flor', or a film of yeast to develop.

The sherry is put into the Solera system, where younger wine is added to the barrels at the start of a series of 3-9 barrels. The Solera operates on a system whereby a portion of the wine is moved to the next barrel down, blending with the older wine. This occurs with each barrel in the series. The final product, depending on the style, may be between 5-30% of each barrel in the Solera.

The age of the youngest wine to be bottled is determined by the number of barrels in the Solera, with each bottle containing some wine older than is declared.

Types of Sherry Fino - driest and palest, carrying the delicate, yeasty flavour of the flor. They are normally released at 5-10 years old.

Manzanilla - very light style of Fino, only produced around the port of Sanlucar de Barrameda.

Manzanilla Pasada - Manzanilla undergone lengthy ageing or partially oxidised, giving a richer, nuttier flavour.

Amontillado - Sherry that has first aged under flor but then exposed to oxygen, resulting in a sherry darker than Fino but lighter than Oloroso. Normally dry, but sometimes sweetened (but then cannot use the term Amontillado). Released at around 15 years old.

Oloroso - Sherry aged oxidatively for longer than Fino or Amontillado resulting in a richer, darker wine. Like Amontillado, Oloroso is naturally dry but is often sold as a sweetened version such as cream sherry. Olorosos are amongst the longest lived wines in the world, lasting up to 100 years or more! The best examples have nuttiness on the nose, a rich, powerful palate with a long, bone dry finish.

Palo Cortado - type of sherry aged as an Amontillado (3-4 years), but develops aromas and flavours of an Oloroso. This occurs by accident or when the flor dies or is eradicated by various processes.

Jerez Dulce (sweet sherries) - made by fermenting dried Pedro Ximinez (PX) or Moscatel grapes producing an intensely rich, sweet, dark brown wine or by blending sweeter wines or grape must with a drier variety.

Cream sherry – have been manufactured in order to appeal to different markets. All sherry is naturally dry; however soleras of sweetening wines from Pedro Ximenez or muscatel grapes are added in various quantities in order to create the sweetness required for a particular market.

Sadly, in the UK, sherry has had the stigma of being the tipple of choice for elderly ladies. This should not deter you from exploring the world of sherry, which provides us with such wonderful diversity of colour, flavour, style and Donna 01367 241169 / 07919 241881 Email: donnarogers@denboerwines.com www.denboerwines.com

Cut ‘n’ Run barbers A cut above the rest!

A Gentleman's First Choice…

07768 037 602 01367 243 986 To Advertise call Lou on 01367 244975 or 0789 455 455 1 or email lou@theadvertisermagazine.net

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HIGHWORTH TRAVEL INDEPENDENT LUXURY TRAVEL SPECIALIST

Your

way r u o ,Y world

High Street, Highworth, Wiltshire Telephone: 01793 763181 office@highworthtravel.co.uk www.highworthtravel.co.uk

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FISHING TACKLE Middy, Drennan, Sonik, Chub, Solar, Esp, Grays, JRC, Okuma, Dinesmore, JRC, Pro Logic, Ron Thompson.

BAITS Open 6 Days a Week Monday-Friday 8am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 4pm

Tel: 01367 240112 www.gardenstone.co.uk *We reserve the right to remove the online coupon at anytime without notice

Mainline, Bait Tech, Maggots, Worms, Dead Bait, Bait Zone, Cutting Edge, Solar, Marauku, Drennan, Pro Logic, Old Ghost, Chapel Baits, Bait Factory, Severn Valley.

AIR RIFLE PELLETS Opening times!

Monday to Thursday 8 am to 5.30 pm Friday & Saturday 7.30 to 6 pm Sunday 8 am to 12.00

01367 243566 / 07747415752 12 Market Place Faringdon SN7 7HP www.rvsfishingtackle.co.uk rvsfishingtackle@yahoo.co.uk

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Yolanda’s

Spicy Chicken Skewers

Modern Style Bistro Food ! wist W

ith a

T

Tel: 01367 240578 or 07551005704 1 Bromsgrove, Faringdon, Oxon, SN7 7JF

I adore the sense of freedom that comes with cooking outside. It's like riding a bicycle down a remote country lane or walking on a high Hill top. It is almost liberating, and just plain wonderful.

I have to stop and wonder if most people have some form of barbecue. But even if you haven't, it's so simple to buy a disposable one now.

It's great fun skipping off to a wood or riverbank with simple fare like sausages, chicken skewers, aubergine slices rolled with mozzarella and basil and even beautiful large beef tomatoes seasoned with a touch of salt. You don't even need a gigantic picnic basket to cart it all around, just a rucksack with a couple of disposable plates and forks. Easy peasy!

Rob.. The Cheese Man! Trelawney Vintage Rosary Goat Wigmore Dorset Red Blue Vinny Ossau Iraty Borkham Blue Isle of Mull Cornish Smuggler Gorwydd Single Gloucester

Rob

Best Cornish Pasty’s.

Really Tasty Gammon Ham.

01367 241702 Market Place SN7 7HP Faringdon

There are countless things you can cook over a few coals. I love pressing minced lamb into a patty along with coriander and pine nuts, or for an easy pudding open out a large banana, leaving it in the skin and embellish with chocolate chunks, nuts and a glug of maple syrup. Bake over the coals for a pudding flourish. Or simply cut thick slices of aubergine or courgette, brush with olive or rapeseed oil then place straight on to the barbecue rack I know that you hear all sorts of horror stories about food poisoning from barbecues and I suppose this is something to keep in the back of your mind. But on the whole it is things like chicken on the bone or raw sausages that can make the grade. So try cooking chipolatas instead of thick sausages and use chicken thigh fillets or just chicken breast cut in to strips. This way there is not too much thickness to cook through.

