Vale Life FREE MAGAZINE
Your free magazine for Aylesbury, Thame and the surrounding area
Take me home
www.vale-life.co.uk
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Dec/Jan 2018-19
Cover image: The Chilterns from Pitstone Hill, looking towards Ivinghoe Beacon Photograph by Damian Ward www.damianwardphotography.co.uk
Inside:
Italy’s favourite kitchen Italian style at Stoneworld
Don’t miss big sale
Doors, floors, worktops and furniture
See our website at: www.vale-life.co.uk
Past and present
Porsches old and new at local restorer Plus our columnists: Naomi, Polly, Amanda, Cathy, Lynnette,Nicola, Sandra, Shaun, Nigel, Rob, Alan, Sarah and much, much more...
Free local listings for events and businesses
The difference is Bartlett’s Exceptional Elderly Care Set in the heart of Buckinghamshire within extensive grounds and with views of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Bartlett’s Residential Care Home is one of the county’s leading providers of care for the elderly. As a long-standing family business, our focus has always been on the happiness and standards of care we provide our residents. Personalised care delivered by talented and compassionate people. Providing our residents choice and reassurance and making them feel at the heart of the home. This is the Bartlett’s difference.
Find out more about life at Bartlett’s, including our recently opened Hambledon Wing online.
peverelcourtcare.co.uk
Drop by and see us. We would be delighted to show you around.
E: info@bartlettscare.co.uk T: 01296 747000 2
Vale Life : Nov/Dec 2018
The The Old Old The The Old Old Thatched Thatched Inn Inn Thatched Thatched Inn Inn Gastro GastroPub Pub
Gastro GastroPub Pub The TheMain Old Old Main Street, Street,Adstock, Adstock,Buckinghamshire, Buckinghamshire,MK18 MK182JN 2JN Thatched hatched Inn Inn
Gastro GastroPub Pub Main MainStreet Street Adstock Adstock Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire MK18 MK182JN 2JN We Weoffer offeraaunique uniqueblend blend of high highquality quality dining, dining,hosted hostedininaarelaxed relaxed Tel Telof 01296 01296 712584 712584 and andcomfortable comfortableenvironment, environment,serving servinglocally locallysourced sourcedfood food
www.theoldthatchedinn.co.uk www.theoldthatchedinn.co.uk Open Openseven sevendays days
Main MainStreet Street Adstock Adstock Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire MK18 MK182JN 2JN
Open Openseven sevendays days Open seven days Lunch Lunchfrom from12 12noon noon- -2.30pm 2.30pm Dinner from from 6pm 6pm - -9.30pm 9.30pm from 12 noon 2.30pmDinner Dinner from 5pm - 9pm Serving Servingall all allday daySunday Sundayfrom from1212noon noon Serving Sunday from noon- -9pm - 9pm 8pm Telephone: Telephone:01296 01296712584 712584 Telephone: 01296 712584 22
Vale Vale LifeLife : Nov/Dec : Nov/Dec 2014 2014
www.theoldthatchedinn.co.uk www.theoldthatchedinn.co.uk www.theoldthatchedinn.co.uk
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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TRAINED & INSURED
5
RATINGS
SERVICE
&ADVICE
you love s g thin
..
g you more time for the n i v .gi
QUOTES
QUALITY
We will brighten your world
FREE
WOODEN FLOOR SANDING & REFINISHING
CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING
HARD FLOOR CLEANING & RESTORATION
OVEN CLEANING
I Mop Clean offers a professional and specialist cleaning and restoration service, operating throughout Aylesbury Vale and the surrounding counties, towns and villages for both domestic and commercial customers. We offer a high quality, friendly and professional service with excellent customer care and impressive results for:
• Oven cleaning • Carpet & upholstery cleaning • Hard floor cleaning, polishing and sealing • Wooden floor sanding and refinishing Tel: 01296
399450
Email: clean@imopclean.com
www.imopclean.co.uk 4
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
imopclean clean it green
Everyone is invited At Buckingham Lodge care home, we embrace wellness. We support each of our residents as individuals, with their own rich history, skills and abilities and likes and dislikes. Our home is our community and it is your life-story, combined with our unique expertise in caring for older people, that ensure our residents can express themselves, maintain their identity and dignity and live a full and meaningful life. Pr�u��� ��-f��-�r�fi�. Buckingham Lodge care home Culpepper Close, Aylesbury HP19 9DU If you’d like to find out more about the choices Anchor care homes offer our residents call 0808 102 4323 or visit BuckinghamLodge.org.uk Rated January 2018
Good
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
5
Welcome to Coco Tamarind Fine Indian restaurant & takeaway at Askett, Princes Risborough
Coco Tamarind serves the finest modern and traditional Indian cuisine, in stylish, comfortable surroundings. The relaxed ambience and efficient service, plus our well stocked bar, will ensure your time with us is a most enjoyable experience, whatever the occasion.
2 Tone Soul & Motown Party Duo! Tuesday, 19th February from 7pm
5 course meal with entertainment only ÂŁ29.95
Book today to avoid disappointment!
l
l 10% discount on collected takeaways l Free home delivery within 5 mile radius (min order ÂŁ15) Become a Coco Tamarind Member and enjoy discounts and special offers l Please book ahead, we are busy all week!
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
01296 01296622975 622975 07711750917 07711 750917 6
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
FF uu nn e re ra al lDDi ri re e cctot orrss 2121- -23 23 High Street,Wendover Wendover, HP22 High Street, HP22 6DU 6DU
bradleyandjones.co.uk bradleyandjones.co.uk time@bradleyandjones.co.uk time@bradleyandjones.co.uk
Local landowners, make sure you’re up to speed. MILTON KEYNES BUCKINGHAM
Thornborough
Woburn Newton Longville
Padbury
Great Horwood
Great Brickhill Mursley
Steeple Claydon
Winslow
Winslow Stewkley
BICESTER
Calvert
LEIGHTON BUZZARD
Botolph Claydon Granborough
AYLESBURY
A possible route for the Oxford–Milton Keynes–Cambridge Expressway
To succeed in the global economy, Britain must continue to build on its strengths. The ‘hi-tec arc’ connecting Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford could be the UK’s Silicon Valley – a world renowned centre for science, technology and innovation. This area is a national asset, that competes on the world stage – but only with an integrated strategy to deliver new homes, connectivity and job opportunities can it release its full potential. Do you own a few acres of land or more in this area? The use and value of your land could change significantly as the area is developed. If you want to know more and to become better informed, then talk to us now. Have you heard about the Velocity strategy and its effect on local villages? Do you know about the proposals for Homes England and their Planning and Compulsory Purchase powers? Do you know about SEMLEP and TVLEP? The Local Plans? Housing Numbers? Growth Infrastructure? If you need informed advice from local land agents acting on 1,000’s of acres of land across the region, with a brilliant track record of success, then talk to the Wilkinson Land and New Homes Department today.
WILKINSON – traditional values, modern approach 2018 Winner ‘Build’ Magazine Best Land and New Homes Agent – South
If you would like to discuss the opportunities within the ‘hi-tec arc’, please call 01525 382065 or email us at land@qualityhomes.co.uk
www.qualityhomes.co.uk
land & new homes Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
7
! R LI for ing 01 DA you n 29 Y B r ow 6 RO 20 33 C 19 66 H 66 UR E
HO
EASTER CRUISES 2019 4 DAYS DEPARTING 19TH APRIL 2019 From £369* per person
THE SCILLY EU URING & R OISLES T OIRELAND P E F OF Ooptional An Easter treat with CMV aboard the intimate Marco O PoloR with an VER 40 YEARS visit to one of Europe’s most fashionable cities, Cork, on the Saturday and to spend Easter Sunday on peaceful St Mary’s in the beautiful Isles of Scilly. Relax and enjoy delicious full board PRICE INCLUDES cuisine, stylish evening entertainment and attentive service. • Return coach transfers from
Crusader Classics!
BRAND ‘LOVE LUXEMBOURG’ FOR Treat yourselves to an early break on one of our winter wonderlandNEW tours! local pick-up points BRISTOL • Marco Polo Cruise as stated > RINGASKIDDY (County Cork) for 3 nights full board > ST MARY’S (Isles of Scilly) > CARDIFF This superb early bird getaway weekend, full of• fabulous Afternoon tea and late night snacks fun, marvellous music and divine dining, stays atMarch the ever 15 – 8 Days from
SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT BREAK
2019!
Bavaria Winter Adventure Day Trips
*Based on two people sharing a
£659
popular, family-run 3* Grand in pretty Vianden • Self-service tea & coffee Category 1 Standard Twin Hotel Inside Cabin; You can’t help being enchanted by the in the Luxembourg Ardennes. Centrally this – midnight) 4 day travel insurance £25 per person;located in(06.00 captivating Bavarian Forest in winter with £250 per person non-refundable atmospheric, medieval town complete with fairytale • On board entertainment it’s snow -capped mountains and picture deposit required. castle, the hotel has long been a favourite with Crusader & daytime activities Full payment due 3 months before perfectyou villages. customers. Your hosts, the Peverelli family, will ensure • Porterage of luggage (port departure. Visitcabin) totwo Husky Farm have a relaxing and enjoyable stay. Highlights include to Cruise T&Cs apply. Note: Some ports, passengers willsparkling land evenings of live entertainment, two breakfasts • Port taxes The Rhaetian Railwayor tender. by launch with local fizz, two included excursions and a drink each night with dinner. Enjoy this fabulous, value for money getaway break to one of Europe’s ‘secret’ corners!
See: www.mottstravel.com JANUARY 2019
Tue 29 Cockney Matinée & Lunch £49
FEBRUARY 2019
Wed 6 London Leisure Day £23 Wed 6 London Theatre – Book of Mormon £65 Wed 6 London Theatre – Lion King £59 Wed 6 London Theatre – Matilda £65 Wed 6 London Theatre – Everybody’s TH March 15 - 8 Days from £599 5 DAYS DEPARTING 19 APRIL 2019 From £599 * per person Talking About Jamie £65 ENTERTAINMENT Stay for 5 nights in Feldkirch with dinner Wed 13 Adinkerke via Eurotunnel £48 On Saturday night, resident singer, Lisa, will entertain The perfect way to see the best of Holland from the picturesque Dutch & breakfast plus 2 included excursions. Fri 15 Postal Museum & Lunch £49 waterways. Enjoy all the comforts of the attractive 3* river cruise ship, MV with a great mix of popular songs and we have booked a Bregenzerwald, Lake Constance & Esmeralda, as you admire the ever changing scenery floating by. Visiting Sat 16 Warwick Castle £33 fantastic live band for the Sunday night – old timer Marcell Lindau – taste the local schnapps and the dazzling rainbow displays of 16 tulipsWarwick in the Spring has always been a PRICE Sat Leisure Day £23 Trioen and his Little views Red Rooster enjoy magnificent today.Band – always a big hit firm favourite of Crusader but why not try this very special Bulbfields HELD FOR Sun 17 Kew Gardens Orchid Festival £36 with repertoire of 60s and 70s favourites. Churtheir Railsuperb Journey – into the Swiss Visit to the Husky farm, a Bavarian farm holiday and take to the water for Easter! No overnight sailing. 2019 mountains EXCURSIONS to Chur the oldest city in lunch, a tree top walk, glass blowing, a SNOWDROPS INCLUDED DAY 1 Cross the Channel and board at Zaandam at Switzerland carriage ride plus much more included in Luxembourg City DAY 2 Optional visit to Zaanse CHIPPENHAM PARK PRICE INCLUDES theexcursion RhaetiantoRailway for a City, the charming this great value for money escape. ABoard full day Luxembourg Schans winter (open air museum with Sunday, February 24th – £29 fabulous journey the famous with breakfast – cruise to Amsterdam. little capital with itstoUNESCO listedholiday Old Town in5annights in Hohenauwindmills) • Return coach transfers from resort of setting. Arosa. DAY 3hotels Full daywith included excursion & dinner plus 2 overnight All are a sightlocal to gladden the heart attractive pick-up points plus through the glorious bulbfields Opportunity to visit Zurs & Lech. crossing breakfast. at this time ofChannel year when we are Moselle River & Scenic Little Switzerland plus aon visit to Keukenhof Gardens. Price includes 2 overnight hotels with • MVand Esmeralda Cruisein asa Single room supplement request. short of colour excitement A local guide will show you the very best of this Re-join the boat in Hoorn (no stated for 3 nights full board breakfast. Travel insurance is not included. monochrome landscape; a reminder included lunch today). picturesque area including Remich, the ‘Pearl of the (no lunch Day 3) Single room supplement on request. HIGHLIGHTS that despite the cold and damp many DAY 4 Full day cruising around Moselle’ and scenic Mullerthal, known as the Little Bavarian Winter Hotel • Afternoon tea on 2the days Travel insurance not included. plants are awakening under soil the IJsselmeer and onto Alkmaar.& dinner • Hotel for 3 nights with breakfast Switzerland of Luxembourg. • Late night snacks Captain’s Farewell Dinner. and Spring is not too far away. • A drink with dinner each night (local beer, wine or soft drink)Dinner • Captain’s Farewell DAY 5 Early disembarkation for ACCOMMODATION
Snow Coach Arosa
DUTCH BULBFIELD CRUISE
GRAND HOTEL DE VIANDEN The ever popular, family run 3* Grand Hotel de Vianden is centrally located in the town and its facilities include bar, restaurant, lounge and lift. All rooms are en-suite with TV. Please note that single rooms are small.
