Vale Life Magazine Aug-Sept 2016 web edition by Charlie Trott

Vale Life FREE MAGAZINE

Your free magazine for Aylesbury, Thame and the surrounding area

Take me home

www.vale-life.co.uk

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

Aug/Sept 2016 Cover picture: Kate Rusby one of the stars performing at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Towersey Festival

Inside:

Some like it hot!

Katyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tips for summer fashion See our website at: www.vale-life.co.uk

Full circle

White House girls are coming home

Timeless designs

Kitchens to covet at new Thame studio Free local listings for events and businesses

Plus Katy, Penny, Heather, Naomi, Polly, Amanda, Janice, Jacqui, Cathy, Charlotte, Tracy, Rob, Alan and much, much more...

w Meal for two at The Angel w Tickets To Kinks Musical w Xylophone w w Hartwell Spa Indulgence day w Tickets to Family Travel show w

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*Normal Taylor Wimpey terms and conditions apply. Images used for illustrative purposes only. Images include optional upgrades at additional cost. Prices correct at time of going to press. Offer available on selected plots and developments only. Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Finally there is a real alternative to timber windows.

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Omega Homestyle has over 25 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience of designing and fitting premium doors, windows and conservatories We firmly believe that by keeping the entire process as stress free as possible, we are adding to your enjoyment of your new windows, doors and conservatories. For an individually tailored service and to find out exactly what we can do for you please contact us or come and visit our newly refurbished showroom. Omega Homestyle, Woodway Farm Industrial Estate, Bicester Road, Long Crendon, Aylesbury, Bucks HP18 9EP Tel: 01844

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Lots to see! QuaLity products

Free parking

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Shop online and let us deliver to your door

FREE delivery Minimum spend £60 applies

in store | online | mobile Terms & Conditions: Minimum spend of £60 applies on online grocery deliveries. Minimum spend of £40 applies on Click & Collect in-store collections. Selected postcodes. Subject to availability. Free delivery excludes our shop in branch service. Details correct at time of going to print.

Ruth’s garden was her life. Dahlias. Peonies. Fuscias. Sweet peas. Friends said her garden was a rainbow. So we helped her family to decorate the church with flowers from Ruth’s own garden. The church looked particularly colourful that day. And afterwards, everyone took a flower home.

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Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

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Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

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Fawlty Towers at the Sun 30th October 2016 £385 £125 4-Star Orchard HotelTOUR 4 Days EMMERDALE – THE 2 Days Lets take a trip back in time - we & Visit to Harewood House Single room supp.£15 Insurance £23

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all loved Fawlty Towers! Come and join in the fun as John Cleese Emmerdale impersonator, Edmond Wells, the only 6’ 7’’ Basil Fawlty look and sound alike, walks the walk and talks the talk! Typically the Fawlty Towers theme night will start with meeting and greeting the guests at reception. Basil will announce dinner as Manuel leads guests to dinner in time honoured fashion. Sybil is her usual self, Manuel will feature as a waste of space, whilst Basil will be giving the sort of service Harewood House one would expect from a top 3 Days - £229 class Torquay hotelier, all without July 22nd 2016: mentioning the war! Room, Located in the heart of the spectacular February 10, 2017 – 4 days dinner & breakfast plus live Yorkshire on the Harewood The Feast of Saint Valentine evolved into an occasion in which Dales lovers used entertainment Estate just outside of Leeds, the tour from ‘the staff’. to express their affection for each other by presenting flowers, offering Medway River Festival Thisvillage 2 day tour is from restricted joining points in willitallow explore the confectionery and sending greeting cards. These days is alsoyou the to perfect Bucks, Beds, Oxon and some Hertfordshire points. of Emmerdale, a fully operational opportunity take your loved away for a short romantic break. Sun 10 Leto Touquet – one ofone France’s most TV set and home to the programme To unforgettable and enjoyable Valentine’s, we’ve come up with ensure an chic northern seaside resorts £42 since 1998. Don’t miss the chance ideas that should planatyour weekend. Your weekend includes a Tue 12 Fish & help Chipyou Lunch Kennedys to relive the drama at your favourite special gift&for the ladies so look for the Valentine. Covent Garden £29 Emmerdale village locations, including Tue 26 ‘I Am The Greatest’ Smithy cottage, the Vet’s surgery and What’s included: Muhammed Ali at the 02 £37 The Woolpack - tread the Look tarmac andnewThis at our style great value weekend includes indulge in a fully guided tour of the Luxury New Releases! 2017 brochure – out in Coach Travel, 2 nights with popular, fictional village. Tour guides breakfast & dinner, guided tour of September. September will share secrets and stories and the Emmerdale set & Entrance to Fri 16 Highgrove Garden Tour £51 reveal fascinating facts behind the Harewood House. Some of our holidays Romantic Wokefield Park, Berkshire with Snowdrop Walk (HB) £275 October making of the multi award-winning, are already on our Warner – Gunton Hall, on Suffolk Tribute Party: Mars (HB) £259 Sat 29 Disney Ice- Top - Frozen £52Take That & Bruno ITV soap. website and don’t Mill Rythe - Hayling Island – Moonlight & Roses (HB) £219 forget the early Amsterdam (BB) £279 booking discount See our website www.crusader-holidays.co.uk Romantic Paris (BB) £279 offer!

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Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Day Trips: www.mottsholidays.co.uk

4 Buckingham Street, Aylesbury, HP20 2LD Crusader Holiday Shop, 4 Buckingham Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1BH Crusader Holidays, 13 Crusader Business Park, Stephenson Road West, www.facebook.com/mottstravelClacton, Essex, CO15 4HP Please see our current brochure for booking conditions and trading charter.

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

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

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

8 10 13 14 16 18 19 21 22 24 27 28

Some like it hot!

Club Tropicana

A day at the Dairy

Be bold, go retro

Tweezer teaser

All good at Oakley Wood

Art of Islam

Transformers

Walk the MS Mile

In Brown’s footsteps

Join the Spooky Sprint!

Meet your match

Chilterns challenge

Spectacular show

Golden brown

Roar-some day!

Win an Indulgence Day

Turn it up!

Full circle

Have the time of your life!

Anything is possible

Join the festivities

Churchill’s Toyshop

Very, very tasty!

Cars in the Claydons

Katy’s guide to looking good this summer Wedding shoot showcase from Waddesdon Victorians loved a good bloomer Exhibition engages county Sign up to help MS Centre

Too scared to stroll around Gothic mansion? Can you take on the three peaks? Beware the power of the sun! Fancy a day at Hartwell Spa?

White House girls are coming home Tracy’s ready to train you up Secret weapons in Whitchurch war rooms

30 Let’s get technical

Industry training at alternative college

Polly’s bringing the jungle in ‘Let’s get funky’, says Charlotte New business on Thame’s Buttermarket Give your crib some kerb appeal Lancelot’s legacy 300 years on Cole Recruitment takes personal approach County show is quite an event Whipsnade Zoo goes prehistoric Dan’s guide to what’s local and live. Waterside welcomes Dirty Dancing It’s not just folk at Towersey Lipsmacking lineup for foodie fest New event offers vintage fun

Where there’s muck there’s brass!

t seems like an awful lot has happened since our last edition. We’ve had a referendum that divided the country, a new Prime Minister and a new manager for the England football team! Terror attacks, wars, refugees and economic migrants continue to dominate the news and to top it all Donald Trump has gained enough support to run for the American presidency! It’s pretty grim reading but here in blighty we continue to show the kind of grit, innovation, ingenuity and at times compassion for our

ongratulations to the following Jun/Jul edition competition winners! Hopefully your prizes will have arrived by now, please let us know if not. Commiserations to those who weren’t so

fellow man that may just help us get through this mess. Last week I heard that Bucks County Council were supporting a local scheme whereby young people with learning difficulties are taught how to make money by selling alpaca droppings and by farming fresh free range eggs. The Council has given £5,000 to Animal Antiks of Stoke Mandeville which provides assisted learning with animals, to people with special educational needs. The organisation serves around 30 young people and plans to use

lucky - read on though for more competitions inside this edition, including the chance to win: A meal for two at The Angel, Long Crendon; A copy of The Colourless; A copy of Arthur Archer time traveller books; Tickets for The

the cash to fund training in life and work skills by launching these two money-making ventures. Sarah Kettlety, co-founder of Animal Antiks, explains: “Our three resident alpacas produce about one kilo of droppings every day and their manure happens to be one of the best fertilisers available - great for delicate plants and terrific for soil health. “On the internet, the fertiliser sells for £9.95 per 400 grams, so our job is to pick it up, dry it and market it.” The enterprises are run by

Family Travel Show; Hape Zylophone & Tambourine; Hartwell Spa Indulgence Day; Tickets to Sunny Afternoon! Last issue’s prizewinners were: A meal for two at Coco Tamarind: June Noor, Stoke Mandeville

Tickets for the National Wedding Show: Francesca Riley, Chalfont; Kandi Shaw, Mursley; Helen Lonsdale, Drayton Beauchamp A copy of Aylesbury Photo book: Lindsay Standen, Aylesbury A Penclic mouse:

the young people to give them confidence and experience in business and social interaction. Sarah added: “It may sound funny, but this is of huge benefit to these young people who need our help.” If only those alpacas could churn it out in the quantities Mr Trump does... Happy reading!

Charlie Editor, Vale Life Magazine Julie Fenwick, Princes Risborough An Eclipse charger: Tim Quinton, Wendover Tickets for Countryfile: Pearl Potter, Tetsworth; Kezia Barrett, Gt Milton A walk-a-long puppy: Emily Humphrey, Thame

Vale Life Magazine is designed and published by Vale Life Magazine, 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. 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 : Aug/Sept 2016

with Katy Dyer

Personal stylist and fashion expert Katy scours our local boutiques and passes on tips and tricks for looking your best, plus the latest news on the high street trends

Some like it hot...

s I write, it feels like Summer has finally arrived! After a mudbath of Glastonbury, wet weather gear and lower-than-theseasonal-average sunshine and warmth it seems that we are now set for some long, sunny days. And the other good news? There are so many great bargains in the sales, you don’t have to break the bank to get something really lovely to feel glam, cool or on trend for those warmer British days in the Vale. So if you’ve held off any seasonal fashion buys, here’s what to pick for high summer style:

Get ahead? Get a hat. The perfect style remains the trilby. Easy to wear and so on trend, for men, women and kids alike these are a great to look (and stay) cool in the heat. If you prefer something more sporty of course a colourful baseball style cap is still a great go-to. If a straw floppy style is more your thing, then be sure to stick to a lighter colour (cooler, less shadows over the face) and keep the brim no wider than your shoulders for the most flattering look. Shoe heaven Summer shoes need to have the comfort factor. In my opinion, you can’t beat a pair of Birkenstock style sandals, and the range of colours is fab. Sporty styles that keep you active too are a great choice – designs by FitFlop and Sketchers are a worthwhile investment. For men and women, now is the time to give your feet a bit of TLC, your sandals or flip flops will look and feel so much better for a bit of attention to your tootsies. 8

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Women’s beachwear Marks & Spencer

Stone Shell and Tassel Trim Trilby Straw Hat £12.99 New Look Burgundy Cap £8.99 New Look

Animal print flats Office

Mustard top/ black skirt New Look

It’s a wrap The lightest wraps in silk and sheen are back this season! So if you purchased last year, a great investment. If not, there are some wonderful designs and colourways around right now. A great way to take the edge off evening chill as well as shading from the sun’s rays at the height of the day. Lots of paisley prints, animal and nature inspired designs too. Skirting around The lightest fabrics in skirts are a godsend and super stylish too. Look for unusual colours – ginger, moss, mustard and French navy are some of the new shades around this season. These have more longevity than the very palest looks, as they are easier to wear into the early Autumn too. Shoes can often be a tricky partner for summer skirts. Consider metallic or soft tan sandals, perhaps with a wedge sole. Colours that are closer to your own skin tone are always more flattering than those that are in contrast.

Autograph Tassel Sandal Marks & Spencer

Heel Tan Sandals Office Tie dye top £25 - Next

The long and short of it Boardies, culottes and Bermuda – all have their place in the summer wardrobe, it just depends on your own style preferences and perhaps, where you’re going on your holidays! Culottes are still having their moment, and are so versatile and easy to wear. Team with flatform slides for a really current take on summer fashion – take it one step further by keeping the whole look monochrome. Not for you? Perhaps take inspiration from seaside and nautical themes with favourite Breton stripes, chambray and chino, a really failsafe summer combination.

Top it off Tops, vests, camis are just perfect for adding a splash of colour in the seasons hottest shades. Think lemon, orange, turquoise and green for the perfect combination with neutral this season. THE style to choose has to be off the shoulder (or bardot) – super-flattering and fashion forward. Black or navy is elegant and easy to dress up, whilst bright, bold shades are perfect for parties and evenings out.

Blue Bardot top £12.99 New Look

Black top/red skirt New Look

Male Order Colour is the perfect way to update your summer wardrobe. Polo shirts, checks and perhaps a cheeky print will certainly stand out.

If you prefer a neutral look, don’t discount colour altogether – look at the little details on garments such as stitching, buttons and motifs that can add just a little splash of brightness to your overall look and update your summer look. Office Cool Whilst you might be lucky enough to have a week (or two) away, how can you best beat the heat at work – these a few simple tips to keep your cool: Stick to garments made of natural fibres; cotton is best. In tailoring, light wool or jersey is cooler and keeps its shape all day. Simply choose clothes that are a looser, comfortable fit that flatter your frame. Go for neutral shades in suiting and consider lighter shades in the summer and opt for medium to light grey, pewter and shades of blue. Add colour in accessories, shirts and blouses dependent on your workplace dress code and your own personal style.

Patterned Shirt £12.99 New Look

Next men’s beachwear Next Men’s suiting

Summer dressing can feel difficult – but with just a few simple tricks you can easily look and feel great in the heat, and enjoy the weather without worrying about what to wear! Katy is holding Autumn ’16 Style session this September. For your invitation contact as below. l Katy Dyer is a style coach and corporate image consultant and works with people of all ages, stages and backgrounds to help them present themselves at their very best. Because when you look good, you feel good. Find out more at www.katydyer.com or simply call 01844 872 025.

Helen Grace Beautifully hand crafted stylish hats and fascinators for all occasions To buy or hire Come and try on our wonderful hats and fascinators in the privacy of our studio in Shabbington Simply call for an appointment on 01844 201017

www.helengracehats.co.uk Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

There are numerous elements to bring together in creating the perfect wedding, many of which require specialist skills to guarantee really fabulous results. Here a crack team of professional local wedding suppliers shows just what is possible when you get that mix absolutely right...

n a beautifully sunny day back in May, a group of local wedding suppliers and four beautiful models, staged a collaborative photo shoot at that stunning wedding venue, The Dairy at Waddesdon. We are very pleased to be able to display some of the results here for you in Vale Life Magazine! If you are planning your big day and looking for inspiration and suppliers, this shoot may provide you with some ideas. If you would like to see a complete collection of images from the shoot, you can find them on photographer Caz Wales website at: www.cazwalesphotography.com If you like what you see and think you’d like to get in contact with any of the wedding suppliers involved, to help create your own dream day, you can contact them as below: l Caz Wales Photography Tel: 07990 747194 Web: www.cazwalesphotography.com Twitter: @CazWalesPhoto Facebook: /Caz Wales Photography Instagram: Caz.Wales.Photography l Emma Clarke - Signature Flowers by Emma Tel: 07894 283255 Web: www.signature-flowers.co.uk Facebook: /Signature Flowers by Emma Newman Twitter: @SignatureEmma Instagram @signatureemma Pinterest signatureemma

l Anna McDonald Bridal Gallery Tel: 01844 214190 / 07787 574206 Web: www.anna-mcdonald.com Facebook: /Anna McDonald Bridal Gallery l Carla Tangi - ‘Feel Beautiful’ Makeup & Beauty Tel: 07759 295 881 / 01296 432877 Web: www.feelbeautiful.me.uk Facebook: /feel beautiful.me.uk Twitter: @TangiCarla - Instagram carlatangi 10

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

l Harriet Bartley - Freelance Hair Stylist Winner Four Counties Wedding Awards 2015 Hairstyling Web: www.mobile-hairstyling.co.uk Tel: 07817 485888 Twitter: @harriethaha Facebook: /Harriet Bartley Freelance Stylist Instagram - harriethairstylist l Liza Brissenden Hemstock Isabella Henry Bridal Headresses Tel: 07767 236568 Web: www.isabellahenry.co

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Take a trip to Haddenham and visit White Hart Studio, where you will find beautiful jewellery and gifts, imaginative cards, unique and interesting furniture, eyecatching homeware, stylish clothing and more... White Hart Studio, 15 Churchway, Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, H P17 8AB Tel: 01844 292308 Open Tue-Sat: 10am-5pm & Sun: 11am-4pm www.whitehartstudio.com 12

Vale Life : Aug/Sep 2016

Column: Nicky Gregory‘Curious World’

Victorian tweezer teaser

he chrysanthemum was first cultivated in China, as a flowering herb, as early as the 15th Century B.C. and was believed to have the power of life. Legend has it that the boiled roots were used as a headache remedy; young sprouts and petals were eaten in salads; and leaves were brewed for a festive drink. It was introduced into Britain in 1790 and became an important plant for Victorian gardeners. Exhibitions and competitions began in local village halls and as the flower became of national interest, shows were held in London at the RHS Halls and in other towns and cities throughout the Country. There was great competition between chrysanthemum growers. Showing your prize blooms and winning was the epitome of success. One unusual and now very rare, tool used by exhibitors was a pair of ‘Chrysanthemum Tweezers’. Made of ivory they were used to tease out the petals on the large flower heads to show them at their very best!

Nicky Gregory

Curious world

telephone number to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Winner to be notified by email. l Nicky Gregory is the owner of Antiques@Wendover, The Old Post Office, 25 High Street, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6DU Tel: 01296 625335 Email: antiques@antiquesatwendover.co.uk Web: www.antiquesatwendover.co.uk

An 1890 Carters’ advertisement Victorian Ivory Chrysanthemum Tweezers by Saynor Our Jun/Jul Mystery Object was a Victorian garden sprayer! Can you guess what this one, right, is? The prize for the winner chosen from correct answers is a £10 Gift Voucher for Antiques at

August Mystery object

Wendover. Email your answers along with your name, address and contact

ANTIQUES AT… WENDOVER A Dateline ANTIQUES CENTRE Est. 1987 A QUALITY ANTIQUES CENTRE offering town and country antiques in a Tudor, brick and timber house, with wall paintings and inglenook fireplaces. Park in the Courtyard at the rear, where you will find Garden Antiques, a Tea Shop, the Barn Courtyard Shops and an Artist’s Studio. We are open every day from 10am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday and from 11am to 5pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Yorkshire made, Windsor armchair C1870. An ash chair, with elm seat and alder firtree back splat. Price £280 The Old Post Office, 25 High Street, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6DU Tel: 01296 625335 Email: antiques@antiquesatwendover.co.uk Website: www.antiquesatwendover.co.uk

Hester Clarke Fine Jewellers

Independent Family Jewellers since 1892 Goldsmiths House 10-14 Cambridge Street Aylesbury Bucks HP20 1RS www.hesterclarke.co.uk

01296 482963

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Column: Janice Issitt ‘Making the most of it’

Janice Issitt

Art of Islam exhibition I

expect that, like me, you have probably seen little yellow signs all over the county advertising Art Of Islam. What I didn’t realise, until further investigation, is that it’s a summer long festival of exhibitions, activities and workshops running

Wendy’s work on display at her studio

until September 24th. The Art of Islam festival has been organized by Bucks County Museum in Aylesbury where, in their upstairs gallery, they have

the most beautiful collection of art, objects, furniture and textiles, including one piece on loan from The British Museum. The main part of the attraction is the private collection of Razwan and Sarya Baig plus some beautifully curated examples of Islamic art from Birmingham and Oxford. There are several workshops in the programme including: Calligraphy, Arabesque, Stained Glass, Shadow Puppetry and Illumination, which are based at different venues around the county, from High Wycombe to Chesham and Milton Keynes. Arabesque beautifully describes an ornamental design consisting of intertwining lines which dance around the surface, and can be seen in rugs, mosaics and ceramics. The motifs being flowers, foliage, fruits, vases and animals. Amber Khokhar will be teaching and using her combined background in art and design to guide the attendees through their pattern making.

Wendy Johnson

Calligraphy is being taught and demonstrated by one of the Country’s leading exponents – Razwan Baig, who will also lecture on the evolution of the subject. Other exciting events to get involved with are Plaster Carving, Ceramic Tile Making and Curry

Making the most of it cooking. The Bucks County Museum has done a great job making their exhibits interesting to children, providing work sheets to draw on and prompting discussion and close inspection of the objects. The usual exhibits of the Tudor Rooms and the Roald Dahl children’s gallery make it a fun afternoon for visitors of all ages - during my visit they had some brilliant characters dressed up to look like Dahl’s creations, including the big friendly giant pictured. l Read Janice’s blog at: http:// janiceissittlifestyle.blogspot.co.uk where she posts photo tutorials about things to make and lovely pictures of life in the Vale.

He’s waiting for someone he can look up to. What are you waiting for? Been thinking about fostering? Now is the time to do it. And you really can, with support and training from the UK’s largest independent fostering agency.

