Vale Life Magazine Sept-Oct edition by Charlie Trott

Vale Life

art w music w people w places w homes w gardens w theatre w food w fashion w Beauty w health w travel w

Your free magazine for Aylesbury, Thame and the surrounding area

Take me home

FREE MAGAZINE

Sept/Oct 2010

Inside:

In for the long haul

Crendon’s new bed biz

Hard rock display

Thame’s Chapel of Stone Appliance of Science Wendover’s digital healers

plus Competitions, What’s On and much more... w French Wine w Dinner For Four at The Thatch w Action Cam w w Place In The Sun Tickets w Britain’s Next Top Model Tickets w

4 Star Christmas Hilton Hotel York

Hang up your pinnys ladies and join us for a cultural getaway to York this Christmas. Exquisite architecture, a tangle of quaint cobbled streets and York Minster are just a few reasons why this break is one not to miss. York is a place where the old encompasses the new and the commonplace meets with the unexpected, but what you can expect is a warm Yorkshire welcome at the 4 star Hilton York, where they know how to ‘do’ Christmas. The Hilton enjoys a central location within the city walls. Festive package includes: Luxury Coach Travel, 4 Nights Hotel, Full Board, Xmas Present, Full Entertainment Programme, Excursions to Scarborough, Whitby and Harrogate. Departs Thursday December 23 - 5 days £475. Single Supp £80 on request. DRINKS FROM £ ENTERTAINMENT BREAKS - 2011 1!

Great value weekends away with Tribute Acts or 50s & 60s Party Nights to entertain you. Added value is beer or wine, from 8pm to 10pm, starts at £1 to £1.50. Gather friends and family together for birthday, anniversary or just treat weekends, it’s more fun in a group! Breakfast & Dinner included. Kylie at Hampton by Hilton January 21 - 3 days ONLY £99 ( + Disco, Excursions Oakham & Stamford HB) 50s & 60s Party Night at the Park Inn Doncaster March 11 - 4 Days £149 ( Excursions to Leeds & York HB) Abba at Quality Hotel, Stoke On Trent. January 21: 3 Days £115 (Excursion to Chester HB) Blues Brothers at Quality Hotel Stoke on Trent. March 18: 3 Days £125 (as above HB) Frank Sinatra at Quality Hotel Stoke on Trent. September 23: 3 Days £129 (as above HB) Frankie Valli at Littlecote House. January 14: 4 Days £215 (1 Excursion HB, drinks offer does not apply)

EASTER BREAKS ON SALE NOW!

New Winter brochure out, ring now for your FREE copy

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Top Prices Paid In Cash For Your Scrap Precious Metals Including Unwanted Jewellery, Coins & Watches. Part Exchange Available

A B C AYLESBURY BULLION COMPANY The Family of Jewellers

11a, St Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP201SH 1SH 11aHigh High Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20

01296 423198 Tel: 01296Tel: 423198 Web: www.aylesburybullion.co.uk

Advert - Vale Life Sep10 GS:Vale Life 29/08/2010 13:22 Page 1

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Life & time at Ashfold

The education we offer boys and girls draws on the very best of both traditional and innovative teaching methods, but at the centre of all our endeavours are your children.

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Ashfold

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School

Children are welcome at any age. Those who begin in our purpose-built Pre Prep Department enjoy the best possible start to their school life.

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oys play rugby, football, hockey and cricket, with of energy on the sports field andpour with lungs girls playingAshfold hockey, netball Each afternoon children ontofull of fresh air, children in the Junior and Senior and rounders. All are coached acres of sports fields, our full-size astroturf Departments settle down to tennis, athletics and swimming, supervised prep. and theinSports Hallreceive where excellent coaching whilst addition girls lessons in dance. concentrates on teaching skills, teamwork Social confidence derives from and sportsmanship to every being part of a small caring family School matches at U9, U11 and child. community where children know 1st team level as well as Interthey are expected to be decent House matches, ensure that young people, tolerant of others there are ample opportunities and clear about both right for all to compete and to play and wrong. Daily assemblies, representative sport. For many children it is the sports fields which led by both staff and children, afford the time for us to think and provide the avenue through which to celebrate both individual and they gain recognition amongst House achievements. Termly their peers and so develop their evensongs and the Christmas self-confidence. Carol Service are the pinnacle of our Christian life at Ashfold.

schools; each year the most talented are prepared for and achieve scholarships to some of the best schools in the country.

Les Liney

parents by a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Form Tutor. Class work, tests and school examinations are designed to reinforce learning, for it is through academic success that the desire to learn and self confidence are nurtured.

ach morning after assembly, enthusiastic and highly qualified teachers set about the task of encouraging children to achieve their very best in bright and lively classrooms, studios, laboratories and workshops.

For a prospectus or to arrange a visit, Established Family Business

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acres of sports fields, our full-size astroturf and the Sports Hall where excellent coaching For a prospectus or to arrange a visit, concentrates on teaching skills, teamwork contact us at: and sportsmanship to every child.

TEN YEAR GUARANTEE Morning For personal, helpfulOpen service, please telephone 10amâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;12 noon 01844 261769 or 07802 213381 Saturday 14th November 2009 ...and to experiment www.grahamblake.com

Each afternoon Ashfold children pour onto ...and to experiment and Spring Terms

onto roturf coaching mwork

Subject specialist teaching is gradually introduced until in the Senior Department (rising 11 - 13 years) children are taught entirely by individual subject specialists.

Superb sport, music, art and ICT facilities

In Pre Prep children will have the chance to be taught art, music, ICT and games by subject specialists in the most stimulating surroundings. The firm foundations laid in our purpose-built, secure and wholly supportive Pre Prep environment ensures future academic success.

n the Prep School our emphasis is on developing childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s confidence, self-discipline, good manners and behaviour. In both the Pre Prep (rising 3 - 7 years) and Junior (rising 8 - 10 years) Departments, Form Teachers are responsible for the majority of teaching.

Central to our purpose is the development of academic excellence in children.

e...

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M.O.M Chitty, Headmaster

Subject specialist teaching is gradually introduced until in the Senior Department (rising 11 - 13 years) children are taught entirely by individual subject specialists.

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Co-educationalI (3-13) Prep & Pre-Prep School Day & weekly boarding n the Prep School our emphasis is on developing childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s confidence, self-discipline, good manners and behaviour. In both the Pre Prep (rising 3 - 7 years) and Junior (rising 8 - 10 years) Departments, Form Teachers are responsible for the majority of teaching.

Ashfold

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Children are welcome at any age. Those who begin in our purpose-built Pre Prep Department enjoy the best possible start to their school life.

Vehicle Hire

Bicester 9 miles, Oxford & Princes Risborough 14 miles

Car and van hire All sizes available including Luton tail lifts AA Cover Fully Insured Time to compete... Also available: Each afternoon Ashfold children pour 24onto hour accident and Unlimited Mileage acres of sports fields, our full-size astroturf breakdown service Customer Parking and the Sports Hall where excellent coaching concentrates on teaching skills, teamwork and sportsmanship to every child. Old Farm Workshops Tel: 01844 292783 Haddenham Road Mobile: 07860 795236 Kingsey, HP17 8LS

...and to think

oys play rugby, football, hockey and cricket, with girls playing hockey, netball and rounders. All are coached tennis, athletics and swimming, whilst in addition girls receive lessons in dance.

School matches at U9, U11 and 1st team level as well as Inter House matches, ensure that there are ample opportunities for all to compete and to play representative sport. For many children it is the sports fields which provide the avenue through which they gain recognition amongst their peers and so develop their self-confidence.

After expending copious amounts of energy on the sports field and with lungs full of fresh air, children in the Junior and Senior Departments settle down to supervised prep. Social confidence derives from being part of a small caring family community where children know they are expected to be decent young people, tolerant of others and clear about both right and wrong. Daily assemblies, led by both staff and children, afford the time for us to think and to celebrate both individual and House achievements. Termly evensongs and the Christmas Carol Service are the pinnacle of our Christian life at Ashfold.

Great rates Great results To advertise in Vale Life Magazine Call Charlie on 07702 006218

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Spread the word across The Vale: see: www.vale-life.co.uk for details

6 8 10 11 12 13

Paving the Way

Fab Photo Competition

Everything & the Kitchen Sink

Come Rain or Shine

Material Girl

23 One Hungry Man: Matt Brown

Autumn Glow

Restaurant Review: The Crown

Competitions: Win, Win!

Truly Scrumptious

Catwalks, Camels and Capes

Bedknobs and Gearsticks

A Fair Affair: Penny Harper

Time to Care

Competition: Win, Win!

Helping Hands

Keep on Moving

Science of Healing

The Only Way is Up

What’s On

Ancient chapel is a world of stone

Style and service at Aylesbury showroom ‘Forget me not,’ says Tracy Fabulous fashions at The White Hart Studio Action Cam and Place In The Sun tickets Fashion focus and Next Best Model tickets

14 Cover Story 16 18 19

New looks for old books Inside Chilton House Maids for mums with little ones Complementary therapy in the digital age

20 Dream Location

Charity centre has space and support

Hello again!

elcome to Vale Life four! Once again we’ve a packed the edition with some interesting features on local people and places and some of the unsung heroes of local commerce. There’s some cracking competitions and amusing columns from our regular contributors. The weeks are whizzing by it seems - one minute we’re looking to dig out the shades and suncream, the next it’s jumpers and wellies. Whatever happened to that long, hot summer we were promised - again...?! Here at Vale Life we got our umbrella out and enjoyed some fun events anyway... We had a fantastic meal at The Crown in Sydenham, (see pic above and write up

ongratulations to the following Aug/ Sept competition winners! Hopefully your prizes will have arrived by now, let us know if not. Commiserations to those who weren’t so lucky - read on though for more competitions inside this edition, including the chance to win: a meal for four at the Thatch; tickets for

Sensational snaps from our talented readers Life on Boycott Farm

My name is Matt, I’m a gorger...

There’s something special about Sydenham Thame Food Festival

No time to snooze, even on a Hypnos bed! Life’s a rollercoaster for our Small Town Girl Win a mixed case of French Wine Walk the walk with the Conley girls Return of the Kop Hill Climb Pick of forthcoming events

‘Another bottle of that fine Sancerre please garcon!’

The editor enjoys a rare moment of respite at the delightful Crown pub in Sydenham.

page 22), The Towersey Festival was superb, despite the wet Bank Holiday weather, Hobble on the Cobbles showed off some of the area’s top musical talent in

Britain’s Next Top Model Show; an Action Cam; a case of French wine; and tickets to A Place In The Sun Live! Last issue’s prizewinners were: Meal for Four at The Lambert Arms: Angus Jennings, Princes Risborough. Horse Of The Year Show Tickets: Janet Colvin, Aylesbury; Sandy Bullivant,

Aylesbury town centre and we enjoyed an excellent exhibition of art, craft and sculpture at Towersey’s Phoenix Studio. Herts Open Studios is now on the go too, so check out the website at: www.hvaf. org.uk for details of nearby exhibitions you can view until October 3. It’s still a bit of a squeeze getting everything in here, so for additional information about events and activities in our area and other useful bits and pieces don’t forget to regularly check our website at: www.vale-life.co.uk. If you have something for us to post on there, or would like a link to your own site, have a look and send me an email. Enjoy the read Best wishes

Charlie

Waddesdon, Amania Clark, Stoke Mandeville. Stratstone Land Rover Experience: Serena Toh, Thame. Crazy Bear Garden Party Tickets: Pauline Burr, Thame. ZPM Bags: Jo Barron-Cook, Tring; Dee Turton, Bledlow Ridge; Rebecca Roberts, Wendover.