• 2 Sparkling breakfasts with free flow local (set bubbly menu) the journey back home. Book early for Chelsea
&
• and On Sunday board entertainment • Live musical entertainment nights Hampton Flower Shows, for *Based on two people sharingon a Saturday Court 2 nights Cheltenham
Royal Ascot, Lower Cabin; 5 day travel insurance • Porterage & welcome drink on arrival
Festival,
• Tour of Bulbfields & half £36 per person; £100 per person Coastal days & great • Two included excursions as Easter stated above Keukenhof entrance non-refundable deposit required term days out for the children. Full payment due 2 months before • Porterage departure. • Port taxes TH Cruise T&Cs apply.
ALL ON SALE NOW!
| FRIDAY 4 DAYS 15THand – MONDAY 18 MARCH From £299 per person Travel Insurance Single Supplements are2019 not included in above prices. No single supplement* Travel Insurance £34
01296 33 66 66 (Aylesbury)
*limited (Double room for sole occupancy £45)
01255 425 453 (Clacton)
www.crusader-holidays.co.uk
Visit us: Crusader01255 Holidays425 4 Buckingham Street, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 2LD 01296 33 66 66 (Aylesbury) 453 (Clacton) www.crusader-holidays.co.uk
8
Crusader Holidays Crusader Business Park, Stephenson Road West, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 4HP Visit us: Crusader Holidays 4 Buckingham Street, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 2LD Facebook.com/CrusaderHolidays Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19 info@crusader-holidays.co.uk Crusader Holidays Crusader Business Park, Stephenson Road West, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 4HP
Vale Life : Nov/Dec 2018
Contents 10
Try something new for 2019!
33
Source of inspiration
12
Free PT session anyone?
33
The power of speech
How happy are you?
36
Deliciously decadent
Give veganism a go!
42
Don’t miss big sale
Heaven on Earth
44
What is Lagom?
Step out Scandi style
48
Italy’s favourite kitchen
Hope for homeless
51
Preventing break ins
Keep that spirit going
52
In the garden
What are you saying?
56
Have a pawfect time
New year, new you!
60
Feeling adventurous?
Christmas greetings
64
Pushing paint around
39 Turn off, tune out
68
Tough time for learners
30 In search of happiness
72
Past and present
14 15 16 17 22 23 24 26 28
It’s your call to action
Guy’s going to get you going!
Is this something we should be asking? Tracy’s tips for a healthy diet Amanda’s feeling relaxed
Fancy some Nordic Walking? Charity’s new initiative
People aren’t just for Christmas! How many thoughts do you have a day? Lynnette’s got it all worked out Early cards were quite bizarre Sherry’s got a phone addiction How to keep your children happy
Skills Show gives kids a boost Let’s raise a toastmaster!
Polly’s putting on the Ritz! Doors, floors, worktops and furniture The new Scandi trend?
Italian style from Stoneworld
Secure advice from local police Naomi’s tips aim to inspire Is your pet stressed over Christmas? Lots to explore at Waterside Theatre Jane’s art is simply the best New test takes its toll
Porsches old and new at local restorer
Pleasant surprise
W
e are fortunate to have many excellent restaurants and pubs across the local area. I had a short holiday in North Wales a few years ago and I can tell you it is not the same everywhere! Here though we have quite a choice from the chains to some great independents. Lately I have been pleasantly surprised by the quality and service in a couple of places that I assumed would be run of the mill, being part of large organisations. First of all I had a fantastic meal in Comptoir Libanais, at The Westgate
C
ongratulations to the following Nov/Dec edition competition winners! Hopefully your prizes will have arrived by
Centre in Oxford. The Lebanese Counter, as the name translates, takes inspiration from the vibrant colours and flavours of the Middle East. Part of a small chain (20+) founded in 2008 Comptoir Libanais gives guests a ‘souk style’ Middle Eastern experience, from the decoration, food and generous hospitality. Dishes are prepared using authentic, home-style Middle Eastern recipes, and the food is also available to takeaway. The dishes are delicious, portions good and there’s a good vegetarian selection too. It’s vibrant, buzzy, family friendly and
now, please let us know if not. Commiserations to those who weren’t so lucky - read on though for more offers and competitions inside this
Prezzo Thame general manager, Panos, with some G&T cocktails! reasonably priced, plus the staff couldn’t do enough for you. Top marks to them! My second fine experience was at Prezzo in Thame where in the past I have found the food to be disappointing despite the half
edition, including the chance to win: an RSPB . Last issue’s prizewinners were: RSPB Bumper Bird Food Gift Box: Dorrie Oliver, Chinnor
A copy of 50 Gems of Bucks Book: David Stewart, North Marston Tickets to see Slade and Mud at O2 Academy, Oxford: Chantal Chambers,
price vouchers taking the sting out of the bill. A recent visit to check out their smart new refurb - it looks really good - was a surprise success though. Prezzo Thame has upped its game somewhat and is serving a cracking festive menu plus some really tasty Italian style pizza and pasta dishes. It’s vibrant, the staff were friendly and attentive and their new house signature G&T cocktail is a must! Well done Prezzo, I’ll be back! Now turn to page 67 and you could win yourself a meal for two at Prezzo Thame!
Charlie
Editor, Vale Life Magazine Stone A copy of Sweatpants at Tiffanie’s: Angela Harvey, Aylesbury Mama Dor’s spices: Carole Miller, Haddenham
To advertise in Vale Life Magazine call Charlie on: 07702 006218 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 : Dec/Jan 2018-19
9
J V Self Defence We all like to feel safe, so why not learn how to legally protect and defend yourself with ex UK Border Agency officer James Virdi. Increase your awareness and confidence while learning simple techniques in fun, friendly classes suitable for men and women of all ages and fitness levels. Classes cover wrist and arm grabs, hair pulls, bear hugs, head locks, choke holds and more. They also include advice on - RUN HIDE TELL. The techniques taught are purely for Self Defence and to be used as a last resort. This is not a martial arts programme. Weekly classes - £5 per person per hour. Private lessons available as one to ones or in groups - prices from £20 per hour, Card, cash or electronic payments accepted Contact James: 07546 475147 Email: jv_self_defence@yahoo.com Website: www.jvselfdefence.com
Thame Therapy Clinic Complementary Health Therapies from Experienced Practitioners 23 Upper High Street, Thame, OX9 3EX Tel: 01844 215555
www.thametherapyclinic.co.uk
Create a Life you Love With Happiness Coach Roo Davies
10
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Health and Fitness Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Try somet The new year is a great time for a new beginning. A chance to reflect on whether you would like to feel happier, healthier, fitter and less stressed and to put ideas and intentions into action. Maybe try a new sport or exercise, eat healthier foods, address health issues, aches and pains and take some time to relax and enjoy a little pampering or mindfulness. Lifestyle Guru Emma Barker of Inspired Fitness and Wellness is full of ideas for a new healthier you...
F
estive Greetings to you all! If you are reading this at Christmas time, you might be tempted to skip past these Healthy Pages, thinking you don’t need abstemious dogooders telling you not to eat and drink all the things you are going to eat and drink and to exercise, even though it is dark, damp and freezing out there! Well before you turn the page, I’m not going to guilt trip you! I’m all about empowering people to make healthy choices! I’m anti-diet (and especially against doing a fad one in January) and anti-doing any exercise you hate doing! So instead, here are some Fitness and Wellness Facts to contemplate and inspire you into action right now if possible, you don’t have to wait until January! It’s a cliché but true – SUMMER BODIES ARE MADE IN WINTER! Love and respect yourself enough to act now and save January for setting exciting New Year Goals and Intentions! Fact 1 - If you move more now, YES RIGHT NOW and keep it consistent, then you could potentially lose a few lbs before Christmas and make space for some Guilt Free Christmas Food and Drink! Across the Vale area we have an abundance of Fitness and Wellness Professionals offering activities such as Spinning, Yoga, Zumba, Jazzercise, Self Defence, Karate, Kick-Boxing and everything in between. We have gyms, yoga
Emma Barker studios, health clubs, community centres and sports clubs all holding regular weekly classes. What’s more, I’ll let you into a little secret, there are deals to be had at this time of year - from free classes, trials and reduced rates to membership deals. Gyms, Studios, Yoga Teachers and Fitness Professionals are working hard to entice and invite new clients to join them, so watch out for these enticements and ask if you don’t see them! Fact 2 - If you do a type of fitness that you absolutely hate you will not be able to keep it consistent and it will be a constant battle of willpower, you will find reasons not to go! When you do an exercise you dislike, instead of enjoying it and feeling the results, you will be wishing it was over and feeling bored and frustrated, this in turn will affect the results you get! Find your passion for Fitness and Wellness! Find that thing that is going to get you out of bed in the morning or off the sofa in the evening! If the thought of
Health and Fitness Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
thing new for 2019!
Emma relaxes at home! getting hot and sweaty fills you with dread, opt for Swimming, Pilates or Yoga. If you hate getting breathless but love feeling strong try weight training or body pump! If you haven’t done anything in a long time and feel nervous then go for a walk or bike ride and build up slowly to
something more strenuous. Finally if you can’t find any motivation get a Personal Trainer! There are always options and in the pursuit of trying new things and moving more, you will feel the benefits and see results. Fact 3 - Christmas can be stressful and it can be lonely. It can
bring back painful memories and thoughts of loved ones no longer here. If this resonates with you, then another reason to join a gym, club, class or studio is to connect with others and connect with your local community! I live in Thame which has a wonderful community spirit, it’s everywhere and in all forms and other local towns are just the same. You don’t have to be outgoing and extrovert to feel connected to others you just need a little courage to get yourself out there. Turn up, move, smile and feel the positive energy lifting your spirit. If you would like any further help in choosing the right fitness or wellness habit for you, please feel free to get in touch with me! In the spirit of goodwill, I am offering new clients a free trial class! Check out www.inspiredfitnessandwellness.com or Facebook/beinspiredbyemma
for Class information or email me barker_emma@hotmail.com. Have a Happy and Healthy Christmas and all the best for 2019! l Emma Barker is a qualified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor. Her local classes include Spinning, Yoga, Yin Yang (HIIT/ Yoga/Resistance) and Personal Training and she can advise on nutrition. Emma’s yoga classes begin in January at Thame Cricket Club’s new Pavilion on Mondays at 12noon and on Tuesday evenings at 19.45pm. Her Spin Classes at Lord Williams’s Lower School are on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7pm and her Yin Yang classes are at 6.30pm on Tuesdays at Thame Barns Centre. See: www.inspiredfitnessand wellness.com for more details.
10% off all treatments in January & February when quoting ‘You Don’t have to be ill to get Better’ on booking
Speedwell Complementary Health Centre Castle Park Road, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, HP22 6AE
www.Speedwell-CHC.co.uk
01296 622611
Christine and Nicky would like you to have a Happier Healthier 2019! Established since 1994, we are a health centre specialising in Reflexology, Hypnotherapy, Asyra Bioresonance - Diet and Nutrition, plus Reiki and other therapies to soothe and improve Mind Body and Soul.
New for 2019!