0800 023 4561 fosterwithfca.co.uk

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

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Win tickets to Family Travel Show

he Family Travel Show has announced new dates for 2016. Taking place at London’s Olympia on 1st and 2nd October, this exciting show is the UK’s only exhibition completely dedicated to family travel adventures. Families come in all shapes and sizes - and so do the holidays they take! Whether it’s a laid-back beach break, an educational city stay or an exotic jungle trek, family travel definitely isn’t one size fits all territory. And just like all the best children’s stories, family trips must have one thing in common - a happy ending plus of course a trail of joyful memories along the way. To ensure you get the most out of your next family getaway, The Family Travel Show is the ideal launch pad from which to explore new holiday destinations and ideas. This is your chance to discover something different, maybe dip a toe into the world of cruising or go wild and plan a safari. You can choose from familyfriendly villas and exciting ski trips to tropical rainforest retreats and allinclusive luxury resorts. The Family Travel Show is bringing together the

best specialist operators and family holiday providers all under one roof for one weekend. As well as meeting with an excellent range of travel companies and taking advantage of their

exclusive show-only offers, visitors are also invited to enjoy the show’s NEW interactive features, including the Climbing Zone, the Holiday Photo Booth, a Kids on Holiday Fashion Show and the Small Steps

Crèche. The highlight of the show however is set to be the Ask the Experts Theatre - bursting with travel ideas and practical advice from celebrity speakers, travel writers and bloggers, journalists, and family travel experts. As the UK’s only event created purely for those looking for their next family adventure, the Family Travel Show is an essential date in every parent’s diary. The Family Travel Show takes place in Olympia London on October 1st and 2nd, 2016. Tickets cost £8 in advance or £10 on the door, while under 16s go free. For full details and to book tickets please visit: www.familytravelshow. com or call: 0844 209 7360. If you’d like to be in with the chance of winning a pair of tickets to the show simply email your name, address and telephone number along with the answer to the following question, to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Where in London is the Family Travel Show being held this year? Winner to be drawn at random from correct entries and notified by email by Sept 4th, 2016. l www.familytravelshow.com Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Chilterns MS Centre relies heavily on donations to provide services and treatments for hundreds of local people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Could you ‘Walk the MS Mile’ and help raise vital funds?

alk the MS Mile did such an excellent job of raising awareness of and funds for the Chilterns MS Centre, they will be doing it again this September! Living with multiple sclerosis (MS) can be tough and for everyone with MS, it makes life unpredictable. This local independent charity provides much needed support and stability for those with MS in the local community and it relies heavily on fundraising events. As part of their 30th anniversary celebrations the Centre launched Walk the MS Mile in September 2015, for which they organised 30 one-mile sponsored walks, each day of September, in 30 different Lois Macbeth and family locations. The event surpassed everyone’s expectations by raising a staggering £70,000! Walk the MS Mile is returning this year with five events, starting in Thame on September 20th, then on to Berkhamsted, Marlow and Buckingham and finishing in Aylesbury on Saturday, September 24th. The first four represent the distance people travel to the Centre from through hydrotherapy, the north, south, east and west for reflexology and physio, hydro, oxygen and complementary physiotherapy. therapies to treat the symptoms of their MS, Rachel Britnell, who is while Aylesbury is the largest town near the taking part in the Thame Wendover based Centre. Mile, looks forward to MS is a degenerative condition that is the most common cause of neurological disability going to the Centre as it provides her with the emotional support, care in young adults. The Centre provides highly and understanding she needs to stay positive, professional physical, practical and emotional enjoy life and look forward to the future. support for its 500 members that is not Rachel recognises that these services are only available regularly or long-term to people available to her because of fundraising and with MS on the NHS. It currently delivers generous donations from people like you! over 16,000 treatments a year to help people The sponsored walks received generous manage symptoms like fatigue, and problems support from companies last year and this with mobility, the bowel and bladder, balance year the Centre is grateful to their main and speech. A diagnosis affects the whole sponsor EIC Insurance Services. The charity family and their carers so the Centre also would also like to thank day sponsors Molten provides support for them. Rock Equipment (Buckingham mile), Hypnos Aylesbury resident Lois Macbeth has been Beds (Marlow mile) and Colin Gray & Co receiving treatment at the Centre for 21 years Chartered Accountants (Berkhamsted mile) since her diagnosis. She will be walking her for their sponsorship contributions. local MS mile to raise money for what she Cartmell & Co Solicitors, who pride describes as ‘a wonderful place full of really themselves on going that ‘extra mile’ for friendly staff and brilliant volunteers’ and their clients, are sponsoring the Thame and which has helped her manage her symptoms

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Socialising in the MS Centre Atrium Aylesbury miles and are delighted to help the Centre as it makes a real difference to the quality of life of people with MS in the local community. Could you ‘Walk the MS Mile’ alongside the walkers and wheelers at one A hydrotherapy of the miles below pool session and help them hit this year’s £15,000 target by getting sponsorship from your family and friends? Thame Tuesday 20th September Berkhamsted Wednesday 21 September Marlow Thursday 22 September Buckingham Friday 23 September Aylesbury Saturday 24 September Get in touch to find out more about this worthy local cause and all the walks at: www.chilternsmscentre.org or contact Hannah Asquith and her fundraising team as below. l The Chilterns MS Centre, Oakwood Close, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5LX Tel: 01296 696133 Email: Fundraising@chilternsmscentre.org Web: www.chilternsmscentre.org Facebook: /ChilternsMSCentre Twitter: @ChilternsMS

Column: Nick Phillips ‘Good to give’

Are you a good neighbour?

hen we hear talk of communities everyone has an idea of what that means based on their own experiences. Some think urban, town or street, others think of a community as their parish, village or even county. The common view however is that ‘community’ means looking after all, young and old and particularly those who are elderly or in most need. Neighbourly! Community Impact Bucks has communities at its heart and at the heart of good communities seem to be good neighbours. We work with groups of people to help shape their neighbourhood priorities and bring them to a reality. The definition of the community doesn’t really matter, what matters is how we can help groups, communities, neighbourhoods, achieve their own Good Neighbour Scheme. The ambitions are so varied, they could be anything from setting up

befriender services, a community car scheme, buying a community bus, or just developing a local directory of all the useful services in the area - whatever it is that helps those in most need in the community. The communities team here works with groups to develop a plan and way of delivering their idea and can advise on volunteering, funding, and share some of the best ideas that have worked elsewhere. Walton and Southcourt is a

buzzing part of Aylesbury that, led by a passionate champion, Mahuya Kanjilal, was keen to develop a Good Neighbours Scheme. With her team at the Healthy Living Centre they set out priorities, starting with a befriender service that is a vital lifeline for elderly and isolated people in the area but their plans don’t stop there! The scheme hopes to develop a community car service that will to help the elderly and vulnerable get to doctors appointments and help those who are isolated stay in touch with others. Good Neighbours schemes can help welcome people to the community, help change a light bulb, help elderly people with their gardens, writing letters, or just by being a friend. There is a theory amongst volunteering groups that 1 hour a week has a multiplier effect of value. This group talked about the impact one hour of volunteering can have on someone in need and

Nick Phillips

Good to give they say it is priceless! If you want to volunteer for the Walton Court Good Neighbours Scheme get in touch with Mahuya and make that 1 hour a week priceless to someone else! If you would like to know more about Good Neighbour Schemes contact Sam Parker at Community Impact Bucks: sam@ communityimpactbucks.org.uk Email Mahuya at: mkanjilal@ healthylivingcentre.com or call: 01296 334562. l Nick Phillips is CEO of

Community Impact Bucks, a charity dedicated to creating a better life for the people of Buckinghamshire. Tel: 0300 1111 250 www.communityimpactbucks.org.uk

Win kids Xylo or Tam!

usic is linked to increased brain development, so these toys - tuned to play perfect sounds - are not just a great introduction to musical instruments. Suitable for beginners, they can be played right away and are perfect for helping children become budding musicians or even musical maestros! The Hape Early Melodies Rainbox Xylophone is ideal for age 12 months onwards. The sturdy xylophone lets kids practice colours as well as scales. It’s good for fine motor skills, promoting dexterity, hand/eye coordination, and manipulation and also for problem solving as it introduces logic, critical thinking, and an understanding of cause and effect. The Hape Tambourine, is also

for 12 months upwards. Everyone loves to play the tambourine, so let your child shake up the music with a mulit-colored tambourine sized for tiny hands to hold. If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning a Xylophone or Tambourine, simply email your name, address and telephone number along with the answer to the following question, to: editor@vale-life.co.uk How many notes does the Hape Xylophone have? Winner to be drawn at random from correct entries and notified by email by Sept, 2016. l The Hape Tambourine costs £10.29 from Amazon, while the Hape Xylophone is just £11.39 Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Join the Spooky Sprint!

aturday, September 24th is the date to remember for this year’s Spooky Sprint at Waddesdon Manor raising valuable funds for Parkinson’s UK. They say ‘It’s so good, it’s scary!’ and we dare you to take on this spine-tinglingly different race. You’re invited to run, jog or walk 5K or 10K in the dark, with only a head torch to light your way, and test your nerve as well as your fitness! And remember if you don’t finish within 2 hours, the ghouls may get you! Why not take along your own little monsters and join in the family fun run too?! The special route for youngsters (and their mums and dads) is around 500m long and takes place at dusk before the main races start. All runners receive a medal, plus there are prizes for race winners and the best spooky costumes. If you run 5K or 10K, you’ll also receive an exclusive breathable glow in the dark T-shirt plus an official finish time.

A diagnosis of Parkinson’s can be frightening too, but with your help Parkinson’s UK is working to change that. One person in every 500 has Parkinson’s. That’s about 127,000 people in the UK. So do you dare to run in the dark and help Parkinson’s UK bring forward the day when no one fears Parkinson’s anymore? All money raised from this year’s race will go towards the work of the Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank, the the world who are working towards UK’s largest brain bank dedicated a cure for Parkinson’s. to Parkinson’s. They collect tissue Sign up today... we dare you! from people, with and without For more details or to sign up, the condition, and provide it to visit: www.parkinsons.org.uk/ researchers in the UK and around

spookymanor, call: 020 7932 1314 or email: events@parkinsons.org.uk l Parkinson’s UK Web: www.parkinsons.org.uk Tel: 020 7932 1314

Experts in Mobility and Healthcare Supplies Come and visit our new showroom at Watermead, Aylesbury or, if you can’t get to us - give us a call and we’ll visit you! Specialists in ‘tilt in space’ riser recline chairs Lightweight wheelchairs Wide range of mobility scooters Extensive range of three/four wheeled walkers Bath and shower solutions Aids for daily living Profiling beds and stairlifts Discreet professional advice on continence management Advice and guidance on all aspects of mobility and personal care Equipment Hire Excellent after sales service and customer care 35 Lakeside, Watermead, Aylesbury, HP19 OFX | Tel: 01296 435607 | Web: www.theeasyliving.company 18

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

athlon Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Sun day 31 Ju ly 2 6 01

WIM, 34.5km CYCLE, 5km RUN

With the beautiful Chilterns Hills right on our doorstep, local charity Rennie Grove Hospice Care is inviting us all to lace up our walking boots and enjoy the stunning countryside on the eighth annual Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge, raising vital funds to support local patients and families...

M, 23km CYCLE, 5km RUN

m CYCLE, 5km RUN

haltontri

Registered Charity No. 1140386

onsored challenges to test your ina and raise money to support h life-limiting illness.

ocal charity, Rennie Grove Hospice Care invites you to join RUN one of its biggest CYCLE fundraisers. Now celebrating the event’s eighth year, the Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge has something for Entrants must be 16 or over everyone. Set amongst the beautiful surroundings of the Ridgeway National Trail, Rennie Grove is expecting hundreds of people - and their dogs - to sign up for this year’s challenge which takes place on Sunday, September 4th. Walkers’ sponsorship monies help to fund Rennie Grove’s unique care and support for local patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families, including the charity’s 24hour responsive Hospice at Home service. The charity’s own take on the famous national challenge gives locals of all ages and varied fitness levels the opportunity to walk the chalk and cast their eyes upon the breath-taking scenery of the Chilterns, taking in the peaks of Whiteleaf Cross, Coombe Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon, whilst raising vital funds to support its care.

Walkers Oscar and Coco

A group of last year’s 9 and 18 mile finishers The headline sponsor for the challenge this year is The Buckinghamshire Building Society who have had a long association with Rennie Grove Hospice Care, supporting them over many years. The team at the building society has provided a fantastic sponsorship package to cover the costs involved with printing the T-shirts, which all participants will receive upon signing in on the day of the event. The Marketing Manager at Buckinghamshire Building Society says: “The staff and directors were all really keen to support this charity as many of us

have known friends and family that have been affected by cancer and so supporting the work of Rennie Grove seemed to be appropriate. Several of the staff have done the walk before and so we are all keen to get our walking boots out!” Arriva Buses are once again kindly providing transport to and from the start and finish location: Princes Risborough School, as well as in between the peaks for those who don’t quite fancy the full 18 mile trek. Gillian Barnett, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at Rennie Grove Hospice Care says: “We are extremely grateful to Arriva for supporting us again by providing the buses and to their drivers for giving up their own time to take participants including dogs - back to their cars at the school” The Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge offers a choice of a five, nine or 18 mile route. All routes can be completed at your own pace, allowing time to take in the stunning panoramic views that make up the Chilterns Ridgeway. Gillian adds “We live in such a scenic area, you don’t really need an excuse to get out and enjoy the countryside, but if you can raise money for a great local cause at the same time, there’s a double

feel-good factor. You sleep well afterwards too!” All participants will take on the first two peaks, Coombe Hill and Whiteleaf Cross, by completing the five mile route from Princes Risborough to Wendover. Once completed, walkers will be able to enjoy a well-deserved rest and refuel with a mouth-watering barbecue. The ‘five mile’ walk entrants will then be able to head back to their cars via the buses provided by Arriva, whilst the ‘nine mile’ walkers press on to Tring by way of bus to complete the additional four miles and scale the third peak, Ivinghoe Beacon. For those who are feeling up for the challenge, the 18 mile route is taken on entirely by foot, including all three peaks, before catching the bus back to your car and off home for well-earned cups of tea or perhaps something slightly stronger! Registration for the Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge costs £20 for adults and £10 for children five to 16 years old. Under 5s go free. For more information and to sign up, visit: www.renniegrove. org/chilterns3peaks or call: 01442 820740. lRennie Grove Hospice Care, Website: www.renniegrove.org Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Health & Fitness

Column: Fitness Focus with Jen Webster

Remedy is gentle therapy

s a qualified nurse, Bowen Therapist Jen Webster spent 30 years in operating theatres. She was a Theatre Sister in London and worked in Oxford at the JR and at The Manor, so there is very little that she hasn’t seen of the inside of a body! “It is unusual for someone from a conventional medical background to be drawn to an holistic therapy!” says Jen. “I read about Thomas Bowen when he came to the UK in 1992, and was interested in his ideas. He had studied human muscular structure and developed his healing techniques over many years and thousands of patients. Years later, the time was right to do my Bowen training. I qualified in 2008 and began my practice. I now work exclusively as a Bowen practitioner and my clinic is based at The White House in Thame. “Bowen Therapy is a safe, gentle, effective hands-on remedial therapy which offers significant relief for many conditions. A practitioner uses thumbs and fingers to apply

Charlotte Schuman

very gentle pressure on precise points of the body and perform Bowen’s unique sets of rolling-type moves which stimulate the muscles and soft tissue of the body. It is non manipulative and non invasive. This treatment is suitable for men, women, tiny babies, the frail and the elderly; for all levels of health

and fitness. “Every body is different and therefore the patient’s concerns are identified during a consultation which takes place prior to every Bowen session. Treatment takes place through light clothing and each session lasts for between 50 and 60 minutes. “Treatments are not just advised for those with acute, traumatic or sporting injuries but for those with chronic, complicated conditions. Many clients are living a debilitated lifestyle and come to see me as a ‘last resort’ having been frustrated by the medical system and having little or no relief of symptoms from their prescribed medication. “The effectiveness of Bowen can be outstanding; at the very least my clients report that sessions are deeply relaxing and restorative. “I see clients presenting with a variety of issues. Back, neck, shoulder, hip and knee problems are common; teenagers come with sports injuries, chronic fatigue, growing pains and hormone

Jen Webster Bowen Technique

issues; pre/post surgery patients; eczema; infertility; migraines; RSI; children with Cerebral Palsy; sportsmen and women in training; anxiety; hay fever... My aim, with my Bowen work, is to help all my clients find a sustainable way to enjoy a full and active life.” For further information please contact Jen as below. l Jen Webster BSc MBTPA Cert ECBS College of Bowen Studies NST Advanced cert Neuro Structural Integrative Technique TMJ & Hormone specialisation CNHC registered Bowen Therapist @ The White House, East Street, Thame, OX9 W: jenwebsterbowen.com E: info@jenwebsterbowen.com\ T: 01844 279296 M: 07768 188664

ANTONIA BARNES MCFHP MAFHP FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONER

Natural vision education for everyone, long-sight, short-sight; whatever your vision problem and whatever your age, relaxation and improved seeing habits can help you gain better clarity and eye health. Book a lesson today at: charlotte@seenaturally.co.uk or Tel 07960 977768 Private 1:1, group lessons and courses ww.seenaturally.co.uk | www.seeing.org | www.batesvisioneducation.org

EAR WAX REMOVAL If you are troubled by excessive ear wax causing discomfort or loss of hearing, CV Health Aural Care Service can offer you a very effective treatment at its Haddenham Medical Centre. Micro-suction is the most up-to-date procedure for removing obstructions in the ear and compared to syringing, it is safer, quicker, better tolerated and more effective. What does it cost? CV Health offers a competitively priced service at £80.

Call now 01494 412525 Monday to Friday (9 am to 5 pm) or email for an appointment: c.v.health@nhs.net 2 20

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

II CAN CAN TREAT TREATCorns, Corns,calluses, calluses,cracked crackedheels, heels, nail problems, thickened nails and can treat nail problems, thickened nails and can treat people who have diabetes. people who have diabetes. II CAN CAN OFFER OFFERVisits Visitsininthe thecomfort comfort of of your your own home, a warm attitude, generalroom, foot care own home or atcaring my Thame treatment including regular nail cutting and filing and a a warm caring attitude, general foot care foot massage at the end of your treatment. including regular nail cutting and filing and a foot massage at the end of your treatment. TO ARRANGE A VISIT OR FOR MORE TO ARRANGE A VISIT OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ANTONIA BARNES INFORMATION CONTACT ANTONIA BARNES 01844 261766 or 07795 01844 261766 or 07795 692464 692464 www.feetforlifethame.com www.feetforlifethame.com

Helping to keep your feet in a healthy condition Based in Thame, I am also a fully qualified massage therapist offering holistic massage and reflexology REGISTERED MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONERS

Suffering with Anxiety, Feeling Sad & Unhappy, Relationship problems Caring, empathetic & confidential ? help is available. Hypnotherapy can & has helped many many people with these types of issues. Angie Elbourn Reg Hyp. MNRAH. CNHC (CNHC are the only registering body for Hypnotherapy that is recognised by the Dept of Health)

www.hypnohelp.co (just co no uk) 077756 77796

Angie.hypnohelp@hotmail.co.uk

@angieelbourn

Amanda Trott

l Column

Health & Beauty

Most of us take a bottle of sunscreen when holidaying abroad, but who’d have thought Amanda Trott you’d need protection back home, especially when in your car or behind glass! The sun’s rays can easily damage our skins though, so this summer take care in the sun... Beauty Spot

ow the Summer holidays are upon us, if we are not heading to the sun many of us will be praying for six weeks of unbroken sunshine. It’s easy to forget to apply sunscreen during those busy times, when we are getting on with our everyday lives, but did you know that at least 100,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK according to the British Skin Foundation. Many of those cases might have been avoided, however, with a little care. Preventing sun damage is much more than a cosmetic issue, protecting your skin could save your life. Sunscreen is key, but effective coverage requires more effort than just slopping some lotion on when you arrive at the beach. Did you know that although glass windows protect us against sunburn-causing UVB rays, they don’t stop UVA rays which suppress the immune system and result in wrinkles and brown spots. So, although it may not seem necessary, don’t forget to apply sunscreen even when indoors and remember to be especially vigilant on days you will be driving a lot, as UVA rays can also penetrate car windows. UVA affects the elastin in the skin and leads to wrinkles and sun-induced skin ageing, as well as skin cancer. It also penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB. UVA protection in a sunscreen will help defend the skin against photo ageing and potential skin cancer. UVB is the form of UV irradiation which is most responsible for sunburn and has strong links to malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma risk, which are both types of skin cancer. A sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) will help block UVB rays and prevent theskin

lotions and creams formulated to soothe and hydrate. Guinot were founded over 50 years ago by Rene Guinot, a well known chemist, who formulated a collection of skincare products, so it goes without saying that years of research have gone into producing this luxury skincare brand. If you do get caught out though and burn, don’t panic as most burns can be treated with cool baths, moisturisers, over-the-counter creams, and an anti-inflammatory, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. However, if you also have a headache, chills, or a fever, you may be suffering from heatstroke as well. Seek medical help immediately if this is the case. Of course if you’d rather stay out of the sun altogether, faking it is the way to go! Many salons such as Scruples in Wendover, offer spray tans, which are a brilliant way to create a beautiful golden glow, and perfect for a special event. If you’d rather DIY there are plenty of options out there from from burning. Sunscreens in the you’re looking for something that powders, sprays and creams to “in UK are labelled with an ‘SPF’ which cares for and nourishes your skin the shower” body washes. indicate the sunburn protection or you have particularly sensitive St.Tropez, developed in 1996 factor, primarily showing the level or troublesome skin then investing and probably one of the better of protection against UVB, not the in a salon brand may be worth known self tan brands, offer protection against UVA. considering. award-winning, long-lasting self SPFs are rated on a scale from Monera in Thame stock a range and gradual tans for all skin types 2 to 50+ based on the level of of suncare products from Clarins and a selection of their range can protection they offer. Ratings which include creams, mists, sticks be found at Stoke Mandeville’s between 2 and 14 forming the least and oils all offering different SPFs The Belmore Centre. Pop in to get protected end of the spectrum and that screen from both UVA and advice on what product may suit ratings of 50+ offering the strongest UVB. Their formulas are produced you best. forms of UVB protection. using plant extracts so not only So whether you choose to have You may also notice a UVA star feel good on the skin but smell fun in the sun or play safe this rating on the packaging. These wonderful too. range from 0 to 5 stars and indicate Clarins also make a self tan serum Summer, just don’t forget your sunscreen! the percentage of UVA radiation that you simply drop into your absorbed by the sunscreen in regular face or body moisturiser, l Amanda is a talented and experienced, Vidal Sassoon trained hair stylist, who at comparison to UVB,. In other so you can prolong your tan or just one time managed Charles Worthington’s words it’s important to use a high fake it altogether! Covent Garden salon. SPF as well as a high UVA (number 4Beauty in Whitchurch offer If you would like to have your hair of stars). skincare by leading brands such as cut, styled or coloured by Amanda call Although many High Street shops Guinot and Decléor both of which 07970 479386 to book or arrange a free consultation. sell various brands of sunscreen, if offer a range of sun and aftersun

Don’t forget your sunscreen!

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Get Swimming with

etter are helping children and families in Thame and the surrounding area to Get Swimming with Disney’s Finding Dory This Summer - so prepare for an ocean of fun at Better’s Thame Leisure Centre! Disney, the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and Change4 Life want your family to ‘Just Keep Moving…’ and dive into a summer of activity inspired by the new Disney•Pixar film, Finding Dory. Families will have a whale of a time as they dive like Dory, splash like sea lions, and hide like Hank in a series of Finding Dory inspired activities based on core aquatic skills and led by a trained pool activator. Better, the UK’s largest provider of public swimming pools, are delivering these exciting sessions in 57 Better facilities across the UK including Thame, Didcot, Abingdon, Wantage, Witney, Amersham & Reading. The bookable sessions, open to families of all ages and abilities will

be available from 22nd July to the 4th September. Sessions at Thame are just £3 for adults and £2 for children. They will initially be held at the Thame Leisure Centre (TLC) on Tuesdays from 9-10am, however, more sessions may be organised depending on demand. To book your session, visit your local Better leisure centre or book online at: www.better.org.uk/ finding-dory The first 50,000 children across the UK that attend three sessions will receive a Finding Dory branded swimming bag from reception. All you need to do is collect a loyalty card from reception at your first session which must then be stamped on three separate occasions to qualify for the bag. You could also win a Finding Dory prize bundle worth £250 when you upload a photo from our Photo Standee via Instagram account using #JustKeepMoving. The competition, running from July 22nd to September 4th, will

TRAIN TO BE A LIFEGUARD

Y 0 -DA 25 SIX SE: £ R COU

Disney’s Finding Dory

GAIN YOUR NPLQ TO WORK AS A FULLY QUALIFIED RLSS LIFEGUARD Learn invaluable life skills such as: • First Aid • CPR • Pool & Dry Side Rescue Techniques

NO JOINING FEE THIS JANUARY

Monday 18th - Saturday 23rd July 2016 hosts a Children’s Holiday Club Course10 date: have winners selected every Leisure Centre, Oxford Road, Thame, Oxon, OX9 2BB Venue: Thame week, winning a prize bundle and are providing numerous of £250essential. value of Finding Dory activities and events to keep the Booking If you’re a strong swimmer, products. kids entertained this summer. Visit: ﬁnd out terms more and book at: Full and conditions of the www.better.org.uk or contact TLC www.londonleisurecollege.co.uk offer and competition are available for more information as below. on the ASA and Disney links at: Guaranteed job interview http://tiny.cc/TheASA and: l Thame Leisure Centre, Oxford if you pass the course! www.disney.co.uk/justkeepmoving Road, Thame, Oxon, OX9 2BB Tel: 01844 215607 As well as our finding Dory Email: thame@gll.org sessions, don’t forget that TLC Web: www.better.org.uk In partnership with

THAME LEISURE CENTRE Better is a registered trademark of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise. Registered address: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6SX IPS Registered No. 27793R Inland Revenue Charity No. XR43398.