So why not try some simple, strong flavours in the form of chicken skewers. To make 6 skewers, cut 4 chicken fillets into chunks. Place in a large bowl with 50g natural yogurt, 10g fresh coriander chopped up finely, 1 clove garlic, crushed, the juice and zest of 1/2 a lemon and a small amount of ginger, peeled and crushed. Mix it all up with a good lot of seasoning and leave to stand for as long as you can. Thread the chunks on to skewers then grill over a medium heat for around 10 minutes. Serve with some flat breads and a lovely Lesley Holdship Hare in the Woods 07754 086316 facebook.com/hareinthewoods Twitter @hareinthewoods 7A Market Place,Faringdon SN7 7HL

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The King & Queen Longcot Restaurant Awards 2014 Winner - Best Traditional Pub Delicious Homemade Food - Lunches, Evening Meals, Sunday Roasts.

Bright new B&B accommodation with great views.

T: 01793 784 348 W: www.longcotkingandqueen.com A warm welcome to all walkers, cyclists, children, dogs & horses

Homeopathy

Society of Homeopaths

GENTLE EFFECTIVE HOLISTIC THERAPY Daytime & Evening Appointments Clinics in Uffington and Wantage Heather Abel BA/BSc RS Hom Tel: 01367 820709 www.alternative-homeopathy-oxfordshire.co.uk

Jolly Ramblings!

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Welcome to the latest ramblings – a very mixed bag this month.

I write this with the reassurance that Spring is truly here, with equal day and night, my work days starting with sunrise and the last dog walk at sunset. There have been notable, even spectacular events in the recent past – the partial eclipse for one, the reburial of King Richard III for another.

Roundworm eggs have very resistant coatings that help the parasite egg to survive in soil for a long time. Over 500 years in fact! One slightly morbidly fascinating fact is that many roundworm eggs were found in soil samples taken from the immediate pelvic area of the late King’s car park grave. As someone whom we assume ate better than many of his subjects, this infestation would have had a lesser effect compared to those eating less, in less good general health. King Richard may well have had a slight cough. Did this influence the outcome of the battle of Bosworth? Failing to cook meat thoroughly would have also led to tapeworm and other infestations. No evidence of the latter types seems to have been found in that grave. Nowadays, about 25% of the world population is affected by such parasites. Night soil collection from “Blackadder days” would have ended up as untreated medieval fertiliser – the best way to spread parasites.

On a lighter note, there was a recent news report of a new 40-seat service bus in the Bristol area, running between Bath and Bristol Airport, converted to using Bio-fuel from human waste (including household food waste, I must add) – nicknamed the “Number 2”!

Avonmouth sewage treatment works produce the bio-methane for this eco-friendly engine. One fact to remember is this: the bus can reach 300Km on ONE tank of gas, which takes the annual waste of about 5 people to produce. Multiply that and our roads could be swarming with such buses!!

Very quietly coming to public notice is the agreement by the RCVS, our veterinary governing body, that fully qualified veterinary surgeons can now be titled as “Doctor”. Many members of the public took the time to contact the RCVS to express their opinion on this. All vets using this title (not at all compulsory) will have “veterinary surgeon” and MRCVS to differentiate from our esteemed medical colleagues who have long had the right to this title. My one comment remains, a surgeon, whether a medical surgeon or a veterinary surgeon, always seem to be “Mister” and that tradition goes back centuries, both on land and on sea. With the greatest respect to my medical colleagues, it’s not quite the same argument as “doctoring” compared to “vetting”!!

National Pet Month will have almost ended by the time this article is published; the theme this year being “Pets and the Elderly: enjoying later Years together”. Our practice has information on our website and facebook and via the dedicated website: http://www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk/ Currently, my practice has March as our Dental Health Month. It would be very interesting to compare veterinary dental health stats with the very recent children’s dental health survey. There will be some similarities to discuss and not all of it good, unfortunately.

With bumblebees now regularly buzzing around the garden looking for an early flower or two, I heard a piece on BBC Farming Today about a school with a very successful beekeeping project. This is a similar success story: http://www.theguardian.com/education/mortarboard/2011/aug/30/beekeeping-in-schools With more schools taking up basic, low-level, bee keeping, with expert help from the British Beekeepers Association. Hives are kept on school grounds; once processed, the honey is sold for beekeeping funds and is self-sustaining. All types of skills are called into play – from Health & Safety awareness, economics, commitment, to label design and product marketing. The BBKA website has a page just for schools, http://www.bbka.org.uk/learn/bees_for_kids with much practical information available to help children, teachers and parents appreciate the true value of bees. Ideal for when a swarm of bees, with its queen, lands in the school grounds or garden!

For any school with teachers and head teachers looking to set up a colony of hives, CLEAPSS has bees and beekeeping support in schools here: http://www.cleapss.org.uk/attachments/article/0/PS87.pdf?Primary/Resources/Guidance%20Leaflets /%23search=%22ps87%22 The study and keeping of bees contributes significantly to the wider education of pupils. It introduces pollination and genetics, the food chain concept, social life, adaptation and natural engineering, processing of honey and other products from the honeycombs – with all the nutritional, craft, manufacturing and medical applications, both here in the UK and across the world. A new generation of beekeepers is so vital in changing attitudes to bees, to realise the true value of bees in agriculture and to better understand the threats to their survival.

Well, I’ll buzz off for now – enjoy the month and keep your parasite control up to date to encourage good health, as beekeepers do for their bee colonies to encourage pollination of all those fruit trees around the country!

Robert Elliott 21-23 High Street, Stanford In The Vale, SN7 8LH 01367 710595

ryside D t n u o C s k r e B The Old

ay | The Advertiser | page 14 |

Is a fun filled day out offering action and entertainment for all the family.

Visitors can sit back and relax on a bale by the main arena whilst enjoying a drink from the bar or a succulent pork roll from the hog roast and enjoy the main arena entertainment to include a parade from the legendary Paul Nicholls trained steeplechaser – Kauto Star trained by Paul Nicholls to win 3 Gold cups, 5 King George’s and 4 Betfair Chases’, Kauto is one of the most successful steeplechasers of the modern era finishing his career with an outstanding £2,375,883 in earnings. He has now retired to professional event rider, Laura Collett’s yard in Lambourn where he is being retrained in dressage and enjoying a life of luxury.

For the children there is a real life Folly Farm amongst many other activities and entertainment, and for those who enjoy a little shopping there is a local farmers market and a traditional car boot sale.

Don’t forget to come and have a go on our clay pigeon shoot for a little competitive fun!!!!