Front cover picture: Morris Dancers in action at Towersey Village Festival Vale Life Magazine is designed and published by House of Mouse, 23 Glenham Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3WD Telephone: 01844 261579 Mobile: 07702 006218 Website: www.vale-life.co.uk Email: editor@vale-life.co.uk Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of Vale Life and we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies, omissions or late changes. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers. Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company www.magprint.co.uk Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010 - Stoneworld

Watching TV might not seem a productive use of time but for one Thame business GroundForce was an inspiration...

toneworld boss Rob Parker had planned to be a farmer. He took a degree in agriculture, but then sidestepped into agricultural supplies, working for a large grain merchant. He moved from his home town of Harbury, near Leamington Spa to Maidenhead, where he met wife Amanda, and the two settled in Thame in 1997, thinking it an ideal place to raise a family. Although a successful grain buyer, Rob

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

could see farmers were struggling and knew he needed to diversify. He started his own haulage business transporting the grain and all went well at first. He took premises in Thame’s Buttermarket, (now the Cornfield Bakery) using the back room for administration and opened a coffee shop at the front. In 2001 the foot and mouth crisis struck and Rob secured the potentially lucrative, if unpleasant, job of hauling carcasses out of Gloucestershire and South Wales. His vehicles were contaminated in the process though and could not be used further for grain transportation - he was forced to disband the haulage company. “I was still an agricultural rep, but my business was going nowhere and I was left thinking what shall I do now?” says Rob. One night, watching GroundForce using stone paving and gravels in a garden makeover, Rob thought there would be a growing demand for the materials: “ I asked a farmer friend for some space in his yard in Great Milton,” says Rob, “Ordered a portacabin and several large bags of assorted gravels and began trading as Stoneworld!” Over time the firm has diversified into stone paving and now imports sandstone and limestone from India; granite from China, for cobbles and setts; marbles and sheets of granite, for worktops, from Italy; slate for paving and hearths from Brazil; and travertine and limestone from Turkey and Iran. “All the gravels we sell are from Britain and stone for rockeries and some of our limestone floorings are from this country too,” he says, “and we produce Portland Stone and Bath Stone flooring ourselves now, at our factory in Great Milton.” Rob is very specific in his requirements and has been careful to source suppliers who can ensure that quality is top notch. “We’ve very close relationships with our suppliers,” says Rob, “We have paving produced to strict specifications and standard,

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Rob Parker

which means the quality is maintained, it’s our own product.” “I was looking for a granite worktop and was surprised how expensive they were, so I purchased a router cutter and we started making granite worktops in 2006. “We’ve had a lot of orders and needed another cutter - I was at the World Stone Show in Italy and was impressed by an amazing robot laser cutter, the Stone Genie. We can now scan an object and then cut the shape. It can carve worktops, but it can carve fireplaces and statues too!” Stoneworld has just opened an impressive new showroom in the converted Methodist Chapel next to HSBC on Thame’s Upper High Street: “We’ve had a small display of internal stone at Great Milton for some time,” says Rob, “but we really needed a decent showroom in which to display it properly. “When I saw the former church up for rent it seemed ideal. In here we can show all our internal flooring, our worktop stones, our shower frames, granite and stone basins, fireplaces and memorial stones in a nice clean, environment, while the external stone can be seen on the farm near Great Milton. Stoneworld shares the space with kitchen and bathroom suppliers Watermark, who display on the first floor gallery. A local art supplier has some impressive pieces hanging in the gallery too and people are

welcome to come in and have a look at the exhibited works anytime. Stoneworld has grown into a sizeable operation with two local outlets and a further showroom in Bracknell, a fleet of lorries, and 14 employees and the company has supplied stone for numerous prestigious projects including some laser carved pebble seating which was a feature of Thomas Hoblyn’s silver medal-winning garden at last year’s Chelsea Flower Show and 18,500 m2 of paving for Bicester village: “They’ve got Raj stone, at Bicester,” says Rob, “It’s a very hard sandstone from India which wears well, but is warmer and softer looking than granite. “What you surround yourself with creates your mood. Sandstone and limestone are soft and warm, whereas granite is harder and less relaxing. “Cotswold stone is limestone and we supply most of the building stone around this area for renovation or new build. It doesn’t have to come from The Cotswolds, but it has be the right colour for the area.” Running a business and bringing up a family in Thame, (Rob and Amanda have three children at local schools) might be enough for most people, but Rob has been

keen to get involved in the community and is on the local Town Council as well. With Stoneworld he has also joined the Oxfordshire Enterprise Education scheme helping introduce youngsters to the world of work and the company won an award for their efforts this year. “We’re very happy in Thame,” he says, “It’s a lovely area to live and work. I love stone too, but I didn’t realise how much until I started working with it! It’s wonderful what you can make and there’s so many different types.” There is certainly a stunning range on view in Stoneworld’s new gallery and there are experienced and knowledgable staff on hand to help and advise on choosing the right stone for any particular need. The beautiful old chapel is a great setting for the displays - worth visiting just to see the architecture and artworks, a real flagship for the company and with the extensive range Stoneworld now offers Rob can feel confident his firm is fulfilling the company maxim: ‘Stoneworld, for all your stone needs’. l Stoneworld, 43A Upper High Street, Thame, OX9 2DW. Tel: 01844 279307. Web: www.stoneworld.co.uk

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010 : In-Toto Kitchens

It’s the hub of your home, the engineroom of the house - but if your heart’s desire is a cool new kitchen, where do you go for advice and inspiration... Simon and Emma Cull Orange glass splashback

Below and above: In-toto kitchens installed locally

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

ust off the High Street in Britannia Street, Aylesbury is In-toto Kitchens. The stylish, modern showroom was opened by Simon and Emma Cull some five years ago and has already established a reputation for friendly, personal service, clever designs, and high quality kitchens. The business is a franchise, one of 50 UK showrooms specialising in solid, contemporary units from one of Germany’s largest, quality kitchen manufacturers, Alno/Wellmann. “Our kitchens are of the highest standard,” says Simon, “each one is individually designed with your specific requirements and lifestyle in mind, and many of our customers have been surprised at just how affordable such a stylish kitchen can be. “Our showroom has 10 displays that give a flavour of the styles we can offer, from traditional country cottage to the latest contemporary designs in stunning high gloss finishes. The couple met at a tennis club in Hemel Hempstead; Emma was working for Ginn Publishers in Aylesbury and Simon for BIC in sales and marketing. The keen tennis players hit it off, got married and after a spell in Stewkley moved to Winslow in 2004, where their two boys: Harry, 9 and Joshua, 10 now attend Winslow school. Emma worked for Chesham Building Society for a while and then took time out to bring up the boys. With the lads growing up fast Simon and Emma thought they would like to run their own business, spend more time together and achieve a better work/life balance, so they started searching for a suitable opportunity. “I think we’ve failed on the work/life balance,” laughs Emma, “but at least we are a little more in charge of our own lives!” The couple liked the quality of the In-

toto products and the way the company worked, plus they liked the idea of seeing a job through from start to finish, from the planning stage to the final installation, if required, and the consequent job satisfaction. “Aylesbury is close to home,” says Simon, “so we don’t have hours of travelling and there aren’t many kitchen showrooms in the area, plus there’s a big population in the surrounding area. It seemed a good location. “Now we’ve been going a few years we’re getting referrals and recommendations, which is lovely. We’ve been finishing a kitchen installation this week and the customer was saying to me she was amazed how smoothly it had all gone. But if you plan things properly there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be a painless process. “We can supply the kitchen and the customer can organise the fitting themselves, or we can manage the whole process for you. “In-toto Kitchens are supplied as solid, ready made units of high quality, multi layered particle boards, coated with melamine resin on both sides. The carcase exteriors are finished in a selection of coloured laminates. The quality of the materials used means they stand the test of time better than cheaper alternatives,” explains Simon. “There is a wide selection of internal fittings including corner carousels, wide pan drawers and bin solutions. The steel framed drawer boxes pull out to their full length and have soft close as standard.

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Above: Doors are wild oak laminate with a Corian worktop and glass splashback. Opposite page: Country cottage kitchen style with wood effect worktop and tiled splashback

“With In-toto the carcasses and internal fittings will always be of the same high quality, the choice is in the doors, the worktops and appliances, which customers can select on style and price. “There are many door styles to choose from, from high gloss laminates and lacquers, to wood effect laminates and real wood veneers. High gloss doors have always been popular and probably always will be,” says Simon. “Real wood doors have changed in styling over the last few decades, from ornate 80s dark wood doors, to modern flat fronted easier to clean doors. “Laminates can now be textured or ‘structured’ so they look and feel like real wood, but are easier to clean and maintain. “Spray lacquered doors give a higher more reflective gloss, almost mirror-flat finish. Worktops are a whole different area: granite, laminate, wood, corian (a stoneeffect, resin acrylic, composite) and splashbacks no longer have to be tiled, a thick sheet of 6mm toughened glass, backpainted with your chosen colour can look fantastic and there are no grout lines to keep clean.”

There’s a lot to think about,” says Emma, “but Simon will take the time to listen and work with you to come up with a design solution that works individually for you and your kitchen. It’s very relaxed, you won’t get any pressure selling, like you do at some stores, and he’ll oversee the installation and organisation too if you wish. “We may be a small business,” says Simon, “but we have a big company behind us. We’re members of the KBSA (Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Specialist Association) so we have to meet certain criteria and offer full insurance which covers deposit, advance payment, work in progress and a six year warranty.” Furthermore In-toto’s clever computer design package allows Simon to produce a 3D, almost-photographic representation of how the new kitchen will look and then, with a click of the mouse, show you different colour combinations and alternative finishes. It’s a brilliant design aid and a great help in visualising exactly how the new kitchen will look. For appliances In-toto are able to use their company muscle to get preferential deals on Neff, AEG and Whirlpool, but Si-

mon and Emma are not restricted to these makes if you have something else in mind. When not at work the Culls have two growing lads to look after, but still manage to be active in the community, Simon as a local cub scout leader and Emma as a volunteer for Aylesbury Vale Advocates where she helps support adults with learning disabilities. Simon’s design skills may have come from his father, who was an architect, but the couples personable nature and calm professionalism have no doubt contributed just as much to the ongoing success of their venture. Testament to this is the fact that in 2006 the business won In-toto’s ‘Award For Outstanding Professionalism’ and in 2008 their ‘Customer Service Excellence Award’. Which are almost as good reasons as the the quality of the units, to pop in to Aylesbury if in need of some kitchen advice. l In-toto Kitchens, 5 Britannia Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1QS (just off the High Street, opposite Wilkinsons) Tel: 01296 337299 Email: aylesbury@intoto.co.uk Website: www.intoto.co.uk

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010 - tillynilly

Working from home, Tracy Nielsen has launched her own business with an online store - you won’t forget tillynilly...