Walk, run, swim, or cycle yourself healthy with no contract and no joining fee until 31st January.

Better is a registered trademark of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX IPS No: 27793, Inland Revenue Charity No

Win Hartwell Spa experience H Join today at www.better.org.uk/thame

plus an 85 minute treatment from artwell Spa is situated in the Hartwell Spa Tariff and a two the Old In partnership withDairy, about 100 course lunch in the Spa Café and yards from the stunning, Bar, with tea or coffee. historic 17th Century stately home that is Hartwell Vale Life Magazine has teamed House Hotel. It is an essential part up with Hartwell Spa to give one lucky reader the opportunity of a visit to Hartwell House and can District Council be enjoyed by both guests staying in to experience a Hartwell Spa Terms and conditions apply, visit www.better.org.uk/terms for details. Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royalnon-resident Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX.guests. Inland Revenue Charity no: XR43398 Indulgence Day! If you’d like to the hotel and It is the perfect place to unwind be in with a chance of winning - you can swim in the warm clear this fabulous prize, simply email GLL_Globals_2016_Jan_ThameLeisure_190x125mm_FV.indd 1 08/12/2015 10:02 your name, address and telephone water of the inviting Romanesque number along with the answer to pool, lined with blue mosaic tiles and relax in the steam room, sauna the following question, to: or bubbling waters of the indoor editor@vale-life.co.uk Which are the two main whirlpool bath, while experienced therapists are on hand to offer a brands of beauty product used at Hartwell Spa? wide range of beauty treatments using Aromatherapy Associates and Winner to be drawn at random Jessica products. from correct entries and notified by email by Sept 4th, 2016 (Prize to For the energetic, a gymnasium includes a range of salads and light spend time there is on a Hartwell be taken Monday to Thursday only, has all the latest technologically meals. Spa Indulgence Day (£125). advanced equipment, suitable for subject to availability). For more information see: This runs from 9.30am-4pm all ranges of fitness. (approximately) and allows full In a gallery overlooking the pool www.hartwell-house.com l Hartwell House, Aylesbury, Hartwell Spa offers Health and use of the Health and Fitness is the Spa Café and Bar, open to Buckinghamshire, HP17 8NR Beauty Days, Half Days, Lifestyle Spa including; gymnasium, sauna, both residents and non-residents Spa Reservations: 01296 746500 steam room, spa bath, swimming for breakfast, morning coffee, lunch Days and individual treatments. Email: spa@hartwell-house.com Web: www.hartwell-house.com A particularly enjoyable way to pool and poolside relaxation area, and afternoon tea. A delicious menu 22

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Health & Fitness

Column: Fitness Focus with Jaqui Supple

Take control of your life

f you are feeling alone, scared, anxious, depressed or just overwhelmed by life, speaking to a therapist, psychotherapist or counsellor such as Jaqui Supple could be of major benefit. “Sometimes taking that first step can be daunting,” says Jaqui, “but therapy can be the key to getting your life back on track. “I am a qualified therapeutic counsellor and work with clients to help them manage any issues, which might be causing a problem in their life, or causing them pain, such as: addiction, bereavement, loss, stress, anxiety depression, relationships, self-esteem, trauma, long-term illness and many more. “I run my own Thame-based counselling practice and have a diploma in counselling, passed with distinction and my training is always ongoing. “I offer a flexible therapeutic service tailored to the individual’s needs and requirements. I have experience with group therapy, long and short term therapy and

Charlotte Schuman

Jaqui Supple Counselling

have successfully worked with both adults and young people. “I believe that therapy should take place somewhere informal and safe. Somewhere the client can speak in confidence and be heard objectively and without judgment. “I promise to listen with warmth and respect and help them to tackle any issues they need to address and conquer. “I have many life experiences, as they do, which give me an insight into some of the difficulties my

clients are going through. I have also spent many years working as a volunteer for the Samaritans and this has given me a lot of experience across all areas of counselling. “I specialise in a mixture of therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and humanist but I am always lead by the client’s needs. “For most people, a short course of regular sessions will help them take back control of their lives and

Emma Morgan Yoga

Tel: 07709 428629 www.emmamorganyoga.com

manage challenges and difficulties in a resourceful way. For others, a longer course of regular sessions will bring the right results. “We can talk in complete confidence and in a peaceful atmosphere, where we can work out together what will help resolve, or deal with, the painful areas of your life. “I am an experienced, trained and non-judgemental individual and will help guide you through seemingly overwhelming issues.” l Jaqui Supple Counselling Tel; 07977 904067 Email: jaquisupple@gmail.com www.jaquisupplecounselling.co.uk Facebook: \jaquisupplecounselling

Maria Bray

Nutritional Therapy

The Science of Health and Vitality l

Eat Well l Live Well l Feel Well

New Saturday morning Teen Clinic: £30 for 1 hour session Take charge of your health - I can assist you to achieve your desired health improvements with a mutually agreed and appropriate stepped programme of dietary and lifestyle changes. Diagnostic testing for: l Food intolerances / poor digestion l Vitamin D skin prick - overall health; bones, depression; skin; immunity l Homocysteine testing - heart health; brain health

Call for free half hour consultation

Tel: Maria on 0771 5414719 / 01296 581561

www.mariabraynutritionaltherapy.com

Stella Huxley Massage Therapist

Daily classes in Thame and Long Crendon to help you relax & destress. Suitable for all abilities. Based on Traditional Hatha Yoga - classes are a combination of breathing techniques, relaxation & postures, with elements of strength, balance and flexibility. Summer discount until Sept 4th, 2016: 25% off! Only £9 drop-in, or £45 to book block of 6 - call today!

Swedish Body Massage Aromatherapy Body Massage Deep Tissue Massage Indian Head Massage

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

The White House has been providing beauty and holistic health services in Thame for many years. In that time founder Amanda Supple and her team have changed premises a couple of times but are now pleased to be moving back into their original home, The White House - opposite The Cross Keys, at 2 East Street...

ometimes things just fall into place, and when Amanda Supple discovered that her friend Anna McDonald was extending one of her bridal boutiques and would have the space to house both her Thame bridal businesses at the same location (24 Upper High Street, Thame), she jumped at the chance to move back into Anna’s old Bridal Gallery at The White House, where Amanda had first started her practice some 26 years before! “I’m so happy!” says Amanda. “I’ve always loved The White House building and named my business after it when I first set up there in 1990. It was just me there to begin with but now The White House is a Beauty and Holistic Health collective of four very passionate, talented and enthusiastic practitioners: myself offering beauty treatments; acupuncturist Rhiannon Griffiths; Bowen Technique and Neuro Structural Therapy practitioner Jen Webster; and Gemma Hildreth whose Serenity Beauty practice offers a range of beauty treatments plus Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Hopi Ear Candles.and more. Gemma has actually worked with me for some 15 years now and Rhiannon and Jen were both clients who became friends and have now brought their talents to the White House as well. I’ve been really lucky to find such lovely people to work with over the years and an amazing, loyal clientele, some of whom have followed our practice from the original days at The White House through our time at premises on The Buttermarket and then at The Old Dairy on the Upper High Street. “I truly cannot wait to be back in the old White House, our business has always flourished but having moved twice in the past eight years it’s nice to be back home and to have a more visible presence once more. To be able to relaunch our practice and to introduce more holistic practitioners over the coming

2 24

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Jen Webster, left, and Amanda Supple, right are ready and waiting as Anna McDonald, centre, prepares to move her Bridal Gallery from The White House on East Street to her newly extended premises on Thame’s Upper High Street.

months will be a pleasure as I begin my 27th year in business. I am looking forward to welcoming clients old and new to our new-old premises and hope to have the practice up and running by early August, so come and see us soon!” Rhiannon Griffiths - Acupuncture “My journey with the White House started in my teens when I visited Amanda and Gemma in the East Street building as a client. I never thought then, doing my GCSEs and A-levels, that I would one day be practising acupuncture alongside them, and Jen, nearly twenty years later! As a needle phobic (yes you can still have acupuncture if you are scared of needles!), it was impossible to think that I would become an acupuncturist full stop! Having been part of the White House team since 2009, I am so grateful to have a job that I adore and that never feels like ‘work’; to write for the national press as an acupuncture and Chinese Medicine expert, and to support my patients with a wide range of conditions including: stress, anxiety and exhaustion, or when they just don’t feel quite

Rhiannon Griffiths

like themselves.” Rhiannon is an integrated TCM & Five Element acupuncturist and a CTI qualified Co-Active coach, with national and international clients. She is part of BBC Radio Oxford’s health team, has been a health expert for The Daily Mirror, and has featured in many national magazines. She is a traditional acupuncturist, practising from a base of Chinese Medicine wisdom, using ultra-thin needles (the width of a human hair!) to affect Qi or energy within channels that run from the top of the head to the tips of the toes. It is ancient wisdom applicable to modern life and can be highly effective. For more information see her website at: www.

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Gemma Hildreth “It’s so lovely to be able to hand The White House back to Amanda and her team,” says Anna. “I’ve really enjoyed having my bridal gallery here for the last eight years but I’m expanding the business and have taken on the old bakehouse to the rear of my Curve Couture premises on the Upper High Street, and will now have the space to run both operations from there, which makes more sense logistically - The main boutique will become Anna McDonald Bridal Gallery and will incorporate our Curve Couture brand within. “We’ll have plenty of room there following the expansion, so will be able to have two spacious private changing areas with separate mirrors and room for brides and their friends to relax. We can also accommodate Jennifer our seamstress there, which will be a real bonus. I can’t wait and wish The White House girls all the best in their new-old home!

Anna McDonald

rhiannongriffiths.com Gemma Hildreth - Serenity Beauty “While studying beauty therapy at Aylesbury College in 1993 I was lucky enough to be taken on for work experience, one day a week, by Amanda at The White House and I’m very happy to be working under The White House name still today. When I qualified in 1995 I started work full time at The White House. As my experience grew I was promoted to Manager, with a team of girls to look after. In 2005 I went on maternity leave and then returned to work on a part time basis. In 2008 we had to leave the East Street premises and Amanda downsized the business. She gave me

the encouragement to start my own business Serenity Beauty and I rented space at her new premises on The Buttermarket, to continue with my Thame clients, while also developing my business in Bicester, where I live. I still love coming to Thame to see my clients, some of whom I have treated for 23 years! “To now be going back to the original White House with a new team is Jen Webster amazing and I can’t wait to open those doors to you all again. Thank you Amanda for being my inspiration and to Jen and Rhiannon, I’m looking forward to starting this new chapter together!” Gemma Hildreth is a fully qualified beauty therapist with some 23 years experience. She offers facials, manicures, pedicures, eyelash and eyebrow tinting, waxing, Shellac nails and massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy and Hopi ear candles. For more information see: www.beautytreatmentsbicester. com Jen Webster BSc MBTPA Bowen Therapist “I have been a client of Amanda’s since 1990 and later of Gemma’s and am now a friend of both too. After qualifying as a Bowen Therapist in 2008, I approached Amanda about renting a treatment room and saw my first Bowen client in May 2008 at The White House rooms on The Buttermarket.

“I was working as an operating theatre sister at the time and developed my Bowen Therapy alongside until The White House moved to The Old Dairy in 2010, when I gave up nursing to concentrate full time on developing my Bowen Therapy practice. “The last six years, sharing The White House with Amanda, Gemma and Rhiannon have been immensely rewarding. I will be forever grateful to Amanda for the opportunity to start my own practice and I now look forward to working at the original White House on East Street and welcoming all our clients.” Jen offers a highly effective and gentle treatment for acute and chronic conditions from back, neck and joint pain to chronic fatigue, migraine, asthma and much more. Bowen Technique is a gentle hands-on, non invasive technique suitable for men women and children of all ages and levels of fitness. For more information see her website at: www.jenwebsterbowen.com l The White House, The White House 2 East Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3JS l Anna McDonald Bridal Gallery & Anna McDonald Curve Couture, 24 Upper High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3EX Tel: 01844 269078 / Mobile: 07787 574206 Web: www.anna-mcdonald.com

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Health & Fitness

Column: Fitness Focus with John Holman

A knotty problem indeed!

he term or expression ‘tension knot’ or ‘knotty muscles’ has become a very common way of expressing discomfort, pain or restriction of a joint (especially the neck, head and shoulders). I call this a ‘catch all term’ as it attempts to describe something that someone is feeling. Our clients can describe what they are feeling in any way that they choose and that is perfectly fine by all of us! At Massage Matters in Thame our therapists are trained to high levels of knowledge, skill and understanding and this approach has revealed a number of common misunderstandings of the facts and the science relating to massage and our bodies. In particular one of the all-time greats in terms of misunderstandings is the idea of ‘tension knots’ or ‘knotty muscles’. You have around 600 identifiable muscles in the average adult and this equates to around 40% of your total body weight. Muscles carry out many

Anna of Massage Matters works on a client’s leg functions within the human body but a primary one is to move joints. Muscles never push anything though, they just pull things. If you visualise a length of hemp rope you will note that it is made up of millions of fibres all twisted together to form its length, this,

without getting too technical, is pretty similar to the way muscles look. Muscles generally come from some part of the body and go to some other part of the body and these points are called ‘the origin’ and ‘the insertion’ respectively. In order to carry out its primary function a muscle needs to be attached at both ends. Now once again visualise the hemp rope mentioned earlier and perhaps even pretend to hold it in front of you between your two hands say 8-10 inches apart, your left hand represents the origin and your right the insertion. Try it - it is fun! Now try and put a knot in your imaginary rope! To put a knot in anything you are going to need a loose end with which to tie it. If you have muscles that are not attached at both ends then you need the assistance of a surgeon and not of a massage therapist! Believe me, there is no such thing as a knot in a muscle, however there are many other causes of pain and discomfort which massage from

John Holman Massage Matters

a trained therapist can relieve. Sports injuries, poor posture, referred pain, stress and tension headaches, whatever the problem the first step is to diagnose what is causing your discomfort and then treat it appropriately. You can even experience pain in one part of the body that is caused by a problem somewhere else. For some interesting case studies where we have diagnosed and helped clients with a variety of problems, please see our website and if you are suffering yourself, please get in touch as below. l Massage Matters, North Street, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3TH T: 01844 212022 E: hello@massagematters.clinic W: www.massagematters.clinic

‘Movement for every body’ Welcoming, modern studio offering small group yoga & pilates classes, for all ages & abilities, in friendly, relaxing, professional environment Cross Keys House, New Road, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 0LF Tel: 07793 387272 Email: enquiry@evolvepilatesphysio.co.uk Website: www.evolvehealthwellbeing.co.uk

For all your beauty needs Unit 5, Layby Farm, Stoke Mandeville Buckinghamshire HP22 5XJ 07771 330366 laura.gilbey@hiddenbeautyaylesbury.co.uk www.hiddenbeautyaylesbury.co.uk

Thame Therapy Clinic Stretch & Roll is a fun workout that leaves you feeling challenged, refreshed and inspired. It involves using a Foam Roller, a wonderful tool for improving core strength, stability and balance. Thursdays: 6.15-7pm at the Thame Barns Centre. £6 per class. Foam rolling massages away muscle soreness, loosens tension and prepares your body for deeper stretching. It improves Postural Alignment, Balance Control and Core Stability, increases Flexibility, decreases Stress Levels and can aid Weight Loss.

For a Free Trial contact Polly Wright: Email: pollywrightfitness@gmail.com or Tel: 07475 753004 For more information see: www.pollywrightfitness.co.uk 26

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Complementary Health Therapies from Experienced Practitioners 23 Upper High Street, Thame, OX9 3EX Tel: 01844 215555

www.thametherapyclinic.co.uk

Column: ‘Kiss & tell’ with Tracy Kiss

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Anything is possible!

ive months ago I set myself the task of learning something new this year. At the start of 2016 I felt that sudden ‘New year new me’ buzz to step out of my comfort zone and try something different, so I signed up for a home study course to become a level 2 Gym Instructor and completed it in just three weeks from start to finish. I was amazed at how much fun it was and how I thrived on studying again, so I figured I’d take it up a notch and sit my level 3 exam to become a Personal Trainer. A few days ago I passed that too. Completing this course around raising my two children has been incredibly challenging, uplifting and motivational, yet it’s slotted into my ethos and love for life perfectly. I was never any good at P.E. as a child. I was shy, awkward, clumsy and did everything in my power to avoid sports at school because I was always picked last or left on the bench entirely. Now here I am at the age of 28, a newly qualified

to cure everybody I see, whether they are suffering from postural misalignment, indigestion, or tiredness and bloating! With my new found skills my next project is something I feel incredibly passionate about - I will be creating a home workout for mothers with young children. With two little ones of my own I know how difficult it can be to find childcare if you wish to go to the gym outside of school hours. So working out at home is the only way to trim up after a few too many treats. I’m devising a workout Tracy keeps cool while working out programme to target stubborn at home during our recent heatwave post-pregnancy weight loss, tone up loose skin and build core stability Personal Trainer and loving and muscle whilst implementing everything fitness related - who’d manageable lifestyle changes to have thought it! The course also covered anatomy, keep the weight off for good. It’ll enable our wonderful physiology and nutrition for which mothers to carry on being the I scored 93% in my test papers, superhero’s they are, without and now, with my renewed and in forgetting they are women too. depth understanding of the human We all deserve to feel comfortable body, energy systems, nutrition in our own skin, look good, have and functionality, I feel inspired

Kate Walker

Mobile Chiropodist BSc (Hons) Hcpc Registered

General Foot Care l Verruca Treatment l Ingrowing Nails l Biomechanics l

Tel: 078875 51591

Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Tracy Kiss

Kiss & tell bags of energy and ditch the body hangups and voices buzzing in our head that tell us we’re not good enough; if I can do it then so can you! For further information about my new workout programme look out for: www.tracykiss.com coming summer 2016! l Read Tracy’s blog at: www.tracykiss.com or follow her on: Twitter: @misstracykiss or Facebook: /TheTracyKiss

Enjoy the benefits of Meditation Meditation on Tuesday evenings from 7-8.30pm

Take time out to relax and learn how meditation can help you develop more self awareness and mindfulness. Connect with your soul essence and enjoy the many benefits meditation brings to your daily life and well being. Meet and connect with like-minded people. No experience needed. I would love it if you could join us and experience the power of meditation - please contact me, Chrysilla Lewies, on: 07856 432445 if you have any questions, or visit: http://devinetransformation.wix.com/qhht-healing

Charlotte Mobile Hairdresser Reflexology for adults and children Ailments which can benefit from reflexology sessions include:

Headaches and migraines l Stress & anxiety l Digestive problems l Menstrual problems l Tiredness & fatigue l Aches & Pains l

I’m an experienced Reflexologist treating all ages and a wide variety of ailments in my treatment room at Great Kimble. I also work two days a week in Special Need Schools in Buckinghamshire.

Tel: Rebecca Holmes on 07713355428 Email: rebeccaholmes7@gmail.com website:www.chilternhillstherapies.com

Professional Hairdressing for

Everyone All in the comfort of your own home

Over 12 years of salon experience Tel: 07479 939461 www.mobilehairdesign.com charlotte@mobilehairdesign.com • modern cutting techniques • colours (all types) • • colour correction • blow dry • curls & waves • • perms • sets • hair extensions • special occasions • Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

by Cathy Soughton

Churchill’s Toyshop

premises were bombed during air raids, a new base was sought in the country. The Firs, a large Victorian house just off the High Street in Whitchurch was requisitioned and the department was relocated. Its uckinghamshire may seem new location also had the advantage a long way from the action of being close to Chequers, of World War II but Churchill’s country retreat. The the county was not only MD1 officers regularly gave live the base for Britain’s codebreakers demonstrations of their innovations at Bletchley Park but also a little to Winston Churchill at Chequers known site at Whitchurch just north and he occasionally visited The Firs of Aylesbury nicknamed Churchill’s too. “Toyshop”. The R&D work The base became fully operational undertaken there was vital to the in January 1941 and around 250 war effort and was said to have been staff were employed at the site. The the inspiration for the inventor Q main house was used for offices and and his gadgets in the James Bond accommodation whilst outbuildings films. were converted into workshops. Following the outbreak of the Adjacent fields were used as firing war, a secret MoD department ranges and to test large equipment. named MD1 was set up to develop A large number of innovative novel unorthodox weapons in the devices were designed at The Firs, fight against Hitler. Top scientists some very successful, others less were recruited and the department so. Over 50 weapons went into reported directly to Prime Minister production, the most notable being Winston Churchill who was also the limpet mine, the hedgehog, the the newly created Minister of PIAT (portable anti-tank) weapon Defence hence MD1 was soon and the sticky bomb. The limpet dubbed ‘Churchill’s Toyshop’. The mine was a type of naval mine department was originally based attached by divers to a target by in central London, but after the magnets. It was used successfully

Whitchurch

Sir Winston Churchill

to sink or disable a number of enemy ships. The hedgehog was a projector-type weapon that threw 24 small projectiles several hundred feet ahead of the attacking vessel, named after the way the rows of empty spigots resembled the spines of a hedgehog. It was used primarily to keep U-Boats away from merchant vessels on convoy. The sticky bomb was an anti-tank grenade, designed with a sticky residue that was supposed to stick to the target but it was fragile and was prone to disintegrate and worse would sometimes stick to a soldier’s clothing instead. Whilst most locals didn’t know exactly what was going on at The Firs, Whitchurch was nicknamed

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

“bang village” due to all the loud noises that came from there. Security at the site was not always as tight as it should have been though and there are examples of children breaking into the grounds and being able to walk out with explosives! The department was disbanded in 1946 and the site was later used for a while as research laboratories for a steel making company. Some of the grounds were subsequently sold off for housing development although the main buildings are now used as office accommodation. An entertaining book Winston Churchill’s Toyshop: The Inside Story of Military Intelligence (Research) written by Colonel Stuart Macrae, who helped found MD1 and was its second-in-command gives a detailed account of the work undertaken at The Firs whilst a newly published book The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare by Giles Milton also features Churchill’s Toyshop l Cathy Soughton is a professional genealogist and architectural historian providing family history and house history research: Tel: 01296 624845 www.bucksresearch.co.uk Email: soughton@btopenworld.com

Win Ben’s time The Wonder of traveller books Berkofest B B en Molyneux is an Oxford-born writer, artist and photographer who lives in Witney. His debut novel, Arthur Archer and the Time Traveller’s Chronicles (Janus) tells of teenage sister and brother Emily and Arthur, who travel through a time portal and find themselves in the midst of the English Civil War. The sequel: Arthur Archer and the Warrior Queen (Oxfordshire Project Publishing), is set in the year AD 41 when Arthur stumbles out of the time portal into the midst of a violent fight and almost loses his life. He is rescued by the druid Omrad, but his sister, Emily, is enslaved by Romans, and Arthur becomes deeply and irrevocably involved in the historic events of the day. From the moment he meets the beautiful young warrior princess, Boudicca, history is altered - only time will tell how much. Can he find Emily and repair the damage he has done? And what does the wily Druid know that he’s not saying? He speaks

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

of Arthur’s destiny, of helping him, but there is something hidden. What is it Omrad really sees in the stars... Ben’s books are available to purchase or download on Amazon. If you’d like the chance to win a copy of each in paperback form, simply email your name, address and telephone number along with the answer to the following question, to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Which time-travelling brother and sister feature in Ben’s books? Winner to be drawn at random from correct entries and notified by email by Sept 4th, 2016. l www.amazon.co.uk

erkofest, the boutique family-friendly music festival returns for a fourth year in September with an incredible line up. Set in a natural amphitheatre of the Chilterns at Berkhamsted, the event showcases established and emerging talent across three music stages. Festival goers are also treated to the best of local food and drink, plus plenty of entertainment for kids and the young at heart. This year’s event is on Saturday, Sept 10th, at Berkhamsted Cricket Club, near the famous medieval Castle and features James Walsh (Starsailor) with a solo acoustic set, duo Miles Hunt & Erica Nockalls (The Wonder Stuff) who will be performing acoustic tracks from their own albums plus Wonder Stuff material, including those great hits The Size of the Cow and Welcome to the Cheap Seats’ and Republica, who dominated the charts in the Nineties and had a massive world wide hit with Ready to Go.