With much more to see and do please visit our website for more info www.oldberkscountryday.co.uk and we look forward to seeing you there.

a specialist firm dealing with Private Client work including Wills • Estate Administration • Lasting Powers of Attorney and all aspects of residential property and conveyancing work such as Sales • Purchases • Remortgages • Shared Ownership Development Transactions • Land Transactions • Property Investment Angel Wilkins LLP, The White Barn, Manor Farm, Manor Road, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 8NE Tel: 01235 775100 Fax: 01235 775101 Email: neil@angelwilkins.co.uk - amanda@angelwilkins.co.uk - suzy@angelwilkins.co.uk - elizabeth@angelwilkins.co.uk www.angelwilkins.co.uk Angel Wilkins LLP is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority: SRA number: 524327

NICK MOORE CARS | The Advertiser | page 15 |

Cash 4 Cars Best Prices Higher than “we buy any car”

Look after your paint work with a professional Valet Express Valet from £25.00 Executive Valet from £55.00 Exclusive Valet from £95.00 Booking Essential!

MOT 01367 Failures www.nickmoorecars.co.uk Unit 3 RAC Park Rd Faringdon SN7 8LA Welcome

£

£

£

244895

08 PEUGEOT 207 ELLE CC £5995

59 FORD07 TRANSIT CONNECT DIESEL £5300 PEUGEOT 207 1.4T230 SPORT £3995

58 PEUGEOT 107 URBAN £3500

05 FREELANDER 2.0 DIESEL £6500

S. G. Garden Maintenance 07584244937 FOR ALL YOUR GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING NEEDS www.gardensandlawns.co.uk

| The Advertiser | page 16 |

The Crown at Shrivenham

Fresh and seasonal homemade food in a welcoming and relaxed family run restaurant and bar I met Phil at The Crown in Shrivenham where he’s been for the last 5 years as owner and Head Chef. He’s the fourth generation pub owner in his family, so he has plenty of experience and it shows. The Crown is now well-established in Shrivenham as a bistro with a restaurant and bar with a great atmosphere, serving excellent fresh and seasonal homemade food.

BATHROOM SHOWROOM Open to the Public & Trade

For your dream bathroom Let us help!…

T:01367 242666 faringdon@activeplumbingsupplies.co.uk Unit A&B, Park Road, Faringdon, SN7 7DS

JOE PEARCE PLASTERING 07709960598 - jplasterer3@gmail.com All internal plasterwork, Traditional lime plastering External rendering & specialist finishes

The Crown, originally two cottages converted into a pub in the 19th century is decorated with a mixture of contemporary and period features and feels immediately welcoming and relaxed.

Phil and Kate run the pub with Sam. Sam started working at The Crown 4 years ago and has now completed his apprenticeship and is a fully-qualified Chef. It’s a family affair, Phil’s mum and dad, Wendy and Peter, now semi-retired also help.

“Business is going really well, so we hope to recruit more Chefs and Front-of-house staff to help out. People love it here, it’s a nice bistro, relaxed, informal. We have customers that come back regularly, some eat here 2-3 times a week, we get a lot of people from the surrounding area and villages.”

Following the extension completion last autumn The Crown can now seat an extra 30 people.

“The extension is very much part of the existing restaurant for everyday use, but we can now cater for small parties, including birthdays, weddings and other events – some people hire out the whole pub and we can cater for between 50-70 people altogether. Now we’ve extended it’s much better, our new kitchen has new ovens, grills, fridges and is now twice the size of the old galley kitchen.”

All the food is fresh and seasonal, and the new summer menu is now available and we serve a variety of local ales and quality wine. There is something for everyone, Steak and Ale Pie, Fresh Fish, Pan Fried Salmon, Rose Veal, Chicken Breast, Vegetarian Nut Roast or from the Char-Grill local Sausages, homemade Beef burgers and Rump or Sirloin steak.

Children get half size portions at half-price and all the ice-cream and puddings are homemade.

There is a different ‘Daily Special’ everyday and for ‘£10 Tuesday’ Phil alternates between meat and fish each week.

“The rump steak , fries and salad and is a firm favourite, the fish is always fresh and we serve a lot of mussels and fries” There’s a sunny courtyard garden with a wood-fire pizza oven and from 10th May The Crown will be open (weather permitting) Sunday evenings, serving fresh pizza – all homemade of course. “we started serving pizza on a Sunday evening last summer, it’s really popular” The Crown’s opening times are: Wednesday - Saturday 11am - 2pm Sunday Lunch midday - 3pm Evening meals: Tuesday - Saturday 6.00pm till 11pm Closed all day Monday.

11 HIGH STREET, SHRIVENHAM, SN6 8AN

PHONE. 01793 784584 www.thecrownshrivenham.co.uk

| The Advertiser | page 17 |

J. Mc DADE BUILDING IN BRICKWORK & STONEWORK. ALL BUILDING WORK UNDERTAKEN. Beautifully Constructed Homes & Buildings.

All General Building Work No Job Too Small.

Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed.

Call John on 079 66516728 johnmcdade@hotmail.com www.stonemasonbricklayer.com

Cameo Glass, 100 Faraday Park, Dorcan Ind. Est., Swindon, SN3 5JF Tel: 01793 513864 Fax: 01793 535476 Email: sales@cameo-glass.com

Healthy Tips

| The Advertiser | page 18 |

How Much Exercise Do You Need to Do to Lose Weight?

In last month’s article we looked at how to change body composition through nutrition and we discovered the first thing to do is to balance your exercise regime and nutritional plans.

You may have heard in the news this week that exercise does not result in weight loss. While it’s true that the real problem with weight gain is the easy availability of cheap drinks and snacks brimming with refined carbohydrates, and that the undisputed benefits of exercise are health-related rather than resulting in dramatic weight loss, the headlines only give part of the story.

For example, research done by the American College of Sports Medicine has shown that between 2.5 and 4 hours of moderate activity per week is effective in preventing weight gain in most adults but will provide only modest weight loss. However overweight and obese individuals are more likely to lose weight and keep it off if they exercise for least 4 hours per week.