Thai Foot Massage
Christine
Nicky
The ultimate relaxing, detoxing, well-being enhancing treatment. Intro offer: 50% off treatments taken in January and February (only £22.50) Private Blood tests – from £15 – check your vitamin, thyroid and hormone levels
Coming soon!
BWRT® – BrainWorking Recursive Therapy Level 3 – Psychobiology
Allowing the brain to help with physical issues such as pain, CFS, Thyroid disorders, fibromyalgia, Crohns etc. (already available BWRT L1&2 dealing with fears/phobias, anxiety, OCD, bad habits, personality traits, physical and emotional difficulties). Whatever the issue, BWRT can probably Fix it Fast. You can find further information about all our treatments and prices, or book online at: www.Speedwell-CHC.co.uk Or ring us: 01296 622611
Now is the time to Detox the Old and start the New Year with a New You – Mind Body and Soul to improve your health and vitality.
Relaxing, healing Reflexology Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
11
Health and Fitness
Fitness focus
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
with Guy Woodliffe-Thomas
Free PT sessions to get you going
S
it. This is no time for excuses like: ‘I’m too old to lose weight’, ‘I’ve tried every diet and they don’t work for me’, or ‘I’m too busy’!
tart the year off right, and aim to finish it strong. Here are my three steps to help you accomplish your fitness goals in 2019.
You can do it. Anyone can do it. Believe me, I’ve helped people achieve it countless times.
1. Find Your WHY! The Why has to be the No.1 reason that fuels your fitness goal. Clarifying why you want to get fit or lose weight is key to sticking to your program when willpower begins to fade. 2 key factors drive this: External motivation - Weight loss often starts with something like dropping a jeans size. This is short term, but for long-term success you want to find internal motivation. Internal motivation - This can be found by asking yourself two simple questions: Why do I really want this? and What are the short and long-term consequences of me not doing this?
3. Get support Choose someone you can trust. Someone who will listen to your goal and take it into their own hands to ensure you succeed this time around.
Guy helps a client work out For example - I want to lose weight so I can run around with my children. If I don’t do this I fear I wont be a huge part of their childhood fun. 2. Believe you can do it. If you’ve tried and failed to get fit you may believe that you can’t do
This could be family, friends, colleagues - someone to hold you accountable. A Personal Trainer is a great option too, I myself take my role as a trainer very seriously and I thrive on seeing my clients succeed and reach their goals. The training is a journey to aid your longevity. Not just a quick fix.
Shweta Kapur
Guy Woodliffe-Thomas Personal Trainer l Guy Woodliffe-Thomas is a
Level 3 Personal Trainer, an Injury rehabilitation/prevention specialist and a weight management and body transformation coach. To kick-start your fitness journey, Guy is offering readers of Vale Life Magazine two, free, one hour Personal Training sessions. Contact him now on 07791 596759 to discuss your goals and receive his expert advice and tuition.
Thame Rewards Club and Decathlon would like to encourage all the Thame community to join in with everyone’s New Year’s Resolution to get fit !
20
YEARS RESOLUTION
£4
Just
19
NEW GETFIT
and
T
H
R
U
January
Just £4 per Spin or HiiT class throughout January 2019 and no contract. We have classes at 7am, 9.30am, 12.45pm and 5.30pm every weekday Plus more on Saturday, Sundays and other evenings too. You must pre-book and show your Thame Rewards Club or Decathlon card when visiting Please come early for your first visit as you will be asked to complete a pre-exercise questionnaire and have your blood pressure taken.
Call 01844 261754 or email info@racquets-fitness-centre.com 12
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Play Golf, Have Fun, Stay Fit Get into Golf at Chiltern Forest Golf Club
Great offers from Chiltern Forest Golf Club Most people don’t think about golf as a way to stay fit. However, it might surprise you to learn some of the health benefits of playing golf. Playing a round of golf you walk 5-6 miles. Over 10,000 steps per day leads to weight loss. You burn around 1,500 calories. A 12 stone man would take two hours on an exercise bike to achieve the same result. Exercise and fresh air are proven to improve sleep patterns. Sleep recharges the body, a great fitness boost. As a low impact sport it’s easy to stay healthy (and competitive) with a lower risk of injury. Stress relief – you’re outside, you’re socialising and you’re benefitting from the release of endorphins, which make you happy and relaxed. Why not take up the offers below to boost your health in 2019 and enjoy a great game at the same time.
GREEN FEE OFFER
LADIES MEMBERSHIP OFFERS
2 for 1 on green fees at any time between now and 1st March 2019.
Offer 1 – Join before 1st March 2019 and get 50% off your membership fee.
To take advantage of this offer please call the Pro Shop 01926 631267 (option 2) and quote the code CFHEALTH2019
Offer 2 – Join with your partner and get one membership free For more information message golfservices@chilternforest.co.uk or call 01296 631267.
Find us at Aston Hill, Halton, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 5NG Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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Health and Fitness Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
E m ot i o n a l h e a lt h
with Roo Davies
How happy are you?
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his is probably not a question that you’re used to asking yourself but it’s an important one and what better time to reflect than now, as we approach a new year? If you think you could be happier, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re sad or having a crisis in your life! It may be that over time you’ve settled, you’re moving through life on auto pilot, or have become disconnected with what you enjoy doing. You may be compromised too much in relationships or over committed, so that there are simply not enough hours in the day. If any of this strikes a chord, don’t worry. It can happen to us all and it’s such an easy trap to fall into. But it’s a situation that you can change. The first step is to ask yourself a series of questions: • What are you good at?
sometimes expect to find happiness from other people or material things. This is a short cut and will never result in true happiness. So, don’t wait to find happiness. Don’t wait to be given happiness. Create your own.
• What do you enjoy doing? • When do you feel fulfilled? • What excites you? • Who do you like spending time with? Now think about how much time you spend doing the things that you’ve listed. By choosing to invest your time and energy into something that you’re good at, results in high levels of performance and fulfilment. Put simply, you enjoy life more and ultimately create a happier life. Another problem is that we can
Roo Davies Life Coach
What are you waiting for? If you really want to get stuck into creating a life you love, come along to my Happiness Workshop on Sunday 17th February. You will be able to get involved as much or as little as you’re comfortable, but I promise it will help you kickstart a fresh approach to living and you will learn techniques to help you make change happen. Find out more details and book your ticket here: www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/create-a-life-you-loveworkshop-tickets-52632779059 There isn’t a manual for living a happy life and I certainly don’t
have a magic wand, but I can share my practical framework to help you create a life that you truly love and to gain clarity on where you want to go and how you can get there. l Roo Davies (Your Life Journey)
is a member of the Association for Coaching and is based at The White House, Thame, where she offers face to face coaching sessions in a compassionate, safe and confidential space. For more information call: 07753 756512 or email: roo@yourlifejourney.co.uk www.yourlifejourney.co.uk Facebook.com/yourlifejourney.co.uk Instagram: @roo_yourlifejourney The White House, 2 East Street, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3JS
Technology targets fungal nails and verrucae Treating fungal nails has long been a challenge for podiatrists. This very common condition causes nails to become unsightly, thick and uncomfortable. Traditional over-the-counter treatments are largely ineffective, because the active ingredients cannot usually penetrate deeply enough into the nail to get at the whole of the infection. For the patient, this means months or years of unsightly and sometimes uncomfortable nails. Clinically proven Clearanail is an innovative new concept using Controlled Micro Penetration, which creates micro pathways into the nail plate, allowing deeper access to the areas of infection without damaging the nail bed
Micro penetration holes beneath. Each of the tiny holes can be drilled in less than five seconds, using an intelligent drill that senses when it is through the nail plate. It is rare for the procedure to be painful or uncomfortable. The holes allow the topical treatment, which must be applied regularly, to reach the infection effectively and clear it up in a shorter time. Usually only one treatment is needed, so this remedy is considerably cheaper than laser treatments.
Swift is a revolutionary new treatment for verrucae. Microwave energy generates heat via a probe and targets the wart/verruca, rapidly elevating tissue temperature to create precise, localised cell destruction. Infected tissue can exist several millimetres below the surface which is difficult to treat with traditional methods. Swift delivers a precise, highly controlled energy dose. As microwaves travel into the tissue, water molecules begin colliding and creating localised heat energy - quickly destroying all infected tissue within a predetermined path. In just seconds, the treatment is complete and the healing begins - treated tissue is quickly replaced, repaired
Microwave verruca treatment and regenerated. Three or four 15-minute treatments, at monthly intervals, usually does the trick - each one consisting of several timed bursts of microwaves, with each burst just a few seconds long.
Results are outstanding at Feet First Podiatry
‘Excellence for all your foot care needs’
Feet First, 13a Upper High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3ER Tel: 01844 261023 Email: enquiries@feet-first.org www.feet-first.org 14
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Health and Fitness Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Kiss & Tell
with Tracy Kiss
Give veganism a go!
V
egetariansim and veganism is becoming big business; in the past few years the majority of high street restaurants have started offering a meat-free, if not dairy-free, alternative to their menus and veggie-only restaurants, supermarkets and wholesalers are springing up across the world. Having been vegetarian since the age of five and vegan since my midtwenties, I’m accustomed to finding and experimenting with fresh, wholesome, tasty and delicious recipes to achieve my seven-a-day fruit and veg quota - as do my two young children Millisent, 11yrs and Gabriele, 6yrs. Not only do vegetarian and vegan diets offer a healthier lifestyle, better immune system and more energy, but it’s assisted me in staying slim, halves my food bill in comparison to meat-eating families and allows me to keep energetic, fit, active and able to grab life by
the horns and achieve my dreams. Meat-free and dairy-free alternatives are fine, from tofu and soya to almond milk and even vegan cheese these days, we can easily replace fatty, unhealthy foods with online plant-based alternatives but they can be costly and unnecessary for a daily diet. I prefer to prepare my meals from scratch each day - it takes the hassle out of reading the small print and turning away from unsuitable Breakfast establishments. So I thought I might share a typical day in the life of a vegan with you, perhaps for some inspiration and motivation to go a day meat-free and dairy-free each week and see if you notice the difference to your wallet and waistline alike. Veganism isn’t an alien concept nor outrageous diet
of denial and discipline; vegetables are the building blocks of every meal, the staple of fresh produce to which meat and dairy is most commonly added. On a typical day my meals consist of: Breakfast (5mins preparation) - fruit porridge bowl. One cup of porridge oats cooked in a pan with water until soft and topped with sliced banana, blueberries, apple, pomegranates and cinnamon. Lunch - (5mins preparation) hummus and avocado on toast. A slice of homemade bread (made daily in my bread maker with flour, water, yeast, olive oil and salt), served warm and topped with homemade hummus (made in my blender with a tin of drained chickpeas, olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice) and a sliced avocado. Dinner - (30mins preparation) vegetable rice. Brown rice cooked
Tracy Kiss
Kiss & tell with a vegetable stock cube and pan fried diced onions, fresh peppers, carrots, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, tomatoes and cumin seeds. The beauty of these meals is that they can be eaten hot or cold, without concern for re-heating meats and dairy, and any leftovers or extra portions can be returned to the fridge or freezer to have at a later time or as meal prep. Fast, fresh, delicious and nutritious. When will you give veganism a go? l Read Tracy’s blog at: www.tracykiss.com or follow her on: Twitter: @misstracykiss or Facebook: /TheTracyKiss
Your yoga practice is.... Reflexology for adults and children Ailments which can benefit from reflexology sessions include: Headaches and migraines l Stress & anxiety Digestive problems l Menstrual problems l Tiredness & fatigue l Aches & Pains l l
I’m an experienced Reflexologist treating all ages and a wide variety of ailments in my treatment room at Great Kimble. Tel: Rebecca Holmes on 07713355428 Email: rebeccaholmes7@gmail.com website:www.chilternhillstherapies.com
...Everything
Maria Bray
Nutritional Therapy
The Science of Health and Vitality l
www.everythingyogauk.com
Classes and private sessions kate@everythingyogauk.com 07754 804 730
Eat Well l Live Well l Feel Well
l
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
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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Health & Beauty
B e au t y s p ot
by Amanda Trott
A Heaven on earth At this busy time of year why not plan some down time - something to look forward to in the New Year! A relaxing spa day with plenty of me-time and a little pampering, could be just what’s required after the hectic festive season...