Republica Broadcaster and stream-ofconsciousness comedian Robin Ince is back by popular demand as compere, while other acts include the bold and brassy Hackney Colliery Band, singer/songwriter Shane Lamont and exciting emerging talent performing in The Swan Youth Centre and Vee’s New Music Tent. Tickets £18 adults (concs £10), U15-U18 £5, U14s £2.50, U5s free, from www.berkofest.com l Berkofest, Berkhamsted Cricket Club, Castle Hill, Herts, HP4 1HE Web: www.berkofest.com Facebook: /berkofest Twitter: @BerkoFest

Column: Bookworm with Ben Churchill

Fiction Book of the Month: Olive Kitteridge

by Elizabeth Strout Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction Olive struggles to make sense of the changes in her life as she grows older. She is a woman who sees into the hearts of others, discerning their triumphs and tragedies. A vibrant exploration of the human soul in need, Olive Kitteridge will make you laugh, nod in recognition, wince in pain and shed a tear or two. Children’s Book of the Month:

Cogheart

by Peter Bunzl When Lily’s inventor father vanishes, she’s determined to hunt down the truth behind his disappearance, helped by the local clockmaker’s son and her cunning mechanical fox. But shadowy figures are closing in and treachery lurks among the smoky spires of London - along with a life-changing secret. Become swept away by airships and flabbergasted by dastardly plots in one of the best children’s books of the year. This extraordinary

Edward Briscoe MIPW

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Book reviews

and wildly imaginative début has all the making of a perfect book: adventure, mystery, fantasy and daring characters that will stay with you long after the final page. Non-Fiction Book of the Month:

Prisoners of Geography

by Tim Marshall To follow world events you need to understand people, ideas and movements - but if you don’t know geography, you’ll never have the full picture. If you’ve ever wondered why Putin is so obsessed with Crimea, why the USA was destined to become a global superpower, or why China’s power base continues to expand ever outwards, the answers are all here in these ten chapters of a truly original and informing book. Thriller of the Month:

The Good Liar

by Nicolas Searle This is a life told back to front. This is a man who has lied

all his life. What has he had to do to survive a life of lies? And who has to pay the price? This excellent début novel unravels Roy’s past and as we begin to see the characters’ lives unfold, we begin to learn more about the truth. l Reviews by Ben Churchill, Senior Bookseller at Waterstones, Aylesbury Tel: 01296 423153 Web: www.waterstones. com

Pardon my English! A local dialect ‘Call My Bluff’ by Jacot de Boinod Can you guess the right definitions of the following words? 1) Pimmick

3) Bobbish

2) Fannons

3) Molly-peart

(Hertfordshire dialect) A) the grown-out shoot of a stored potato B) a fanciful person C) a tree bare of leaves or twigs (Hertfordshire dialect)

A) traces left by a stag in the underwood he has passed through B) small spots of rain that precede a heavy storm C) short linen sleeves worn by butchers

(Buckinghamshire dialect) A) vigorously; with might and main B) well, in good health C) of a girl: forward, romping (Buckinghamshire dialect) A) impulsively; without deliberation B) lively, pert C) touch and go

l Adam Jacot de Boinod was a researcher for the television series QI and

is the author of The Meaning of Tingo and Other Extraordinary Words from around the World, published by Penguin Books. Having researched our rural dialect, he is setting a fun ‘Call-My-Bluff Quiz for Vale Life readers - mind your language now...

ANSWERS: 1B) a fanciful person 2C) short linen sleeves worn by butchers 3B) well, in good health 4B) lively, pert

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Bucks University Technical College (Bucks UTC) is the impressive £10m state-of-the-art facility, located behind Aylesbury College, on Oxford Road, Aylesbury. It’s an exciting new school for GCSE and Sixth-Form Students wishing to pursue specialist courses in Construction or Computing...

TCs are a new concept in education - a response to industry’s growing demand for well-educated, high-calibre

employees. Bucks UTC, at Aylesbury, offers 14-19 year olds the opportunity to integrate national curriculum requirements with technical and practical elements, on highly regarded, full time, technical, hands-on, employer-led courses, specialising in either Construction or Computing. So alongside standard core curriculum subjects, students study technical qualifications supporting their Computing or Construction specialism. At the end of their studies, they are armed with a strong set of both academic and technical exam results, which gives them a real advantage as they step out into the world of work, or further education. Bucks UTC brings together Bucks New University, Aylesbury College and major local employers: Taylor Wimpey, Cisco and Intel as sponsors in equal partnership. They help form the College’s curriculum and ensure Bucks UTC students gain the right skills and motivational, work-related learning experience, to improve their employability within the Construction and Computing sectors. These sponsors provide funding and materials, whilst sponsors and more than 30 local partners, including: AVDC, Grant & Stone, Network Rail, Wates, smartcomm, Sytel

Computing student at work

Bucks UTC students learn practical skills alongside academic work and more, offer a range of opportunities, including: work placements, work experience, internships, site visits, employer-led projects (as part of their study), community projects, site/workplace visits and lectures from industry experts. Network Rail, in particular has recently given some brilliant lectures and site visits. Thus Bucks UTC students gain valuable exposure to industry and employers, through work experience, projects and placements and so are more used to and more ready for the working world, than those from a regular school background might be. Students will have a good understanding of their specialism and the career opportunities available and know what is expected of them out in the working world. Bucks UTC’s spacious, airy, purposebuilt facilities flow with natural light and are packed with industry-essential equipment and technology, providing an inspiring environment, where students learn to work in a team and develop presentation skills and time management skills - all the things employers are looking for. By the time they leave, students will be ready for work,

Applications for Year 12 places are being accepted now for September 2016 Level 2, Fundamentals Diploma + Retakes: This diploma is worth the equivalent of up to two GCSEs and teaches you the essentials of your chosen specialism whilst providing you with the chance to fulfil any GCSE English or Mathematics retakes. Entry Requirements: By Interview. Level 3, Extended Diploma: This diploma is worth the equivalent of three A-Levels and provides students with an immersive two years of study complete with employer and community-led projects, placements, work experience, site visits and lectures which typically leads into full-time employment or University studies. Entry Requirements: 5 GCSEs at C-grade or above, including English and Mathematics.

an apprenticeship, or university and their employability will have been much enhanced. Bucks UTC principal Tony Withell is originally from Sunderland and came to

IT • Video-Game Design • IT • App & Website Design • IT • Programming • IT • Network Design & Maintenance • IT • Software & Hardware Support • IT • Use of Social Media & Business-Related A Construction • Construction Techniques • Construction • Hands-on with tools & practical work for all trades • Construction • Materials & Applications • Construction • Sustainability • Construction • Heritage Construction •

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

An Invitation for Students Receiving their GCSE Results

Completed your GCSEs but unsure of your next steps? How about a career in Computing or Construction? Bucks UTC provides specialist, employerled courses for Level 2 and 3 entry in Computing and Construction. If this is something that interests you, you are welcome to attend one of the college’s Post-Results Enrolment Days for some advice, or to talk about the possibility of joining Bucks UTC in September 2016.

Post-Results Enrolment Days Call 01296 388459 to book an appointment or drop in between 9am & 4pm on any of the following days:

- Thursday 25th August - Friday 26th August - Tuesday 30th August - Wednesday 31st August - Thursday 1st September - Friday 2nd September

www.bucksutc.co.uk | 01296 388459 | Bucks UTC, Oxford Road, Aylesbury, HP21 8PB

GCSE students spend two thirds of their Aylesbury, earlier this year, via headships in time on core curriculum subjects, but must be Hoddesdon and at Wooton Upper School in Bedfordshire. He is highly experienced having interested in construction or computing, as worked in education for nearly 40 years and as they will be spending a third of their time on their chosen speciality. Meanwhile a secondary school head for the Sixth Form students devote last 24 years. nearly 100% of their time to their “I’ve always been attracted specialist subjects. by the UTC idea,” says Tony. “There’s a phenomenal range “I think the job of education of careers available working in is to offer different avenues construction for someone like for students, not just a purely Taylor Wimpey. It’s not just about academic one and that’s what the trades such as bricklaying and UTCs do. At Bucks UTC there carpentry, there’s everything from was a chance to come in and Civil Engineering to Planning and help develop the college, to make Tony Withell Project Management to Design things stronger and I’m really and Sustainability. Similarly with pleased with the way things are going so far. Computing we have an impressive range of “We know that the students’ results will, local companies offering exciting opportunities as last year, be significantly above national at the cutting edge of the industry and we averages for technical colleges and this speaks have the staff who can pass on the kind of volumes for the breadth and quality of the specialist knowledge that gives our students a teaching and learning in our specialist areas. head start. The results also reflect the attitude of our “If you are interested in finding out more, students - their commitment to completing their specialist courses to the very best of their ability is a major strength of the College. “We have student numbers increasing, results on the up, ongoing investment in staff development and an increasing range of workrelated activities and learning for students. “The College has a strong reputation regarding its diploma and extended diploma courses in Construction and Computing in the Sixth Form and we have a phenomenal list of companies that work with us. “We are being careful to monitor our students’ progress and to keep their families informed and involved in their performance. We’re tackling learning in a professional manner and want our students to be more literate, to be more confident and to be able to communicate more rationally. “Students don’t just go straight into industry Construction student learning bricklaying skills from here, they may well go on to university.

I’d encourage you to come and see us, have a tour and a chat and discover what goes on here and what we can do for you.” If your child is aged between 14 and 19 and interested in Construction or Computing, why not find out more about Bucks UTC and the opportunities to gain the right skills and motivational, work-related learning experience to improve their employability, while studying for GCSEs or in the Sixth Form? For more information about Bucks UTC or to find out about upcoming events, drop-in or taster sessions, see their website at: www.buckinghamshireutc.co.uk Call: 01296 388459 to make an appointment, or see the panel above for drop-in dates. l Buckinghamshire University Technical College (Bucks UTC), Oxford Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 8PB Telephone: 01296 388688 Email: reception@buckinghamshireutc.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @bucksutc Like us on Facebook: Bucks UTC

Applications • IT • CISCO Essentials, CISCO CCNA & CCNP • IT • Microsoft Technical Associate (and higher) Qualifications • IT • 3D Modelling • IT • Video-Game Design • IT • App & Website Design • Construction • Project Management • Construction • Planning & Design • Construction • Science in Construction • Construction • Using IT in Construction • Construction • Civil Engineering • Construction • Health & Safe Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Step inside by Polly Gibbs

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

lub Tropicana

How To Bring That Holiday Feeling Home

John Lewis: Palm Table

Summer’s Here! The British summer has been unsettled but the High Street is buzzing with tropical prints and Rio inspired colours. Whip up a riot of accents in lush botanical greens for a tropical oasis vibe...

xpress the more relaxed, fun ‘you’ this summer with the essence of that holiday feeling right here at home. Imagine lying on a beach bathing in the sunshine with your favourite book, surrounded by swaying palms vivid flora and turquoise skies. From jungle fabrics and carnival colours to palm tree accessories and bistro lights, strung indoors as well as out; embrace the daring clashes found in tropical sunsets by using bold blocks rather than tiny details to make that instant statement. That’s the look.

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Home to pattern overload, House of Hackney (HOH) have lots of inspo, but I’ve picked out their Ananas Pineapple Lamp (£425) with Daley Lampshade in White/Azura (£125) to style with Cole & Son’s Palm jungle wallpaper for a simple layered effect. (Contemporary Restyled, Palm Jungle 95/1003 £82 per 10m roll by Cole & Son) Another gem is this Miami wallpaper by Cole & Son. Granted, it’s not Rio, but it depicts elegantly tiled terraces, colonnades and pillars against a backdrop of lush tropical vegetation, verdant

Polly Gibbs

Step inside

Polly Gibbs, Creative Director at Coco Design, shares her down to earth approach to interiors, from design secrets to trends and everything in between.

Step inside by Polly Gibbs

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

palms and exotic flora. A mash up that offers an unusual way to inject some colour, opulence and a touch of quirky humour into your home. (Geometric II, Miami 105/4017 £295 per 10m roll. Cole & Son). To temper the visual feast add a block of grained or textured wood furniture (try the Newman Sideboard £899 at John Lewis) and a squidgy Flopster sofa in Spiced Orange (£1495 Loaf.com) ‘Ananas’ Pineapple Lamp: House of Hackney - made from a ‘Clever Velvet’, it’s •Expert Advice spill resistant making it perfect •Professional Palm Jungle wallpaper by Cole & SonFitting for watching the Olympics with a Caipirinha or Cachaca. •Very Competitive Celebrate our medal tally with for Residential and an after party of summer tunes on Commercial work a Crosley Cruiser record player in Crosley Record Player orange (£69.99 Currys) and bursts •Carpets to suit all of saturated rainforest coloured Budgets table accessories like this Palm Table •Free Quotes Runner (£18) with Berry glassware (Main image. From £4. John •No Obligation Lewis). And when the •Free Parking carnival atmosphere peaks, chill out in an area adorned with CARPETS • VINYLS • SISAL • STAIR RODS tropical and textured Continued on page FLOORING 34 SAFETY • WOOD • BINDING TAPES Geometric II, Miami by Cole & Son

Charles Huntington Flooring

Chill Out Zone. Cushions: John Lewis •Expert Advice •Professional Fitting •Very Competitive for Residential and Commercial work •Carpets to suit all Budgets •Free Quotes •No Obligation •Free Parking

Charles Huntington Flooring

Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm Saturday 10am until 4pm. Any other time by appointment

•Expert CARPETS • VINYLSAdvice • SISAL • STAIR RODS SAFETY FLOORING • WOOD • BINDING TAPES

•Professional Fitting Tel: 01296 337181 Mob: 07767370067 •Very Competitive Web: www.charleshuntington.co.uk Tel: 01296 Mob: 07767370067 for337181 Residential and 23 DUCK FARM COURT, STATION WAY, AYLESBURY, HP20 2SQ Web: www.charleshuntington.co.uk Commercial work DUCK FARM COURT, STATIONvinyl, WAY, AYLESBURY, HP20 2SQ WE WILL NOT BE BEATEN ON QUALITY OR SERVICE l Independent, family run carpet l Carpet, sisal, coir, hardwood l Extensive range of23traditional Charles Huntington Flooring to suit all and flooring specialists l Exclusive suppliers of Roger Oates and contemporary flooring •Carpets Charles Huntington Flooring Charles Huntington Flooring WEcan WILL NOT BE BEATENyet ON hard-wearing QUALITY OR SERVICE •Expert Advice Charles Huntington Flooring beautiful runners l Expert fitting service at competitive prices - we Budgets and rugs in our local area l Domestic and commercial match or better your quote •Expert Advice Charles Flooring Providing adviceHuntington and installations •Expert Advice •Expert Advice•Free •Professional Fitting Advice to private customers, professionals and •Professional Fitting Quotes•Expert •Expert AdviceFitting •Professional •Professional Fitting contractors for over 25 years •Professional Fitting •Very Competitive •No Obligation •Professional Fitting for Residential and •Very Competitive •Very Competitive •Very Competitive •Very Competitive Extensive experience with Commercial work for Residential and Residential and for Residential•Free and •Very Competitive Parking for thatched, heritage and listed buildings. Commercial work for Residentialwork and Commercial Commercial work E

N S TA L • I L

NS • SER

• ST O

Charles Huntington Flooring

Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm Saturday 10am until 4pm. Any other time by appointment

G • GU

for Residential •Carpets to suit and all Commercial work •Carpets to suit all Budgets Opening Times: Monday to Friday •10am 5pm CARPETS VINYLSuntil • SISAL • STAIR RODS CARPETS • VINYLS • SISAL • STAIR RODS CARPETS Saturday • VINYLS • SISAL • STAIR RODS CARPETS • VINYLS SISAL • Any STAIRother RODS SAFETY FLOORING • WOOD • BINDING TAPES until•RODS 4pm. time•Free by appointment CARPETS • VINYLS • 10am SISAL & • STAIR SAFETY FLOORING • WOODQuotes • BINDING TAPES Stoves, Installations Servicing SAFETY FLOORING • WOOD • BINDING TAPES SAFETY FLOORING • WOOD • BINDING TAPES SAFETY FLOORINGTel: • WOOD • BINDING TAPES Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm 01296 337181 Mob: 07767370067 Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm •No Obligation Saturday 10am until 4pm. Any other time by appointment Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10aminfo@northmillstoves.co.uk until 5pm Opening Times: MondayBucks to Friday until 5pm North Mill Road Bledlow HP2710am 9QP 01844 342400 www.northmillstoves.co.uk Saturday 10am until 4pm. Any other time by appointment Web: www.charleshuntington.co.uk Saturday 4pm. Any by appointment Saturday until time 4pm. Any other time Tel: by appointment 07767370067 Saturday10am 10amuntil until 4pm.10am Any other other time by appointment Tel:01296 01296 337181 337181 Mob: Mob: 07767370067 Tel: 337181 Mob:337181 07767370067 Tel: 01296 Mob: 07767370067 Web: •FreeHP20 Parking Tel:01296 0129623 337181 Web:www.charleshuntington.co.uk www.charleshuntington.co.uk DUCK Mob: FARM07767370067 COURT, STATION WAY, AYLESBURY, 2SQ Unrivalled customer service through the commitment of our family team.

Commercial work •Carpets Budgetsto suit all •Carpets to suit all •Carpets to suit all Budgets •Carpets to suit all Budgets Budgets •Free Quotes CARPETS • VINYLS • SISAL • STAIR RODS Budgets Oxfordshire • Buckinghamshire • •Free Quotes •Free Quotes •Free Quotes •No Obligation Hertfordshire • Berkshire • and beyond •Free Quotes •No SAFETY FLOORING • •No WOOD • BINDING TAPES •No Obligation Obligation •FreeObligation Parking •No Obligation •Free Parking Contact us to book your free home THE BEST IN home •Free Parking •Free Parking survey or to visit our showroom to see •Free Parking the stoves in action.

comforts Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Step inside by Polly Gibbs

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Continued from page 33 garden cushions (Parrots Cushion £35, Woven Stripe £25, Hessian Pompom Cushion £30. John Lewis). If you prefer light and airy combine this breezy traveller look by Design Vintage, which includes a Faux Monstera stem (£17.50), Dark Zinc Console (£645), Herbarium Picture (£58.50) and terracotta pots (from £12), with swathes of this gorgeous fabric by Timorous Beasties (Topical Tropical fabric. £135.00 per metre). Whether your travels inspire timeless effortless chic, or vibrant colour popping interiors, the aim is to live in spaces that make us come alive, like a great hotel or beach cafe. Banish drab and I promise the benefits of amazing interiors can be transformative lifting our spirits whatever the weather. Sources

www.timorousbeasties.com www.cole-and-son.com www.designvintage.co.uk

Design Vintage

Topical Tropical: Timorous Beasties www.johnlewis.com www.loaf.com www.houseofhackney.com

l Polly Gibbs is an award-winning designer, Decorex100 Interiors Influencer and Amara Interiors

Blog Award Finalist. Her website is currently undergoing a revamp. Email: pauline@coco-design.co.uk

Your style, your kitchen, designed by us

Flooring

Lifetime Guarantee* Free Design & Measure Service Up to 50% off selected granite worktops* *T&Cs apply Tel: 01844 261768 www.stoneworldkitchens.co.uk STONEWORLD KITCHENS, 43A Upper High Street, Thame, OX9 2DW 34

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

‘Mark’s attention to details, such as the plate rack and bespoke drawer dividers, make everything a pleasure to look at and use.’ Unit 23, Kemps Farm, Chapel Road, Ford, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8XG Tel: 01296 658660 Mob: 07754 409203 Email: mark@ markwilliamsonfurniture.com Website: www.markwilliamsonfurniture.com

Your only difficulty will be in deciding just which stone to choose… Leading independent supplier of high quality Natural and Composite Stone with new showroom and workshop in Grendon Underwood. Stone experts with more than thirty years experience. Internal and external Stone Flooring including: limestone, marble, sandstone, slate, terracotta & travertine, porcelain & ceramic tiles and mosaics plus contemporary alternatives such as wood effect porcelain ‘boards’, patterned tiles and digitally printed & glazed porcelain tiles.

Cost price end of line stock clearance sale - Aug/Sept!

Bespoke service, specialist knowledge, extensive contacts. Stone renovation service.

Visit our showroom & workshop, open Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm at: Unit 2 & 3, Lawn Farm Business Centre, Grendon Underwood, Nr Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0QX T: 01296 770859 E: showroom@hardrockflooring.co.uk W: www.hardrockflooring.co.uk 36

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

A Northampton firm has opened its first new store in 120 years. It was worth the wait though for Bell at Thame is a rather stylish edition to the town’s High Street, a modern kitchen studio displaying the coolest contemporary kitchens in a beautifully refurbished heritage setting...

blett Bell first opened his Ironmongers Shop on December 16th, 1898 at the top of Gold Street, Northampton. In 1900 he was joined by the brothers Frank and Harry Jelley, forming a two-family partnership which has flourished for more than 100 years. As well as ironmongery, the new partnership also supplied kitchen ranges, and introduced a new type of open fire and later Bell’s own cooking ranges and heating stoves. With the professionalism, innovation and attention inspired by their founder underpinning the business, success and expansion continued and today Bell is a celebrated specialist in luxury home interiors, collaborating with some of the best companies in the interiors market to offer a complete service under one roof, from lighting to cookware to interior design - just see their website at: www.abell.co.uk for full details of their activities. The company has now opened a new showroom on Thame High Street. Much smaller than their Northampton base it is a dedicated Kitchen Studio offering customers the opportunity to explore expertly fitted, modern SieMatic kitchens from their Pure, Urban and Classic ranges, set against the backdrop of a stunning Grade II listed building. It’s an impressive combination of contemporary style and luxurious design and for those familiar with the building’s previous incarnation as an off licence, an incredible TARDIS like transformation! The studio is being run by experienced

Dian Parker kitchen designer and manager Dian Parker, a friendly, knowledgeable and smiley lady who is ready to assist customers in planning their projects to utilise every inch of space. As you can see, in the beamed and ancient, characterful and crooked, Thame studio interiors, the SieMatic furniture ranges are able to embrace architectural quirks and offer bespoke customisation, providing ample storage without stifling the character of your home. And it is interesting to see how well the modern lines of the SieMatic furniture suit this historic setting too.