Exercising for more than 4 hours per week has resulted in significant weight loss for these individuals.

4 hours per week works out at around 40 minutes a day.

We all understand the basics of weight gain and loss: we put energy calories into our bodies, through what we eat and we expend them through movement. Any that don't get burned off are stored in our body as fat.

However, we tend to under-estimate how much exercise we have to do to burn off our calories. To burn off 500 calories will typically take two hours of cycling. It would have been much better not to have eaten the two doughnuts!

People who have lost weight and have kept it off have usually been following a physical activity regime. People who just diet are more likely to fail to lose the weight and less likely to keep it off.

Just restricting your diet and not exercising is not going to be the healthiest way to live and scientific studies show that exercise is an important factor in maintaining weight loss and can help in preventing weight gain.

Being overweight is largely down to bad diet, however physical activity done properly helps to shape and tone the body and provides many health benefits, such as reducing the risk of developing heart disease, dementia and various other conditions.

We are back to that old adage that ‘You cannot out-train a bad diet!’

It is much better, not to have eaten the 500 calories than to try and burn off the calories.

In conclusion, weight loss programmes which combine both diet and physical activity are the most successful route to weight loss in both the short and medium term.

The headlines are suggesting that when it comes to losing weight, there is only one option – stop eating so much food! I would personally add that healthy nutritious food and junk food even with the same calorie content has a completely different effect to how well you feel, how your body looks and how much energy you have, making it easier to exercise! Good nutrition coupled with physical activity means you are going to look better, feel better and of course fit better into your clothes.

How long it takes to burn off some favourite foods: Bacon sandwich on white bread (430 cal) - 58 minutes of football.

Coffee republic ham and cheese toastie (426 cal) - 1 hour and 30 mins of netball.

One slice of Domino’s pepperoni pizza (198 cal) - 45 minutes of swimming.

Subway tuna wrap (310 cal) - 1 hour and ten minutes of body pump Move, feel and Live .… better!

Richard Marfell – Physical Wellness Coach 07800636004 richard@studio-one2one.co.uk

BARRINGTON ARMS HOTEL

Open Monday to Saturday Lunch 12pm - 3pm Evening 6pm - 9pm Carvery Sunday 12pm - 3pm Sunday Carvery £9.95 Children £5.95 Choice of 3 Meats!

| The Advertiser | page 19 |

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

HD Brows Environ Advanced Ionzyme Vitamin Facials Advanced Nutrition Programme Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup CND Shellac Manicures & Pedicures CND Vinylux Manicures & Pedicures Semi-permanent eyelash extensions Ÿ Waxing

Filomena Pugh

07748 905 292

Info@idoleyesbeauty.co.uk www.idoleyesbeauty.co.uk “Springtime” for Far Runners in Faringdon!

Can you remember what the weather was like on Sunday 29th March? We can! After obsessively checking for the previous week, it began to dawn on us – things were not looking good!

Thus, it was with some trepidation that 18 Far Runners, two Stilton Striders and occasional honorary Far Runners, a few other familiar Faringdon faces made their way with nearly five hundred others to the start of the White Horse Half Marathon in Grove.

To begin with, it wasn’t too bad, maybe the weathermen were wrong? As we turned into a headwind at six miles, all thoughts of super-fast times on this flat course went out the window. Then came the rain. Then the 40mph gusts. Then the hail. To be honest, we weren't enjoying it much! Runners and hats parted company as the latter were blown into fields, some runners were in danger of following them! The drenched marshals gamely reminded us to ' Keep left!' as the wind blew us right and towards the oncoming traffic. Some of us amused ourselves plotting our escape....

But the Far Runners are a tough bunch, and every single one of us ran across the finish line well within the course time limit of 2hr30.

We're particularly proud of Annemarie Winter, Sandra Lavender and Carol Tremblay who survived this baptism of fire on their first half marathon with smiles intact! Special thanks to our rather soggy supporters who came along and cheered us on!

Just two weeks later, and in considerably more favourable conditions than she'd faced in Grove, Angela Bugden was back into race mode, becoming our first runner of 2015 to defeat 26.2 miles, completing the Brighton marathon in 4 hours and 24 minutes. Well done, Angela! You are an inspiration to us all!

So, what's next? For those of us without a race on the horizon the opportunity to enjoy some gentler runs in and around our beautiful little town; others are continuing to train.

Hopefully our tales are inspiring you to give running a go, so why not sign up for the Faringdon Fun Run at 10:30am on Sunday 17 May? Organised by Party in the Est. 1986 Park, this 5k run is all about getting out, trying running and enjoying yourself. If Individual Design, Construction you are interested in giving it a go, please & Maintenance email joel@redskycreative.co.uk. Entry is £5 or £15 for a family. Sign up at To discuss your personal http://www.liveatthepark.co.uk/faringdon garden requirements phone: -fun-run.html. See you there!

01865 250372 or 07773333531 Or if you are just looking to join us in Roger Hutchence - BA (HONS) NCH training (whether it be running a marathon (Landscape Construction) or jogging a 5k) please join us at the Old Town Hall at 6:30pm on a Tuesday and 7pm www.gardenscape.biz on a Thursday. We also meet at the Roger@gardenscape.biz Leisure Centre at 9:30am on Sundays.

GARDENSCAPE

"Our lead runner, James Greenaway, coming through!"

| The Advertiser | page 20 |

“How are you today?” Many of us get asked this question several times every day. Do you parrot back your stock answer? Or do you answer from the heart?

SUNDAY - TUESDAY CLOSED WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

10 - 4:30PM 10 - 4:30PM 10 - 4:30PM 10 - 4:30PM

It’s easy to talk about our body when it goes wrong. It’s easy to tell somebody about a bad back or a headache, but what about when you’re feeling sad?

We don’t talk about our emotions in the same way as our physical ailments. Many of us still see mental health as something we should keep quiet and yet the Mental Health Foundation report that “1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year.”

My role as a practitioner is to determine if a client is experiencing an appropriate emotional response, or whether emotion is in excess or being suppressed. When there is an intense emotion over a prolonged period of time it can cause illness. Equally, when we don’t express an emotion, then this can be physically damaging too.