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Tracy and Christian



Tracy with funky cushions

Tracy has lots of ideas for colour and fabric combinations

orders we’ve sourced new suppliers to keep up with demand. “We do roller blinds and venetian blinds too and special INTU blinds for conservatories and double glazed units. If they need fitting Christian helps out. His business is commercial interiors, so we’ve started to overlap slightly supplying furniture and home accessories. We’ve set up the tillynilly website with details of services and an online store for homeware items. “We offer a bespoke service for made to measure furnishings such as cushions and blinds. We’ll make them to your specifications with your chosen fabrics, or help you find what your looking for. “It’s a personalised service and we can visit your home to discuss designs and measure up if required. “We’ve gifts and homeware available on our website too. It’s an online shop, but not a faceless one, she says, “you know we’re based here in Thame and we offer free delivery in the local area. “Customers are welcome to the house if they prefer, to look at fabrics and talk over their requirements.” Christian runs Planet Business Interiors

and fits commercial interiors, anything from small offices to large corporations, from a desk and a chair to a complete installation of furnishings from carpets and blinds to the director’s drinks cabinet! He also provides some storage space and a delivery service for tillynilly. “It’s hard to define what we do,” says Tracy, “It’s soft furnishings and more, bits for the home, advice and ideas rather than interior design. “We can supply a ready made roller blind, ready to fit, or a bespoke blind made to measure with a fabric you have chosen, so you won’t find it in the shops. You can come to us and say you’ve seen some material in John Lewis, say, or we’ll help you locate what you are looking for. Tracy is lucky to have not only an eye for colour and design, but also the practical skills required to make bespoke items - it’s a good combination, in China they’d probably call it balancing the ying and yang, here it’s combining the tilly and the nilly and it’s working very well. l tillynilly, Thame. Tel: 01844 220035 Email: tracy@tillynilly.com Website: www.tillynilly.com/store



racy Nielsen is keen to point out she is not called Tilly, although, she admits, the Nielsens have been referred to as ‘the Nellys’ that and playing around with the words brought her to tillynilly as a name for her business. “Once you’ve heard it you won’t forget it,” she says, “which is good for a business.” Originally from Essex, Tracy left school at 16 keen to get out and earn and joined a family firm in London who trained her in all aspects of their wood veneer business, from office systems to design and manufacture. It was a great grounding. She had always dabbled in needlework making clothes for herself and friends and her grandfather passed on his interest in upholstery, teaching her how to cover furniture. A couple of job moves took her to Intercraft, an office interiors and furniture company in Middlesex, where she met husband Christian. They got a place together in Chalfont St Giles and Christian started his own office furniture business with a base in Great Haseley. They liked the area and moved out to Haddenham about nine years ago with Tracy at home raising their two daughters Erin and Freya, (now 13 snd 12), and now their younger brother Ryan, 7. They’ve now moved to Thame where the youngsters go to school. Giving up work to have children Tracy found she had time to make things again. She ran up clothes and a Roman blind and became busy with requests from friends and family. “It grew from there really,” she says, “ I was getting so many requests it had almost become a full-time job, so I thought I’d set up in business and it’s just grown. We’ve actually been getting so many blind

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Rolls of Buckram cloth

oft fabrics, groovy styling and funky details will give you girls a warm glow this autumn when you see the new Culture range at White Hart Studio. With intricate prints and a unique colour palette the label draws inspiration from around the world to create the ultimate apparel for the Vale and beyond. Confident, adventurous, progressive... that’s not Haddenham we’re talking about, it’s you! Bohemia too is well known for having fun with fashion, using unique and original cuts and designs, chic and sophisticated fabrics and lavish embellishments. Inspired by eastern traditions and western urban trends, their fusion of colours, patterns and details are a feature of White Hart Studio’s autumn look. l White Hart Studio, 15 Churchway, Haddenham, HP17 8AB Telephone: 01844 292308 Closed Mondays. Open Tuesday-Sunday.

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21/07/2010

11:12

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CMY

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Amersham Bledlow Ridge Flackwell Heath Great Kingshill Hazlemere High Wycombe Holmer Green Naphill Stokenchurch Wooburn Green

Cosmetic and Fragrance Co Ltd Join us at 17a Buttermarket, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3EP

‘All you need to create

To celebrate our opening and to launch the Art Deco a glamorous look’ range of cosmetics and skincare in Thame. makeup artist from Art Deco will be providing Dr.Ademonstrations Hauschka, Susan Posnick, and be available to give advice ArtDeco,onGuys or ofDolls & more... their range products

Classes we run include: l Zumba l Body Blitz l Boxercise l Fitness Pilates l Bootcamps

Tuesday 13 th July 2010

17a Buttermarket, Open House from 7pm RSVP: Karen Moore Thame, OX9 3EP rsvp@powdercfc.co.uk 01844 214816 Telephone: or01844 214816 Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Win an

Action Cam

A Free tickets to A Place In The Sun Live: NEC, Birmingham, 1st to 3rd October, with Vale Life Magazine

Place in the Sun Live, the UK’s biggest overseas property exhibition, returns to Birmingham with a feature-packed show at the NEC from 1st–3rd October. Based on the hit Channel 4 TV series, the event promises an all-encompassing look at how to get onto the overseas property ladder. Visitors looking for a great investment, idyllic holiday home, retirement property, or a permanent home abroad will find 1,000s of great properties and advice from experts they can trust. A Place in the Sun Live will host over 100 exhibitors representing more than 40 countries worldwide and featuring properties to suit all budgets – from under £20,000 to over £1million. For your free ticket go to www.aplaceinthesun.com/valelife

re you starting to look for that perfect Christmas stocking filler? Perhaps you deserve a treat yourself, right now?! This cool Action Cam from from Chilli Technology is perfect for sports enthusiasts or action men and women looking to capture great video footage on the move! Chilli Technology’s Action Cam is supplied with a head strap and is easily attached to your head or helmet. The one touch recording function and illuminated LCD display ensure ease of use and simple navigation whilst the 360-degree rotation and LED indicator work to enhance users’ movie making skills. At £24.99 it’s a fantastic, affordable gadget which allows the user to make great quality, hands-free recordings at a snippet! Features include: Image Sensor: CMOS 1.3MP Pixels Standard storage media: SD Card, supports 32GB SDHC Recording Time: Unlimited until SD memory capacity used up Video Resolution: 640 x 480 (VGA), 30fps Audio Recording: Built-in Microphone with 12ft range If you’d like the chance to win an ActionCam, then email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk. How many frames per second does the Action Cam deliver? A) 30 b) 45 , or c) 60 ? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email on Monday, October 11th. Pricing and Availability: £24.99 available in the UK from Amazon.co.uk or www.chilli-tech.com. Supplied with head strap and USB cable included.

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

As Autumn’s trends permeate the high street Vale Life’s Alisha Johnson unbuttons the latest looks to complete the crossover from catwalk to clothing store...

he catwalks have always influenced the high street, so which supermodel styles will Joanne Public be coveting this autumn? Cycle 6 of Britain’s Next Top Model is coming to an end and below in Vale Life’s competition you can win tickets to their Live show and judge for yourself who you think will bring the most style to the catwalks!! With Elle Macpherson judging the new series, it’s obvious the next winner will be expected to become a big star. Elle herself has enjoyed a glittering catwalk career, and is now bringing her golden touch to a range of underwear, Elle Macpherson Intimates. Will the BNTM girls be able to emulate her success? Catwalk chic has always filtered through to the less

ASOS camel cape

Win tickets to

he ultimate weekend shopping extravaganza is coming to London for the first time Ever – Britain’s Next Top Model Live, is on from October 22 to 24 at ExCel in London’s Docklands. Based on the popular reality TV show Britain’s Next Top Model Live is set to be London’s biggest fashion and beauty fix, and every girl’s essential event with fashion shows, exhibitions, shopping, beauty, health and fitness, and the latest Autumn and Winter trends. Learn how to walk the walk on the Open Catwalk. Pout and pose in the Paparazzi Zone with Company Magazine, indulge in free hair and beauty makeovers in the Powder Room, and learn the tricks of the trade from top industry experts at the Style Icon Workshops, or take a pew on the Casting Couch where Models 1 will be seeking out new faces for their future fashion and beauty campaigns. This year’s event is also offering visitors the chance of entering Living TV’s Britain’s

Next Top Model Series 7 in 2011, with the BNTM Application Studio. HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN..... Britain’s Next Top Model Live is offering Vale Life readers the chance to WIN 10 pairs of VIP TICKETS or one of 5 Pairs of standard tickets to the first ever Britain’s Next Top Model Live, London 2010. To enter, email your name, address and telephone number, along with your answer to the following question to editor@ vale-life.co.uk by September 30: Questions: Which venue will host Britain’s Next Top Model Live 2010? For more information on the show visit www.bntmlive.com *Terms and conditions 1. This offer is only open to UK residents 2. Competition winners tickets are valid for any one day of the show between the 22nd and the 25th October 2010, to Britain’s Next Top Model Live at ExCel London 3. Tickets are non transferable 4. Complimentary tickets obtained through this offer may not be duplicated. 5. All tickets will be scanned on entry to the show 6. The closing date for this offer is September 30th.

Above, Topshop wedge. Left, model Nicola Roberts in Aviator jacket. Right, camel coat glamazon of us, whether it’s Topshop recreating a high-end dress or designers bringing back a nostalgic piece from our past. This autumn/winter season sees the arrival of the chic cape and the colour to covet is camel. Whilst capes are a brilliant top layer to see you through the chillier months, camel could become your wardrobe staple. It’s a colour that’s easily accessorised and will match most things already in your closet. A camel coat is the perfect item to throw over any work attire, to keep out the cold, whilst a cape would add flair to any ‘weekend’ outfit. From the back of your closet, the catwalk has revitalised the aviator jacket - usually he domain of the pilot, every fashionista will soon be purchasing one. So rummage around in your drawers (or mother’s) and see if you can find one lurking. Team your revived aviator jacket with the must have heel – the wedge. Much easier to walk in than your average stiletto the wedge is here to stay for 2010. Of course the fashion elite are already sporting these trends. Nicola Roberts, top, teaming her aviator jacket with aviator Ray-Bans for the vintage jet-setter look, while actress Blake Lively, top right, has been wearing her camel coat with a bright blue scarf for extra colour. So as Britain’s Next Top Model comes to an end, we wait in anticipation to see what the next top model brings to our closets!