W
e all know how good it feels to give, and who better to give to, than yourself ?! The majority of us spend our lives rushing from one thing to another, whether it’s racing around after the kids or from meeting to meeting at work. We are all becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of meditation and mindfulness but couple that with hands on treatments, blissful surroundings, yummy food and some rare peace and quiet and you’re on to a winner. I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy many spa days but they have usually been with Mr T (‘What’s wrong with that?!’ - Ed) or fabulous friends and so going alone was a new experience for me. I had no qualms though as Danesfield House Hotel and Spa holds a very special place in my heart. I spent one of the happiest days of my life there when Mr T and I held our wedding at Danesfield, 13 years ago and prior to that, I attended school near Danesfield in the days when it was the RAF Headquaters. Being affiliated to the house, the school would hold it’s sports days in the grounds and long after the RAF had left and the building was empty, myself and friends would run through the gardens and play hide and seek around the house and the stables. I like to think of it as home from home!! Spa Illuminata Danesfield House is fairly bijoux but still offers a large range of classes in its air conditioned studios, has a state of the art gymnasium, a beautiful 20 metre pool with jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, a spa bar offering light lunches and snacks, a sanctuary relaxation room, nail bar and pedicure suite and eight treatment rooms, along with a VIP double treatment suite and a spa boutique which sells brands such as Decléor, Carita, Darphin, Delilah Cosmetics and Jessica. Spa Illuminata offers several spa packages, from their simple Spa Experience Day, which costs from £70 per person, through to indulgent overnight stays and each month they run a different Spa Day of the Month. Upon arrival at Danesfield House Illuminata Spa, I was greeted by the warm and friendly reception team who offered me refreshments whilst I filled in the necessary forms. They explained how my day would run and showed me where I could find all the facilities. I had booked my lunch and treatment time in
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advance, which I would strongly advise and had also booked myself onto an Aquacise Class. I’ve found myself in the past booking onto all sorts of interesting classes and then having very little time to actually relax and just be, which ironically is quite stressful, so I decided to plan my day to include relaxation time as well as exercise and treatments in equal measures. After changing into my bathing costume and a huge white fluffy robe and with my favourite mindfulness mag in hand (Oops! I mean Vale Life Magazine!), I headed for the pool area and a lounger with a spectacular view of the gardens and the River Thames below. I went for a swim to limber up before a quite vigorous but very enjoyable Aqua Class and then, with time for a flick through said magazine before lunchtime, I headed for my lounger. Lunch was served in the spa bar and I decided to treat myself to a glass of Champagne - purely to aid relaxation! After a very delicious three courses (ok, I know I should have resisted the apple crumble and cream) I sleepily made my way through to the relaxation room where I waited for my therapist Sophie, to find me. My spa day package had included the utterly fabulous 80 minute Spa Illuminata Danesfield House Trilogy. This signature Decléor treatment begins with a diagnostic back massage and exfoliation and any stress
Amanda Trott
Beauty Spot
that remains is soothed away with the Ultimate Vitamin Glow facial. The multi-award winning facial is jam packed with all sorts of vitamins and anti-oxidants leaving skin deeply cleansed, perfectly replenished and glowing with vitality. After 80 minutes of pure bliss Sophie led me back to the relaxation room where I snuggled into the plump feather pillows and wrapped myself up under the supersoft blankets for a (power) nap! There was just enough time for a visit to the jacuzzi, sauna and steam room before I reluctantly took myself off to the shower and prepared to step out into the cold Winter air, leaving my cosy retreat behind. As for so many of us, having eight or so hours to completely indulge myself is a rarity and spending quality time on my own was a real treat. I left feeling unwound, pampered and relaxed and would highly recommend the lovely spa at Danesfield as a place to do this. It’s not long until my birthday, so if anyone is looking for ideas, a membership to Danesfield Spa Illuminata Danesfield House would be just fabulous dah-ling! l Spa Illuminata Danesfield House, Henley Road, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 2EY T: 01628 891881 / 01628 891010 E: spa@danesfieldhouse.co.uk W: www.danesfieldhouse.co.uk/spa l To contact Amanda please email:
editor@vale-life.co.uk
Health and Fitness
N o r d i c Wa l k i n g
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
by Sally Rusk
Step out Scandi-style
N
ordic Walking is an enhancement of ordinary walking – it makes something we learn to do as babies… twice as effective! Nordic Walking uses poles in order to add two major benefits to walking • The use of poles means the upper body muscles are used as well as the legs • The poles help to propel the walker along – this means he/she works harder than usual, yet the support given by the poles makes it feel easier! Nordic Walking is a specific fitness technique and is not to be confused with trekking, hill walking or trail running, as the poles are not planted in front of the walker/ runner but in a specific way that increases the use of the upper body. It can be done by anybody, anywhere and does not require expensive equipment or clothing.
Sally Rusk
Ridgeway Nordic Walking
Sally Rusk - Ridgeway Nordic Walking Nordic Walking is the fastest growing fitness activity in the world and is used by individuals, personal trainers, health clubs, physiotherapists, doctors and health promoters because it is highly effective, affordable and FUN! Ridgeway Nordic Walking offers
‘Adventure’ and ‘Aerobic’ through to ‘Gentle’ and ‘Wellbeing’ walking throughout the year. A way to enjoy the changing seasons outside in the fresh air. We are working in partnership with the Forestry Commission at Wendover Woods and are running
Taster Sessions and Learn to Nordic Walk courses at Wendover Woods now! We also have several established regular walks in the Woods, both in the week and at the weekends, that you can enjoy as soon as you have completed the course. During the Spring more walks will become available in Aylesbury and surrounding areas. For information please contact us as below - we look forward to hearing from you soon. l Ridgeway Nordic Walking E: info@vivo-shapehealthlife.co.uk Tel: Karen 07766366388 or Sally: 07933315617 www.ridgewalkingnordicwalking.co.uk www.mknordicwalking.co.uk
Louise Coates Independent Hair Stylist 079121 20025 / 01296 433233
I am an Independent Senior Stylist with 10 years salon experience City and Guilds trained to level 3 catering for all aspects of hair dressing.
Creative Cutting - Colouring - Styling - Perming I am fully insured and based at First Impressions, 18 Bourbon Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 2RR I look forward to welcoming clients old and new.
For all your beauty needs
Eyelash extensions, facials, Shellac and much more! HIDDEN BEAUTY IS NOW AT A NEW LOCATION please contact me for more details 07771 330366 hiddenbeautyaylesbury08@gmail.com
www.hiddenbeautyaylesbury.co.uk
Charlotte Mobile Hairdresser 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 •
ANTONIA BARNES MCFHP MAFHP FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONER
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 of your including regular nailend cutting and treatment. 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
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018/19
G o o d h e a lt h
Health & Beauty
with Sandra Smith
Prepared for Winter?
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e all recognise the importance of protecting our skin during the Summer don’t we? But that’s no reason to be complacent at a time of year when plummeting outdoor temperatures and escalating central heating can also cause problems. Dr Anjali Mahto, Consultant Dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, explains the challenges of winter. “This season can play havoc, especially for those with existing conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Harsh changes in temperature can leave the skin looking flushed, red and weather beaten. As central heating can dry out the skin, try not to turn the heat up to maximum. Hot baths can strip away oils so keep the water warm rather than too hot.” Those areas at the mercy of cold weather, she continues, require specific attention.
“The face is vulnerable to cold weather so protect it by moisturising regularly and wearing a loose scarf to protect from harsh winds. Cold weather combined with soaps or household cleaners means hands can become very dry. Get into the habit of moisturising hands after washing and carry a hand cream with you.” Lauren Thatcher, Belmore’s Beauty Manager, suggests other tips. “At night apply a really good hand cream, as much as you can,
then wear cotton gloves. Keep a good cuticle oil handy to keep nail beds in good condition. For your face, use a serum first. It works deeper on the skin so let it soak in then apply moisturiser.” And don’t forget the impact of liquid intake. “We don’t always drink lots of water in winter but you have to keep your hydration levels up.” As far as diet is concerned, Dr Mahto advocates foods containing omega-3 fatty acids as well as plenty of colourful fruit and vegetables while limiting consumption of sugar. Meanwhile for those who have a skiing holiday lined up the Consultant Dermatologist insists sunscreen is a necessity. “The amount of UV rays that reach the earth’s surface increases by up to 5% for every 1,000’ above sea level, plus both ice and water are good reflectors of UV radiation. This means it’s vital that areas which are typically exposed
Good Health
Sandra Smith to the elements, such as hands, face and head, need adequate protection with high factor broad spectrum SPF. And remember to reapply frequently.” Of course you may be spending this winter closer to home but wherever you are, stay warm and make sure you take care of your precious outer coating. l www.belmorecentre.co.uk
www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk
l Sandra Smith is a freelance
writer, follow her on Twitter: @TheCurrentMrsS or visit her website: www.TheCurrentMrsSmith.co.uk
Win a new What’s that Smell? game Help for carers of elders in Oxon/Bucks Free help for family and paid or voluntary carers of elders. Local, practical, money and time saving tips: See:
www.maudandmum.com @maudandmum
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. FREE initial consultation
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 18
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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hat’s That Smell? is the first ever hilarious fragrance-guessing party game that opens up a world of interesting whiffs. Guess the scent on the card correctly to win or you could be suffering the reeking ramifications of one of the deadly Stank Cards! With over 50 smells from nice to downright nasty, What’s That Smell? is a breath of fresh (and not-so-fresh) air in the party game category! WowWee games are using innovation in scent technology to leave their mark on game night. The new “scent-sational” party game is designed to put your sense of smell to the test against friends and family, roommates and work besties - challenging those brave enough to correctly guess scents ranging from roses to rotting garbage... and worse. The winner (aka “Nose-it-All”) gets to pick a player of their choice to suffer the
Whiff of Shame: three big whiffs of one of the four outrageously pungent Stank Cards: Extra Old Toe Cheese, Diaper Blowout, Hot Chunky Vomit and Smothered in B.O.! For added fun, players can download the free iOS/Android What’s That Smell? companion app to track the number of players and sniffing time, earn extra bonus points and record their priceless ‘Whiff Of Shame’ reactions. if you’d like to be in with a chance of winning a What’s that Smell? game, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Who was the puppet with a nose that grew when he lied? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email by 20th Jan. l Available in UK shops now, for
2-6 players, ages 14+, £24.99rrp.
Rated as
GOOD by CQC
Individual Care in Beautiful Surroundings Outstanding care in the heart of Buckinghamshire
A place of care for over 50 years, our focus is to tailor your stay with us to your agenda and your needs. If you are in need of recovery after an operation, a break whilst family are away or maybe you are looking for specialist respite care, we would be happy to help in all cases.
First-class rehabilitation
Delicious, nutritious meals
Relaxing environments
“My stay at Chilton House was outstanding in every aspect, staff were amazingly helpful with positive attitudes, the food was excellent, and the physios worked closely with me allowing me to reach my recovery goal.� Mr A, Berkshire
Chilton House, Chilton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 9LR www.chiltonhouse.co.uk | 01844 265 200 | enquiries@chiltonhouse.co.uk Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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Hearing Technology Explained: Research shows that most people put up with hearing issues for around ten years before doing anything about it! Luckily a local firm of experienced audiologists help with expert advice and high quality ear and hearing care, using the latest equipment and exciting new hearing technology in one of four handy locations...
Aston Hearing is celebrating
30 years working in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire.
Customisation New technology makes it possible to find your perfect fit both in physical comfort and sound. Advanced data logging systems inside the hearing devices allow us to analyse your sound environment, helping us to fine tune the sound to best fit your audiological need.
Conversation Often the biggest challenge for people with a hearing loss is following conversations in noisy environments. Today’s hearing devices use a series of features to maximise conversation and minimise intrusive background noise, whilst keeping the sound experience realistic and natural.
Matthew Ball, Audiologist Matthew Ball is one of the Audiology experts at Aston Hearing who manages the service at their clinic in Champneys Health Spa, near Tring. Matthew specialises in the supply and management of hearing technology, including repairs and technical programming techniques such as Real Ear Measurement - to help you make the most of your hearing and hearing technology available. “There has never been a better time to consider Hearing Technology. Hearing aids are now small, light and discreet yet powerful and programmed to your individual hearing loss. You can stream phone calls and music from a mobile phone, completely wireless and hands-free. It won’t be long before hearing aids are also monitoring your overall well-being and even providing live language translation in real time!“ - Matthew Ball 20
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Confidence With so much innovation across the industry, it can be difficult to choose which device or manufacturer would suit you best. As we are independent, our audiologists will always make an informed, impartial choice for a hearing device that best suits your personal situation and you can try different options as necessary.