·

Anger is connected to the liver and causes headaches, dizziness, diarrhoea and period pain.

·

Joy is associated with the heart. Too much joy can lead to over stimulation and this can result in agitation, palpitations and insomnia.

·

Worry is connected to the spleen and can causes digestive problems. Long term worry damages the spleen and can lead to chronic fatigue.

·

Sadness and grief affect the lungs and cause shortness of breath, depression and crying.

·

Fear is associated with the kidneys and manifests in urinary problems

Buy direct from your local manufacturer and save money

5

Mental health awareness week is 11-17th May.

Listen to yourself and reel in a little kindness. Make a change. Make a change.

Don’t settle for mass produced When you can have made to measure For the same price!

Now in stock!…. Rise and Recline Chairs Open Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm

Call now for a free consultation to realise how acupuncture can serve you.

| The Advertiser | page 21 |

Chickens @ Seven Acres Nurseries WE SUPPLY: CHICKENS, RABBITS, DUCKS ANIMAL FEED & FEEDERS BEDDING & HOUSING GARDEN PLANTS, SEEDS COMPOST & ACCESSORIES ANIMAL FEEDING AND PETTING AVAILABLE COFFEE SHOP

GREAT FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY! 5 BAGS OF COMPOST ÂŁ10

OPENING HOURS: MON, TUE, WED, FRI, SAT 9AM - 5PM THURSDAY CLOSED SUNDAYS 10AM - 4PM

www.chickensatsevenacrenurseries.webs.com tonyandmariaschickens@hotmail.co.

Faringdon Road, Stanford in the Vale, SN7 8NN

.

Seven Acres Nurseries Bedding Plants, Annuals, All Now In Stock

We offer government funded Nursery places to some 2 year olds, as well as 3 and 4 year olds For more information, contact

01367 243800 visit www.theoldstationnursery.co.uk

mybestfriend is run by Jon and Clara Roff.

They started the business in early 2015 after seeing an opportunity to offer a combined dog grooming, dog walking, doggy day care and home boarding service which would enable them to incorporate their love of animals into their everyday lives.

They are unique in that mybestfriend utilise secure GPS tracking collars when your dog is in their care, the system allows clients to access the easy to use on line app to track their dog at any time and provides that extra level of security for your best friend.

Based in the village of Langford, mybestfriend is ideally situated to provide services across the Cotswolds and offer a collection and drop off service for the convenience of their clients. They are proud to be part of The National Association of Pet Sitters and Walkers, The Pet Industry Federation and are also fully qualified City and Guild groomers. mybestfriend is offering 10% discounts off their already competitive prices for bookings in May and June and operate a loyalty scheme giving their clients a free groom on the sixth visit. They also have a referral scheme to give happy customers more reasons to recommend mybestfriend.

Jon and Clara are looking forward to welcoming you soon!

| The Advertiser | page 22 |

Out and About Date

Event

Venue

Time

Contact

Charge/info

Sun 3rd Mon 4th

Chalking the Horse at White Horse Hill

White Horse Hill

10am 3.30pm

01793 762209

Book your 30 min slot

Wed 6th

TTIP- The Transatlantic Trade and Industry Partnership.

Friends’ Meeting House, Lechlade Road, Faringdon

7.30pm

Jennie 01367 710308 Karen 01367 241707

Free Faringdon Peace Group

Wed 6th

Grace Of Monaco (PG)

The Regent Cinema, The Corn Exchange

12:30pm

Tourist Information Centre on 01367 242191

£4 Single Entry. £24 Annual membership

Fri 8th

70th Anniversary of VE Day

Folly Hill, Faringdon

8pm onwards

Sat 9th

Entente Cordiale

St. Denys' Church, Stanford in the Vale

7.30pm 9.30pm

01367 718420, email DJPedderDPA@btinternet.com

£12

Fri 8th - Sat 9th

Office Hours

Faringdon Junior School

7.30pm

www.faringdondramatic.org.uk

Adults £8, U16s £6

Sun 10th

Root and Branch Spring Plant Sale

Westmill Farm on B4508

10am 4pm

01793 7803780 Rootandbranch@btconnect.com

Free

Mon 11th

Stanford Art Group - Water Colour Demo by Rodger Jones

Stanford Village Hall, Small Hall

7.15pm

01367 710754

Visitors £4

Tue 12th

A Renewable Energy Event

New House Farm, Southmoor, Abingdon, OX13 5HY

8am 10am

01380 72304 0energydesk@thwhite.co.uk

Free

Tue 12th

Talk: Night-time Haven of the Wandering Tribes

Stanford Village Hall, Small Hall

7.45pm

Phil Morris, 01367 710285

Visitors £2

Thu 14th

U3A Talk by Carol Bunyan

The Corn Exchange, Faringdon

2.30pm

Faringdondistrictu3a.wordpress.com

U3A member free Visitors £1.50

Sat 16th

Jumble Sale in aid of Buckland Memorial Hall and Community Bus

Buckland Memorial Hall

2-5pm

Sasha Bagwell - Cox: sashabc@btinternet.com

Jumble donations gratefully received

Sat 16th Mon 25th

Oxfordshire Artweeks in Faringdon

The Rookery and The Old Town Hall

www.artweeks.org

Free

Sat 16th

Giant Tea Party for Becky Rowland

28a Marlborough Street, Faringdon

11am 2pm

Tracey Collen 01367 242327

£2 Cake sale and raffle also

2.30pm 4pm

Pamela 01367 820251

Free

Sat 16th

White Horse Garden Club Mega Thomas Hughes Memorial Plant Sale Hall, Uffington

Sat 16th Sun 24th

Longcot Flower Festival 'Painters in Flowers'