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010 - Kew Bookbinding

For Malcolm and Michele Kew it’s the daily bind, not the daily grind, that keeps them busy and happiness is a well bound book...

alcolm Kew grew up in Ruislip Manor, West London and thought he might become a carpenter or a printer. In the early 70s a five year apprenticeship leading into one of these respected trades was a job for life. He went for an interview at HMSO (Her Majesty’s Stationery office) in London, but instead of a printing apprenticeship was offered a position in The British Museum’s bookbinding department. “I didn’t know what it was at the time,” says Malcolm, “I thought I’d be taking bets! “I loved working there though. It was a great place. They sent me to the London College of Printing for five years and then afterwards I stayed on for another four and became a specialist in gold tooling. “I worked in the archives, the binding was all done by hand. They’ve a copy of pretty well every book ever printed and some were extraordinary, ancient handwritten texts, illustrated by monks, some over 1,000 years old. Malcolm moved on from the British Museum working as a gold finisher, tooling fine bindings and binding books for Morrell & Sons in Covent Garden, before

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Michele and Malcolm Kew

taking a managerial role with the National Society for Epilepsy (NSE) in Chalfont St Peter, where he stayed for 23 years, eventually running the bookbinding department and printroom. At one time all books would have been bound by hand, but these days books produced commercially are machine bound. The bookbinder’s skills are saved for short runs, reports, theses, bespoke work, special fine bindings and repairs. Luckily for Malcolm his solid grounding at the British Museum and varied experience means he can cope with the most unusual of binding requests and is particularly adept at gold tooling and embossing - the British Museum asked him back only recently to help with a job. So when the Epilepsy Society closed their binding operation at Chalfont, Malcolm was able to take some of the old machinery with him and set up his own business, with wife Michele, in Thame. Michele is currently an enterprise coordinator for a local school, but has worked in customer service and sales and for a variety of small businesses, so helps out part-time with admin and in the workshop

The stitching machine

when needed, where Malcolm is training her in his craft. In his spare time Malcolm is a keen guitarist and the couple met in 2000, when Michele saw Malcolm performing with one of his bands, The Cane Toads. They moved to Thame in 2003 having visited friends in the town and decided they really liked the place. Little did they know that three years later they’d be scouring the

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

In the workshop

area for suitable business premises as well, which they found by luck when they bumped into the outgoing tenant of a cosy workshop just off North Street - their entrance is opposite the new library. October 2006 was a scary time for the couple, but with Malcolm’s knowhow and some loyal clients he’d done work for over the years, the business took off. Being a small operation, every day is different and Malcolm’s workload could include high quality leather binding and gold tooling, paperback binding, thesis binding, short run biographies, library binding, journal or magazine binding, or the repair of an old favourite of real, or great sentimental value. “I actually like doing all of it, says Malcolm, “Short run autobiographies, journal work, council minutes. I’ve just made some boxes to protect some parchment scrolls for Lord Williams’s School archives. “We do school year books and emboss prize presentation books with the school crest and details, all sorts really.” Malcolm has worked for some prestigious clients in his time, he has bound books for the royal family, who were patrons of the Epilepsy Society and has more recently done work for various political figures, who can’t be named and the content was so sensitive that a minder watched over Malcolm while he worked! “ I enjoy the variety,” says Malcolm, “People turn up with an old book, a treasured dictionary or an ancient bible that’s falling apart and I can restore it for them. I never know what will come in next. Pages bound into a text block ready for covering

“I’ve just had a big order of Lab books for ICI which have to be hand numbered that’s thousands of pages to be numbered individually each side! “Most books have paper pages with card covers finished in cloth or leather. Leather is expensive though. I use goatskin and it’s about £100 for a small skin, which only does a couple of books, so a full leather bound book could cost well over £100 to cover. Buckram cloth, card and paper covers are cheaper options, while a report or thesis might be wire bound with a clear PVC front board and a stiff card backing.” With the business open six days a week, and a Saturday morning book binding course planned at the workshop it’s surprising Malcolm has time for other interests. But he still finds time to play with the Cane Toads and The Attendants, an 80s New Wave outfit currently enjoying renewed interest and gigs regularly. He’s been a keen rock climber too: “I’m not quite as brave now as I used to be,” he laughs, “so I tend to do more hill and mountain walking these days!” Running your own business can be some-

thing of an uphill struggle too, but it seems Malcolm and Michele have the skill and determination to cope with the climb and an infectious enthusiasm for bookbinding to carry them up the steepest of slopes. It seems that bookbinding has proved a safe bet after all. l Kew Bookbinding, 61 North Street, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3BH. Tel: 01844 212035. Email: malcolmkew@mac.com Website: www.kewbookbinding.co.uk Rolls of Buckram cloth

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discount when before the end of 2010 with this stocks voucherlast All senior10% boys’ trousers atyou halfshop price during September, whilst Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010 - Chilton House

Tucked away in the tiny village of Chilton the grand manor house provides an impressive setting in which to convalesce

ebuilt by Judge Carter, an ancestor of current owner Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, in the 1740s, Chilton House is no longer the family residence, but an elegant, comfortable and welcoming nursing home, which has been run by Henry’s wife Sara since 1987. The house, a rectangular red brick building with stone dressings, four stories in height, stands imposingly on the family’s

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

estate at Chilton, near Brill commanding stunning views across the open farmland of Aylesbury Vale to the Chiltern Hills beyond. Chilton House had been leased out, (the Aubrey-Fletchers have lived in the estate’s 17th century farmhouse since the 1930s) and run as a nursing home since the Second World War, but had fallen into disrepair and needed an expensive program of restoration and the support of English Heritage, to bring it back to it’s former glory. Basic repairs cost £500,000 and that was back in the 80s! Sara wished to preserve the character of the building whilst continuing it’s role as a nursing home and now Chilton House combines the highest standards of nursing care with the comforts of modern country house living. Sara is a firm believer in the importance of convalescence and rehabilitation and at Chilton House tailors flexible care solutions to individual needs: “We take great pride in the skills we have developed in promoting independence for the older person,” she says. “At Chilton we recognise the importance of flexibility, our focus is to tailor your visit

to your agenda. “Convalescence and rehabilitation, professional individual nursing care, recovery from bouts of illness at home, short visits to prevent a hospital admission, stays while carers or family are on holiday, we do it all. “We understand the problems of growing older and acknowledge that nowadays most people can and wish to remain at home for as long as possible. “The key to peace of mind is knowing that should a problem arise, there is somewhere with expertise and kindness that can help. This way we hope that we can play our part in making life as good as it can be.” Certainly when Vale Life visited, Chilton House had more the air of a country house hotel than a care home. The reception rooms are comfortable and spacious and period features such as mouldings, dados, pediments, pilasters and marble fireplaces add stately style, while fresh flowers brighten the classical furnishing. Bedrooms range from cosy modern singles to palatial twins where a partner can stay with a patient in comfort. The staff are friendly, welcoming and eager to please and the meals appearing from

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

the kitchen looked extremely appetising. The grounds are stunning with a pleasant patio area overlooking the fruit garden, trees groaning with apples, pears and plums, almost ready for the kitchen. With many years of experience in caring for post-operative patients discharged from hospital and particular expertise with those recovering from orthopaedic procedures, cardiac investigations, strokes and general surgery, Chilton House has developed convalescent facilities to ease and accelerate the recovery process, for a quicker and safer return to independence. An initial patient assessment looks at the requirements for returning home. A thorough liaison with the hospitals’ consultants and physiotherapists ensures that on admission Chilton has all the relevant medical information and a path to success can be planned. The professional approach to individual nursing care is made possible by the high ratio of staff to patients, which reflects the Chilton philosophy that staff have ‘time to care’. A registered nurse is on duty 24 hours a day assisted by a team of nursing auxiliaries and the local GP practice is always on call.

An experienced in-house team of physiotherapists, all MCSP qualified, is available 7 days a week. Nursing staff support this programme with follow up exercises. An optional out-patient physiotherapy clinic offers the opportunity for continuing the recovery process once the patient returns home. Patients or guests may of course be staying at Chilton House to aid recovery from a bout of ill health at home, for a short break to provide respite for carers or just to enjoy the benefits of a Country House Hotel that offers twenty four hour care and support. One resident Vale Life spoke with, Miss Mary Somerset, praised the level of independence enjoyed: “We are allowed to be ourselves while enjoying help and support when it is needed,” she said and was kind enough to show us her room, delightfully furnished with personal belongings and her own furniture: “Chilton House is my home from home,” she beamed. l Chilton House, Chilton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 9LR Tel: 01844 265 200 Fax: 01844 265 202 Email: enquiries@chiltonhouse.co.uk Website: www. chiltonhouse.co.uk

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Kez Luckett isn’t the sort of woman to turn down a challenge, but she soon realised that where babies are concerned mums can all do with an extra pair of hands sometimes... Kez Luckett, centre with Diane, left and Katie, right.

or those of us yet to experience the joys of parenthood, the idea that having a new born baby to look after might be such an allconsuming experience, you wouldn’t even have time to make a cup of tea, tidy up, or put your shopping away, is hard to imagine. However, as any woman who has been through the process will tell you, it really can be that demanding! Family and friends may be a great help, but you don’t always want to rely on the goodwill of those closest, so being able to call in a maid who can lend a hand with some basic tasks would be a godsend to many. Mummy’s Maid is a local company that provides just that, their short-term household services allow mums time to focus on and enjoy their baby’s first months. Mummy’s Maid was founded by Kez Luckett mother to two children Amelie and Jack. Despite being a successful and highly organised businesswoman she found that after giving birth to Amelie she was unable to keep up with the day to day running of her home while recuperating from complications during labour. “It came as a big surprise that I did not feel in control after giving birth,” says

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Kez. “The pressure to have a clean home, laundry done and dinner on the table for my husband whilst caring for our baby, was overwhelming. “When you have a baby things change. All of a sudden this little thing takes over your whole life,” she says. During her second pregnancy Kez suffered with Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction which made any physical exertion almost impossible. She needed short term help with the children and the home, but none of the companies she approached would offer less than several month’s contract. With this in mind her aim became to offer all women short-term postnatal help and support in a non-intrusive way. Originally from Brighton, Kez worked and lived in Atlanta, Georgia before returning to the UK and moving to Thame. It was there she met and married a local lad from Cuddington and they have been living in Haddenham now for almost seven years. Kez is running the service from Haddenham and has recruited three local girls: Kyla, Katie and Diana as her first Mummy’s Maids. They are friendly, helpful ladies, experienced with children and well versed in the trials and tribulations of motherhood.