Dian has some 20 years experience in the kitchen industry and a background in art and design, so she is full of ideas and inspiration: “We offer a full design service,” says Dian. “I go to the customer’s home to measure up and get a feel for the character and style of the property and the customer’s tastes and requirements. It’s more than just a kitchen plan, it’s a fully personalised, bespoke design service.” A kitchen from Bell is thoughtfully and intelligently designed, in collaboration with the customer, to cater for their every need, allowing the workspace to seamlessly

transition from cooking hub to party zone to chilled-out family dining space, as they desire. A particularly impressive feature of Bell’s design service is a kind of ‘virtual reality’ plan - a link for your tablet or laptop enables you to stand in your kitchen and see a 3D version of the new design in position on the screen as you pan around the room, so you can get an idea of exactly how it’s going to look in situ! SieMatic are one of the top German kitchen manufacturers and to complement their range Bell have some spectacular appliances from Miele and Neff. There are working products from both brands on display so customers can make an informed decision by running through the settings with Dian and getting a feel for the quality and design. “We are already planning some cooking demonstrations and events,” says Dian, “at which our talented Miele chefs and home economists will pass on tips and create delicious samples to try.” Bell can supply and fit your new kitchen from units and worktops to floor and wall tiles, radiators, lighting, appliances and accessories. If you are looking for a new kitchen and would like to see the Thame studio and meet Dian to discuss what you are looking for and how Bell at Thame might help, pop in between 10am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday or give her a call and arrange an appointment. l Bell of Thame, 94 High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3HJ Tel: 01844 214041 Email: dian.parker@abell.co.uk Web: www.abell.co.uk Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Be bold go retro Vale Life : Aug Sept 2016

Real Living

by Charlotte Bolton

Love colourful décor? Have fun and brighten up your home by adding a splash of retro cool with these vintage-inspired buys…

Real Living

Charlotte Bolton

ot some spare time over the summer holidays? Whether you’re looking to revamp an entire room or simply add a few finishing touches, take a look at these retroinspired products to add colour and character to any room scheme. Retro styling has made a big comeback this year, so have fun creating this look!.

Bush Classic Retro Dab Radio Cornflower Blue, £49.99

Retro/Vintage style sitting room

Mid Century Poppy Canisters, £12.95 a set, dotcomgiftshop

Style Secrets Follow these top tips for working a retro look into your home.

Pastel blue knitted cotton pouffe, £29.99. www.homescapes.co.uk

Mix and match Be bold with colour combos when it comes to decorating and don’t shy away from punchy shades such as lime green, orange Continued on page 42

746 phone in red, £49.95, Wild & Wolf

Delilah Occasional chair, £74.99, my furniture 38

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Vintage 70s fabric pink purple flowery cushion cover £21.99, www.retro68.co,.uk

HOME ACCESSORIES AND GIFTS 55 NORTH STREET THAME Shop open: Tues-Wed-Fri 9.30-4.30 Thurs 9.30-5.30, Sat 10-4 Join mailing list for special offers and discount www.tillynilly.com/store

01844 220035 info@tillynilly.com

At home with our stone

Flooring

Pool copings

Paving

● Unbeatable Choice ● Unbeatable Quality ● Unbeatable Prices Free Lifetime Guarantee* ● Free Local Delivery *T&Cs apply

Call today to book your free consultation with our stone experts Tel: 01844 279274 www.stoneworld.co.uk Stoneworld, Views Farm, Great Milton, OX44 7NW

Torres Armchair & Palm Table Lamp, both Rockett St George

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Continued from page 40 or purple. If you prefer a more pared-back interior, keep your walls and large furniture neutral, then accessorise with pops of bright hues. Prints charming Retro style is all about combining patterns and prints to make them work together. Whether you go for floral or geometrics, get creative with pattern and let your choices reflect your personality.

Maxwell Sideboard, £319, Harveys

Real Living

by Charlotte Bolton

Colour Sputnik clock, £38, Next

Vintage finds To achieve an authentic retro feel, hunt around for old pieces at car boot sales and antique fairs as well as on websites like ebay and gumtree etc. Retro resourcing For historical know how on how to achieve the look try: www.retrowow.co.uk. www.yayretro.co.uk for crockery/ glassware/home accessories. Visit: www.retrospectiveinteriors. com for fab furniture. l To find out how your home could be featured in a UK homes magazine visit my website: www.reallivingspaces.co.uk. Share your home interior ideas with others in a magazine! It’s fun, and free!

Superfresco Easy Trippy Wallpaper £19 pe roll www.very.co.uk

TRADE IN YOUR OLD COOKER FOR A NEW, MORE FLEXIBLE AGA MODEL*

Visit AGA Thame for more information on our Trade in offer or book a demonstration to see our new flexible models in action. Upcoming AGA Events: Thame Food Festival 24th September | FREE to attend Sarah Whitaker Spices Things Up! 15th October | £15 per ticket Bonfire Treats 5th November | FREE to attend Countdown to Christmas 26th November | FREE to attend Christmas Open Day 17th December | FREE to attend *T&Cs apply.

Order by 31st August and we’ll guarantee installation before the clocks go back*. AGA Thame, 10 Upper High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3ER T: 01844 214214 | M: 07901 220102 | thame@aga-web.co.uk | agaliving.com 40

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

There’s not much Darren Wren doesn’t know about timber - he’s been in the industry since 1996 and at his new Thame store you can benefit from good advice as well as great products...

arren Wren was born and bred in Oakley and has spent the last 20 years in the timber business. He started at the local saw mill in Brill aged 18 and worked his way up from yard hand to office sales, learning all the way. Eight years later, in 2004, he left to set up his own timber flooring and furniture company, with a friend, and enjoyed a decade of success. A desire to run his own company and work closer to home and family, now finds him launching a new business in Thame’s Buttermarket, only a few doors from his family’s butchers shop (Wren’s). Darren is a friendly, knowledgeable chap and at Oakley Wood Timber his small but stylish showroom has been cleverly fitted with space saving display units that show off a surprisingly large range of products. There’s doors; floors - engineered or solid wood, laminates and vinyl/karndean; worktops and accessories - a range of excellent quality, competitively priced products offering great value. “You may find cheaper in a DIY store,” he says, “but it won’t be as good quality and the service here is much better!” It’s easy to see why Darren specialises in real wood - he just loves the stuff! The showroom itself is floored in gorgeous engineered oak boards and his real oak floors start from just £19.95m2 +Vat.. “Natural oak is beautiful and full of character and it’s very hard-wearing,” says Darren. “If you get a mark on it you can sand it. It’s very versatile. Every piece is different and you get natural variation in the shade, knots and patterns, which gives a unique character to your floor. His prime grade floors offer greater uniformity and very few knots for a more contemporary look. “It can be dangerous buying flooring online from a small sample piece as with real wood there will be quite a variation in the actual product you are supplied with, but that’s the

Darren Wren beauty of it. “If you’re after a floor for a wet room or bathroom though your best options are laminates or vinyl/karndean floors. “When I heard the old jewellers shop was available I thought it would be ideal for me. There’s enough room to display my most popular floor and door samples and the rest are viewable on the website. “I’ve had large showrooms before and customers can get a bit lost! At Oakley Wood Timber I am offering a more personal handson service. I have years of experience and can provide help and advice in choosing the right wood for any particular project. I don’t do the hard sell, I’m happy for people to look round and I’m here to answer any questions or give advice as required. I’m open to trade enquiries too. “Furniture is only available from the website at the moment but if customers wish to come in and ask about anything they have seen, they are welcome to. There’s more than 1,000 products on my timber website and some 1,500 items on the furniture site.”

In addition to the flooring Darren offers worktops in 12 types of wood, from American Black Walnut to European Oak, Beech, Iroko, Wenge, Ash, Sapele, Cherry, Zebrano and Maple. He also supplies a range of internal and external doors, in traditional and modern styles. Again the website shows the full range while the more popular designs are displayed in store. There’s Oak, Walnut, Pine and painted hardwood. “We specialise in oak,” says Darren, “and have a lot of different styles, grades and textures. We have a variety of set sizes which can be trimmed to fit if needed or we offer a bespoke service and make doors to order. We also have all the architraves, door linings, skirting boards, handles etc while for flooring we do the underlays and glues. “We have external hardwood doors from about £150 then it’s around £200 to fit and about £100 for all the ironmongery, handle, letterbox etc. We can also offer a full fitting service if needed using our experienced local carpenters. Darren also offers quality wood furniture, imported from around the world. From dressers to dining tables, hall tables, blanket boxes, children’s furniture... all can be seen on his website. There’s some 1500 products but Darren has cleverly added filter options so you can search for specific items and sizes are clearly displayed. “I’m proud of the furniture selection, it is well designed, well made, good quality and great value, pre-assembled, not flat-packed. There’s something to suit all budgets too. I’d like to open a local furniture store one day, but for now the one shop is enough!”

l Oakley Wood Timber, 18 Buttermarket, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 3EP Tel: 01844 217075 Email: sales@oakleywoodtimber.co.uk Web: www.oakleywoodtimber.co.uk www.oakleywoodfurniture.co.uk Open Mon-Sat: 9.30am-5pm, Sun 10am-2pm

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Most home owners want their humble abode to look its best inside and out and when it comes to selling, a little kerb appeal can help you get the best price for your property. ‘But what do you do if your front garden is rapidly collapsing into the street?’ says Vale Life editor Charlie...

e’ve lived in our current home for some 13 years and for much of that time have been fighting a losing battle with the

front garden! The house is in a raised position, on a corner plot, in a quiet modern cul-de-sac and whereas most of the neighbours have a neat patch of flat lawn and a drive out front, we have a drive to the side and steps and flowerbeds sloping to the front. Some years before we moved in this had been landscaped but not in a particularly robust way, so over the years it has gradually collapsed. The front steps have been falling apart since a particularly cold winter cracked the concrete, a few years ago and the boards and posts that were holding back the upper terrace have rotted away. There was a fair bit of planting in the beds, mostly shrubs and lavender but a lot of it had got too big and the whole thing was looking very scruffy. We didn’t particularly need to change the design, as the layout works well, but it all needed redoing properly, perhaps with the addition of some extra paving for car parking to the side as with two grown up children we are a four car family! Not having a massive budget I had a chat with Warren at Chiltern View Supplies and he gave me a tour of their landscaping section at Chiltern View Nursery on the Wendover Road between Aylesbury and Wendover. They have one of the largest displays of paving samples for Bradstone, Brett and Marshall products, plus Ethan Mason Natural Stone and a good selection of aggregates and gravels by Kelkay too. The Marshall and Bradstone brochures were particularly inspiring and we were able to pick out some combinations of paving blocks and slabs which we thought looked good together and get a rough idea of cost. Dealing with Chiltern View has the added bonus that you can check out some great value plants at the same time and plan your planting regime for when the landscaping has been completed. We wanted the job done professionally, and to look good and to last, so I contacted

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

The overflow parking area was a bit of a state

Haydon Hill paving and Nathan Iqbal came to survey the site. He explained that to do a proper job meant digging out and creating a solid base, especially where the car parking was to be. They would put in hardcore and aggregate, ensure there was adequate drainage, build new brick steps to the front door, cement in concrete edging strips to act as a retainers for the upper level and then put membrane down, level it up and finish with block paving and loose pebbles as per our design. It was a lot of work but amazingly would only take a few days as the firm employs a large team of incredibly hard working and skilled labourers and plenty of labour-saving machinery too! For the block paving we chose Bradstone’s Woburn Rumbled Brindle Blocks, a cobble style block with a weathered appearance and attractive mottled brick effect with traditional rumbled finish and rounded edges, while Bradstone graphite kerb stones were laid around the lower edge of the flower beds to stop soil spilling onto the pavement. The brick steps would be topped with Bradstone’s rather striking natural Black Limestone paving slabs, which not only look amazing but are strong, durable and hard wearing. To the sides of the steps are areas of

HH waste no time in clearing the site!

chunky Kelkay Scottish Tweed pebbles. The Haydon Hill team did an amazing job as the pictures here show and took just three days to complete the project! Following the transformation we bought some lavender, which thrives here as it’s a dry sunny spot and some geraniums plus a couple of large terracotta pots to add some colour around the front door. We’re very pleased with the outcome, as are the neighbours and we found being able to see such a large selection of paving and plants at Chiltern View really helped in deciding which materials would work best for us. Here the pictures tell the story - from an overgrown mess to a smart new frontage in just three days - amazing! Thanks Chiltern View and Haydon Hill - great job guys! l Chiltern View Supplies / Chiltern View Nursery, Wendover Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5GX Tel; 01296 613823 Email: sales@chilternviewsupplies.co.uk Web: www.chilternviewsupplies.co.uk Open 7 days: 8am to 5pm l Haydon Hill Paving Ltd, Chiltern View Nursery, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 5GX Office: 01296 613489 Mob: 07853 698168 Email: sales@haydonhillpaving.co.uk Web: www.haydonhillpaving.co.uk

Membrane and hardcore sub base is laid

Edging strips and blocks outline the design

Hardcore is levelled and edging cemented in

The paving blocks and slabs arrive

Beginning to take shape

Blocks are laid on a base of sand

More blocks for the pathway. Soil for beds.

Cutting blocks to fit the manhole cover

Vibrating to compact blocks for solid fit

Pebbled areas are laid, and feature pots added. Front beds are planted.

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016 43

l Column ‘In the Garden’ with

Naomi MacKay

In Brown’s footsteps T

his year, the gardening community has been celebrating the 300th year since the birth of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, arguably the most famous and influential garden and landscape designer in history. And there is plenty to see in our

area. Stowe Landscape Gardens is where it all began. Brown was head gardener at Stowe in Buckinghamshire for 10 years from 1741-51. He also married his wife there - they went on to have nine children. Stowe House

Ha-ha at Stowe One of the temples at Stowe Brown learned his trade at Stowe, before moving on to make his mark on so many of the aristocratic estates across the country. At Stowe he sculpted the Grecian Valley with views out to his parkland, with large temples sitting at the high points, while

naturalising the shapes of the Octagon and Eleven Acre Lakes. A favourite trick of his was the hidden ha-ha – sunken, hidden

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Blenheim Palace walls that allowed livestock to be kept out of the garden while the view remained uninterrupted. It is used to great effect at Stowe (see facing page). There’s so much to see at the gardens, so if you’re visiting, take advantage of the new free tours that are offered to visitors. They take 45-60 minutes and tickets can be picked up at the reception in the visitor centre, Blenheim Palace is a pleasant trip from Aylesbury Vale and the 2,000 acre parkland is as impressive as the Palace itself. Take the new Capability Brown Viewpoints Trail, which features 12 specially chosen views, which represent a classic

Brownian landscape. You can download a map before your arrival, or collect one from the Visitor Centre on the day. Highlights include The Grand Bridge, which was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh to serve as the primary focus in the landscape. It was also designed to act as a viewing platform from which visitors could admire the surroundings. The Cedar trees with horizontal branches are some of Brown’s original Cedars of Lebanon. The spectacular centrepiece view across the lakes is said to be the finest view in England and one of the crowning achievements Continued on page 46

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l Column ‘In the Garden’ with

Continued from page 45 of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown’s landscaping. The main entrance to the Park offers views of the Grand Bridge, lakes, Column of Victory, High Park and of course the Palace. This view so impressed King George III, while visiting Blenheim Palace in 1786, that he remarked: “We have nothing equal to this!” Discover the full trail at: www.blenheimpalace.com A lesser-known Brown creation is the five-acre, octagonal Luton Hoo Walled Garden. Designed for John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, former Prime Minister and an unofficial director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the garden added to his reputation as a botanist and horticulturalist. The garden was adapted to meet the fashions over the years. Heated glasshouses were built towards the end of the 19th century for the production of fruit and flowers - the largest of those surviving today shows the extravagance of the Edwardian period. The garden was productive well into the 20th century, but fell into

Naomi MacKay coming to an end. It may start to get a little cooler in the evenings, but that’s even more of an incentive to get the fire going and keep warm by it, as you cook outside. South Africa is famous for its barbecues - or Braii - and this fabulous piece of South African kit certainly is a barbie with bells on. The MegaMaster is an outdoor kitchen, with double doors, a big workspace and plenty of log storage space. Cook up some grilled meat or even a slow-cooked stew using the ‘Potjies’ - the authentic South African-style cast-iron pots. The MegaMaster doesn’t come cheap – prices start at £996 for the Stand-alone MegaMaster. A Deluxe Built-in MegaMaster is also available. Visit www. outdoorgourmet.co.uk

The MegaMaster barbecue

decline from the 1980s. Now it is the subject of a revival project by a team of volunteers. The Walled Garden is open to the public every Wednesday until 28th September inclusive, from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Entry is £5, and free tours will be available at various times throughout the day.

l Naomi MacKay is a Bucksbased freelance writer and editor who specialises in gardens. She also helps small businesses get their message to potential clients using websites, blogs, social media and more traditional printed products. Email: naomimackay@gmail.com

You can also take a tour of the Victorian Farm Buildings (£3). Refreshments, fruit, vegetables, plants and honey will also be on sale. Enjoy the Braii life! It may be late summer, but don’t think that cooking al fresco is

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Column: Down to business with Philippa Batting

Cool heads and hard work

he dust is still not close to settling on the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, but whether you think we are winners or losers after the vote, the fact is that we are all leavers now. Recrimination is flowing towards half of the country and regret is washing over the other half, but that won’t pay the bills or fill the order books, so our approach to the future needs to be ‘sleeves up, knuckle down’. This is exactly the approach that Buckinghamshire’s business owners and workers have always taken, which is one of the reasons that our county is, and will no doubt continue to be, one of few to deliver a return on investment to the Treasury. Surveys of Buckinghamshire businesses in the years preceding Brexit consistently showed a business community seeking growth. This was particularly evident among small businesses.

Prime Minister Teresa May Growth most often springs from certainty, something that wasn’t in great supply in the days and weeks immediately following the referendum. The country was in political, economic and social limbo, but with a new Prime Minister and a new Department for Business, Energy

and Industrial Strategy, today we at least have a mite more certainty than we had immediately after the vote. While campaigning for the Conservative leadership, Theresa May pledged to create ‘a proper industrial strategy to get the whole economy firing’. While we wait to see exactly what this pledge brings, we need more statements and decisions like this from the government in order to reassure us - and other nations around the world - that the future of UK business will be bright, because right now some businesses are seeing orders disappear, contracts torn up and futures put on hold while European partners and others await the outcome of the next couple of years. The garden of UK business is not overwhelmingly rosy, but nor is it about to wither and die. Much in the same way that Buckinghamshire has long been a major player in UK business, the

Philippa Batting Down to business

UK has long been a major player in global business. Cool heads and hard work will prevail. In the end, you play the hand you’re dealt and work your way towards success. Buckinghamshire’s businesses have always had it in them to achieve growth, leaving the EU does not change that, it merely creates another challenge to understand and overcome. l Philippa Batting is MD of Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF). Based in Saunderton, BBF works to support and facilitate success within the business community and to create a dynamic environment in which local business can flourish. Membership is free - visit: www.bbf.uk.com for more details.

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Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Sourcing the right candidate for a specific vacancy requires skill and experience plus the ability to go beyond a CV and uncover the real person. Dominic Cole, the man behind new Aylesbury firm Cole Recruitment, has not only the skill set but also the attitude to succeed where others might falter, and promises he will not rest until your perfect match is found...

aving broken his back in a building site accident in 2010 and then a year later been diagnosed with cancer, on his 21st birthday, you might forgive Dominic Cole for feeling life was being a tad unfair. You could not meet a more positive, can-do, 24-7 kind of guy though, bubbling with energy and drive and an attitude that no problem is insurmountable if you just put your mind and some effort into it. The print on his office wall displaying the motto ‘Success belongs only to those who are willing to work harder than anyone else’ shows how he likes to live and the kind of effort he is now putting into his new bespoke recruitment service, Cole Recruitment Partners. Originally from Thame and an ex Lord Williams’s pupil, Dominic learnt about sales and client management at CPM and then went on to discover his real passion was recruitment. He worked locally for a couple of national recruitment companies and was soon outperforming his colleagues nationally eventually being headhunted himself! Having spent several years in the industry Dominic felt that there was room for a recruitment company that offered a more personal and bespoke service both to companies with positions to fill and to those looking for new roles. “I love recruitment,” says Dominic, “I enjoy finding the right candidate for a role, I enjoy meeting people and building relationships, discovering the person behind the CV and what they are capable of. Are they really the person they have described themselves to be!? What is it they like about what they do and what role or industry might suit them? Sometimes you can give people options they might not have thought about. Of course it’s also important to understand the needs of your client and the industry they work in, so we listen very carefully to make sure we understand their business and its needs. “It’s matchmaking to an extent and I think that requires a personal approach which the larger recruitment companies don’t always manage. Every job and assignment is unique

some of the most prestigious law firms across the country, so are able to attract the very best legal professionals. Whatever the sector we provide exceptional individuals with the appropriate skills, attitude and approach to suit your business and all will have been interviewed face-to-face and verified by one of our expert consultants before being recommended for interview. “We’re doing a special promotion at the moment which offers new clients who sign up with us before the end of August a discounted rate of only 10% of the annual salary +VAT for life! Terms and conditions apply but you don’t have to have a vacancy right now and it’s not an exclusive arrangement, so well worth getting involved with, in case you need our services at some point in the future.”

Testimonials

Dominic Cole and we can be more flexible in our approach and being a smaller firm with lower overheads, offer exceptional value.” Professionalism, commitment and communication is key at Cole Recrutiment. From the moment you approach them with a vacancy, a dedicated consultant, often Dominic himself, gets to work. You know who is doing the work and will be involved throughout the whole process: “Continuity and communication are vital,” says Dominc. “We pride ourselves on going the extra mile, on providing cost-effective solutions and 24/7 contact.” Cole Recruitment specialises in Office Support; Contact Centres and Customer Service staff; Legal Professionals; and Sales and Marketing staff. “We recruit office workers for a wide range of businesses and organisations nationwide,” says Dominic, “and we place legal staff with

“Dominic is a very hard working individual who prides himself on selecting only the perfect candidate for the required role. This has been a great help to our business and Dominic has successfully filled all of the positions we have put his way with a high candidate success rate. He has taken the time to get to know our business and understands our requirements exactly, meaning we have not had to waste time with people who will not fulfil our needs.” Aimee-Leigh Currie - Call Centre Manager for Indigo Michael Ltd “Dominic is an approachable and supportive recruiter and helped me secure my role at Esri UK. Dominic is very hard working and kept me updated throughout the recruitment process. Many thanks Dominic!” Harriet Gwilt

For more information or to find out how Dominic and Cole Recruitment can help you, give Dominic a call, or checkout his website where you can upload CVs or vacancies online. l Cole Recruitment, Claydon House, 1 Edison Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 8TE M: 07881 341 144 T: 01296 534 538 E: dominic@colerecruitment.co.uk W: www.colerecruitment.co.uk Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

New industrial units sold off plan

he current shortage of freehold industrial units in Buckinghamshire, coupled with a high demand for such premises across the area, has resulted in three industrial / warehouse units in Chesham going under offer at the asking price while still under construction. Units 17, 18 and 19 of the Chess

For sale/ or to let

Business Park are currently being constructed with the date for practical completion being March 2017. The units comprise approximately 3,580 sq ft together with the first floor and each benefits from five on site car parking spaces. Alan Chandler, Director of Chandler Garvey and responsible for their

14 Triangle Business Park Stoke Mandeville/Wendover

Ground and first floor office on the popular Triangle Business Park, just off the A404, between Stoke Mandeville and Wendover. Constructed in 1995 and extended in 2000, the property benefits from: good on-site car parking, kitchenette / break out areas, WCs, landscaping, views over farmland, ceilings and recessed lighting perimeter trunking, suspended POX.