St Mary's Church Longcot

10am 4pm

Sat 16th

Concert for Christian Aid A Musical Medley

All Saints’ Church, Faringdon

7pm 8.15pm

Julia Burn Tel 01367 240670 Email julia@theburns.name

Adults £10 U16s £5

Sun 17th

Faringdon Fun Run

Tuckers Park

10.30am

www.liveatthepark.co.uk/faringdonfun-run.html

£5 per person £15 per family

Sat 16th Sun 17th

Oxfordshire Artweeks Great Coxwell

Around Great Coxwell

11am 5.30pm

Annabelle Zinovieff: 01367-242768

Free

Sat 16th Mon 25th

Oxford Artweeks in Longcot

Priory Gate, Kings Lane, Longcot. SN7 7SY

12pm 6pm

01793 780421

Free

Wed 20th

Jenny Goff Looking at Button Hooks

The Old Town Hall

7.45pm

Faringdon Historical Society

Visitors £5

Wed 20th

Photographic Restoration

Stanford in the Vale, Village Hall

7.30pm

01367 718995

£3

Fri 22nd

The Theory Of Everything (12A)

The Regent Cinema, The Corn Exchange

7pm

Tourist Information Centre on 01367 242191

£4 Single Entry. £24 Annual membership

Sat 23rd

Fairtrade Stall

St Denys Church, Stanford in the Vale

10am noon

Zoe 01367 710705

Sat 23rd Mon 25th

Oxfordshire Artweeks Great Coxwell

Around Great Coxwell

11am 5.30pm

Annabelle Zinovieff: 01367-242768

Free

Tue 26th Fri 29th

Premier Sport is running its MAY camp

Faringdon Infant School

9am 4pm

Half Day 9am-12:30pm or 13:00pm-16:00pm

From £8 for half day £15 full day

Peter Smith 01367 241241 www.faringdondistrictu3a.wordpres s.com

Members Free Visitors £1.50

Free

June Thu 11th

U3A Talk: The Oregon Trail

Corn Exchange, Faringdon

2.30pm

Sat 13th Sun 14th

Stanford in the Vale Summer Festival 2015

Stanford in the Vale

All day

Sat 20th

Fernham’s Fabulous Fete

Fernham

12noon 4pm

Free

| The Advertiser | page 23 |

Local Events Date

Event

Venue

Every Day

Faringdon Home Library Service

Books to your door!

Every Sun

Easy Cycling

Under the Town Hall, Faringdon

Every Mon, Tue & Wed

Free One to One IT Help

Every Mon

Time

Contact

Charge/info

Sheena or Jane 01367 240311

Free

11am

Cycling at a gentle pace, Families welcome. No on gets left behind

Free

Faringdon Library

2:30pm 4:30pm

Faringdon.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Free

Little Buttons, Create and Learn

The Pump House Project

9.30am - 11am

Buttonbicycle@gmail.com

£3.50 Early booking discounts

Every Mon

Singing group by Mums for Mums

Corn Exchange, Faringdon

9:30am - 11am

Every Mon

Lunch Box Singing

Faringdon Library

1 - 2pm

Sheena 01367 240311

Free Open to all

Every Mon

Sing and Sign Classes

Old Town Hall

9:30-10:30am

www.singandsign.com

Reserve place on website

Every Mon

Bridge Club

The Old Crown Coaching House

6.45pm 10.15pm

Françoise Stacey, Secretary of the Club: 01367 241813

£3 per person Free tea/coffee

3rd Mon

Faringdon WI

Corn Exchange,

2pm

Audrey Jefferies 01367 240464

£33 per year membership

1st Tue

Junior Book Club

Faringdon Library

3.45- 4.45pm

1st Tue

Farmers Market

Market Place, Faringdon

Until 1pm

01367 710445 Faringdon.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk

£2 per family

Ages 8-11 yrs

1st Tue

Coffee Morning

Faringdon Library

10:30am 11:30am

Every Tue

Tone-n-Tots

The Pump House Project

11am - 12am

www.tone-n-tots.com

Every Tue

Whist Drive

The Old Town Hall

7.30pm 9.30pm

Sylvia 01367 242007

Just turn up

Every Tue

Quizzzz

Portwell Angel

7:30pm

01367 248030 portwellangel@googlemail.com

£1 per person per game Winner takes proceeds

Every Tue

Pub Quiz

The Prince of Wales, Shrivenham

9pm

www.powshrivenham.com

£1 per person.

Cash prizes

Free

Every Tue

Ferndale Wives Choir

Ferndale School

7pm

Every Wed

Kelmscot Craft Fair

Kelmscott Morris Hall

12-5pm

01367 253103 kelmscott.org.uk

Free

Every Wed

Slimming World

United Reformed Church

7:30pm

Louise 07717 681939

£4.95

Every Wed

Walking for Health

Leave from Old Town Hall

10:30am

www.faringdon.org/walking-andcycling.html

A slower or faster walk available

Every Wed

Faringdon Shed

Woodwork Classroom at F C College

7pm - 9pm

0845 4740142

Free

1st Wed

Open Mic Night

Horse and Jockey, Stanford in the Vale

9pm

Info@horseandjockey.org

Free

1st Wed

Buckland WI - Speaker and meeting each month

The Memorial Hall, Buckland

7pm

Libby Calvert 01367 870803

Non members £4 incl. refreshment

2nd Wed

Follies Dollies WI

The Old Town Hall

7:30pm

Becka 07841 431219

Every Wed

Open House - Coffee

Great Coxwell Reading Room

10:30am 11:30am

01367 241179

Coffee and Conversation Everyone welcome

Every Wed in term

Maths Homework Club

Faringdon Library

3pm - 4:30pm

faringdon.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Years 1 to 13

1st & 3rd Wed

Faringdon Youth Project Drop-in Sessions

Faringdon Library

4pm - 5:30pm

faringdon.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Free

1st & last Wed

The Knitting Group

Horse and Jockey, Stanford in the Vale

7pm

ruth@thelittleknittingcompany.c o.uk

Free

1st & 3rd Thur

Folk Night

The Swan

7:30

Facebook/the-swan-the-faringdonbrewery

1st Fri

Book Club

Faringdon Library

6pm - 7pm

All welcome

Every Fri

Country Market

Corn Exchange

9:1511.00

Jenny Howard-Jones 01367710382

Every Fri in term time

Rhymetime

Faringdon Library

10:30am - 11am

Every Sat

Family History Sessions

Faringdon Library

Every Sat

Faringdon Farcycle cycle ride

Leave from Market Place

9am

1st Sun

Great Coxwell Teas

The Reading Room, Great Coxwell

2:30pm - 5pm

1st Sun

15 Minute Club

Cellar Bar Faringdon,

8:30

Last Sun

Messy Church

United Church, Faringdon

4pm - 5:30pm

Just turn up

Tea & coffee available Goods orders taken Free

01367 240311

Call to book a 1 to 1 slot

01367 241142

11-12miles or 25-35 miles Tea, Coffee and delicious cakes available

0771 421 8825

Free Free

| The Advertiser | page 24 |

Experts - local services The Veterinary Surgery of Robert Elliott As an independently run family practice, established in 1994, we are able to combine traditional standards with modern techniques and selected high-quality equipment.