Kyla has over nine years of childcare experience and a seven-year-old daughter of her own. Katie is National Nursery Examination Board (NNEB) qualified and Diana runs the Attic Nursery School at Whizzkids in Thame. All have had enhanced CRB checks. Initially covering Thame, Aylesbury and surrounding area jobs to date have included food shopping, laundry, walking the dog and helping look after the baby, giving mum much needed time for other things. Mummy’s Maid packages are graded gold, silver and bronze, starting at £66 for a six hour block and can be split into sections of two or more hours. There are full details of services with prices on the website at www.mummysmaid.co.uk. Mummy’s Maid vouchers are also available making a great gift idea for friends, relatives or work colleagues. A present that mum will probably appreciate much more than a pair of knitted booties! Kez describes her business as offering ‘An extra pair of hands that understand’ and if you are a mum you’ll already know how wonderful it would be to relax and spend some quality time enjoying your baby’s first weeks! l Mummy’s Maid: Tel: 0845 463 0075 Email: info@mummysmaid.co.uk Website: www.mummysmaid.co.uk

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Digital homeopathy has been hailed as the future of medicine, now it’s right here in Wendover

Nicky and Christine

riving past the tiny Speedwell Complementary Health Centre in Wendover, you could not begin to imagine the fascinating combination of science and complementary therapy that is going on within. The centre is owned and run by Nicky Ward and Christine Watson-Bartlam, two highly qualified and experienced therapists who not only offer a range of complementary therapies, but have also invested in the most cutting edge diagnostic technology. By connecting you to their computerised Asyra electro-dermal health screening system they can speedily analyse all your major organs and body systems, to produce a detailed report on everything from organ function to food allergy. The technology has been in development for many years, but has only recently become packaged in an easy to use probeless, portable format, allowing a test of all major organs and body systems to be undertaken in less than a minute. Christine, a former IT training manager and Nicky, an ex-computer analyst/programmer, both gave up stressful careers in the 90s and having experienced the effectiveness of complementary treatments themselves, embarked on new paths to

become therapists. Christine studied reflexology and Nicky started with hypnotherapy, but over the years the girls have studied and qualified in a range of treatments including Kinesiology, Bach Flower Remedies, Massage, Aromatherapy, Reiki, Nutrition, Psychotherapy and Neuro Linguistic Programming. “It’s not alternative medicine,” says Christine like homeopathy, or acupuncture, it’s ‘complementary’, which means we work alongside other medications or treatments people may be taking and to complement the treatment.” “Nicky and I come from scientific backgrounds. We’re not new age airheads, we’re level-headed, educated and sensible women. We’ve looked at the technology and we think this equipment is sound, it’s been in development for years and it really works.” All a patient has to do is hold two brass handles. The Asyra analyses the electrical feedback from the body’s energetic fields and can isolate the frequencies returning from different organs, glands and tissues to give an incredibly comprehensive readout of the body’s internal condition and external factors that may be preventing optimal health. This can include allergies, ailments, food intolerances, toxins and nutritional imbalances. Nicky and Christine can then draw up a unique treatment plan. This could include

treatment in their own therapy fields of Applied Kinesiology, Massage/Aromatherapy, Hypnosis, Psychotherapy, Reflexology, Reiki, Aqua Detox, Hopi Ear Candling, Bach Flower Therapies or Phytotherapies, or a referral if appropriate to another recommended practitioner for one of a range of other specialist treatments. “People will come in with a niggle,” says Nicky, “They may have been to the doctor and he’s not found anything wrong, but they know something’s not right and they’re below par. With Asyra we can run a diagnosis and it may indicate a food intolerance, exposure to certain toxins, or allergies they were unaware of. “There’s a lot of people out there who would benefit from ‘getting better’, often not realising they are ill. You feel so much better if your body is operating at 100%.” l Speedwell Complementary Health Centre, Castle Park Road, Wendover, HP22 6AE Telephoner: 01296 622611. Email: NickyMWard@BTInternet.com Website: www.Speedwell-CHC.co.uk Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

The Clare Foundation’s base in Saunderton is a new hub for charities offering office space, advice, training and support

Foundation to provide supike Clare has built a successful career port and advice for charities, helping them to operate more on dreams. Actually he efficiently and thus optimise the use of donated funds. built Dreams, the nationwide bed Following an extensive company, trading up from a single refurbishment programme shop to a national chain with The Clare Foundation base some 200 outlets. was established in an impresHe stepped down as chairman Mike Clare sive, art deco office complex in in 2008 after 20 years at the helm Saunderton, earlier this year and is run as and since cashing in the majority of his a non-profit making charity hub, offering shares has been busy on a variety of new serviced office facilities at minimal rates. projects under the Clarenco Space is available for charities of all Group umbrella. sizes, from one or two person operaEntrepreneurship and helping peotions to sizeable concerns and a variety of ple with their businesses is a passion of organisations have already moved in, such Mike’s and being a patron and trustee of a variety of good causes, he realised he could as kidsinsport and the considerably larger Child Bereavement. combine the two by setting up the Clare

l The Clare Foundation, Wycombe Road, Saunderton, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4BF Telephone: 0300 777 7000 Website: www.theclarefoundation.org

THE ONLY THING WE’RE MISSING IS YOU!

The only thing we’re missing is you

ation T he Clare Found

There’s full conference and meeting facilities and function and event space, plus extensive grounds which could accommodate a marquee for a summer ball or similar fundraising activities - the Foundation held a classical concert in the courtyard back in July. The semi-rural location is only three minutes walk from Saunderton Station and close to the M40 and M4. The Foundation is also providing advice, education and training for charities across key business functions and aims to create a network of experts who are willing to help charities with advice and expertise.

The Clare Foundation, your local charity hub, is urgently seeking volunteers. Whether this is your rst time volunteering, or you’re a seasoned campaigner, it doesn’t matter. We need people willing to commit just a few hours a week on a regular basis, to support our administration services. In return, you will become part of a fun, sociable and enthusiastic team that’s helping other local charities become more eﬃcient and successful. To join the team, or to discuss volunteering in more detail, please visit the ‘Volunteer‘ section on our website or call Rachael at The Clare Foundation on 0300 777 7000.

Sponsored by Snappy Snaps, Aylesbury

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Aimee was pictured having fun dressing up at the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden

any thanks again, to all of you who entered our Vale Life Aug/Sept Fab Photo Contest. Another terrific batch of images including this cracking snap of Aimee, top right, taken by her grandad, Richard Postance of Thame. We were torn between these other two for a winner though - both superb pictures. Right is a lovely vision of poppies in a cornfield, taken near Stone in early Summer, by Peter Woodliffe-Thomas of Thame, but above is our winner, a magnificent picture of evening sun on a bridge at the Dashwood Estate taken by Jill Jones of Wendover. Snappy Snaps are kindly offering another prize this issue, see below. l Snappy Snaps, 7 High Street, Aylesbury,

Enter your pictures in the Vale Life Snappy Snaps Fab Photo Competition Vale Life Magazine and Snappy Snaps are looking for pictures with a local connection: people, places - these can be atmospheric shots, arty close ups or fun pictures, anything goes you must have taken the picture yourself though! Email your entry plus a brief description of the image and your name, address and contact details to: editor@vale-life.co.uk. Entries for this issueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competition should be emailed by October 5th. The winner will receive a free A3 sized canvas print of their picture courtesy of Snappy Snaps, Aylesbury.

Bucks, HP20 1SH. Tel: 01296 330003. www.snappysnapsaylesbury.co.uk

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Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Win a meal for four at The Thatch, Thame Our farm diary from Richard and Rosemary Hilsdon who run Boycott Farm, near Stowe, with its popular farm shop and restaurant. It’s harvest time and the wet weather has mixed blessings on the farm. Although we are waiting for some dry weather to harvest our wheat crop, which we sell to be processed into biscuit flour, the wet has made the grass grow, enabling the cattle to graze for longer and giving us the opportunity to do a third cut, this year, to make hay for the winter. There will definitely be plenty for the cattle to eat until the spring provides them with fresh grass once again.

Rosemary and Richard Hilsdon

After a hard day’s work in the shop and kitchen, Rosemary and I have the arduous task of putting 6,000 chickens to bed. Rather than a glass of milk and a bedtime story, we have to chase them around the field shouting and waving fishing nets! The reluctant stragglers who would prefer to stay outside are collected by Dasher our dog, a trained retriever who can carry a chicken in her mouth without harming it in any way. A few weeks ago we went to the Bucks County Show. It’s incredible how things have changed for Boycott Farm. A few years ago we were here showing our award winning dairy herd and now we’re promoting our shop and restaurant! We had a great day chatting to the public and they were especially interested in our Sunday lunches! We had some good news today! Daisy, a five-month-old calf had been separated from her mum for five days. She had a problem with her nervous system which meant she could not stand up. Things did not look good, but after some help from the vet she has made a full recovery and has been re-united with mum. After spending the last 14 weeks in a shed near our entrance with her babies, Treacle, our sow, has gone back to our pig pen as her piglets have now been weaned. She will soon be mated again and will be pregnant for 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days. Two of her litter have been left in the entrance shed as visitors to the shop and restaurant enjoy having a chat and a grunt with them before lunch! l Boycott Farm, Welsh Lane, Stowe, Buckinghamshire, MK18 5DJ. Telephone: 01280 821286. Email: shop@ boycottfarm.co.uk Website: www.boycottfarm.co.uk 22

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

The Thatch is a stylish pub and restaurant tucked cosily inside a beautiful 16th century, halftimbered, thatched cottage, in the heart of historic Thame. Inglenook fireplaces, exposed beams, a cosy atmosphere and a warm welcome await you in the bar, while beyond, a light, modern eatery looks out over the garden. The Thatch offers modern British-influenced food made with the freshest seasonal ingredients. Head chef Ross Whitmill cooks with the best quality, ethicallysourced produce he can buy, serving traditional pub classics as well as something just that bit different.

The Thatch is offering Vale Life readers the chance to win a three course meal for four complete with a bottle of champagne to celebrate your win! To be in with a chance simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Who is chef at The Thatch? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email on October 8. l The Thatch, 30 Lower High Street, Thame OX9 2AA. Tel: 01844 214340. Email: thatch@peachpubs.com Web: www.thethatchthame.co.uk

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l Column: Matt Brown - One Hungry Man I’ve always been one of life’s gorgers. I gorge like there’s no tomorrow which I believe is the point. I am incapable of loving something and being able to moderate my consumption of it, especially since I have my own money to buy whatever shiny new thing has caught my MTV ravaged attention. For example, last year I saw ten minutes of The Wire at a friend’s house and three months later I had watched all 65 episodes. That’s one and a half episodes every night for ninety days and when your wife ‘just can’t see the appeal’ that is a lot of late night and early morning viewing. I’m the same with food. Three months ago I was giddy with the thought of BBQs. The medium rare burgers, the blackened sweetcorn, the marinated racks of ribs, the buttery roasted new potatoes, the crispy and pink shoulders of lamb, the burst and browned sausages, the braised lettuces, the spatchcocked and tikka’d chickens. Are there three letters that look as good together as the double B to the Q? Well, having gorged for the summer I am now officially over the garden grilling. It is so last month. My tongs have been put away for another year, my amusing big breasted BBQ apron has been moth-balled and I am patting my tummy and drooling in anticipation of my absolute favourite eating time of

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Matt Brown

ONE Hungry Man

l Listen to Matt Brown on Heart Breakfast With Matt and Michelle (weekdays 6-9am 102.6FM). Tweet Matt at twitter.com/frazzleddaddy

year, autumn. Two stand-out eating moments have eased the transition from summer to autumn. The first was a terrible incident with a burger at the Bucks County Show (the word ‘gourmet’ has never been so devalued) and the second was the treat of Mrs B’s early homemade plum jam. I don’t know if it was the glory of the May and June sunshine, or the damp-

ness of August, but the plum trees in Weedon have been producing the most wondrous early fruit, all of which has been jammed already and most of which has been eaten. Next will be the blackberries and the apples, which will be conserved or crumbled. The pumpkins will be souped with a touch of Buckinghamshire chilli from the farm between Whitchurch and Winslow. I’m already fantasising about the Waddesdon game that the Parrot butcher boys will tempt me with. I fall asleep dreaming of the rabbits that will be roasted and turned into batches of ragu for autumnal pasta lunches. I close my eyes and can smell the aroma of roasted or casseroled pheasants, depending on whether my neighbour, Martin, will finally relent and give me the recipe for his highly prized pheasant stew. And please don’t get me started on puddings. I cannot help it, I am trapped in a delicious cycle of gluttony daydreaming. Perhaps I need help, a support group of some kind - Hi, my name is Matt and I’m a gorger... By the way, if you have any favourite autumn recipes then please email me. There is absolutely nothing I like more than chatting about food. ..Praise the pork and pass the gorgonzola.