Connectivity Your hearing aids can now fit seamlessly into your busy lifestyle by pairing with other technology. You can use Bluetooth to stream sounds directly into your hearing system. This significantly improves audibility and clarity. One of the best features with today’s hearing technology is the ability to link directly to your mobile phone. You can accept calls, hands free and hear the caller in both ears - set to your personal listening requirements. In addition most mobiles can now be linked using sophisticated download-able apps. Your mobile phone can also be converted to a remote microphone that can be used in very difficult listening environments.
Time to Get Excited Cosmetics For those looking for a discreet system and for whom cosmetics is key, the latest technology is now available in tiny devices. The key to this is super-fast computer processing now available in tiny digital micro-processors, and this is driving down the size of all hearing aids whilst increasing the power of ability.
Control In modern hearing systems we have numerous control options to suit you. Some people want their hearing aids to be completely automatic - you put them in and they will automatically adjust to each sound environment. Other people, like to have the automatic function with the ability to take control of the settings in certain situations, We can set you up with a remote control or you can even use an app on your smart phone, iPad or Apple Watch! Certain systems even allow us to access the programming remotely and make adjustments to your hearing aids from afar. This has been particularly effective when people are out of the country on business or if they live away from our area.
Convenience At Aston Hearing we aim to supply convenient products that fit into your lifestyle, such as rechargeable hearing aids. We are also open five days per week in three locations, plus we offer evening and weekend appointments by arrangement. We also have our 24/7 hot-line should you need our support in an emergency.
WWW.ASTONHEARING.CO.UK 01494 733840 matthew@astonhearing.co.uk
Want to learn more and try a demonstration of new technology ? Why not visit us at one of our four branches or come along and see us at one of Technology Open Days - for demonstrations and special offers. See our website for full details, email me directly or call our main number and one of our team will be pleased to help. Dedicated Branches: Amersham; Thame; Tring, Princes Risborough Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Hope for homeless Most of us can’t imagine what it would be like not to have a home. A dreadful situation especially for the young and vulnerable. Homelessness can go unnoticed in local towns as you don’t tend to see homeless people begging in doorways but it is there and we can all do something to help...
S
ince 1979 Youth Concern has been providing holistic support services for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in Aylesbury Vale aged 13-25 years old. One of the charity’s core services is Aylesbury Nightstop, an emergency host accommodation scheme for young people facing a homelessness crisis. Over the past year they have supported 84 young people through Nightstop. Youth Concern believes that every young person needs a safe home but unfortunately this is not the case in our local community. More must be done, so Youth Concern is setting up an ambitious youth homeless supported accommodation project in Staff and some of the young people they help outside Youth Concern’s Aylesbury drop-in centre/coffee bar Aylesbury, called ‘The Next Step,’ which conversion work and gaining qualifications. Youth Concern continue their valuable work.” will provide up to 20 young homeless people “We have had an amazing offer of Caron Vetter of Karma House Clinic in with a safe home for up to a year. In addition corporate sponsorship from Joe Stenson, Stone, a Youth Concern Ambassador and bespoke support packages will help with Group Development Director of Queensway, a corporate sponsor, says: “We took on a health, skills, employment and resettlement. who have offered to fit the entire property young person who had been supported by Funds and support are required for the and have signed up to a corporate Youth Concern and saw the huge difference project to succeed. Already several local sponsorship package. they made to her life, helping her find a job businesses have stepped in to help, but “We are working hard to raise additional and a home. Please help this effective and more are needed. To this end corporate funds via grants, crowdfunding, corporate worthwhile local project.” supporter packages have been launched, sponsorships and events. But we really need ranging from £1,000 to £10,000 which will more firms to come on board and help us set You can help Youth Concern today by: benefit companies by improving employee up this lifeline project for young people facing • Becoming a corporate supporter at: engagement, boosting public relations and a homelessness crisis. www.youthconcern.org.uk/supporters/ providing the positive personal rewards that “We believe that every young person business-friends-sponsorship-scheme/ come from supporting a local charity and deserves a safe home and that by harnessing • Making a donation via BT My Donate giving back to your community. the power of the local business community at www.youthconcern.org.uk Youth Concern has set up a Business we can end youth homelessness locally.” Or texting: YCAY01 £5 or YCAY01 £10 Fundraising Action Group, with Emma Minister for the Cabinet Office, David to 70070 to donate £5 or £10 right now! Walker of the Ashridge Group Ltd as the Lidington CBE, MP for Aylesbury, recently • Joining their Business Fundraising lead. Already, due to their sterling efforts, a became an Ambassador for Youth Action group - email: fran@youthconcern. Winter Sponsored Walk is to take Concern saying: “Youth Concern org.uk for details. place on Sunday, 6th January at is an excellent organisation • Registering for the 10K Winter Coombe Hill. providing a valuable service to Sponsored Walk at Coombe Hill: www. “We have raised 80% of our vulnerable young people who need youthconcern.org.uk/supporters/ £1m funding target,” says Youth help. Their flexible and responsive sponsored-walk and get sponsored! Concern CEO Fran Borgapproach means that those young Wheeler. “The Thomas Hickman l Youth Concern, The Uptown Coffee Bar, people can receive practical help Charity is purchasing premises Whitehill Lane, Aylesbury, HP19 8FL such as counselling or even just for us to run the project from Tel: 01296 431183 a safe place to go, to relax with and COSPA/ViY will be leading Email: admin@youthconcern.org.uk the conversion project, with our Web: www.youthconcern.org.uk Youth Concern CEO friends. I would encourage any young people taking part in the Fran Borg-Wheeler business to get involved and help Reg Charity No: 277935. Since 1979. 22
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
G o o d to g i v e
Community by Diane Rutter
Keep that spirit going
T
he festive cheer of Christmas tends to stir something within and convert even the most Scrooge-like of us to volunteer our services, helping out with festive lunches and visiting elderly neighbours. Whilst this is all very much appreciated, what happens when the Christmas trees have been taken down and everyone goes into hibernation in the New Year? Not-for-profit organisations in Buckinghamshire are looking for volunteers - and not just for Christmas. Volunteering roles needn’t take up hours of your time – micro-volunteering has become the norm, with many offering a couple of hours here and there, to fit it in with their existing commitments. Nowadays it’s much easier to find a volunteering role to suit you. Community Impact Buck’s website features ‘live streaming’ of the latest volunteering opportunities through the matchmaking websites
A volunteer helps out with a spot of gardening of its partners Do-it and Reach Volunteering, enabling anyone interested in volunteering to find their ideal role. 250,000 signed up to Do-It in October alone and it now has between 30,000 and 50,000 organisations registered at any one time. Volunteers put in some simple information including their postcode, interests and skills, and can then browse and apply to all relevant opportunities. Reach Volunteering is the
leading skills-based volunteering charity in the UK and is the single biggest source of Trustees for the voluntary sector in the UK. Charities recruited 1,052 Trustees and volunteers through Reach in 2017. Kaya Mallinder of Buckinghamshire Mind, which provides community based mental health services, reports that the charity had found Trustees through Reach, she says: “The Trustees we recruited through Reach have excellent skills and expertise, which complemented those of existing Board members.” Why volunteer? The idea of giving back to your local community is often enough but there are other positives which come from donating your time to a good cause. As well as the sense of wellbeing from giving your time to people who need it, you can also benefit in many other ways such as increased confidence, meeting new people,
Diane Rutter
Good to give learning new skills and improving your CV. Various studies have revealed that volunteers are generally happier and healthier than nonvolunteers.* This festive season, why not take some time to look at the opportunities available in your local area and make a difference to your community – and your life – in 2019? To register as a volunteer or to register a volunteering role, go to https://communityimpactbucks.org. uk/volunteering/ *Office for National Statistics (www.ons.gov.uk) l Diane Rutter is acting CEO of
Community Impact Bucks: Tel: 0300 1111 250 www.communityimpactbucks.org.uk
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Health and Fitness Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
p s y c h ot h e r a p y
with Maurice Roberts
What are you saying?
W
e may see ‘labels’ and make assumptions, usually incorrectly. “Psycho” conjures up crazy people. Therapy – ‘I’m OK I don’t need therapy’. Ladies go into the salon for a hairdo or to have their nails done, and are uplifted. A game of golf - that’s therapy! The dictionary description of Psychotherapy indicates the mind as a mental process for remedial treatment - ‘of illness or disability’. ‘Psycho’ comes from the Greek word, ‘psukhe’, meaning ‘breath of life’. Psychotherapy has the benefit of different ways of looking at problems, and providing solutions. Participants gain a better understanding of themselves, their goals and values. From birth, we’re programmed by well- meaning authority figures. Don’t - do that, go there. You can’t do that? Programming is installed
and behaviour patterns established. Experiences programme us to stay within comfort zones. We fear the consequences of stepping outside. Our thoughts control our behaviours. Every thought we have, is us talking to ourselves. What are you saying to yourself? Whatever that dialogue, it has shaped the you, you now are. But
are you the you, you want to be? Research studies say, we have between 50,000-70,000 thoughts per day, which means between 35 to 50 thoughts per minute, per person! Neuroscientist and philosopher Dr Deepak Chopra, being a rigorous, sceptical scientist, acknowledges that 60,000 to 80,000 could be just as valid a figure. We are constantly having conversations with ourselves. 95% of these thoughts are repeated daily and reflect the mindset, beliefs we hold. Even more significant, 80% of our thoughts are negative. A client came to see me. She had a fear of lifts. Now aged 39, she thought, “that’s crazy.” At the age of eight, while in a hospital lift, she’d had a man collapse on her and she was traumatised by the experience. Her subconscious mind went into protective mode and said “avoid lifts.”
Maurice Roberts Therapist
Exploring the experience, she realised that as a grown woman her fear was irrational. As facilitator, I helped her. So there was mind and therapy linked The Answer Lies Within - Seek It!” ‘If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it’. Dogen Zenji. l J Maurice Roberts CMH, C.Hyp, SCH,
is a Hypnotherapist; Psychotherapist; Transformational Coach and Counsellor based in Prince Risborough. He is also a public speaker and has written articles on Personal Development E: maurice.roberts@hotmail.comt T: 07942 897034
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with Lynnette Jackson
Personal stylist and image consultant Lynnette passes on tips and tricks for looking your fashionable best, plus the latest news on the high street trends...
New year, new You!?