We aim to provide high quality care in an especially warm and friendly environment.

E-mail: enquiries@vets-surgery.com www.vets-surgery.com

01367-710595

Stanford-in-the-Vale FAB now ICC & Vale licensed Established in 2000 Family run – Short or long stays; Medical management service available on enquiry.

Veterinary Care provided by the adjacent Robert Elliott Veterinary Surgery you are always welcome to arrange a first-time visit E-mail: sam@vets-surgery.com www.court-cattery.com

01367-711952

Ohm Electrix Electrical services and Installations Fully qualified and insured electrician.

All types of domestic work undertaken, from small jobs to garden and garage power, to full rewires.

Commercial and Solar PV work also catered for.

Friendly, professional service from a local company.

Contact us to discuss your needs, and get a free, no obligation estimate and advice.

Phone: 07879 013359 Mail: Ohm.Electrix@Gmail.com www.ohm-electrix.co.uk Registered with the NICEIC domestic installer “part P” SCHEME

01367705030

07955499467

Chickens & Poultry Feed Self Storage Rooms for Business and Home

The Cheap Way to Add Space www.storage4all.co.uk

01367 240880

drew.cameron@ storage4all.co.uk

All at unbeatable prices Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Open Mon-Sat 8am-12 noon Closed bank holidays Tel: 01865 821537 or 07759551946 www.mjhodgkins.co.uk New Barn Farm, Longworth, OX13 5ED

VISUALLYSOUNDEVENTS Bespoke Wedding & Event Entertainment

Professional DJ Uplighting – Photobooths Dancefloors – Backdrops – Add-ons Office: 01367 358426 Mobile: 07763 440459 Email: matt@visuallysound.co.uk Web:www.visuallysound.co.uk

Tom Wheeler Comprehensive

Window Cleaning Service Inside and Out! Also: Patios, Conservatories Gutters, Fascia Boards

New Cleaning Service COME HOME TO A JOB WELL DONE QUALITY CLEANING YOU CAN TRUST

Faringdon Based Call Tom: 07762 380733

Fenced in, Fencing & decking ALL ASPECTS OF GARDEN AND HOME CARPENTRY. SPECIALISING IN HIGH QUALITY FEATHER BOARD FENCING. Jason 07470407467 jasonberry299@yahoo.co.uk

| The Advertiser | page 25 |

Experts - local services M.Y. Garden Services

Qualified gardener with over 20 years of garden/estate maintenance. ·

All types of gardening - maintenance and some design

·

Stone work - walls/repairs, pointing, concreting etc

·

Winter - leaf collection, painting, some plumbing/building work

Fully insured and excellent references on request Tel Mike on 07957867951 or 01793 976709 email mrdyates@yahoo.com

JN-G

ea l C s

n

ow Cleaning d Window n Wi

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Oxford Architectural Antiques Large stock of period fireplaces, doors, panelling, sanitary ware & garden items.

Architectural salvage sourcing service available.

The Warehouse, Ferndale St, Faringdon, Oxon, SN7 7BE

Tel: 01367 242268

Helen Gardner

We do all types of tree work including pruning, planting and felling, as well as hedge trimming and stump removal.

Contact me for more information M: 07846234826 H: 01367 250128 gregg@allseasonstrees.com www.allseasonstrees.com E: weightlossheleng@gmail.com Call Gregg on 01865 430536 or 07823 332247

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SERVICES Nash Motor Vehicle Services LTD

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The Advertiser is produced by Lou Guthrie published by The Advertiser Magazine Ltd Tel: 07894 554551. All artwork designed by us is the copyright of The Advertiser Magazine Ltd and must not be used by or in any other publication, in whatsoever format, without our prior written consent. No part of this publication, whether advert, pictures or text, may be reproduced in any format whatsoever without the prior written consent of The Advertiser Magazine Ltd . The information published in the advertisements and other articles is supplied and approved by advertisers. The Advertiser Magazine Ltd does not verify or ratify any claims made in such advertisements or text, nor does it accept any claims or liability arising from contact with or use of services advertised. Every effort is made to ensure the accurate reproduction of information supplied by advertisers in their advertisements or other text submitted. Any inaccuracies must be notified to the publisher immediately following the first insertion so that amendments may be made for subsequent issues. The Publisher does not accept responsibility or liability for claims arising for inaccuracies published in advertisements where the advertiser has not advised The Advertiser Magazine Ltd prior to publication.

RISK MANAGEMENT - EMPLOYMENT SPECIAL | The Advertiser | page 26 | TEN THINGS EVERY EMPLOYER SHOULD KNOW There are many employment laws that employers need to comply with, not to mention a mass of tax and health and safety regulations. Many of these employment laws are long-standing, while others are newer and some even change annually, such as the minimum wage. But employers still make mistakes about even the most basic and established of these. Every mistake is potentially costly but some can be threatening not only to the sanity of business owners or managers but to the survival of the business itself.

BGi.uk can arrange a number of insurance policies to protect you against errors and omissions made in connection with your statutory duties and other legal liabilities. However, risk management is the best place to start and you might like to consider the following.

Here, starting with the beginning of employment and finishing with termination, are the key employment laws that businesses need to comply with. Following these basic principles should keep most employers out of serious trouble, most of the time.

1. Anti-discrimination Under our anti-discrimination laws, employers cannot pick and choose between job applicants on the basis of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or equivalent belief, or age. Huge amounts of compensation can be awarded against employers where they discriminate in this way and they can find themselves failing to win central or local government contracts because they are marked down in the assessment regimes.

adage of ‘a stitch in time saves nine’ comes to mind here. Any subsequent changes to the statement must be confirmed in writing within four weeks.