Win free tickets to The BBC Good Food Show Live

he BBC Good Food Show Winter will play host to some of the country’s top chefs and culinary stars, including Gordon Ramsay, James Martin, Rick Stein and Gary Rhodes at the NEC Supertheatre, Birmingham from November 24 to 28 November. Tens of thousands of visitors can see their favourite celebrity chefs in action live on stage in a variety of theatres across the Show – Plus the MasterChef Experience will be back again giving fans the chance to see their favourite TV programme brought to life. All tickets include a Showguide worth £10 packed with recipes from the Show. Full details of pricing and price packages are available at:

www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com or by calling the team on 0844 581 1360. If you’d like to win a free pair of tickets to this foodie heaven, email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk. Who is the TV chef pictured left? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email on Friday, October 8th.

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

l Review: The Crown, Sydenham

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

It’s the proverbial hidden gem - a pretty, cosy, comfortable, 16th century village pub run by an outstanding chef whose food really is the jewell in the Crown!

ucked away in the tiny hamlet, of Sydenham, not far off the Thame/Chinnor road, the Crown was an olde worlde village pub struggling for survival. It was nearly lost for good too, when the brewery decided to close it down and auction it off for redevelopment in 2008. Luckily a syndicate of five local couples, got together, bought the ancient hostelry, funded a refurbishment and brought in Max and Louise Pettini to run the business. They chose well - Max is a first class chef with a rare knack for producing the most delicious meals with simple well matched ingredients, while Louise is the perfect front of house host, charming, friendly and attentive. The couple met while working at a pub in Beaconsfield in the 90s. Max, an Italian by birth, was brought up in Australia and had trained as a chef for four years before setting out to see a little more of the world. Louise joined him on his travels and the two eventually got hitched, had daughter Alice, 14, and son Christopher, 12, and lived in Australia for three years before returning to Wycombe some eight years ago.. Max has since honed his talents in the kitchens of several top notch hotels including Pennyhill Park in Surrey, The Compleat Angler in Marlow and Frimley Hall. The couple had been looking to run their own place for a while, but had yet to find a suitable location when a friend of a villager told them about The Crown. Max had just accepted the position of head chef at the Compleat Angler and had to go in on his first day and explain he wasn’t staying. “The Crown was just what we were looking for,” he says, “It’s freehold, not too big, and had been put in good order. “We thought is was somewhere we could develop the food while keeping the pub side too. Foodwise Max likes to keep things

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

simple: “You can’t reinvent the wheel,” he says, “I use really good ingredients and put a couple of elements together, rather than chuck in a whole load of things which may or may not work and I source fresh, local ingredients where possible.” Max makes it sound easy, but when Vale Life visited on a busy Thursday evening we were treated to one of the most perfect meals we’ve ever experienced. Pan fried scallops with black pudding

and apple sauce was a delicate, perfectly executed starter, bursting with flavour and the crayfish, chorizo and smoked chicken risotto; rich, warming and smokey, with a hint of tomato and flaked parmesan tangy, but not overpowering. My battered turbot had the lightest, crispiest of coatings, over firm flakes of

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Thame Food Festival is growing by the day and will be packing something for everybody’s lunchbox succulent fish, while chips were nicely fry slender and a pea ‘shot’ was a novelty - fresh and tasty. The honey and mustard roasted lamb rack was juicy, tender and full of flavour and served with dauphinoise new potatoes pleasantly aromatic and not as earthy as older spuds! The rosemary gravy was delish too. Desserts were superb: an excellent chocolate brownie, slightly crispy on the outside, chewy within and served with a toasted marshmallow and home made vanilla icecream, not oversweet - a top combination. Max suggested an accompanying Amaretto, which proved a good idea too. A bottle of Sancerre combined well with our meal, light and refreshing with a mineral edge and a hint of gooseberry while the white Rioja - sampled, purely for review purposes - was pleasantly light, fruity and floral and highly recommended! Louise served us throughout, somehow managing a smooth combination of fast and efficient, pleasant and chatty - and all while looking after the other diners too! Very impressive. Max may be keeping things ‘simple’, but he is serving simple food that has been beautifully cooked. His clever flavour combinations are delicious and the food is light and fresh, so even after three courses I didn’t feel I had eaten too richly. At the bar there are three real ales: Brakspear, London Pride and a guest beer that changes monthly. The pub is open for food Tue-Sat and Sunday lunch. They are closed Sunday night and Monday. It seems The Crown has been well and truly saved!

ith just weeks to go it looks as if the 3rd Thame Food Festival, to be held on Saturday, September 25, in Thame’s historic market centre will be the biggest event yet. Stands include local chocolaterie Rumsey’s who will also be organising a treasure trail around the town centre on the day, the Oxford Cheese Company, specialist cake makers Yummy Scrummy Cakelicious, traditional bakers The Old Farmhouse Bakery, Tim’s Dairy, the makers of fantastic greek style and natural yogurts and the Mortimer Chocolate Company who specialise in powdered chocolate for drinks. The list goes on. In the exotic spice, products and sauce category there are stands for Meah’s Flavours of India, Anila’s Authentic Spices and Chillies 2 U will be promoting their excellent home grown organic chillies. For the first time local salad and vegetable producer Bucksum will be there, as will Sandy Lane Farm, promoting their co-operative market, the newly opened Stables Farm Shop from Long Crendon, local homecooked food specialist EllyBelly and delicatessen Thame’s own, What’s

Cooking? The EVENTS programme is now also taking shape. There will be live music all day and and street theatre from 10am until 3pm. There’s an Apple Press, to which you can bring your own apples to make apple juice. There will be cookery demonstrations by celebrity chefs Lotte Duncan and Katie Caldesi, and Chilli Ho Ho, sausage making with local Newitt’s butchers of Thame and the chance to make a dough hedgehog with the Cottage Bakery. Naturopath Sharyn Singer will be demonstrating her ‘Eat a Rainbow Every Day’ which encourages healthy eating in children and judging a children’s recipe competition. There will be pasta and tea making workshops and talks. For the over 18s there will be a meet the brewer and wine tasting event in the stables of the James Figg pub. Manager Frazer is has 50 free tickets to each of these four sessions for the first people to ring or call at the pub, 01844 260166 It promises to be a very full and very exciting day. www.thamefoodfestival.co.uk

l The Crown, Sydenham, Oxfordshire OX39 4NB. Tel: 01844 351634. Web: www.crownsydenham.co.uk

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010 - Thame Direct / K&S Furniture

Sean and Rebeca Munro were busy running their successful delivery business, when they had an offer they couldn’t refuse...

ebeca Munro must wonder what happened! Seven years ago she was living in Argentina and studying to be a dentist. She met husband Sean while visiting England, their relationship blossomed and she moved to England, taking a job as a dental assistant. The couple got married twice, once in each country and she is now running two companies! Sean has lived in Aylesbury for 20 years, but grew up with parents in the pub trade which meant his family moved around a lot: “I went to 11 different schools”, says Sean. “I left school early though. We were living by the coast in Hastings at the time and I got some work cleaning caravans. “My parents moved to run Hazels Social Club in Aylesbury and I followed them up.” Sean did some driving jobs and got

Kevan, Rebeca and Sean

his HGV licence then worked for a local transport firm. His boss encouraged him to get his own vehicle and start doing courier work, so Sean took the plunge, bought a Mercedes Sprinter and started Thame Direct with his wife-to-be Rebeca. She had only been in the country six months, but gamely gave up her dental work and took on the task of running the business. “She didn’t know anything about transport, but she’s built the business up from scratch, and can run the company with her eyes shut now!” says Sean. “She’s doing an 26

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

accountancy course, does all the admin and accounts and has been awarded a certificate of professional competence for road haulage. I’m very proud of her achievements, especially considering she’s only been in the country a few years .” The firm does mostly same, or next day deliveries and now has over 100 customers a fleet of Mercedes vans, curtain siders and a transit and employs five drivers. Sean’s been careful not to try and expand Thame Direct too quickly though. “The service that we give seems to keep the phone ringing,” he says, “We’re handling over 100 jobs a week, mostly same day

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

The K&S store is in the unit next to Thame Direct

orders rather than contract work though, so you never know what’s going to come in.” “We try and keep one step ahead. We’ve invested in technology and have a computerised tracking system in each vehicle, so at a glance I can see where our drivers are and how fast they are going. I can tell a client instantly where their load is. They can track the job on our website and they’ll get an email as soon as the job’s finished letting them know what is happening. “It helps us too, as we know if a vehicle has had to wait long to load up, or is stuck in traffic and I can print off a report instantly. Of course if a van got stolen, we could track that too!” Sean and Rebeca started the business from their home in Aylesbury and then, as it grew, moved to a rural spot on a mushroom farm near Stone. They moved to their current location on Long Crendon Industrial Estate in February, but this was more due to the launch of their new business, K&S Furniture, which the two have set up with their friend Kevan Mortimer, a local Mercedes mechanic. One of Thame Direct’s clients is Hypnos, the Princes Risborough company famous for its luxury handmade beds and mattresses. Hypnos were having a sale of