To Let

The Gatehouse, Aylesbury Available from 2,000 to 7,642 sq ft

Newly refurbished offices, located on the ground floor of ‘The Gatehouse’. Accommodation provides high quality air conditioned offices, full access raised floors throughout, excellent on-site parking and pleasant landscaped gardens.

To Let

Joint Agents with Bray Fox Smith.

Sunley House Office Suites, Aylesbury: (from approx 2,000 sq ft)

The 3rd and 4th floor office suites at Sunley House are available on flexible terms. The open plan office space and common areas have/will be refurbished to a high standard. Amenities include: good on site parking and passenger lifts to the four floors. The offices are within

easy walking distance of the town centre and rail and bus stations.

Aylesbury office says: “There is still a strong demand and Chandler Garvey are actively seeking new freehold, and indeed leasehold, industrial instructions in and around Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire to meet this. For further details please contact Alan Chandler on: 07831 372711 or email: ac@chandlergarvey.com

To Let Units 5 & 6 Chiltern Court, Chesham

Available from 2,573 sq ft to 5,146 sq ft

The properties are available as a whole or in part. Chiltern Court is a specialised office scheme developed by Balfour Beatty and London Wiltshire Estates during the early 1990s. These modern offices IT in-situ, partitioned office, benefit from Cat 2 lighting, boardroom, carpeting, four WCs perimeter trunking, and two kitchen areas.

For sale/ Unit C6 Brunel Gate, Aylesbury Approx 6,696.00 sq ft or to let A high bay warehouse located in a prominent position on Brunel Gate. Steel frame construction, 7m eaves height, electronic loading doors, secure site, security shutter, personnel door, first floor offices with Cat 2 lighting, reception area,

kitchen and disabled WC.

To Let

Century Court, Westcott Westcott Venture Park: from 2,050 sq ft

Century Court provides two terraces of new industrial/warehouse units benefitting from portal frame construction, concrete floors, insulated steel wall cladding, insulated roof with 15 roof lights, eaves height 6m to 7.2m, 3 phase electrics, electric roller shutter doors, office and disabled WC accommodation. Yard space is available by separate negotiation.

For these premises Chandler Garvey are joint Agents with LSH and Brown and Lee.

A new perspective on property

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

www.chandlergarvey.com

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

BNI Heritage has a reputation as one of the friendliest networking groups in the area. They also take great pride in recognising and rewarding their members, especially those who give outstanding contributions to the group. Here they focus on two such members, Jeremy Russ and Steve Bridson...

nce again we are delighted to showcase two of our members and the services they offer. First up is Jeremy Russ, owner of Sure2Door Aylesbury & Leighton Buzzard leaflet delivery. Jeremy is one of our original members and in the last year has passed 60 referrals to fellow members, and has been thanked for just under £8000 worth of business. Steve Bridson is the chapter’s Vice President, keeping track of membership and business passed within the group. He runs promotional technology company, 4B4 Ltd;

Jeremy Russ Sure2Door Leaflet Delivery “Sure2Door covers leaflet distribution in Aylesbury, Tring, Leighton Buzzard,

Steve Bridson 4B4 “Established in 2012, 4B4’s main specialist areas are USB branding and copying, CD and

BNI Heritage Aylesbury members meet weekly for a networking breakfast at Aylesbury College specialising in promotional video brochures and bespoke USB branding. In the last 12 months Steve has been thanked for over £16000 worth of business, and passed just shy of 80 referrals to his fellow BNI members.

Here’s how BNI Heritage has worked for both Steve and Jeremy…

Buckingham, and now Thame, and most surrounding villages. All distributors carry GPS trackers; these record the delivery path, which is then sent to clients as proof of delivery for their promotional materials. “We have competitive rates and are pleased to be able to offer free advice to clients to help them avoid some expensive pitfalls when it comes to promoting their business. “I have been a member of BNI Heritage since its inception a few years ago, and I renew each year because not only is the group made up of a great bunch of people, but also because it really works for my business! “I can’t put a price on what having a team

of indirect ‘salesmen’ means for my company – the referrals I receive and the businesses I get to work with mean that BNI is one of my very few marketing tools. “To any new or established businesses thinking about trying networking I’d say ‘come along and see what it’s all about - you can’t decide something isn’t for you if you haven’t tried it for yourself.’”

DVD production, branded powerbanks, and video brochures. “Video Brochures (or Vidipack as we call them) are simply the ‘coolest’ product we’ve ever been involved with. A Vidipack is essentially a 4 page brochure, printed and branded with the company details, and a screen embedded on one of the pages which plays the corporate video. They are completely bespoke, and our clients are able to choose the size of the screen, the number of videos they wish to display and even the functionality of the buttons. “I’ve been a member of Heritage for over a year, and took on the role of Vice President in April. I think referral networking is a

l BNI Heritage Aylesbury Contact: Ross Batting, Tel: 01844 291430 Email: heritageleadership@emaildodo.com Website: www.bni.co.uk

l Sure2Door, Unit 10 (D3) Wingbury Courtyard, Upper Wingbury Farm, Wingrave, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4LW Tel: 01296 752088 Email: jeremy@sure2door.co.uk Web: www.sure2door.co.uk

fantastic way of making business contacts that as a small business you ordinarily would not get the opportunity to speak to. The commitment to meeting on a Wednesday morning can be a little daunting; however I have found the benefits of being a member far outweigh having to get up early one day a week! As well as my fellow members actively seeking out potential opportunities for me, I am building strong personal relationships with professionals that help to provide a support.” l 4B4 Ltd, Unit 36 Midshires House, Smeaton Close, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 8HL Tel: 01296 678 520 Email: steve.bridson@4b4.co.uk Web: www.4b4.co.uk Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Column: Small World with Robyn Bourne

Control your own destiny

t has been big changes all round for me since the last time I wrote this column. No longer am I working for the Federation of Small Businesses but I am now poacher turned game keeper and have set up my own business. I am back to the nitty gritty, the tax returns, website development, the new logo design and, most importantly for me, the mindset of being the ‘business owner’ and in charge of my own destiny. In my previous life I ran my own business for 10 years. I loved it but was entranced by the opportunity that FSB offered to be able to help support SMEs in their journeys. Being there to face the ‘big boys’ for them when government lacked understanding on the impact of their decisions. I loved the job and most of what I got to do. I had some amazing opportunities and have some wonderful contacts from it as well. But there comes a point when the scales tip from like to dislike and this time they couldn’t

Robyn Bourne be tipped back. I found an advert for an amazing job. The General and Commercial Manager at the Academy for Chief Executives. A franchise organisation that provides groups for Chief Executives or Directors to invest in themselves, for the good of their business, via exceptional training and development which they can then take forward into their organisation. I went through the normal interview procedure, and the more I heard, the more I was loving everything about the Academy. What it stood for and its five core values (caring, sharing, creative, curious, challenging), what the role was and the fact that it was also based remotely. I was therefore over the moon when I was called and asked if I would like the job.

Then the twist came… Would I consider taking it on as a contract? My immediate reaction was no, I need the security of a full time role. But then I started thinking: running my own business, being in control of my own destiny, making money for myself, my contract; my terms and it all started to feel even better than it already had done. I truly believe that the way we are working is changing. No longer are people as happy to commute to an office each day, be told what hours to work but want to have a say in their destiny. Employees and employers alike are embracing flexible working with the most forward thinking companies looking outside of the box when it comes to recruiting the best staff for the job. They know that it has to be a two way street for both to be happy.

Small World

So here I sit, Bourne to Organise back up and running, new logo in place. Last day of FSB completed and one amazing contract which really excites me starting on Monday. I’m ready to experience all of the highs and lows that having your own business brings with it, and psychologically feel as though I’m back in control of my destiny. Sit back and enjoy the ride. l Robyn Bourne has spent the last four years advising and lobbying for SMEs with the Federation of Small Businesses (www.fsb.org.uk). She now runs her own business, Bourne to Organise, helping businesses to focus, plan and implement strategy, ensuring the organisation gets positive, tangible results.

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Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

The Bucks County Show has to be one of the best one day agricultural shows in the country and it’s right on our doorstep at Weedon Park, Aylesbury, this year on Thursday, September 1st...

eedon Park is on the Buckingham Road just a mile or so from Aylesbury. It will be home to the 149th Bucks County Show on Thursday, September 1st, one of Buckinghamshire’s main summer attractions. This year in the Main Ring the Show is excited to welcome The Royal Signals White Helmets Display Team alongside The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals and the ever popular Sheep Show returns with New Zealander Stuart Barnes as head shepherd.

The Show is of course a fascinating chance to see some of the best livestock in the country in competition for a host of trophies and prizes together with equine classes including show jumping. There are over two hundred trade stands, a Shopping Marquee, a large Food Hall, Rural Craft Marquee and an entertaining Countryside Area with many demonstrations showing aspects of the rural way of life. There’s a Vintage Tractor Display, Working Dogs, Rural

BUCKS COUNTY SHOW

THURSDAY 1st SEPTEMBER 2016 Royal Signals White Helmets Display Team The Best of British Livestock / Cookery Theatre Over 200 Trade Stands WEEDON PARK (A413) AYLESBURY ‘A great family day out’

BUY TICKETS ONLINE 01296 680400

www.buckscountyshow.co.uk

Royal Signals White Helmets Crafts and numerous competitions for produce and craft skills why not enter - see website for schedules. Culinary skills will be showcased in the Cookery Theatre with demonstrations throughout the day. Also new for this year in association with The Bell Hotel, Winslow, is The Bucks County Show Pie Competition which is for Commercial producers and will showcase the best of local pie producers, yum! The Show aims to provide a mixed agenda packed with competitions, displays and breath taking events whilst aiming to demonstrate traditional Buckinghamshire rural and agricultural activities. There is something for all the family to enjoy, so why not make a note in your diary and pop along?

Bucks County Show is a great way to end the summer holidays with a fantastic family day out. Don’t forget to buy your tickets in advance and save on the admission price, car parking is free. For further information or to purchase tickets visit: www. buckscountyshow.co.uk or contact the office on: 01296 680400. l Bucks County Show, Weedon Park, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 4NN Thursday, September 1st, 2016 Tickets and info: Tel: 01296 680400 Web: www.buckscountyshow.co.uk Facebook: \buckscountyshow Twitter: @buckscountyshow

Buy your tickets in advance and save £s! Adult £12/Child £5. www.buckscountyshow.co.uk

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Column: Heather Jan Brunt ‘This farming life’

Roar-some day at the zoo!

went to see a farm of a different kind recently, full of small animals including rabbits, ponies, goats and pigs, but they paled into insignificance I’m afraid when I had the chance to see some life-size animatronic dinosaurs at the same time! I had been invited to a preview of a special exhibition of Zoorassic Park at Whipsnade Zoo, where a special area has been created for the duration of the school summer holidays. Models of long extinct dinosaurs are set amidst a Jurassic Park setting, breathing smoke and spitting water at visitors! It’s a fun exhibition, but of course the zoo is also full of real animals and a day spent there is an interesting and educational experience. It’s been a very long time since I visited Whipsnade, the last time was when my children were very young. On this occasion I returned with my grown up daughter and we were both thoroughly impressed with it. There is a terrific and trusting relationship between the animals

A giraffe enjoys a pedicure

and the keepers. We saw a giraffe happily placing its feet on a step to enable a keeper to file its hooves down. We watched a male sea lion flip backwards and birds of prey flying freely during demonstrations. Several small animals actually roam freely around the site and mara, muntjac, wallabies and Chinese Water Deer appear wandering amongst visitors. There is a free bus that transports tired visitors between the four areas of: Base Camp, Asia, Africa and Europe, but to be honest

we preferred to walk as there is so much to see, it would be a shame to miss any of it. There are lots of places to sit and rest, under cover and in the sunshine, plenty of tables and grassy areas to enjoy homemade picnics, or bought food, from cooked meals through to sandwiches and ice creams. Obviously we took a trip to see the pigs, sheep and goats at Hullabazoo Farm on Base Camp, but as this is a bit like taking coals to Newcastle, we actually spent most of our time observing the more exotic animals in the other areas of the zoo. There are several new born babies including a tiny little elephant and a giraffe and many of the large enclosures now have sturdy wooden walkways and viewing platforms built into them, enabling a truly up close and personal experience for visitors. Even with the seriously dangerous animals like the lions, visitors are literally no more than a pane of glass away from them,

This farming life Heather Jan Brunt

giving a chance to truly observe these magnificent beasts who, on the day we visited, were lying right up against the glass. And we were just feet away from a rhino as it took a bath. Tickets to get into Whipsnade cost £25.15 for adults, £18.20 for children, under threes are free and family tickets (two adults and two children) cost £77.15. Entrance to Zoorassic Park, which continues until Sunday 4th September, is included in the entrance price. l Follow journalist and farmer’s

wife Heather Jan Brunt on Twitter @HJBjournalist. She and her husband sell their own award winning Terrick Beef on the first Friday & Saturday of the month. See: www.downonthefarm.co.uk

Column: Sandra Smith ‘Our Creative Vale’

Catching the bouquet

itting in the tidy kitchen of Joy Hawes’ Ickford home, my attention is divided between the intricacies of her botanical studies and the discovery of this artist’s former pursuits which include competing for Great Britain in the World Athletics Championships. “I’ve always loved keeping fit. I played county netball and represented GB as a veteran in the 400m in Rome. I also won gold medals on the indoor track at Cosford. Running was a big part of my life.” This energy and commitment was rechannelled after Joy became a mum in 1980. “I’d never done any art though I’d always wanted to. I began a correspondence course so I could be at home with my daughter and also attended college. But I didn’t really learn much so I decided to teach myself. “I painted like mad! I even had

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Whilst using her artistic skills to benefit others – running classes at a nursing home, establishing local art groups and donating a percentage of sales to charities (www. lookoutproject.co.uk a particular favourite) - Joy’s latest venture is an extension of her first love. “The beauty of flowers is that you can use different Joy Hawes techniques,” she enthuses. “Some lend themselves to an exhibition at the Queens Park painting onto wet paper so they Centre in Aylesbury. A lot of it wasn’t very good but I learned early bleed. I’m always thinking of new ideas and painted my daughter’s on that you can’t see or observe wedding bouquet a couple of years what you need to from a book, so I ago - maybe that sowed a seed. tried to paint from real life, to get “Now I take photographs of the true form of real objects.” the bride’s bouquet at the florist Having experimented with before the wedding. As with a pencil drawings, Joy progressed to landscape you paint from the back watercolours, appreciating their of the picture forward, achieving flexibility. A love of gardening prompted her perspective by giving those things in the foreground more detail. You to choose flowers as subjects, also exploring landscapes and seascapes need patience to observe, to look and look again. I use small brushes. in order to expand her knowledge.

Creative Vale

Sandra Smith I’m a fine art worker really.” Commissioning such a wedding day keepsake is to create a permanent and personal reminder of a memorable event, not to mention a unique piece of art. Flowers may have a limited lifespan, but Joy Hawes captures their beauty forever. www.joyhaweswatercolours.co.uk l Find out more about Sandra

Smith’s work as a freelance writer by following her on Twitter: @TheCurrentMrsS or visiting her website: www.TheCurrentMrsSmith.co.uk

Column: Lucy Ellis ‘Animal Magic’

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

The power of pet play

hile many animal lovers use the summer as a great opportunity to go on long walks with the dog, it is important to socialise and mentally stimulate all pets to provide a healthy balanced life. Dogs have a keen sense of smell and this can be used as an endless source of brain training: simply allowing him to stop and sniff every peemail on the way to the park, altering the route you take, walking down a high street full of takeaway smells, using a treat dispensing game or hiding toys around the house and making him find them. Training classes are a good way to keep your dog’s grey matter busy and an hour’s Fungility at Unique Pets usually tires a dog as much as a far longer walk. Or you can teach your dog any number of tricks - whether that’s a paw high five, balancing a biscuit on her nose, rolling over or chasing her tail, it doesn’t matter, the point is that you are making her think about what you are asking her to do and

Teach your old dog some new tricks! rewarding her when she succeeds. Cats are no different and the phrase ‘a game of cat and mouse’ gives us a clue why it’s important to give felines quality play time on a regular basis. Although they can come across as aloof and distant, wiggle a feather wand or laser beam in front of them and they’re all yours! Chase games mimic the natural prey drive in cats and will satisfy their need to stalk, pounce and attack. Allowing your cat to ‘kill’ something like a catnip-filled

Kong Kickeroo at the end, provides the ultimate satisfaction. Over half of domestic cats are overweight to some degree and playing games is a great way to help your kitty get more active and lose weight, as well as providing vital mental stimulation and improving the human-feline bond. Vary the toys and games to keep him/her interested and, by managing activity levels from a young age, you can help prevent long-term problems such as arthritis and diabetes. Bunnies are sociable animals and ideally should be kept with a buddy, but they too also require plenty of mental stimulation. Far too many rabbits are rehomed every year because they become destructive through boredom; by providing a variety of playthings and activities you can keep them amused and your house in one piece. Bunny proof your home by offering a wealth of toys which encourage natural actions such as burrowing, tunnelling, digging, throwing, climbing, chewing, nesting, hitting,

Lucy Ellis

Animal Magic rolling and nudging. Rabbits like to keep physically and mentally occupied for lengths at a time and are project-oriented, so observe his behaviour and offer items which will engage him for hours. Not only will mental stimulation improve your animal’s health and protect your home from being destroyed - spending time playing with your pets can also seriously improve your own mood and wellbeing! l Lucy Ellis is a writer and blogger who

with Jenna Tomlins runs Unique Pets, a local, independent pet shop offering individual advice for pets, two grooming salons, dog training and a pet photography studio. www.uniquepets.co.uk

106xx out of the dog house a5 1pp 2 25/10/2013 10:40 Page 1

New Aylesbury store now open! Aylesbury 01296 706403 Winslow 01296 715697 www.uniquepets.co.uk Chamberlain Road, Aylesbury / High Street, Winslow

Top quality food & accessories for all your pets, from dogs, cats and horses to rabbits, wild birds, small mammals, chickens, fish and reptiles. Expert advice, tailored feeding plans, puppy socialising, dog training classes, pet photo studio, professional dog grooming and pampering service...

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Out of the Doghouse Dog Listening

Contact: Roselle 07989 947316 email: roselle@ outofthedoghouse.co.uk

Does your dog:

Do you to give your puppy or rescue dog • jump upwant • pull on the lead• bark excessively the best possible start in your home? • display nervous, obsessive or aggressive behaviour Does your dog: bicycles or livestock • have issues with food • chase joggers, • jump up • destroy carpets or furniture when left alone? • pull on the lead

Dog Listening is a simple non-confrontational method, for all bark excessively dogs,• through which you can address undesirable behaviours • display nervous, obsessive or aggressive and build a rewarding relationship with your dog. behaviour

www.outofthedoghouse.co.uk • chase joggers, bicycles or livestock • destroy carpets or furniture when left alone • have issues with food? Dog Listening uses a simple non-confrontational method, suitable for all dogs, regardless of size, SJor breed, through which you can address age all undesirable behaviours and build a rewarding relationship with your dog.

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Call: Sara-Jayne 07599 333182 www.sjpoochieparlour.co.uk Towersey/Thame area

Call 01296 706403 or pop into shop to book your grooming appointment Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Music Column:

Our music columnist is Dan Mordente. Dan is ‘Artist and Events Manager’ at BFS Records, and as an avid follower of the local music scene, is always keen to meet and work with enthusiastic local musicians. Contact Dan and email him local gigs and music news on: dan@vale-life.co.uk List your gigs on our what’s on diary at: www.vale-life.co.uk

Live Music AUGUST 13th Undercover, Victoria Club, Aylesbury 13th Rhythm Street, Shootpool, Aylesbury 13 Bass Invaderz - Junglest Book, Aristocrat, Aylesbury 13 Kind Loud, The Whiteleaf Cross, Princes Risborough 17 Nick Zala-Webb, The Oak, Aston Clinton 18 Jamnation, Shootpool, Aylesbury 18 Krissy Matthews Band, Tring Park Cricket Club, Tring 19 Subway, Shootpool, Aylesbury 20 The Observers, The Queens Head, Aylesbury 20 Devestation, The Green Man, Aylesbury 20 Fawesome, Shootpool, Aylesbury 20 RockBone, Tring Park Cricket Club, Tring 21 Maxwell Hammer & Smith, Victoria Club, Aylesbury 25 Jamnation, Shootpool, Aylesbury 26 Bad Penny, Shootpool, Aylesbury 26 Kevin Tait, Green Man, Aylesbury 26 Guesswork, The Broad Leys, Aylesbury 27 El Bronson, Shootpool, Aylesbury 27 Live In The Park, Aylesbury 27 Midnight Jungle, The Swan, Stewkley 27 Indifference, Red Lion, Leighton Buzzard 28 Callow Saints, Shootpool, Aylesbury 28 The Underdogs, The Watermead Inn, Aylesbury 28 Move A Mile For Muscles Event, Aristocrat, Aylesbury 28 Dizzie + The Zimmermen + Devestation + Replica Rockaholics, The Old Swan, Cheddington 28 Brill Beer Festival, Brill 31 Nick Zala-Webb, The Oak, Aston Clinton

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Turn it up! with Dan Mordente

Bledfest is back

Littlewing: pic by Elliot McRae

Band flying with new EP

ocal band Littlewing released their second studio EP on 30th July, entitled, Don’t Go Home. The follow up to 2015’s Barricades EP sees the band take a different direction, following the departure of their saxophonist shortly after the debut release. Whilst the saxophone was an integral part of the original sound, its absence allows Annie Needham’s stunning guitar work to shine through and the band’s songwriting does not disappoint. Littlewing have played several high profile gigs in the past few months including North London’s iconic 2,300 seater, Kentish Town Forum. Don’t Go Home is available now via all good digital retailers including iTunes and Spotify. To find out more about Littlewing, including upcoming live dates, head to facebook.com/Littlewing.bandUK september 1 Jamnation, Shootpool, Aylesbury 2 Crush, Shootpool, Aylesbury 4 Monthly Acoustic Jam, Shootpool, Aylesbury 7 Nicky B, Victoria Club, Aylesbury 8 Jamnation, Shootpool, Aylesbury 9 Engine Room, Shootpool 9 Bustin Loose, Aristocrat, Aylesbury 10 Mouth On A Stick, The Green Man, Aylesbury 10 Wired, Shootpool, Aylesbury 10 Dayglo Fishermen, Limelight Theatre, Aylesbury 10 Bledfest, Bledlow 10 Rick Chase, The Falcon, Thame 14 Nick Zala-Webb, The Oak, Aston Clinton 16 Broken Bones, Shootpool, Aylesbury 16 Red Butler, Limelight Theatre, Aylesbury 16 Leech, The Black Horse, Tring 17 The Reggulaters, Victoria Club, Aylesbury 17 Mike Carroll, Limelight Theatre, Aylesbury

ales and ciders. The festival hosts 14 bands over two stages, with the option to bring your own acoustic guitar and entertain the clubhouse at the ‘Busk Stop’! There is also a real ale/cider tent as well as the clubhouse bars to keep your thirst at bay whilst the all day barbecue will help soak up the ale, if required! On field camping is offered at £5 a pitch, for anything from a tent to a motorhome! Tickets are limited due to licensing, so the organisers advise advance purchases to avoid disappointment. Tickets are available for £10 from the Cricket Club, as well as opular, local music festival, from: Vintage and Modern Guitars, Bledfest, returns on Thame; Weights Gym, Chinnor; Saturday, September 10th. The annual event takes place at the Chinnor Parish Council Office; picturesque Bledlow Village Cricket and The Sports Pavilion, Chinnor. Accompanied under 16s have free Club at the foot of the Chiltern entry. Hills, and is a family orientated For more details call: celebration, featuring the best of 01844 346912. local bands and the best of local