N
ew Year can be a time for reflection and also new goals and aims for the new year ahead. Many of us think about becoming fitter and healthier, and set resolutions to go to the gym, start running, book that Pilates course etc. So I thought that I would help you look good whilst working out! This isn’t about looking like a supermodel, but looking like the best version of you whilst you burn some calories. I often get asked ‘should my gym gear be in my best colours?’ And my honest answer is ‘why wouldn’t it be’? When working out we tend not to have as much (or any!) makeup on, and our hair is tied up out of the way - all we have is the clothes we choose to wear to make us look good - so my advice is to make those clothes work hard for you. Whatever type of exercise you do there are two important style considerations: Colour and Patterns Colour: Colour will brighten up a January jog or a winter workout. Plus colour brightens up how we look too. So wear your best colour on your top and next to your face this way that fab colour will reflect on your face and give the effect of a brighter healthier you (even before you start your work out!). This sweater from Gant (top centre) in teal - is great if you like your colour on the subtle side. Plus Teal is a universal colour, meaning that it looks great on many of us). The other way to think about colour – is to use it to hide any bits you aren’t a big fan of. However, we aren’t very good at looking objectively at ourselves and often we
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Adidas Hoody £65 (available from Next)
Gant, Crew Next Sweater, £80 Next animal print cowl neck top £16 think we are bigger in certain areas than we actually are. So make sure you are being objective when you look at yourself. We can ‘hide’ areas we don’t like by wearing darker colours and/ or avoiding details/ patterns on those areas. For example this hoody from Adidas (top right) is great if you are a bit pear shaped, as it draws the eye up and away from the hips. So moving on to Patterns: Patterns can be a bit like Marmite - some people love them, and
some people hate them, whilst others are just not sure what to do with them. Whether you like patterns will be based on your Style Personality. I often describe Style Personality as the ‘heart’ or the feeling side of our personal style. If you like patterns then go for it! Just make sure that the pattern works for your body shape – as patterns can really transform our shape, if they are worn on the ‘right’
parts of our body. So where should you wear patterns? Well on a part of you that you are happy with and want to emphasise. At the moment there are a lot of statement logos on garments, which are often across the chest. These are great if you want to emphasis your chest line, but just remember that the logo will draw attention to that area! If you like a bit of animal print (a key trend for AW’18/19), then this top from Next is a great option. If you are pear shaped then wear with darker (e.g. black of charcoal leggings) or if you are more of an athletic build (think broader shoulders and narrower hips) then wear with a brighter / lighter coloured legging. This vest top from Ted Baker (bottom of opposite page) is a fab feminine pattern for drawing attention away from any hips/legs that you might not like. Just team with some black leggings! Pattern doesn’t always have to be bold – this subtle pattern from Ronhill Momentum (far right) would be perfect to subtly draw attention away from your top half. Just wear with a plain darker shade top – an aubergine coloured top would be fab, but you could also team with black or grey. I hope that this helps put a bounce into your new year, new you plans! Happy New Year! Happy New You! l Lynnette Jackson is an award-winning Personal Stylist and Image Consultant. She can help you look good whatever your size, shape, age or budget! Web: www.mycolourandstyle.com Facebook.com/mycolourandstyle Tel: 07971 198047
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Lynnette Jackson image consultant, personal stylist 07971 198 047 lynnette@mycolourandstyle.com www.mycolourandstyle.com Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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C u r i o u s Wo r l d
by Nicky Gregory
Christmas greetings
I
n Victorian times festive greetings were conveyed by messages written on visiting cards, but in 1843 Sir Henry Cole, who helped set up the Penny Post, commissioned the first commercial Christmas cards from John Callcott Horsley, an artist of the Royal Academy, who is said to have designed the world’s first postage stamp, the Penny Black. Horsley’s card showed scenes of charity with food and clothing being given to the poor. They border a central picture showing three generations of a family raising a toast to the card’s recipient. The card caused some controversy as it depicted a small child drinking wine! The card sold for a shilling and was not a great success, but in 1848 Prince Albert brought German Christmas traditions to England and soon Christmas cards were being bought by affluent middle-class citizens.
Nicky Gregory
Curious world
Victorian Christmas cards In 2001 an 1843 Christmas card was sold by Henry Aldridge auctioneers for £22,250. Quite a good return on the original one shilling (5p)! There was, of course, the alternative Christmas card. Some appeared in the 1880s - a dead robin with the words, ‘May yours be a joyful Christmas’, or a dead wren with ‘A Loving Christmas Greeting’.
These were supposed to elicit Victorian sympathy and relate to poor children freezing to death at Christmas. Other cards were just bizarre. A skating frog card wishing a joyful Christmas had the rhyme: ‘Four jovial froggies a skating would go; They had asked their mamma, but she sternly said “No”! And they all came to grief
in a beautiful row. There’s a sweet Christmas moral for one not too slow. Just go! l Nicky Gregory is the owner of Antiques@Wendover, The Old Post Office, 25 High Street, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6DU T: 01296 625335 E: antiques@antiquesatwendover.co.uk Web: www.antiquesatwendover.co.uk
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 Room, 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.
Late 17thC child’s two panel oak chest. Small initials I.C. & K.M. are carved on the left front… previous owners? £390 The Old Post Office, 25 High Street, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6DU Tel: 01296 625335 Email: antiques@antiquesatwendover.co.uk Website: www.antiquesatwendover.co.uk 28
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
A d ro p o f s h e r ry
by Sherry Hostler
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018/19
Turn off, tune out, drop it
T
he first time I realised that I might have an addiction to my smart phone was when I literally broke out in a cold sweat, upon realising it wasn’t in my bag, while meeting my friend in Thame last week. I didn’t even need the stupid thing. I didn’t need to use the phone, the camera, the internet or any of the gazillion apps that I have on it. I was there to meet my friend, eat some lunch and give her my undivided attention. But then the fear of ‘what if?’ kicks in. What if I’m late? What if I need to find directions? What if I need to take a selfie? What if I have an overwhelming need to find out the lyrics to a random 1980s pop song? Nearly all of us are constantly plugged in to something electronic, be it a phone, sat nav, Ipad, Ipod, computer game, laptop or desktop… the list is endless. In fact statistics show that the average person checks their phone
Sherry Hostler
A drop of Sherry
to aid sleep, and phones switched off in the car. Tell friends what you’re doing so they can help. around 200 times a day, which is 8 times an hour! And if that isn’t bad enough, 1 in 4 of us apparently spend more time online than asleep! Is it any wonder that we’re all tired and complaining that there aren’t enough hours in the day to do the things we really want to; while our dwindling social skills are seeing a rise in depression and anxiety? Not really. So here’s my solution… it’s time to disconnect so that we can reconnect. How about instead of the usual
New Year’s Eve resolutions to cut out fattening foods and alcohol, we try cutting out our digital time instead? Obviously I’m not suggesting that you go cold turkey… there’s enough of that around at Christmas time anyway. But, how about some baby steps: Try phone stacking at the dinner table, where the first person to reach for their phone gets a forfeit. Give yourself a gadget time allowance, with a small reward for sticking to it. Keep screens out of the bedroom
How brilliant would it be to spend more time living our lives instead of living other people’s lives though a screen. That’s my plan anyway…just as soon as I watch this video link of cats wearing beards… See you on the other side. l Sherry Hostler is a freelance
writer and blogger. She loves dogs, red wine and snowboarding, but not all at the same time. You can find her at www.adropofsherry.com
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E d u c at i o n m at t e r s
Nick Andrews
by Nick Andrews
In search of happiness
W
e can learn to be happy, at school and at home. It seems almost counter-intuitive to say it. Happiness just comes, alights like a diaphanous butterfly and flies off again, with an equally fickle abandon. Doesn’t it? Well, recent research suggests otherwise. Linking neurological research to sociological evidence has led to the mapping out of a very clear path to happiness. Perhaps it is useful to think of it on three levels. If we want something and we obtain it, then this can be called pleasure. It can be fleeting and if we become trapped in a narcissistic cycle of pleasure seeking this can lead to depression and even despair. The more we have, the more we want and the less satisfying each cycle becomes. We can consciously avoid this and we can teach our
children to do so too. The links between this cycle and addiction are all too obvious; be it sugar, sex, shopping, adrenaline, drugs or any other pleasure-creating experience. Happiness is more relational – to do with other people and our interactions with them. The bookshops groan under the weight of self-help books every Christmas, many of them worthwhile, that promote the drive away from self into the arms of society; our friends, our colleagues, our families and our neighbours. The difficulty
here is that we are dependent on others to first of all be there, and secondly to behave reasonably. This isn’t always true. The third level, and there is no better time to be aware of it than at Christmas time, is what might be called joy, or deep satisfaction. This comes from an attachment to an ideal beyond ourselves and even beyond our relationships. The attachment is to an ideal that transcends our normal lives. Examples can be: environmentalism, a sense of duty to fairness in the affairs of the world, the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, spreading understanding of others and so on. This is not a veiled endorsement of religion, that is the reader’s personal affair, and I do not intend to preach here. That would be a presumption. But what I am saying is that we as adults, teachers and parents alike,
Education Matters have a duty to try and understand what truly works and to pass it on. Consumption brings short term pleasure and dependence on it can lead to addictions. Relationships are vital but they are not the whole answer. We, and this means our children, will truly prosper when we believe in something greater. It is my contention that this can start when the children are very young; by asking them what they believe in you are creating a space for them to fill because they will want to answer your question. You will adapt and change the conversations as they get older but by doing so you are giving them the greatest of gifts – the key to contentment. l Nick Andrews is a retired headmaster who now works as an educational consultant and can be contacted on: nickubiq@gmail.com
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Waitrose Thame Supporting the community 30
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
by Cathy Soughton
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Workers rise up across Bucks
a mythical figure named Captain Swing), spread like wild fire across southern Britain. They started with attacks on the much hated threshing machines and continued ou may have seen the with the wholesale destruction of recent film release, objects of perceived oppression, Peterloo, which portrays such as workhouses, mill machinery events in Manchester in and tithe barns. In Bucks threats 1819, when a crowd were attacked were made to farmers and there with sabres by the Yeomanry, a were incidents of attacks on farm reserve cavalry force. Around 15 machinery at Stone, Waddesdon people were massacred and at least and Upper Winchendon followed in fear of losing their homes, felt 400 injured. 60,000 people had pressurised into voting for his choice by attacks on recently installed gathered peacefully in St Peter’s machinery at several paper mills near of MP. Other places which sent an Field in Manchester to hear a High Wycombe. MP to parliament but had a tiny political agitator call for reform of Many of those involved were electorate were classed as rotten the electoral system. At that point arrested and a Special Commission boroughs. Manchester, one of the burgeoning took place in Aylesbury in January There were no political protests industrial cities, had no MPs whereas in Buckinghamshire on the scale 1831 when nearly 160 local men rural areas, places like Wendover were tried for machine breaking of Peterloo but there was growing which had a population of less than dissent amongst agricultural and associated crimes. Whilst some 1600, sent two MPs to the House were acquitted or imprisoned for a labourers caused by a number of of Commons, including one future few weeks, more than 40 of those factors including low wages, poor Prime Minister, George Canning. found guilty of machine breaking at living conditions and increased Wendover was classed as a pocket unemployment, with the last straw Wycombe were sentenced to death. borough – one where a major Petitions were organised to save being the introduction of new landowner, in this case the Lord of their lives and all of these sentences machinery, including a threshing the Manor who owned much of were commuted to transportation machine, which reduced the the property in the town, was able and the prisoners were shipped to workforce required especially in the to control who would be elected to Australia, (no doubt causing even winter months. parliament; elections were held in more hardship for their families left During the summer and autumn public at the time and his tenants behind). Other Bucks men were of 1830, Swing Riots (named after
Peterloo Massacre, Manchester
Y
Ay l e s b u ry S p e a k e r s C l u b
sentenced directly to transportation such as William Scotchings of Stone and despite a petition sent by Dr John Lee of Hartwell House and others to the Home Secretary his sentence was not reprieved. There were no further riots on this scale in Buckinghamshire but the general unrest at the time helped facilitate the passing of the 1832 Reform Act, which introduced wide ranging changes to the electoral system and abolished rotten and pocket boroughs and increased the (male) electorate. But most people still did not have the right to vote at the time whilst votes were still cast in public until secret ballots were introduced in 1872. l Cathy Soughton is a professional
genealogist and architectural historian, providing local family history and house history research. W: www.bucksresearch.co.uk, E: soughton@bucksresearch.co.uk T: 07787 185962 Family History Gift Voucher For an unusual Christmas present, why not give a gift voucher for Family or House History research undertaken by a professional qualified genealogist. Contact Cathy as above.
by Eddie Darroch
The power of speech
I
magine being a car engine that performs, not on fuel, but on confidence. Now imagine taking a flight of butterflies and making them fly in formation like the Red Arrows. You’ll gain those powers when you learn public speaking with Toastmasters International, possibly one of the best kept secrets in life and in business. For the price of a good meal, annual membership comprises speech manuals, a monthly magazine and entertainment on a fortnightly basis - listening to friends tell stories or having conversations dressed up as speeches. Whether it’s a job interview, a business pitch, presenting at work, raising funds for charity or asking for people’s support, we all need help to improve our communication skills. Aylesbury Speakers are the UK’s oldest public speaking club and if
you want to learn speaking skills in a structured, friendly atmosphere, we’re the premier destination. There’s lots of applause at Toastmasters; especially when you get up to speak and when you sit down after speaking. The important thing to realise is you are not being applauded for the quality of your speech; it’s for having the intestinal fortitude to get up and have a go.