The K&S range include a selection of solid teak and oak furniture

Anthony is now running the K&S warehouse Hypnos ‘Supreme’ bed

seconds and returns and asked Sean if he’d like a bed. He ended up delivering all the sale stock that had sold - some 300 deliveries in ten days, and then, with Kevan, bought up all the unsold stock to sell on. The arrangement worked so well that Hypnos offered Sean and Kevan a contract to take on all their seconds and K&S was born. After an intitial panic and a hurried search for somewhere to house four articulated lorries full of beds, things have settled down and the trio are looking at widening the K&S range over the coming months. “Sales have been mainly through eBay, so far,” says Sean, “but our K&S Furniture website is in development. “The beds are classed as seconds, but most have barely a scuff on them and have certainly never been slept on. “Furniturewise we’ve some good quality oak and teak indoor pieces too and we’re looking to offer some slightly different items like waterbeds and specialist showers with built-in TVs!” As Kevan has a full time job as a mechanic and is often on call out and Sean and Rebeca are busy with Thame Direct they’ve

recruited Anthony Gordon, top right, an ex-Thame Direct customer to help out as warehouseman and salesman. “Recruiting Ant was a good move,” says Kevan, “He’s really helped move things in the right direction. There’s no selling as such, because the beds are so good. People know what they are getting when they order a Hypnos bed. They often call up to see if we have a specific model in stock and just want to know it is the genuine article.” It’s early days yet for K&S but they’ve a top quality product to sell and the Thame Direct team of Sean and Rebeca have already proved they know how to make a new business work. “Life is very different here to Argentina,” says Rebeca, “But I like it very much. Aylesbury is a nice place to live. The pace is faster, but I am so used to life here now, that when I go back everything seems very slow! l K&S Furniture Outlet, Unit 4C Drakes Drive, Long Crendon Industrial Estate, Bucks HP18 9BA. Tel: 01844 202418. Web: www.kandsfurniture.co.uk. Email: sales@ kandsfurniture.co.uk l Thame Direct, Tel: 01844 201439. Web: www.thame-direct.com Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

l Column: Penny Harper - Small Town Girl

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Penny Harper

little wary of fairs. No sane person happened by the time Sunday ’ve been in a love-hate lunchtime rolls around. relationship with Thame would get on something that contains fifty already-screaming people I suppose what I’m trying to say Fair for about seven years. is I like the tradition of it. When I first moved into would they?! I usually do a stint on the Thame I’ve stood on top of a plane town, inhabiting a flat on the High while it loops the loop, but there’s Player’s stall. In case you miss it, it’s Street, I discovered that once every the red and white awning right on twelve months the view out of my no way on earth that you’ll get me on that giant, hammer-arm-thing the outskirts of the fair, near where front window was that of a sea that poor marshal has been standof queasy faces; people riding the that returns year after year, like ing for the last twenty-four hours Waltzers and attempting to keep some unrelenting transformer  burgers and candy floss. hungry for more victims. making sure you don’t flip-out and down the drive a car through the road block. My overactive imagination aside, In hindsight, I could have made All the noise and the hustle and there’s something impressive about a fortune taking people’s photos   the whole town centre being taken bustle can be a bit much though. from my living room window! In the past I’ve suffered sensoryover by the fair for a few days. When I was about three, or overload and admit I’ve been one My friends’ children love it and eighteen - I can’t quite remember  of those people who have wanted think there’s nothing more exciting which - my Dad put me on a ride  it moved to the Recreation Ground. than seeing all the trailers assemthat went the speed of a milk-float   I’m the first to admit though, that it ble and then disappear and I still screamed like a banshee.  overnight  just wouldn’t be the same. again as though nothing had ever Since then I have been more than a

Small Town

Girl So, September rolls around and the fair rolls back into town like some over-bearing, bejewelled, loud and brash Great Aunt that we’re mostly happy to see again. Love it or hate it Thame fair is now one of our local traditions and one that many enjoy, giving happy memories that last a lot longer than that goldfish you won!

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                  

No.1 for Fishing & Clay Shooting Experiences! 

deal for new or novice fly fishing anglers or someone looking for something l Corporate Groups l Stag/Hen Events  different!     l Birthdays l Individual Lessons  l Gift Vouchers Half available & Full Day Experiences available our private lakes in TryatFly Fishing Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire. We are located in the picturesque village of  Starter Experience! Long Crendon, from       5 minutes drive  Thame      Your Experience will include: Fishing Guide (Steve Ian fishing, Horrocks awho have or overfor 40 years  Ideal ifWard newand to fly novice, and 10 minutes from M40 Junction 7/8.    experience of fly fishing between them, to help, encourage and ease you through an exciting and  those looking to try something different!

 To complement your shooting event  enjoyable days fishing), Casting tuition/equipment (if required) and an opportunity to test your skills  Half & Full Day Experiences available we can also offer: the Flybrown and Coarse Fishing, at catching & rainbow trout in natural surroundings!    at our private lakes in Oxfordshire  Archery, Quad Biking, Crossbows and Rally       & Buckinghamshire.  To compliment your Fishing event we can also offer: Coarse Fishing, Clay Shooting, Archery, Quad  Karting.Conference/Meeting Facilities Includes: Fishing Guideand (Steve Ward Ian  Half & Full Day Experiences available at our private lakes in Biking, are Crossbows, Rally Karting. Conference/Meeting Facilities Catering are and available. and Catering also available  Horrocks who have over 40 years experi Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire. ence of fly fishing between them, to help,   TO BOOK DIRECT: Call Kevin on   encourage and ease you through an exciting xperience will include: Fishing Guide (Steve Ward and Ian Horrocks who have over 40 years 01494 07702 243308 or   883715, and enjoyable days fishing), Casting tuition/  ence of fly fishing between them, to help, encourage and ease you through an exciting and Steve Ward on 01844 212390, 07889 185518     equipment (if required) and an opportunity ble days fishing), an opportunity to test your skills   Casting tuition/equipment (if required) and  For more information and prices go to: to test your skills at catching the brown &  hing the brown & rainbow trout in natural surroundings!   www.go-clayshooting.co.uk rainbow trout in natural surroundings!            Fishing,  Clay Shooting, Archery, Quad  ompliment your Fishing event we can also offer: Coarse    

iking, Crossbows, Rally Facilities and Catering are available. LifeKarting. : Sept/Oct Conference/Meeting 2010 28   Vale       



Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Win a case of French Wine

hose of you who shop at Waitrose, the nearest stores are in Thame, Oxford, Chesham and Berkhamsted, will no doubt have spotted the French Wine Promotion instore until September 27th. For over a month, the 228 Waitrose branches have been offering customers a 25% discount on nearly 50 different French wines. Whether one is looking for a famous Château or an unusual Appellation, there is something to suit every budget and every occasion. It is part of a campaign by French Quality Wines, funded by FranceAgriMer, in partnership with Atout France, the

French tourism agency, to promote their country’s fruity beverage. 25% is a good discount, but Vale Life readers have a chance to win a case of six bottles of French wine for free! To be in with a chance simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Which country produces most wine? a) England, b) Switzerland, or c) France ? For more details on the current campaign www.frenchqualitywines.co.uk www.facebook.com/FrenchQualityWines http://twitter.com/Frenchwine2010

Make a BrewHaHa! Fern Britton, left, launched the Chilterns Big Brew for Iain Rennie Hospice at Home (IRHH) earlier this summer, since when the different take on a tea party has generated more than 25 events, ranging from garden parties to cream teas and luncheons. Now the hospice at home charity is urging people not to let the approaching autumn put them off hosting their own Big Brews to help raise more funds for the Iain Rennie nursing service! IRHH ensures as much of their fundraising as possible goes straight to funding nurses, so it’s great to think that if your Big Brew raises £150 you and your friends will have helped fund an Iain Rennie nurse for a whole day - so your afternoon tea and cake really will make a world of difference. www.irhh.org

2009 Winner Evette Judge

he first Thames Got Talent, at the Spread Eagle Hotel last year, was an outstanding success with over 30 contestants from dancers to solo performers, harpist, poets, jugglers, magicians, comedians, bands, singer/songwriters, singers and entries that ranged in age from five to 85! The organisers are hoping for even more diversity this year when the event takes place on Sunday, November 21st, once more at the Spread Eagle Hotel in Thame. All proceeds raised from the event go to the Florence Nightingale hospice charity. Applications are now being taken from performers of all kinds, so if you are a solo performer, a band, a musician, singer, singer/ songwriter, poet, juggler, dancer, dance troupe, magician or anything else, Thames Got Talent wants to hear from you Email: pickme@thamesgottalent.co.uk or for information see the website at: www.thamesgottalent.co.uk If you don’t fancy competing, book the date in your diary to come along and cheer on the contestants, it was a sell out last year and a brilliant time was had by all, especially the overall winner singer/songwriter Evette Judge. Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

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PO Box 943, Aylesbury. HP22 9GX

Ring The Bell this Christmas Christmas Menu

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2 courses £15.95 3 courses £19.95 English Onion Soup with Crusty Bread Plate of Smoked salmon and gravadlax with caper, black pepper and lemon dressing l Game Pate with Toast l Traditional Roast Turkey, roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables and all the Trimmings l Beef Wellington with Seasonal Vegetables l Monkfish wrapped in Palma Ham served with vine cherry tomatoes and Dauphinoise potatoes l Pear and Goats Cheese Tart served with Seasonal Vegetables (v) l Traditional Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce l English Cheeseboard (with port extra £2.50) l Chocolate Torte and Cream l l

l Homeopathy l Reflexology l Indian Head Massage

Treating the whole person, assisting the natural tendency of the body to heal itself Gift vouchers available for that extra special gift Email: jill.roarty@btopenworld.com Phone - Thame Therapy Clinic 01844 215555 / 07852 729177

£5 deposit per person required Menu available from Wed 1st December Call 01844 208077 for reservations

Fuller’s Ales and a mouthwatering selection of fresh home cooked food await at The Bell, The Green, Chearsley, Nr Long Crendon www.thebellchearsley.co.uk

A family friendly pub! 30

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Rosemary Conley diet and fitness club members have been taking to the streets again...

ocal fundraisers are keeping their trainers busy! Enthusiastic members from Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness clubs in Aylesbury have raised thousands of pounds for local charities over the summer and are hoping to do the same with their latest adventure. Trainer Joanna BeardsmoreDilks was delighted to be responsible for warming up over 500 lovely ladies ahead of Aylesbury’s first ever Moonlight Walk in aid of Florence Nightingale Hospice earlier in the year. She and many of her members also walked 12

miles to support our local Hospice, raising over £1500...and this was just one of their Summer Charity Fundraisers. On September 17th, 14 of Joanna’s members took to the streets of London for Maggie’s Caring Centres in the London Night Hike, a 20-mile walk across London at night, this time hoping to raise over £3,000 between them. As the ladies all attend Rosemary Conley classes they are very much aware of the importance of a healthy Low Fat, Low GI diet coupled with regular exercise, which has helped many of them transform themselves by losing in access of 4 stone each! By attending classes weekly with Joanna the walkers were also prepared for the challenge the 20 mile night walk would put on their bodies. “Being fit and healthy meant