Lots to tuck into! T

he Big Feastival is hosted on Blur bassist Alex James’ Cotswold farm at Kingham and returns for its fifth year this August Bank holiday weekend, from 26th-28th August. The Feastival combines food and music and features demonstrations and appearances from top chefs such as Jamie Oliver, Raymond Blanc, Tom Kerridge, Gizzi Erskine, Nadiya Hussain and Thomasina Miers as well as performances from artists such as: Mark Ronson (DJ Set), Tinie Tempah, Reef, Kaiser Chiefs, Foxes, DJ Fresh, 17 18

Stikki Beatz, The Anchor, Tring Gerri Waite, Victoria Club, Aylesbury

Ella Henderson, Roisin Murphy, Reverend and the Makers, Roland Gift’s Fine Young Cannibals, Foxes, Toots & The Maytals, The Proclaimers Stereo Mcs, Norman Jay Mbe (Dj Set), The Cuban Brothers, Clean Cut Kid, Zak Abel, Danny & The Champions of the World, Seafret, Callum Beattie, April Towers, Jeremy Loops, Kuenta i Tambú, Showhawk Duo and more... Camping and weekend tickets are sold out but for details of day tickets and more information see: www.thebigfeastival.com 23 24

Renee Sears & The Jazz Set, The Chequers Inn, Weston Turville The Brahmas, Victoria Club, Aylesbury

Column: Showtime! with Shaun Nolan

Walk Theatreland with me!

ugust is always a very quiet month in Theatreland, both in the West End and in the Vale; the Waterside Theatre is closed for most of the month and the West End’s only new opening is The Entertainer starring Kenneth Branagh from August 20th at the Garrick Theatre. If you do happen to find yourself in the City with nothing to do though, you could always try my new walking tour of the West End Light The Lights: How Culture Defines London on the VoiceMap app, available now from the App Store (IOS) and Google Play Store (Android)! I’ll be taking you on a journey through the heart of Westminster, Covent Garden and Theatreland, examining with a walking audience how culture has shaped and influenced the great city itself. Be it theatre, architecture or even local toilets, Light The Lights draws on the lives of Dickens, Henry Irving and many more, whilst

Rhydian stars in Little Shop of Horrors also offering the chance to enjoy some well-earned pit stops in a plethora of pubs and coffee shops that have and still do influence the cultural scene of London today. If you’re a history buff, a London fanatic or just a Thespian or Culture head in general, this tour will be right up your street. The app uses your phone’s GPS system to follow you around the City as you walk and to trigger each track of the tour automatically -

just make sure you’re stood at the walking tour’s starting point before you press play and then you can easily put your phone away in your pocket and start walking! If you do take the walk, then please feel free to tweet me any pictures or thoughts over at @shaunycat with the hashtag #ShaunLightsTour. Even if Theatreland is quite quiet through August, early September sees some amazing new shows coming into both the Vale and the West End. The UK tour of Little Shop of Horrors starring X Factor contestant Rhydian comes to the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (Sept 13th - 17th). The show has music by Alan Menken, most famous for his work on Disney films like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin and it’s a score that is just as stunning – if not more – than both of those films. A week before that though, the Court Theatre in Pendley, Tring hosts a revival of Monty Python’s Spamalot (Sept 6th - 10th). It’s a show that I’ve seen before and have

Shaun Nolan Showtime!

loved so if you’re looking for a good laugh, this is right up your street. For something in London in early September, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart star in the Harold Pinter classic No Man’s Land at Wyndham’s Theatre from September 8th. The play is about two ageing writers becoming more and more inebriated in a pub one night while sharing stories, so it’s perfect if you’re a fan of the acting duo. l Shaun Nolan is a London theatre blogger for publications including LondonTheatreDirect. You can find him on Twitter: @shaunycat Like your show mentioned in this column? Tweet and let him know!

Win tickets to

award-winning

hit musical E

nglish Rock band The Kinks was formed in Muswell Hill, North London, in 1963 by brothers Dave and Ray Davies. They are regarded as one of the most important and influential rock groups of the era and gained a reputation for reflecting English culture and lifestyle, fuelled by Ray Davies’ observational writing style. Now the award-winning (Four Olivier awards in 2015) Sunny Afternoon musical tells the captivating tale of The Kinks’ rise from life on a dead end street to living the rock star dream of fame, fortune and glory. It’s a musical like no other, offering a real glimpse inside one of Britain’s greatest bands, on a journey through the euphoric highs and agonising lows of pop

success and features all their iconic hits including: Dedicated Follower of Fashion, Lola, You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset, All Day and All of the Night, and many more. A mustsee for music fans of all generations! If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning two tickets to see Sunny Afternoon at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on Tuesday 27th September, (7.30pm), complete the title of this well-known Kinks hit: Waterloo… a) Station b) Sunset c) Road

Email your answer, along with your name, address and telephone number to: Marketingawt@theambassadors. com by Thursday, Sept 1st - Good luck! Winner to be drawn at random from correct entries and notified by email by September 4th.

l Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG Telephone Booking: 0844 871 7607 Website: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

started doing something every day, be it five-a-side football, weightlifting or jogging.

rcise between shows? Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016 the show itself is physically intense when my engine is running I’d like to keep it ticking over so both a matinee and evening show then between the two I’ll jog to a local gym and do some very .

DIRTY DANCING’S JOHNNY CASTLE SHARES HIS FITNESS AND WELLBEING TIPS t food? Do you follow a special diet?

no. The biggest issue I have when I’m working is keeping weight on! On the last job I did we were nd the wardrobe mistress kept telling me Griffiths off for plays losing too much weight! My metabolism was so Dancing Lewis Castlestage in theproduction touring stage of Dirty 31-year-old Lewis 31-year-old Griffiths plays Johnny Castle inJohnny the touring ofproduction Dirty Dancing rom all theThe movement that I had to supplement my diet with protein and mass building products. Classic Story on Stage. . Fitness journalist Lucy Fry caught up with him at Fitness First, Tottenham Co Classic Story on Stage (Mon 19th to Sat 24th Sept). He’ll be filling the shoes of the late, great meals, I always force myself to eat breakfast, something like porridge, blueberries and banana on he revealed his aworkout regime, his favourite foods, and why he that believes in professional K Patrick Swayze, sowhere no wonder he’s on strict workout regime, to get in shape for all dancing... marmite on toast with a green tea. If I have time to cook it’s scrambled or poached eggs on toast obody put this baby in a corner! and asparagus. When BetweenI’m reps rehearsing Dirty Dancing or performing? I’d like to say I snack on dried fruit and nuts star Lewis Griffiths reveals to y put a bar of chocolate in there because I’m a chocaholic. Lunch is usually whatever I can grab Vale Life Magazine his workout his favouriteI foods, why steak he heavy - andregime, for dinner oftenandeat - medium rare with loads of English mustard.

believes in professional Karma...

Johnny Castle is an iconicto role. Do youyourself on form? al techniques do you use keep feel the pressure to look a certain way? tired and lacklustre, I’ll remind myself that one audience has paid the same money as the next Not really. My predecessor started off in the role with a naturally slender physique, but t’s not fair to let the standards slip. I’m not really a very religious person but I do appreciate a lot of by the time he left he’d got much sturdier and bulkedfairly up, justphilosophical from playing Johnny. Besides, actice and am in my approach; I believe in instant forgiveness, karma and that it’s not so much about how I look - I’m more at you sow. I remind myselfthethat it’sandlive theatre, I’m only human and everybody makes mistakes concerned with developing strength Griffiths is training hard stamina that I’ll nurture need for the and show. make theLewis the time, effort and formost his role inof Dirtyevery Dancing: opportunity then I’ll get the best out of it Mon 19th to Sat 24th Sept ely my life). How do you warm up for a show?

sets of twelve repetitions (six sets if I’m Any weak spots? I start with shoulder rolls and chest using light weights) in a circuit format: back Ha, yes, I need to work stretches before moving on to my legs. Johnny Castle is an iconic role. Do you feel the pressure topull-ups! look aActually, certain way? LEWIS’S WORKOUT FORandYOURSELF… squat, barbell push press, bicep curl, weighted on my upper body strength in general... I’ll always do quadricep hamstring Not ankle really.rolls Myaspredecessor theflyes. role with a naturally slender physique, but by the time h lunges, started tricep dipsoff andin chest stretches, and as many I S OF TWELVE REPS got much sturdier up, justin from it’s not much about To and finish bulked off I might throw some playing Johnny. What areBesides, your top health andso wellbeing can to help mobilise theajoint. I stretch out frame handstand press ups, orthe pistol squats, often tips? that I’ll need for the show. the Achilles too, and- the in my feet. QUAT I’marches more concerned with developing strength and stamina including some backbending to help further Beyond sleep, water and green veggies, I’m Everything from the waist down needs to be strengthen my core. a fan of wheatgrass. I’ve heard one small shot limber because the entire show involves bent How dodirty you warm up for a show? hip rolls and thrusts - it’s dancing et about hiplegs, width apart and toes turn out slightly, holding barbell on upper back of wheatgrass is the equivalent of a kilo of Is there anything you’dstretches never do in the after all, you can’t doI itstart with locked knees and with shoulder rolls and chest beforegreen vegetables, so I recently started taking gym? them. The results are amazing: I’m more straight legs! ottom backwards and bend knees until they are at least parallel with ground moving on to my legs. do where quadricep YeahI’ll - thatalways static machine you sit andandenergised and have better skin. Also massage hamstring stretches, and asyour many as I can tois a must for me - sometimes I’m so tight squeeze thighsankle togetherrolls [the adductor What’s your usual gym routine? nding position, pushing knees out and engaging the core machine]! It’s awful, just strains your groin! I tend to do six exercises, each for three help mobilise the joint. I stretch out the Achilles too, and theI can barely stretch; I need a professional to loosen it off and remove the lactic acid. arches in my feet. Everything from the waist down needs toI’ve had a couple of reflexology treatments be limber because the entire show involves bent legs, hiprecently too and I practice Tai Chi about once rolls and thrusts - it’s dirty dancing after all, you can’t do ita week.

with locked knees and straight legs!

How do you keep fit when between jobs? Not brilliantly... When I’m on a job I go full What’s your usual gym routine? throttle and when I’ve finished I let go a bit. I tend to do six exercises, each for three sets of twelve repetitions (six sets if I’m using light weights) Before Dirty Dancing I was eating too much format: back squat, barbell push press, bicep curl, weighted lunges, tricep flyes. To chocolate and not goingdips to theand gym.chest I had just four weeks before rehearsals to wake my body might throw in some handstand press ups, or pistol squats, often including some backbending to h up so started doing something every day, be it strengthen my core. five-a-side football, weightlifting or jogging.

Do you exercise between shows? Is there anything you’d never do in the gym? Not much - the show itself is physically Yeah - that static machine where you sit and squeeze your thighs together [the adductor machine] intense. When my engine is running I like to just strains your groin! keep it ticking over so if I’m doing both a 58

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Any weak spots?

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

part and hold the barbell just in front of your shoulders. u re-extend them use the force from your feet to thrust the bar above your head.

matinée and evening show then between the two I’ll jog to a local gym and do some very light weights.

mass building products. Sunny Afternoon: Tue, Sept 27th In terms of meals, I to Sat, Oct 1st always force myself to eat breakfast, something like porridge, blueberries and Jane McDonald: Thur, Sept 8th banana on Weetabix, or marmite on toast with a green tea. If I have time mistakes but if I put in the time, to cook it’s scrambled or effort and nurture and make the most poached eggs on toast with of every opportunity then I’ll get the spinach and asparagus. best out of it (and ultimately my life). When I’m rehearsing or performing? I’d like to say I snack on dried Another handy work out tip... try carrying fruit and nuts but I’d usually put a bar of watermelons! Book now at Aylesbury chocolate in there because I’m a chocoholic. Waterside Theatre Box Office, call: Lunch is usually whatever I can grab - nothing 0844 871 7607 (bkg fee. Calls 7p per min plus too heavy - and for dinner I often eat steak your phone company’s access charge) or visit: medium rare with loads of English mustard. www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury (bkg fee)

What mental techniques do you use to keep yourself on form? If I’m feeling tired and lacklustre, I’ll What about food? Do you follow a remind myself that one audience has paid the special diet? grip (palms facing up), push through the feet same money as the next one and so it’s not Not strictly, no. The biggest issue I have fair to let the standards slip. I’m not really when I’m working is keeping weight on! On a very religious person but I do appreciate last job I did we were all in suits and the ds yourthe chest a lot of Buddhist practice and am fairly wardrobe mistress kept telling me off for philosophical in my approach; I believe in losing too much weight! My metabolism was instant forgiveness, karma and that you reap so ramped up from all the movement that I what you sow. I remind myself that it’s live had to supplement my diet with protein and theatre, I’m only human and everybody makes

ding dumbbells or plates in each ogether

ating on the other side

Chinese State Circus: Friday, Sept 9th

l Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG Telephone Booking: 0844 871 7607 Website: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury

Coming up at The Waterside Your at-a-glance guide to what’s on... National Theatre: The Audience ( Encore screening) Second Space

Thu 1st Sept

Jane McDonald

Thu 8th Sept

Chinese State Circus

Fri 9th Sept

Comedy Club (Second Space)

Fri 9th Sept

Nathan Carter

Sun 11th Sept

Little Shop of Horrors

Tue 13th to Sat 17th Sept

Dirty Dancing

Mon 19th to Sat 24th Sept

Sunny Afternoon (see page 57 for chance to win tickets!)

Tue 27th Sept – Sat 1st Oct

Les McKeown’s Bay City Rollers

Sun 2nd Oct

The Sensational 60s Experience

Thu 13th Oct

Ellen Kent Opera: La Bohème Thu 20th Oct Ellen Kent Opera: Aida

Fri 21st Oct

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Thame Showground, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3JL

A DAY OUT ON THE

FREE CAR PARK

Live Music • Dance • WORLD TRADE MARKET• Real Ale & Cider Street Food • Hands-On Crafts • LIVE SHOWS • Circus Skills PLUS The Creative Quarter with Drop-in Activities

AND A LITTLE SPRINKLING OF FESTIVAL MAGIC...

Tickets...

£9 / £4

in advance from Thame Town Hall or Bizzie Lizzie Flower Shop, 6 Upper High Street, Thame

£10 / £5

ON THE GATE

And of course... at the Festival itself...! Friday 26 August £40

Saturday 27 August £40 Sunday 28 August £40

Billy Bragg Kate Rusby Steve Tilston & Jez Lowe

The Wonder Stuff

Topette • Holy Moly & The Crackers

THE SWING COMMANDERS

The Ukulele Orchestra

of Great Britain Edward II • Kris Drever & Ian Carr Nancy Kerr & James Fagan

Lynched • Rusty Shackle Josienne Clarke & Ben WalkeR

Monday 29 August £30

The Young’uns Midge Ure TradArrr • Roy Bailey Tom Robinson Band

Rory McLeod & The

Nizlopi • Nell Bryden Familiar Strangers 9Bach • Andy Kershaw (MC)

Conservatoire Folk Ensemble Whapweasel • Bruce Airhead Man Bob Fox (Song from Warhorse) • Jeramiah Ferrari FARA • The Elephant Sessions

Urban Folk Quartet

www.towerseyfestival.com 01629 827016 60

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Coverage on

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2015

The 52nd Towersey Festival returns to Thame Showground on August Bank Holiday weekend. This friendly, relaxed festival with a folky vibe boasts an amazing line up of musical talent plus lots for all the family to see, hear, eat, drink and do...

firm fixture of the August Bank Holiday, Towersey Festival once again promises a cracking line-up of entertainment for all. Alongside the big name acts appearing on the main stages, Towersey also offers a Festival Green ticket for just £9 (adult)/£4 (child), allowing access to a full day of activities for families and casual day trippers.

Le Navet Bête

There’s an array of stalls selling handmade goods and gifts, a range of delicious street foods, and the return of the Creative Quarter - featuring demonstrations and activities for the more creative minded. The covered Market Square Stage and Parasol will host a rolling programme of music and performance, including appearances from Pete White Suitcase Circus, Johnny and The Raindrops, DJ Bhangra, Bruce Airhead, and awardwinning clown troupe Le Navet Bête, plus storytelling, flamenco, Thame Pop Choir and more. Meanwhile, a well-stocked real ale and cider bar plays host to Thame’s First Thursday Music Club, and such acts as Nikki Loy, Papa Truck, Cosmosis, The August List and Ma Polaine’s Great Decline.

Bruce Airhead

Last train to Braggsville

Billy Bragg

The Wonderstuff

For his forthcoming new album, Entitled Shine A Light, the album songwriter and activist Billy Bragg is out later this year, but before then got on a train. But it was no simple Billy is set to return to Towersey. jaunt along the Chiltern Line, Headlining opening night, he but instead a mammoth 65 hour, joins a bill that also includes Kate 2,728 mile trek from Chicago to Rusby and hotly tipped Dublin band Los Angeles, during which time he Lynched (26 Aug); The Wonder stood on platforms, in atriums, and Stuff and the entertaining Ukulele by carriages to record a collection Orchestra of Great Britain (27 of classic American railway songs, Aug); former Ultravox frontman as previously associated with Lead and Live/ Band Aid architect Midge Belly, Hank Williams, Johnny Ure, along with Nizlopi, Tom Cash, Glen Campbell and others. Robinson and Nell Bryden (28 “Growing up in the UK, I’d Aug); and The Young’uns (29 Aug), always been aware of this tradition winners of BBC Radio 2 Folk Award but when I travelled to the US, Best Group for two consecutive I was surprised to find how few years. people look to the railroad as “They’re really brilliant,” says a means of transport,” says the Billy of The Young’uns. “They Bard of Barking, who made the give it such energy. They’re great. trip with musician/ producer Joe They’ve got some good songs, really Henry. “We wanted to explore good songs. Powerful. I love the Tom Robinson the transformative power that the tone of what they do as well.” coming of the railroad had on the l Towersey Festival, Friday 26th to Monday lives of ordinary people by taking these songs 31st August 2016, Thame Showground, Thame, back to the places that inspired their creation.” Oxfordshire OX9 3JL Tickets: Weekend (4-days) £126/ £110 (adult), Midge Ure £88 (youth), £57 (child), under 5s free. Day Tickets from £30 (adult). £21 (youth), £14 (child), under 5s free. Advance ticket discounts available for local residents until 21st August. Festival Green-only tickets, £9/£4 (adv, from Town Hall or Bizzie Lizzie Flower Shop, Thame), £10/£5 (gate). Car parking free. Tel: 01629 827016 www.towerseyfestival.com Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Column: Nick Coffer ‘In the kitchen’

Key Lime Pie

ften the most popular editions of the Weekend Kitchen feature loads of cakes and bakes. Our recipes are tried, tested and wholly do-able at home, making them extremely popular with listeners. This all-American key lime pie, created in July to mark American Independence Day by Bedford cake designer Charlotte White (www. restorationcake.com) is rather epic. The biscuit base is topped with a very limey centre and the whole thing is finished off with showstopping Italian meringue. It is wonderfully over the top! To make it easier, you can completely ignore the meringue layer (it will still be delicious) or replace it with piped whipped cream. For the Base 80g unsalted butter 250g chocolate chip cookies or digestive biscuits Crush the biscuits thoroughly and stir them in melted butter until completely coated. Press the damp, sandy rubble into the bottom of a lined springform cake tin. Make

sure that the biscuits are pressed into the very edges of the cake tin. Bake at 150C/ gas mark 3 for 30 minutes and leave to cool. For the Lime centre Zest and juice of 5 limes 2 cans of condensed milk 8 egg yolks ½ tsp lime extract (optional) green food colouring paste (optional) Mix together all the ingredients and pour them onto the cooled base. Bake for 25-30 minutes until set on top and with a little wobble remaining. Allow to cool completely before topping - this will take at least 2 hours at room temperature (and can be done the day before for convenience). For the Italian Meringue Topping 225g caster sugar 50ml water 4 egg whites Place the egg whites (at room temperature) in a bowl. Meanwhile, dissolve the sugar and water in a small saucepan

In the kitchen Nick Coffer

Key Lime Pie and bubble to 118C over a high heat. It’s worth having a sugar thermometer here - they take the guess work out of the task and they needn’t be expensive. Once the sugar reaches 100°C, whisk the egg whites on top speed until they hold stiff peaks. This should happen just as the sugar reaches 118°C. Pour the hot sugar syrup into

the egg whites whilst the mixer is whisking - the syrup will incorporate quickly into the egg whites and a further 5 minutes of whisking is required to create stiff, shiny peaks of meringue. Pipe or spread meringue on top of your lime centre and finish with a flourish of flames from a chef’s blowtorch (or under a grill, although the effect is less dramatic). Alternatively whip up 300ml of double cream and pipe it on to the pie. l Hear wonderful recipes on Nick Coffer’s Weekend Kitchen every Sunday morning on BBC Three Counties radio at 11am. You can also join Nick weekday afternoons at midday for music plus local guests with great stories.

WINNER! Free House Pub of the Year Bucks Food & Drink Awards 2016 Winner! The Cateys Awards Menu of the Year 2016 - innovation, seasonal produce, creativity, ingredients, value for money. From violette artichokes to rare breed beef, we use around 70 organic ingredients from our very own Pointer Farm in our menus. Come and join us for lunch or dinner.

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

It’s foodie heaven - stalls stacked with acclaimed artisan food and drink, cooking demos, workshops, fun for young and old and it’s on our doorstep...

imber up your taste buds and loosen your belt for the August Great Missenden Food Festival 2016 - three days packed with exciting events and a host of activities for the whole family! Take a Wild Food Foraging Walk (Sat & Sun) or get hands on tuition at the Broil King BBQ Experience. Kids of all ages can get their fingers sticky making pizza from scratch in The Cookery School or find their inner mad scientist, creating jelly explosions in The Food Laboratory - all included in the cost of your ticket. The Market Place features up to 120 exhibitors selling and sampling some of the best of artisan local, regional and internationally acclaimed produce,

Clover Hutson

Lots to see and sample as well as a small craft and gift area. Expect a tantalising selection of delicious cheeses, sweet treats, local produce, artisan street food and more... Demonstrations - Kate Morris: Monday 2:30pm - join one of the authors of The World in My Kitchen and co-deviser of CBeebies I Can Cook, on a kids cooking adventure, that will take you around the world

to learn about different cultures and cuisines. Broil King Cook-A-long BBQ Experience - four sessions each day of expert tuition in how to get the most from your barbecue, run by chef and food stylist Clover Hutson. Cook-A-Long Master Class Theatre - hands on cookery tuition with chef, David Hunter of Artisan

Cooks - there is also a dedicated session for Children aged 12-16 years when they can learn to make gnocchi and pasta sauce. There’s The Tasting Kitchen (limited places); Free Children’s Activities, The Love Food Bear, Story Time Corner, a Live Music Stage and Children’s Rides and Slides. The Festival is packed with fun for the whole family, plus there’s free onsite car parking with wet weather provision. For further information and details of workshops visit: www. greatmissendenfoodfestival.co.uk Admission on The Day: Adult £4.50, Senior £4, Child (6-16) £1, Family (2 Adults & 2 Children) £10.

Admission Charges Apply. Free Onsite Car Park with Wet Weather Provision Features are subject to change at the organisers discretion.