What can it do for you? I was asked to speak at the Managing Director’s meeting of the Top 200 managers in a 30,000 employee organisation. I had to talk for between 6-8 minutes followed by 3-4 minutes of Q & A. I had to do this consecutively 4 times knowing that one performance was going to be filmed and put on the company intranet for people to watch later. I wasn’t allowed notes or presentation aids and had to stand on a plinth in the atrium of a hotel while 50 senior managers at a time stood in front of me. Thanks to Toastmasters training, my speech was written and rehearsed, I knew how to overcome nerves, how to check for noise sources and overcome them, in this case a photographer snapping away from different angles. I even checked beforehand that the plinth was stable and knew to keep my feet planted as there wasn’t much
Eddie Darroch room to move. The MD subsequently mentioned the speech three times when everyone returned to the main auditorium, having apparently watched me twice and later wrote me a personal email thanking me for the speech, complete with a commendation. l Aylesbury Speakers Club -
Toastmasters - meets on the first and third Monday of the month at The Olympic Lodge, Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Aylesbury (8pm) For more information visit: www.aylesburyspeakers. toastmasterclub.org Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
d ow n to b u s i n e s s
with Philippa Batting
Source of inspiration
B
uckinghamshire’s biggest careers show, the Bucks Skills Show, took place in October and was a runaway success with more than 3,000 people meeting more than 100 employers to learn about young people’s career options. The feedback from visitors and exhibitors was universally positive, with the event deemed inspiring and informative for the young people seeking information about future career paths. In one particularly touching comment, the mother of one young attendee said that her son had been struggling at school but after the Bucks Skills Show now saw a reason to try harder in his exams so that he gets on to the apprenticeship placement he wants. This is why it’s so important for businesses to engage with the Bucks Skills Show. This year, more than 100 employers took the chance to promote what they do
Philippa Batting Down to business
and explain to young people what they themselves would need to do in order to start a career in a particular sector. Every exhibitor questioned about their experience at the event said they would recommend the event to other potential exhibitors, with some praising the amazing chance to link with the workforce of the future. One of the best things about the event was the chance to gauge the future ambitions of the young people in attendance. Buckinghamshire Business First had a stand at the event and we asked these young people what kind of
business they would like to start in Buckinghamshire. There were some great ideas, including for businesses involved in construction, accounting, gaming, cyber security, engineering, aerospace, architecture, law, computer programming, insurance, sports coaching, beauty, music, food, medicine, graphic design, town planning, carpentry, fashion, photography, fitness, and tattooing. So watch this space! The Bucks Skills Show is run by the Buckinghamshire Skills Hub and this year was sponsored by Bosch. The Buckinghamshire Skills Hub runs two great platforms to support
youth skills and career development. WANNABE allows businesses to promote their apprenticeship, work experience and full/parttime job vacancies for free; while Opps in Bucks connects schools with businesses that can offer workplace visits, careers talks, skills workshops, mock interviews and more to students. For more information on next year’s Bucks Skills Show or the Buckinghamshire Skills Hub platforms, email: skillshub@bbf. uk.com l Philippa Batting is MD of Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF), working to support and facilitate success within the business community. Membership is free - visit: www.bbf.uk.com
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Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Life bites
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
by Sarah Virág
Give yourself a break!
A
s we move towards a new year, are you perhaps wondering why you feel a bit lacklustre - or out of
friends, work parties and general holiday shenanigans, do make time for doing – nothing. Try to find a balance between busy days and quiet, more restorative ones.
sorts? The end of year social blitz, combined with extra domestic, work and financial pressures, can leave most of us feeling as though the world is spinning out of control. Frozen in our tracks. Exhausted. Well, you’re certainly not alone. The good news, however, is that with a little more self awareness and self love, this sense of overload really can be managed. But to combat any stress you‘re feeling, the first step is to actually acknowledge it, rather than to sweep it under the carpet. Here are 4 tips to help you take your foot off the accelerator in the coming weeks. They‘ll help you focus on all important mental health and physical wellbeing, and soothe frazzled nerves;
Be Organised A little extra effort goes a long way in all walks of life, but never more so than when life is hitting you from every direction. So make sure you’ve covered those additional seasonal needs; such as making advance lists for catering and gift requirements, that you’re stocked up on everyday essentials and have any bookings firmly confirmed too. Avoid An Overpacked Agenda Somewhere in amongst the visits from relatives, drinks with
Device-free time Lead the way with your children and grandchildren by agreeing on device free times for the whole family. Commit to this and you’ll quickly reap the rewards, such as wonderful, uninterrupted one on one time with loved ones. Silence The Diet Plans Take the pressure off yourself by avoiding unrealistic diet restrictions. Trying to resist those extra chocolates and roast potatoes is pretty futile unless you’re very strong willed. Much better to surrender to a more relaxed way of thinking for a few weeks - without feelings of guilt - and then set a firm date on the calendar for getting back on track. In summary. One of the very best
Sarah Virág Confidence Coach coaching takeaways I share is this; when you’re in tune with your own needs and work towards satisfying them (downtime included), everything and everyone in your immediate circle will benefit too. So go on. Give yourself a break – you deserve it! l Sarah Virág BA (Hons) is a
confidence coach, writer, former global events manager and author of Amazon #1 bestselling book ‘Wings for Life‘ (available at www. amazon.co.uk/dp/1720076804). Website: www.sarah-virag.com Email: sarah@sarah-virag.com FB: /SarahViragConfidenceCoach Instagram: @sarah.virag
it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ...and The Sanderum Centre elves are all hard at work making their lists, checking them twice, and making sure their clients' tasks are wrapped up for the year - now isn't that nice? If you'd like them to work their magic on your piles of paperwork too, give Katie and the elves a call. the sanderum centre would like to wish all of their friends, colleagues and clients a very happy christmas and a prosperous 2019 follow us twitter.com/sanderumcentre
find the space & support for your business 01844 211080 www.sanderumcentre.co.uk hello@sanderumcentre.co.uk Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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Property Doctor
T
PRESS RElEASE
commencement of a new lease shown to equal or exceed a or an assignment of an existing multiple (generally 3 times the rent) then a lower deposit is lease. usually agreed. The reasons for the deposit Many tenants will not want to are usually if the tenant’s tie up capital in a rent deposit covenant is weak, or if the for what is often a lengthy tenant is unable to provide period of time, and possible evidence of its past track Question: Why do I have alternatives include: A bank or record, making regular to pay a rental deposit when parent company guarantee; a payments to their landlord. renting a commercial property? letter of credit from a bank; or There is no prescribed level A question we are often a personal guarantee from a for the deposit, but this is asked by our applicants! Company Director. typically to between There are many scenarios Director of Chandler Alan Chandler, beenequivalent instructed by Kingston Space Ltd toAlternatively, Terri Clarke Garvey has 3 months, for a well-established a landlord may agree to return and variables to be taken into market Space Business a development of 27 located in one back toif back provided byCentre, a tenant to their the deposit the tenant company withunits a good covenant consideration by thethe Landlord terrace and 16 units in the other. The units are of modern construction, having been built in landlord as a security payment a sufficiently strength, and 12 months, for a demonstrates when letting a commercial which can be drawn on by the secure financial position. new business. property, one of the main areas 2009. The sizes range from 367 sq. ft. up to 908 sq. ft. and are fitted with a mezzanine floor. landlord in the event that the Please call Chandler Garvey The “profits test” is often of concern being “can my total accommodation theobligations estate is 19,541 sq. The site from tax and stamp tenant’s on rental on 01296 398383 to discuss used as ft. a general rulebenefits of tenant payThe the rent?” duty savings, cheaper than commercial investment yields will be higher than yields on cannot be renting, met, or if the tenant thumb to ascertain the financial your property requirements is in breach of contract, causing or see our website: www. position of the tenant company, Answer residential - Rental deposits buy to lets, all units are business rates exempt (small business rate relief), and the landlord expense. i.e., if the company’s net profits chandlergarvey.com for more explained: there is a dedicated unit and visitor The deposit is putparking. in place on in the preceding 3 years are details on the services we offer. A rental deposit is money erri Clarke, Commercial Property Agent at the Chandler Garvey Aylesbury office, provides information regarding commercial rental deposits.
CHAnDlER GARVEy MARkET nEw COMMERCIAl Buy TO lET OPPORTunITy In AylESBuRy
The freehold is owned by Aylesbury Vale District Council and Kingston Space Ltd are the long
For leaseholders, with1over Anglo Business Park, to let Future Centre, Aylesbury 130 years remaining. Units are available from £64,000 plus VAT. Sale Chesham - 4,180 sq ft 34,692 sq ft All units are let on monthly licences and are now producing a gross annual income in excess of £300,000. Further details from Alan Chandler – ac@chandlergarvey.com / 01296 398383.
Unit 1 provides ground and first floor business space totalling 4,180 SQ FT on the Anglo Business Park, prominently located along Asheridge Road Chesham. First floor fully-fitted offices plus workshop and laboratory; WCs, Kitchenette; 13 on site car spaces; Full gas fired central heating; Strip lighting on ground floor; Concealed lighting with suspended ceilings on ground/first floor. Available for sale.
Detached industrial/ warehouse building of 34,692 sq ft (3,223 sq m). Steel portal frame - constructed late 1980s. Good office content (11,400 sq ft), self contained yard with 103 car spaces.
Call our Aylesbury Team - Alan Chandler and Terri Clarke on: 01296 398383 Lettings | Acquisitions | Investments | Valuations | Property Management Rent Reviews and Lease Renewals | Development / Planning Advice | Business Rates
A new perspective on property
www.chandlergarvey.com 34
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
s l ow c h i lt e r n s
by Neil Matthews
Magic of the Manor
T
was the night before Christmas but in one famous Buckinghamshire house, no matter what the poem says, there’s a great deal stirring. Waddesdon Manor (waddesdon.org.uk) is enjoying a spectacular seasonal celebration whilst looking forward to very special anniversary in 2019. Waddesdon’s Christmas Carnival runs on Wednesdays-Sundays till 2nd January (closed Boxing Day), along with Mon 31st December and New Year’s Day itself. The Carnival has three main features, in addition to the Christmas Fair which finished on 16th December:• Arrive at the Stables (between 11am and 6pm) to walk through a tunnel of light, be met by beautiful light animations projected onto the walls (from dusk), and then follow the festoon lit playground path back to the Manor, with sounds accompanying your footsteps. This
Waddesdon Manor ingenious creation is courtesy of students from the Guildhall School. • A selection of the Manor’s rooms are dazzingly decorated, with this year’s inspiration being from the artworks and artefacts of Waddesdon itself. You can visit these rooms between 11.30am and 6pm by timed ticket (advanced booking essential for all visitors including National Trust members). • Finally, between dusk
(around 4pm) and 6pm there’s an illuminated light trail out by the aviary. Instead of the leaves that hang from them in warmer times of year, the trees are laden with wine bottles and glitter balls. The Carnival provides an excellent run-up to the start of 2019, which marks 60 years since Waddesdon opened to the public for the first time. While the house doesn’t reopen until the Spring, you can still spend weekends in January and February wandering through the remarkable gardens. The main highlight in the winter months is the Aviary, a cast-iron symphony of blue and gold which originally housed Ferdinand’s collection of exotic birds. Today’s residents include the chestnut-backed thrush, ground-doves and Rothschild’s mynahs. The Rothschilds always had a fascination with wildlife (Walter Rothschild created the amazing
Neil Matthews
Slow Chilterns
Natural History Museum at Tring) and Waddesdon continues to reflect Ferdinand’s avian obsession, caring for some species which would otherwise be extinct or close to extinction, such as the ground-dove. We used to visit a talking mynah called George, who would say, among other things: ‘You’re an old stinker!’ Today’s aviary residents are more diplomatic, but no less colourful and exotic. l Neil Matthews’ book Slow Travel: the Chilterns and the Thames Valley, co-written with his wife Helen, is due to be published by Bradt Travel Guides in early 2019 www.bradtguides.com See www. slowchilterns.com to find out more.
Pardon my English! Win Southern Railway book A local dialect ‘Call My Bluff’ by Jacot de Boinod Can you guess the right definitions of the following words? 1) Naunt
(Oxfordshire dialect)
3) mumprin’
A) to scramble for sweetmeats as children do B) high-spirited, proud C) an aunt
(Hertfordshire dialect) A) showing off B) following a woman without actually addressing her C) high-spirited, proud
2) Yelm
4) Quamp
(Buckinghamshire dialect) A) to prepare straw for thatching, or hay for cutting into chaff, by arranging it in one direction B) the second swarm of bees in the same season C) verbally to belittle someone
(Hertfordshire dialect) A) to squash, subdue B) the windward side of a hedge C) to send an opponent’s tiddlywink a long way away, preferably off the table
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...