Destiny

that we were able to take on the walk with a smile and enjoy the sights along the way,” says Joanna, “Highlights included a tour of the Channel Four Studios, and visits to Maggie’s Caring Centre and Horseguards parade.” Lucy Usher, who walked as part of the team now teaches ‘Double Trouble’ classes alongside Joanna. She is very familiar with the Rosemary Conley Diet and Exercise plan having appeared on the 2008 TV series of Slim to Win. It was during the show that she shed an amazing 2st 11lbs and gained the confidence to appear on the

front cover of the Rosemary Conley magazine, in just a bikini. Joanna says, “I was thrilled when Lucy joined my classes a year ago, to maintain her weight loss, and I was delighted when she decided to become a Rosemary Conley instructor with me. She is brilliant with all our members as she knows exactly how they feel, having been through the diet and exercise programme herself.” Classes are currently proving so popular that Joanna is also launching two new ones for September at Stoke Mandeville Community Centre (Mondays 3.45-5pm) and The Jubilee Hall in Bierton (Thursdays 10am-11.30am).

l For details of all Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness classes in Aylesbury & District, contact Joanna Beardsmore-Dilks on 01296 485933 or email Joanna.beardsmore-dilks@ rosemaryconley.com or visit www.rosemaryconley.com

Lucy Usher, above, before and right, after, weight loss

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Miss Popp-ins! Soft furnishings Made to measure curtains and blinds, alterations, repairs, advice... Call Helen on: 01296 394667 07966 468978 Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Feature sponsored by Crendon Motors Ltd

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Take your place on Kop Hill this year and you’ll see 100 years of motoring history roar by to commemorate the centenary of a most famous race... Pictures by Lawrence Hylton

n the early 1900s motoring was in its infancy. Cars were a wondrous, exciting, to some frightening, new-fangled phenomenon and thousands would gather for a glimpse of the day’s leading machines as drivers competed for honours on one of several Chilterns hill climbs, such as the infamous dirt track at Kop Hill, near Princes Risborough. Among the competitors were Raymond Mays in his Bugatti Brescia, Malcolm Campbell in his ‘Bluebird’ Talbot and Lionel Martin with the first prototype Aston Martin named after the nearby Aston Hill. The fastest time recorded on the Kop was in 1922 when Count Zborowski, a Grand Prix driver, achieved 26.8secs over 1,000yds in his 8 cylinder aero-engined Ballot - an average of 70mph! Then in April 1925 a young Oxford undergraduate, Francis Duveen, tried out one of Mays’ racing Bugattis and veered off the road, striking a spectator. The resulting Act of Parliament banned all motor racing on

public roads and the Kop Hill Climb was abandoned. Eighty four years later a group of local motoring enthusiasts decided to resurrect the event, not as a race, but as an exhibition of vintage motoring and last year Paddy Hopkirk opened the revived Kop Hill Climb in his Monté Carlo Rally 1964 winning Mini Cooper S. The theme of the event was ‘Ancient and Modern’ with cars ranging from a De Dion Bouton 1905, an Aston Martin A3 prototype 1921 and a Bugatti Brescia 1923 to the modern Aston and Italian Le Mans racing team cars, including a Bugatti Veyron. Over 5,000 spectators attended the twoday event which raised some £30,000 for local charities and a funding base for Kop Hill 2010, which will mark 100 years since the first Kop Hill Climb and celebrate the first recorded racers, who were motorcyclists, in 1910 - they were joined a year later by motorcars. Storming the hill this year, on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th of September, will be over 300 historic vehicles, from early machines to post-war classics and some modern exotica. Spectators will be able to see and hear the vehicles roar up the Hill and take a close up look at the machines in the paddock. • Gates open from 9am. • Special vehicles will start each session waved off by a celebrity.

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

• Runs up the hill from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. • Admission: £5 per person (under 12s free). Tickets from the Iain Rennie Shop, Princes Risborough, or the Information Centres in Princes Risborough, Wendover, Aylesbury, Wycombe and Marlow. • There is an extra charge for a seat in the Bonhams’ Grandstand of £5 per person for each half day. These will be available on the day on a first come first served basis. • Eight free viewing platforms. • Food and toilets on site. • Free parking off Brimmers Road. • See: www.kophillclimb.org.uk

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Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

An Art and Craft fair is a great way to break up the mundanity of the weekly shop, especially when there’s real talent on display...

t’s always fun browsing around Art and Craft markets of a weekend and Sally Evans organised events maintain a quality and diversity that makes them particularly unmissable especially at this time of year when they offer a golden opportunity to find that individually designed and crafted ‘little something’ for ‘someone special’ - and that could mean you too! Sally’s Art and Craft Markets are back at Thame Town Hall on Saturday, October 16 and at The Memorial Hall in Wendover on Saturday, November 13, so put them in your diary now! Along with familiar faces such as Laura Boswell printmaker, Mick Randall Woodcraft and Jeremy White Ceramics, Sally tells us she has some new and exciting work to show. Amanda Wheaton recently graduated from Buckingham University with

Paper sculpture by Graham Lester above, Marilyn Monroe, left, cupcake

a BA (Hons) in designed metalwork and jewellery. Her work is an eclectic mix of both functional and sculptural items. She re-uses copper with a contrast of finish; highly polished with various different patinas. Graham Lester’s website - www. woodcarve.co.uk shows you some of his lovely paper sculptures - Marilyn Monroe, pictured top right, will even wink at you! Barbara Farris’s glasswork is kilnformed fusing natural materials such as copper, silver and aluminium leaf and various coloured glass and enamels. Her designs are free flowing and inspired by natural jewels such as rubies, aquamarines

and emeralds. The events will run from 10am to 4pm and profits from the £1 entrance will go, in Thame, to the Heart Centre at John Radcliffe Hospital and in Wendover, to The Samaritans. There is plenty of parking close by at both venues. l For more information please contact Sally on 01296 696747 or Email: sllyevan@aol.com Pussy-Willow, bottom left and Black Gang Chine, below are by Laura Boswell, below.

Above: Silver Ravine, left, by Jeremy White and ceramic ball, right

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Holographic Artist Pearl John Below: Altered Books

Holograms 2 exhibition On now until 31 October 2010 Stunning, beautiful and surprising - over 70 extraordinary 3D images from the Jonathan Ross Hologram Collection. From portraits to objects and abstracts to the truly bizarre. Free entry. For more about holograms visit www.jrholocollection.com Hologram Workshops Saturday 9 October 1pm-2pm and 3pm-4pm Find out how holograms are made and create one of your own to take home. Cost £12, includes all materials. Booking essential.

pearljohn.co.uk). Starts 5.30pm with private view of Holograms 2 exhibition followed by refreshments. Talk starts at 6.30pm. Tickets £7.50. Booking essential. Paintings of Hartwell House Gardens On now until 10 October 2010 Spectacular paintings of Hartwell House and grounds, painted by Balthasar Nebot in 1738. Book this Space: altered books 16 Oct 2010 to 27 Feb 2011 The altered book is an art form in which artists recycle or transform existing books into new works of art. 40 artists show their work in this exhibition organised by Sparksartists. Free entry. Lunchtime Talks: Weds 12.30-1pm Drop in and enjoy a talk on a variety of subjects. Contact the museum for titles or visit website. Free. No need to book.

The Art of Holography Saturday 9 October 5.30-7.30pm Autumn Festival Talk and demonstration by holo- Saturday 2 October 11am-4pm graphic artist Pearl John (www. An extravaganza of autumn ac-

tivities including a large display of freshly gathered mushrooms and toadstools. Lots of hands-on activities and displays for all the family. Free. Just drop in. The Big Draw Saturday 23 October 11am-3pm Join this national drawing event – create paper bag books with Sparksartists and be inspired by their Altered Books exhibition. Free. Just drop in. Monstrous Messy Art Week 26-28 October Three great arty sessions including Creepy Clay (drop-in activity), Freaky Felt (booking required) and Monster Mash (drop-in activity). Activities run 10.30am-12 noon and 1 pm-2.30pm each day and cost £2.50 per child. Children aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. For further information and to book events please ring 01296 331441. For current opening times visit www.buckscc.gov.uk/museum Bucks County Museum, Church Street, Aylesbury HP20 2QP

Obsidian Art Gallery, Bucks Goat Centre, Stoke Mandeville

Local groups show extreme talent

bsidian Art has a couple of intriguing exhibitions coming up. Studio 18, at the Stoke Mandeville gallery from September 23 to October 10 is an art exhibition by ‘Studio 18’ an established group of experienced artists who work together in Buckinghamshire.

Several members have exhibited at a National level and their painting and sculpture is a fascinating mixture of subjects and styles. During the exhibition the gallery is open daily from 10am to 5pm and from Noon to 4pm on Sundays and there will

A wonderful range of high quality selected British fine art and designer craft. Open daily. Full framing service. See our website for details of our exciting exhibition programme www.obsidianart.co.uk Obsidian Art, Layby Farm (at The Bucks Goat Centre), Old Risborough Road, Stoke Mandeville, Bucks, HP22 5XJ. info@obsidianart.co.uk 01296 612150

Vale Life : Sept/Oct 2010

Interest Free Credit Available

be an opportunity to meet and talk to some of the exhibiting artists on Sunday, September 26, from 2pm to 5pm. From October 14th to 31st, six talented, local photographers will be showing some stunning photography in ‘Exposure’. The photographers have all won awards for their work and exhibited at National level. The images take in landscapes, wildlife, dance and creative monochrome and techniques include traditional dark-room methods and digital. The photographers will be available to discuss their work and methods every Sunday afternoon during the exhibition. The gallery will be open daily from 10am to 5pm and from Noon to 4pm on Sundays. For more information see www.obsidianart.co.uk or call Trisha on: 01296 612150.

Buckinghamshire County Museum, Church Street, Aylesbury

Buckinghamshire County Museum in the heart of Aylesbury is a great place to visit. With changing exhibitions, events and activities and the fabulous Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery, there’s something for everyone and a café, gift shop and garden, too.

Now in Aylesbury CeX buy, sell and exchange a range of technology and entertainment products including mobile phones, consoles, video games, DVDs, HD films, computers, digital electronics, vision and music CDs Opening Hours Mon: 9:30-18:00 Tue: 9:30-18:00 Wed: 9:30-18:00 Thu: 9:30-18:00 Fri: 9:30-18:00 Sat: 9:00-18:00 Sun: 11:00-17:00 Unit 1, Crown Buildings, High Street, Aylesbury Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at the top of the High Street Website: www.webuy.com

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To stage a great event today, go back to the 12th century Notley Tythe Barn is a beautiful, fully restored 12th-century barn set in picturesque gardens within 500 acres of pasture land at the foot of the Chiltern Hills. It is also an elegant and unique venue for weddings, receptions, parties, functions, celebrations and other special events.

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Beautiful design and fine craftsmanship have been inspiring people to fall in love with Frank Hudson furniture for over 60 years. Now, you too can view all established and stunning new Frank Hudson ranges in our beautifully refurbished, Victorian chair mill showrooms based in High Wycombe or visit our local stockist Lucas World of Furniture in Rabans Lane, Aylesbury. So, be inspired this weekend and visit Frank Hudson. We would love to see you.

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