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Win a meal at The Angel F

ine food is what we’re famous for,” says owner and chef Trevor Bosch of The Angel Restaurant at Long Crendon. He’s right too, for the 16th century coaching inn has built up quite a reputation for the quality of Trevor’s cuisine and the fact that it is one of those rare places that combines wonderful food, a convivial, relaxing ambience and excellent service. The charming bar and dining areas are brimming with character. Exposed beams, muted colours and an original wattle and daub feature complements simply-dressed, scrubbed-pine tables, while to the rear the bright, airy conservatory is glamorously set with elegant white cloths and sparkling blue glasses. The well-chosen menu features fresh, seasonal flavours and a good choice of vegetarian options. It is a gastronomic treat for the taste buds - from classic British dishes with a modern twist to innovative creations displaying influences from the Pacific rim. Fresh fish is a feature of the restaurant with specials listed daily

Canaletto at Kingswood

on the blackboard. Taste, texture and presentation are at the very heart of Trevor’s cooking and he insists on using only the freshest and best local produce alongside fish brought in daily from the coast. Perhaps a luncheon of Citrus Cured Salmon Gravadlax and Crispy Fried Squid with Pickled Kohlrabi followed by Roast Chump of Lamb on a Cassoulet of Summer Beans and

Dauphinoise Potato with Red Currant and Rosemary Jus and rounded off with one of Trevor’s amazing desserts such as Iced Banana Parfait with Caramalised Banana and Chocolate Sauce or Warm Treacle Tart with Honeycombe Ice Cream?! The wine list is carefully selected to complement the food. There is an extensive range of red and white

wines, with a good selection by the glass. Beer drinkers will also appreciate the well-kept cask ales, and there’s an impressive selection of single malt whiskies and spirits to choose from. Accommodation is available if required! If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning dinner for two with a bottle of house wine, at The Angel, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk In which village is The Angel? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email by September 4th. l The Angel Restaurant, 47 Bicester Road, Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, HP18 9EE Tel: 01844 208268 Email: info@angelrestaurant.co.uk Web: www.angelrestaurant.co.uk Open: Mon to Sat 12noon-2pm & 7pm-9.30pm, Sunday: 12noon-3pm

Welcome to Coco Tamarind Fine Indian restaurant & takeaway at Askett, Princes Risborough Recently refurbished and under new management, Coco Tamarind offers the finest modern and traditional Indian cuisine, in stylish, comfortable surroundings. The relaxed ambience and attentive service plus our well stocked bar will ensure your time with us is a most enjoyable experience, whatever the occasion.

10% discount on collected takeaways. Free home delivery within 5 mile radius (min order £15). Please call to reserve your table as we are busy all week. New outdoor dining area. Become a Coco Tamarind Member and enjoy discounts and offers

Order your takeaway or reserve a table online at www.cocotamarindHP27.co.uk or call: 01844 343111 / 01844 346100 Coco Tamarind, Aylesbury Road, Askett, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 9LY

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

l Column: Jacqui

Thorndyke ‘Foodie On Tour’

Make mine a hip-uccino

ust recently, Starbucks US launched a new dress code and ‘lookbook’. And yes, it’s every bit as annoying as it sounds. Beyond the green apron, staff are being encouraged to show personal expression by means of tattoos, beanies, fedoras, colourful hair and a muted colour palette of natural fabrics. All designed to look hipster - in the most contrived way. Argh ‘hipster’, it seems to be one of the most over-used words of 2016, other than Brexit of course. And I think we’re all equally sick of both. I’m not sure which hair I’m keener to see the back of, Boris’ fluffy mane or that copy and paste hipster beard. Actually, I do know, it’s Boris without a doubt. The hipster look isn’t the first trend to be chewed up and spat out by the high street, pulled pork has been shoe-horned onto so many menus in the past year or so that I’m surprised to see it NOT on a menu. Would Starbucks tempt me in

Jacqui pauses between mouthfuls, again... with their new try-hard-hipster look? Not, probably not, I still hate their coffee. That’s not the only thing that’s been grinding my gears lately. Restaurant soft launches. Seriously?! If you’re not actually ready to open and need to test your food/service on people, then DON’T

BLOODY OPEN. Certainly not without reducing prices and telling your Guinea Pigs. I don’t think soft launches are necessarily a bad idea - they allow a restaurant a kind of dress rehearsal, with actual customers. I just think way too many places use it as an excuse for sloppy service and bad food. A clearly labelled two-day soft launch with reduced prices and menu? Totally fine and a really good idea for staff training. Something to say in response to a customer complaint, four whole weeks after opening? No. Very much no. Get your act together and have some pride in your work. And another thing... restaurants including a 12.5% assumed service charge AND leaving space for a tip. What the hell is that all about?! That’s what happened at a restaurant one of my friends visited recently. It’s bad enough that more places are including service charges as standard now, but that’s just

Jacqui Thorndyke

greedy. Or maybe just grossly it’s opportunistic. I wonder how many people happily add 10% or more, not noticing they’re double tipping. Thankfully, for the most part, restaurateurs do a good job of cutting through all this crap, so there’s often little need for me to rant. And hopefully now I’ve got it out of my system for a while anyway. One can only hope. l For local food and restaurant reviews and recommendations, visit www.foodieontour.co.uk, or follow Jacqui on Twitter @FoodieOnTour. Email: foodieontour@yahoo.co.uk

canaletto Authentic family-run Italian Restaurant and Public House Authentic family-run Italian Restaurant and Public House

To book, call: 01296 770251, visit us, or see our website: www.canalettorestaurant.com To book, call: 01296 770251, visit us, or see our website: www.canalettorestaurant.com

New menus recently launched! New menus recently 14.95 launched! Set Lunch (Tue - Sat): 2 Courses: / 3 Courses 18.95 Set Lunch (Tue Sat): 2 Courses: 14.95 Set Dinner (Tue - Thu): 2 Courses 19.95 // 33 Courses Courses 18.95 23.95 Set Dinner (Tue Thu): 2 Courses 19.95 / 3 Courses Sun Lunch: 2 Courses 19.95 / 3 Courses 23.95 23.95 Sun Lunch: 2 Courses 19.95 / 3 Courses 23.95

Open Tue to Sun for lunch (12.00pm to 2.30pm) and Tue to Sat for dinner (6.30pm to 9.30pm) Open Tue to Sun for lunch (12.00pm to 2.30pm) and Tue to Sat for dinner (6.30pm to 9.30pm) @CanalettoKwood /CanalettoKingswood Canaletto @CanalettoKwood /CanalettoKingswood Canaletto Canaletto, Bicester Road, Kingswood, Nr Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0RB Canaletto, Bicester Road, Kingswood, Nr Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0RB Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Open: Tuesday: 6pm-11pm Wednesday-Friday: 11am-2.30pm & 5.30pm-11pm Saturday: 11am-11pm Sunday: 11am-5pm

TAPAS BAR & RESTAURANT ∙ WINE BAR PARTIES ∙ FUNCTIONS ∙ MEETINGS

4 Pound Street, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, HP22 6EJ Tel: 01296 622092 katrina@trescorazones.co.uk

Visit us in Wendover: Tapas Bar & Restaurant · Wine Bar · Cocktails · Par ties · Functions · Meetings All Day Tapas on Saturdays (Al Fresco)

Our drinks menu has a wide selection of Award-winning Wines. Come in and try our

HOUSE COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK! Banqueting suite Go continental! Private function room available for Enjoy drinks & tapas al fresco! par ties, meetings and functions Drink selection! ideal for up to 50 people (36 seated). All Day Saturday! BanquetingCome suite, & tr y our award-winning wines Please see Banquet Menus on our ideal for up to 40 & delicious house cocktails! Tapas from 11am-11pm! people, available for website, pop in or call for details. Paella Sunday Business meetings, Christmas parties Waiter ser vice; decorate if you wish; Book now for Christmas as Selection of Paellas freshly Birthdays, Weddings all occasions catered for, including places are already going fast! prepared ever y Sunday, as well & More... private wine tastings; free WiFi. Call, email or pop in for details as our full menu. 11am–5pm

Traditional Spanish cuisine! Authentic Spanish Tapas freshly prepared and cooked.

Bookings have already been taken for Christmas! Contact us if you wish to make a booking.

www.trescorazones.co.uk | www.facebook.com/TresCorazonesLimited OPEN: Sun: 11–5pm Wed–Fri: 11–2.30pm & 5.30–11pm

Tue: 6–11pm Sat: 11–11pm

TRES CORAZONES, 4 POUND STREET, WENDOVER, HP22 6EJ TEL: 01296 622092 EMAIL: KATRINA@TRESCORAZONES.CO.UK

Welcome... Eat Well, Laugh Much, Drink Often...

Welcome...

Experience the authentic taste of India

Andy and Emma welcome you to The Boot, modern country pub and eating house, in the heart of the picturesque Chiltern Hills. Enjoy fresh, locally produced food, local ales and fabulous wines. Our chef creates exciting dishes suitable for all tastebuds, so families can dine in style. Fish & Chip takeaway! Tue-Sat: 6-7.30pm Special three course lunch menu available Tuesday-Friday only £20

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

High quality dining in our historic 550-year-old ‘Old Library’ building - now recently refurbished.

01844 690446/273412 Takeaway and free local home delivery available

Large child-friendly garden and lovely patio.

Reservations / order online: www.radhunihp27.co.uk

Open: Tue-Thur: 11am-3pm & 5pm-11pm, Fri/Sat: 11am-11pm, Sun 12noon-7pm Food served: Coffee & pastries from 11am Tue-Sat: 12noon-2.30pm and 6pm-10pm. Sundays: 12noon-6pm. Closed Mondays

The Old Library, Church Street, Princes Risborough, HP27 9AA

Chinnor Road, Bledlow Ridge, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4AW Tel: 01494 481499 | Email: theteam@theboot-bledlowridge.co.uk Website: www.theboot-bledlowridge.co.uk 66

Fine Indian Dining

facebook.com/RadhuniPR

@RadhuniPR

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

A 1950s Aston Martin DBR1, Jaguar D-type and pre-World War 2 Bentleys will mingle with more modern vehicles such as Frank Biela’s A4, Sir Stirling Moss’s Audi 80 and the 2013 Le Mans winning Audi R18 e-tron quattro LMP1, in an exciting new local event for car fans ...

new motoring and motorsport festival is to take place in the Vale of Aylesbury on September 3rd. Cars in the Claydons will be hosted in Middle Claydon, near Buckingham, with the stunning Claydon House as a backdrop and feature mouth-watering displays of vintage, historic, classic and modern vehicles, racing cars and motorcycles within the private gardens of Claydon Estate, home to the Verney family since 1620. Cars in the Claydons is a collaboration between Nicholas and Alexandra Verney of the Claydon Estate and James Beckett of James Beckett Motorsport and it is hoped this year’s event will be the first of an annual showcase. Competition cars are set to headline the event’s entry list, with a special enclosure for cars with endurance racing pedigree. Many of the vehicles, that the public will be able to get up close and personal with, will have raced in the famous Le Mans 24-Hour Race. Aston Martin, Jaguar and Audi cars will be on display alongside other pedigree racers. Single-seater racing cars will have their own section, as will rally and off-road cars, while a motorcycle paddock will house an array of two and three-wheeled machines in Claydon’s picturesque Pool Garden. A competitive trial will be held for motorcycles, and ‘The Claydon Cup’ will be be contested in this its maiden year. Racing motorcycles and prestige road machines will make sure that fans of two-wheel transport will not be disappointed! On the morning of the event a touring

Trina and Shamus

assembly will take place, in conjunction with Oxford Motor Club. Cars in the Claydons will later welcome participants when they arrive having taken part in a road run from the Cotswold Wildlife Park in Burford. A Children’s trail, food stalls and trade stands will make sure that the whole family is entertained during their visit to Claydon Estate, with the Phoenix Tea Rooms offering lunches and afternoon teas for those wishing to make a day of it. Cars in the Claydons will officially kickoff with a VIP Preview Evening on Friday, September 2nd, a black tie event to be held in the Claydon Estate Courtyard. Motoring and

nostalgia will make for a wonderful evening as a prelude to the main event. Gates open to the public for Cars in the Claydons at 10am on Saturday, September 3rd, with tickets costing just £10 on the door. Accompanied Children aged under 16 will be admitted free of charge. For more information about Cars in the Claydons, or to book tickets, see: www.claydonestate.co.uk l The Claydon Estate, Middle Claydon, Buckinghamshire, MK18 2EX Tel: 01296 730252 Email: info@claydonestate.co.uk Web: www.claydonestate.co.uk

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

l Column: Alan Candy’s Altomobiles

Fabia-lous colour! Skoda Fabia Colour Edition

and quality. A word of praise, too, for the user-friendly ‘infotainment’ system – all operated by touchscreen and with now familiar smartphone swipe action. Despite is compact size, the Fabia makes excellent use of its Continued on page 82

koda can be clever with colours, too, as shown in a latest Fabia range which really makes the car stand out in a crowd. My recent Fabia Colour Edition (£14,140) test car in ear-searing Rallye Green puts the emphasis on the body – you can’t help but notice that is stands out, almost as if disembodied. The clue to the illusion is the contrasting colour – black – which features on almost everything else; roof, alloys, door caps, grille, front spoiler, all pillars and door handles. Even the headlamps are smoked. Painted alloys are becoming more and more prevalent now and look smart and contemporary, as well as protecting the precious and damage-vulnerable wheels. Colour contrasting has become all the rage in recent years,

Alan Candy’s

AltomobilES pioneered by the Fiat 500 and continued in the MINI. Now Skoda wants a slice of that market that tempts buyers to customise and personalise their cars. The all-black theme continues inside on doors, dash and seats, although offset here by a slash of brightwork across the fascia and contrasting grey on the seats. Some cost cutting is evident in that all touch surfaces are hard plastic but there’s durability here

Tel: 01844 274652

Email: info@risboroughservicecentre.co.uk

www.risboroughservicecentre.co.uk Chinnor Road, Bledlow, Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 9PH

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Aston Martin • Jaguar • Subaru • Landrover Mercedes • BMW • V W • Audi

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03/11/2012 09:32

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Skoda Fabia Colour Edition

For all your vehicle repairs, servicing & MOT testing a first-class service at competitive prices We are opposite Tesco Broadfields, Aylesbury Family run garage All makes & models l Servicing & repairs l MOT Testing (class 4 & 7) l Tyres l Exhausts l Brakes l Air-Con Regas l 4 Wheel Alignment l Cam belts

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40 Oakley Road, Chinnor, Oxfordshire, OX394ES (to rear of Claremont Automatics) Email: johnnixey@btconnect.com

Telephone: 01844 353388

l l

l Bosch Car Service Centre l MOTs including Class VII (3.5 tonnes) See our website for offers and services

l Servicing, repairs, tyres, exhausts and air

conditioning for cars and light commercials l Diagnostics: we have the most up to date work

shops and equipment in the area

l High ceilings and long ramps enable us to service

long wheelbase vans, campers and trucks 2a & 3a Broadfields Court (opposite Tesco), Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 8BU Tel: 01296 432552 www.tandeaylesbury.co.uk

Vale Life : Jun/Jul 2016

l Column: Alan Candy’s Altomobiles Continued from page 80 inner space and boasts a surprising amount of rear legroom and boot space. Lifting the tailgate reveals a deep, wide load area complete with useful side pockets and luggage-hanging hooks. Sadly there is no spare wheel – just a tin of gunk to get you home. Given the choice of petrol or diesel for driving pleasure, I’d take the former every time, so I was right at home with the zesty 1.2-litre 90PS engine which

cracks on well (0-62mph in 10.9 secs) and proves smooth and quiet with refined power delivery. The five-speed manual gearbox is light and easy shifting and the Fabia proves a comfortable, simple and effective driving companion, both on the open road and about town. Balance and agility are good, ride quality consistently excellent and handling accurate and engaging. Radio Bolero, with telephone control, SmartLink, USB and SD card, ensures the driver stays

Skoda Fabia Colour Edition

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer

connected with today’s world while clever touches such as speed limiter, tyre pressure monitoring system and stop/start engine system are welcome standard gear. Cruise control, rear parking sensors, LED daytime running lights and height and reach adjustable steering wheel are also part of the Colour Edition package. Fabia goes from strength to strength and the Colour Edition guarantees more people will stand

up and take notice of it. Factfile: Model tested: Skoda Fabia Colour Edition. Price: £14,140. Engine: 1.2 TSI 90PS. Transmission: 5-speed manual. Performance: 0-62mph in 10.9 secs; top speed 113mph. CO2 emissions: 107g/km. Economy: 60.1mpg (43.9mpg during my time with the car).

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Independent commercial vehicle repairs (all makes) Servicing l Inspections l MOT preparation l Breakdowns l Recovery service l Class 4/7 MOTs l courtesy vehicles l Mobile on-site servicing l

Open Monday to Saturday: Unit 8, Brunel Gate, Telford Close, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8AR Tel: 01296 488898 / 07720 706918 70

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

l Column: On

The Road

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Sign me up! Range Rover Autobiography

IGHTS, cameras, action! We’re on the set of the latest blockbuster Range Rover today and it’s giving quite a performance. It’s lighting up the way with its big LED lamps, it’s got cameras strategically placed around the big body to give you a view of what’s going on all around, and you’re guaranteed plenty action with Land Rover’s 4.4 litre V8 turbocharged diesel under the bonnet. As one of the great icons of modern times it’s a vehicle that is much feted - and much bought. There’s really not much in the way of comparison between the original Range Rover and today’s offering. There was a far more utilitarian feel to the 1970 version, whereas today the accent is very much on luxury. Both of course are equipped with that go anywhere Land

Rob Auchterlonie

ON The Road Rover DNA, but if you’re going to spend over 90 grand of your hard earned on the very latest Rangie, then you’re highly unlikely to risk damaging it by taking it into the wilds. The worst it’s likely to encounter is a particularly nasty kerb as you drop the kids off at school on your way for a hard day of retail theraping. It’s also debatable whether you’ll ever want to take it into a multi-storey car park either, where the spaces are not Range Rover friendly and you suddenly become very aware of the massive roof beams holding the structure

Range Rover Autobiography together because you’re that much closer to them as you sit perched high in the Rangie’s cabin. There’s still plenty of room above the roof of course but you get a totally different perspective. But if you wanted to, you could. Because the claims they make about the world’s finest off-roader

are all true. Range Rover - despite its sometime Premiership footballers car of choice image - can indeed go anywhere you want it to. And some places you don’t. Like over the top of a hill and into a dip that was so steep only the seat belts Continued on page 72

Tyres l Brakes l Batteries l Servicing l Exhausts l MOTs

A ll makes serviced & R epaired

BMW & MINI specialist

Keeping You on the Move

Independent autocentre

offering dealership style service Fully equipped workshop using the latest diagnostic equipment l Comfortable waiting area with free hot drinks, tv, wifi and newspapers l Warranty safe servicing on all makes and models l Tyres, tyres, tyres all makes at guaranteed unbeatable prices l MOT testing on class 4, 5 and 7 l All repairs undertaken from clutches to total engine rebuilds l

Motologic Autocentre Unit 7, The Point, Gatehouse Way Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8DB Tel: 01296 422226 www.moto-logic.co.uk Tyres l Brakes l Batteries l Servicing l Exhausts l MOTs

T ired of M a i n De aler Pr i ce s ? We can service your car and m aint ain your warranty by using genuin e par ts and oil and working to your m anufacturer’s guidelin es. l l l l l l

Labour rate more than 50% less than m ain dealers Quality service and repairs Adv anced diagnostics Local collection and deliver y / Loan car av ailable MOTs/Windscreens/AirCon Recover y av ailable ProTechCars Ltd, Unit 20 Fleet Marston Farm, Fleet Marston, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP18 0PZ Tel: 01296 655799 / Mobile: 07774 604149 Email: service@protechcars.com Website: www.protechcars.com Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

l Column: On

The Road with Rob Auchterlonie

Continued from page 71 stopped my teeth from making an imprint into the windscreen. Of course, it’s a fact of life that most cars are never pushed to the edge of their abilities, and nor should they be on a day-to-day basic. But it is reassuring to know that this car is every bit as good as it’s claimed to be. For quite some time it’s been the discerning choice of motorists who want to buy British because in this instance British is tub-thumpingly best. It’s been praised the world over and if you think you’re going to read anything other than that here then I’m afraid you’re very much mistaken. The sum of the overall parts usually far outweighs any minus points. And that’s very definitely the case with Solihull’s finest. The latest Range Rover, in Auobiography trim here, offers a level of interior refinement that divorces you from the outside world, cocooning you in a sea of leather, aluminium, wood, a host of

Range Rover Autobiography top drawer goodies and unabashed comfort. It’s premium with a capital

Fantasy novel

arndak the blacksmith, Braklarn the sorcerer and a young scholar named Kandrina are on a mission - to help Aylesbury author Kitty Lewis find success with The Colourless. Her fantasy adventure novel tells the story of how rebellious Kandrina, the heroine of the tale, approaches her adulthood. “A few of my stories are based on strange dreams I’ve had, but most of my work is stories I’ve been telling and retelling in my head for years,” says Kitty. When Kandrina’s beloved older brother was taken by the fearsome Lightning Demons, she swore an oath to the gods that she would avenge him. But the demons may not be as evil as the People’s Temples say they are. They may not even be responsible for her brother’s death. Her tutor Remlik has another theory, but when Kandrina tries to explain it to her father, she is declared a heretic. The priests punish her, but she is rescued by a curious demon, who takes her to their crystal city on the 72

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

plains and begins teaching her that the two races are not so different. The Colourless is a book for teenagers and young adults, says Kitty. “Although set in a fantasy world, many of Kandrina’s challenges are faced by us all.” This is Kitty’s first book of a series. The second, Beyond the Serpent Hills, she hopes to have published next year and she is already working on a third novel, called Devil’s Moon.” If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning a copy of The Colourless, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Where is Kitty from? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email by Sept 4th. l The Colourless (paperback £8.99, ISBN 978-178456-346-2) www.fast-print.net/bookshop

P, classy with a capital C and desirable with a capital D. It’s even equipped with a lumbar

support that gives your back a welcome massage after a few miles behind the wheel. At first it’s

On The Road with Rob Auchterlonie

Vale Life : Aug/Sept 2016

Yet progress around town can be near silent, and that’s commendable and noticeable from the spacious and luxurious interior. Land Rover’s Terrain Response 2 system makes its debut here, a seemingly complex setup but if you leave it in auto mode - and I’m guessing here most of you will, after an initial foray into its book of capabilities - it’ll sense the terrain or slippy surface and adjust the air suspension, diffs and throttle settings to ensure progress isn’t hampered.

a bit akin to having an annoying kid constantly kicking the back of your airplane seat (we’ve all been

there) but it becomes rather addictive. And relaxing. Which is what this car majors on. They have managed to shave an astonishing 420kgs off the weight of the previous model - the equivalent weight of five adults - by ditching old fashioned steel and giving the new Rangie an all-aluminium body crafted at a new state-of-theart facility in Solihull. It’s an incredibly smooth

operator with plenty of grunt for quick, safe overtaking, and will put some sports cars to shame with its 5.1 second 0-60 acceleration.

FASTFACTS; Range Rover Autobiography; £98,550; 4.4 litre SDV8 turbocharged diesel, 339hp, 740Nm; Eight speed automatic; Four wheel drive; Top speed 135mph, 0-60mph 6.8secs; Fuel - urban 26.2, extra urban 37.2, combined 33.6; CO2 219g/km; Will it fit the garage? 4999/2220/1835 (l/w/h).

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