3. Family Friendly rights This is the collective term for rights such as paid maternity leave.

Maternity pay rights have of course just been significantly increased and a form of swapping of unused maternity leave between mothers and fathers is on the cards. In addition, there is also the right to take unpaid time off to care for a child or other dependent in case of emergencies, which many employers do not understand at all. Then there is the right for parents of young or disabled children (and soon for carers of dependent adults) to request so-called “flexible working” – which is to say, shorter or different hours.

An employer has to give such a request reasonable consideration, but the employee has to submit a reasoned request in writing and the arrangement must be proposed on a permanent (as opposed to temporary) basis. If there is a reduction in working time, the employer is entitled to proportionately adjust the salary.

4. Working Time

Under the working time laws, employees are subject to a maximum average working week of 48 hours (40 if under age 18), a maximum of 13 hours work in any one day, and are entitled to one whole day off a week on average. Employers should also have a system for monitoring working time to ensure compliance.

Employees can of course opt-out of the 48 hour limit but this has to be in writing and they can cancel it at any time on three months’ Of course, employers can refuse to employ applicants under the notice. They are legally protected against victimisation. minimum school-leaving age (broadly age 16), as it is generally illegal to employ them, except for part-time or holiday work. 5. Holidays Employers must also refuse to hire applicants who cannot While the working time laws entitle employees to four weeks’ paid demonstrate that they have the right to work in the UK under our leave a year, there is no general right to have paid leave on public immigration laws; knowingly employing illegal immigrants could holidays, contrary to popular belief. However, changes are being cost you a heavy fine. Once employment is underway, there must made to the working time laws to increase the amount of annual be pay equality between men and women, part-time and full-time leave to 28 working days a year, which is intended to allow workers and fixed-term and permanent staff. employees paid time off on public holidays or paid time off in lieu 2. Employment Contracts

from 2009.

Many employers still fail to meet their legal obligation to issue written statements of employment particulars to new employees, even though this law has been around since 1963. There are a number of areas the statement must cover – too numerous to list here – all laid down by law, and it must be provided within eight weeks of employment starting. Many problems will be avoided if employers take the time to get this right, as the written statement will avoid later arguments about what the employee’s package and the disciplinary process is. The old

6. Anti Harassment Every employer must take effective measures to ensure his employees are not subject to verbal or physical bullying or harassment (particularly but not exclusively sexual harassment) from their bosses, fellow workers, customers or suppliers. This can even extend to out-of-work activities.

Legal cases in the Employment Tribunal for constructive dismissal, sexual discrimination and workplace “stress” resulting from this are increasing. Criminal prosecutions against the harasser (e.g. for assault) are also possible: at least one sexual harasser has been jailed. So employers need to take this very seriously.

1. Business Sales and Outsourcing When an employer sells all or part of his business, or outsources a function it has previously conducted in-house, this will probably amount to a transfer of an undertaking. Under the transfer of undertakings law (“TUPE”), the employees working in the business or relevant part or function will transfer to the new owner or outsource provider on their existing contracts, and they have the right to be informed in advance. Any breach of the law will give rise to legal claims, including potentially for unfair dismissal.

2. Changing terms and conditions of employment Many employers think they can change terms and conditions of employment by giving (say four weeks) prior written notice. But it is a centuries old legal principle that a contract can only be changed by a negotiated agreement. So giving notice of change can only work legally in two cases. First, where the matter in question is outside the contract (such as a discretionary benefitin-kind) or, second, where the contract expressly allows it to be changed by the employer by this method. If none of these routes is open to the employer, it can always service the correct notice to terminate the contract, but that then counts as a “dismissal”.

3. Dismissal There are three key laws to comply with here. First, there is a legal minimum notice period, which is one week after one month’s employment, rising from the end of the second year at the rate of one week for each completed year up to 12 weeks’ notice after 12 years’ employment. Second, employees dismissed after 51 weeks’ employment can claim for “unfair dismissal”, which currently could cost an employer up to around £70,000 compensation. To successfully defend an unfair dismissal claim, the employer must satisfy an Employment Tribunal that it had a legally good reason for dismissing the employee and that it acted reasonably. Third, the employer must follow a mandatory threestep dismissal process or automatically be guilty of unfair dismissal. The three steps are: (1) written notice stating why the employer is considering the employee for dismissal; (2) a formal meeting to discuss the matter with the employee (and his/her companion); (3) a right of appeal against dismissal.

4. Redundancy Genuine redundancy is a fair reason for dismissal, but employers still need to act legally reasonably and follow the three-step process to avoid being guilty of unfair dismissal. Redundant employees are of course entitled to notice or pay in lieu, and redundant employees with two or more years’ service will also be entitled to (tax-free) statutory redundancy pay, which rises to a maximum of £9,300 for 20 years’ service. If the employer is proposing 20 or more redundancies in a 90-day period, there has to be a 30-day period (90 days in which 100 or more redundancies are proposed) of information and consultation before any of this happens. An extra penalty of up to 90 days’ pay will be payable to the affected employees if the employer defaults.

May 3rd & 17th June 7th & 21st July 5th & 19th Aug 2nd & 16th Sep 6th & 20th Oct 4th & 18th Open Sat Oct 31st Halloween

Ferndale Community Choir

IT’S SOCIABLE, FUN AND REWARDING Every Wednesday evenings, during term time.

7pm School Hall, Ferndale House School Bromsgrove, SN77JF You don't need to read music and you don't need previous experience.

Louise Woodgate, a local professional singer and teacher, leads the choir.

If you want to know more please Contact Gene 01367 242222, or just turn up.

We'll be so pleased to see you £2.50 per session

Keratin Hair Treatment No more frizzy hair!

Transform your hair with the revolutionary progressive smoothing treatment with Keratin…

Smooth, silky, shiny and tangle-free hair…

Lasts 3 - 4 months, only £50 Call Jane @ Tangles Lechlade 01367 252374 or 07788156438

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| The Advertiser | page 28 |