S
outhern Railway, Maunsell Moguls and Tank Locomotive Classes: Their Design and Development is lavishly illustrated with over 300 black and white and thirty colour photographs of trains taken at various places nationwide including Wendover and Waddesden. It’s a must have for trainspotters describing the conception, design and construction of the two- and three-cylinder 2-6-0s initially the ‘Ns’, constructed at the end of the First World War and their three-cylinder variants, the ‘N1s’. It also describes the class ‘K’ River 2-6-4 tank engines, their riding problems and the decision to convert them as class ‘U’ two-cylinder moguls after the
disastrous Sevenoaks derailment in 1927. The book covers the allocation, operation and performance of these classes and includes some personal reminiscences of the author who experienced the moguls at first hand. If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning a signed copy, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Who is the famous Tank Engine in children’s books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email by 20th Jan.
l Southern Railway,
ISBN: 9781526732132 www.pen-and-sword.co.uk Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
35
ANSWERS: 1C) an aunt 2A) to prepare straw for thatching, or hay for cutting into chaff, by arranging it in one direction 3A) showing off 4A) to squash, subdue
Homes & Gardens Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Step inside
by Polly Gibbs
Deliciously Decadent
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Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Faunacation Collection by Divine Savages
Step inside
by Polly Gibbs
Homes & Gardens Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
A Taste of The Unexpected With a continuing shift towards spaces with a definite identity and sense of individuality, I predict a riot of maximalism will be huge in 2019 and beyond...
P
ulling off a daring style takes real skill, passion and self-assurance. Informed by design knowledge, global influences and an eye for all things fabulous, these interiors are ever evolving. Even interior stylist and designer Abigail Ahern (a huge influencer on the current trend for dark interiors) once loved Scandi-interiors. Design is a journey. Most designers are restless, hankering after new experiences, ideas, products, technology and inspiration, with an insatiable desire for ‘different’. But what really makes a style aficionado unique is fearless curiosity. They aren’t afraid to surround themselves with things they love regardless of trends, they push boundaries. Not to be mistaken for rebellion however, style pioneers appreciate a visual feast of decadence and relish a taste of the unexpected. When it comes to these interiors, more is more, more objects, more patterns, more texture, more colour, more fabulosity with nods to nature, animals and the exotic. But it doesn’t mean good design has to be compromised, with considered curation and an expert eye, inspired interiors emerge. Sometimes music needs discord to bring it to life, as a contrast to awaken the senses - this is what the unexpected does to an interior. Allow me to introduce you to a few young
brands that epitomise deliciously unexpected. Divine Savages (founded in 2016). Describing themselves as passionate about quirky styles, founders and husbands Jamie Watkins and Tom Kennedy have harnessed their experience in both design and fashion to create Divine Savages, an interiors collection for the artistic shopper. Expect bold patterns, sumptuous velvets, rich fabrics, fringes and leopard motifs. The duo’s aim is to inject a shot of colour and pattern into every room, including the humble bathroom, which like the cloakroom is one of the best spaces to easily embrace daring design. Shower curtains
with personality will breathe in edginess and wallpaper can work so long as ventilation is good. Pictured are the Zsa Zsa shower curtain with dancing Ostrich motif - a nod to Hollywood glamour (£45), and Geometric Aviary wallpaper (£140), also available as a shower curtain - a bold way to bring the outdoors in. Elevate that favourite bedroom chair or living room sofa to a whole new level of chic irreverence with plump duck feather filled cushions in delectable prints like Nocturnal Fornication, Crane Fonda or Deco Martini (cushions £95). The collection also includes Continued on page 39
Zsa Zsa Shower Curtain
Geometric Aviary
Nocturnal Faunacation Collection
Polly Gibbs Step inside
Crane Fonda Wallpaper
Polly Gibbs, Creative Director at Coco Design, shares her down to earth approach to interiors, from design secrets to trends and everything in between.
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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Homes & Gardens
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Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Step inside
Homes & Gardens
by Polly Gibbs
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Anna Hayman Designs - Pearl on Stairs
Continued from page 37 coasters (£26), placemats (£40), fabric (£90), lampshades (£250) and art (from £35). Psst: sign up for their newsletter and get a 10% discount. On to another design hero of mine, Anna Hayman Designs, also founded in 2016. You’ll come home to stunning patterns, beautiful wallpapers, lampshades, rugs and cushions inspired by Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, 60s Biba and the 70s. Simply stunning and decadent - this collection is made for cocktail hour. Her fringed cushions (from £115) lampshades (£295) and rugs are a particular triumph (from £125). Continued on page 40
Anna Hayman Designs Fringed Cushions
Nocturnal Faunacation Cushion
High quality bespoke kitchens and furniture, handmade by skilled craftsmen in Buckinghamshire Complete Kitchens | Bedrooms | Wardrobes | Cupboards | Shelving | Storage Solutions | Furniture | Desks | Offices
‘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 706030 Email: mark@markwilliamsonfurniture.com Website: www.markwilliamsonfurniture.com Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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Homes & Gardens
Step inside
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
by Polly Gibbs
Anna Hayman Playsuit in Pearl / Wallpaper Collection / Giraffe Fabric Continued from page 39 Siouxsie, Sgt Pepper, Perdita, Pearl and Bibana all lend themselves to a rock‘n’roll hedonistic retreat, resplendent with gold ceilings, smoked mirrors, sequin bedspreads, disco balls, neon typography and vintage cocktail glasses.
This sofa in gorgeous Bibana velvet looks striking in the home of the super stylish Kate Learmonth (@the.kate.edit), whose bold monochrome style is full on unexpected. Glam never felt so chic. Giraffe, Makemba and Dianne bring a glamorous safari
Hayman Wanderlust Siouxsie Bibana: Anna Hayman Designs
Kate’s Lounge: Sofa upholstered in Bibana Pewter. Interior by Kate Learmonth
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Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Bathing a problem? – we can help • Wet rooms • Walk in showers and baths • Waterproof wall panelling • Slip resistant safety flooring • Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets • Established family business • Zero VAT on disabled bathrooms • Discounts for over 60’s SSAFA and Ex Service personnel Showrooms nationwide. Call now to arrange a FREE survey and quote
01296 323438
BARN STORE
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Step inside
by Polly Gibbs
with what you love. There are no rules. Things have a purpose, created for both their beauty and their meaning. Enjoy pattern overload on a range of goodies from cushions, lampshades, wallpaper and fabrics to candles, pj’s, dinnerware, blankets (having a little revival) and even some cheetah bookends to bring a colonial feel to your bookshelf. Each cat sits atop a black porcelain and brass podium for the chicest statement (£395). Last but not least are Timorous Beasties (first shop opened in 2004) whose designs celebrate a golden age of copperplate engraving •Expert Advice (a time-honoured classic is the Thistle range; or •Professional Fitting Merian Palm superwide wallpaper). The studio fully engages in a design discourse with textiles •Very Competitive history by lending an aesthetic evolution to for Residential and time-honoured motifs. As a lover of bees I have Commercial work my eye on the Honey Bee cushion (£100). The Fresco Old Gold •Carpets towallpaper suit allis amazing (£280 per metre), but the Golden Oriole wall panels are the Budgets real show stopper (£1050 per panel). •Free Quotes Glamorous and edgy with a sense of mischief - look out for fringes, leopard prints/motifs, •No Obligation golden touches and velvets in deep rich colours. •Free This is the Parking twenties, thirties and naughty forties roaring into the 21st century. For more inspiration browse the Curious Coco CARPETS • VINYLS • SISALdedicated • STAIR‘Delicious RODS Decadence’ Pinterest board and follow @thecuriouscoco SAFETY FLOORING • WOOD • BINDING TAPES on instagram for a Golden Oriole panels, Timorous Beasties
Homes & Gardens Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
edge, evoking both a magical nostalgia and sophisticated modernism in equal measure. Follow Anna on Instagram for new product launches like her playsuits and skinny scarves, before they hit her website (@ annahaymandesigns). Also worth checking out are House of Hackney (launched in 2010), who encourage you to create and decorate your own way, to live
Charles Huntington Flooring
Fresco Old Gold wallpaper, Timorous Beasties
Charles Huntington Flooring kaleidoscope of design inspiration. Source List •Expert Advice divinesavages.com •Professional Fitting annahaymandesigns.com timorousbeasties.com •Very Competitive houseofhackney.com for Residential and thekateedit.com Commercial work pinterest.co.uk/curious_coco/ instagram.com/thecuriouscoco •Carpets to suit all
Budgets
l Polly is an award-winning designer, Decorex100 interiors influencer & Amara •Free Quotes Interiors Blog Award Finalist. If you’ve got a •Nodilemma, Obligation rockin’ interior or design message her and it could feature •Free in the next issue. E: polly@ Parking curious-coco.com W: www.curious-coco.com Insta, Twitter, FB: @TheCuriousCoco
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 WEcan WILL NOT BE BEATENyet ON hard-wearing QUALITY OR SERVICE •Expert Advice beautiful runners l Expert fitting service at competitiveFlooring prices - we Budgets and rugs in our local area l Domestic and commercial match or better your quote •Expert Advice Providing advice and installations Advice •Expert Advice•Free Fitting to private customers, professionals•Expert and •Professional Quotes•ProfessionalFitting •Professional Fitting •Professional Fitting contractors for over 25 years •Very Competitive •No Obligation for Residential and •Very Competitive •Very Competitive •Very Competitive Extensive experience with Commercial work for Residential and for Residential•Free and Parking thatched, heritage and listed buildings. Commercial work Commercial work E
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Charles Huntington Flooring
Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm Saturday 10am until 4pm. Any other time by appointment
IC
IN
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for Residential •Carpets to suit and all Budgets •Carpets to suit•Carpets all to suit all Commercial work Budgets Budgets •Free Quotes CARPETS • VINYLS • SISAL • STAIR RODS •Free Quotes •Free Quotes •No Obligation •Carpets toParking suit all SAFETY FLOORING • WOOD • BINDING TAPES •No Obligation •No Obligation •Free THE BEST IN home •Free Parking •Free Parking Budgets Opening Times: Monday to Friday •10am 5pm CARPETS VINYLSuntil • SISAL • STAIR RODS CARPETS Saturday • VINYLS • SISAL • STAIR CARPETS • VINYLS SISAL • Any STAIRother RODS SAFETY FLOORING • WOOD • BINDING TAPES 10am until•RODS 4pm. time•Free by appointment Quotes Stoves, Installations Servicing SAFETY FLOORING • WOOD •&BINDING TAPES SAFETY FLOORING • WOOD • BINDING TAPES Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm Tel: 01296 337181 Opening Mob:Times: 07767370067 •No Obligation Saturday 10am until 4pm. Any other time by appointment Opening Times: Monday toto Friday 10am until 5pm Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm North Mill Road Bledlow Bucks HP2710am 9QP 01844 342400 info@northmillstoves.co.uk www.northmillstoves.co.uk Opening Times: Monday Friday until 3pm Saturday 10am until 4pm. Any other time by appointment Web: www.charleshuntington.co.uk Saturday 10am until 4pm. 10am Any other appointment Saturday until time 4pm. by Any other time Tel: by appointment 01296 337181 Mob: 07767370067 Tel: 01296 337181 Mob:337181 07767370067 Tel: 01296 Mob: 07767370067 Web: www.charleshuntington.co.uk •Free Parking 23 DUCK FARM COURT, STATION WAY, AYLESBURY, HP20 2SQ Unrivalled customer service through the commitment of our family team.
Oxfordshire • Buckinghamshire • Hertfordshire • Berkshire • and beyond
Contact us to book your free home survey or to visit our showroom to see the stoves in action.
comforts Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Don’t miss big sale! If you are looking for a great deal on flooring, doors, furniture or worktops, now is the time to hot foot it to Long Crendon, where local firm Oakley Wood Timber is having a wood-tastic January sale...
D Darren Wren
arren Wren has been in the timber business for more than 20 years. Born and bred in Oakley he worked at Brill Saw Mill for several years before leaving to set up a timber flooring and furniture company with a friend. Two years ago he launched Oakley Wood Timber with a small showroom on Thame’s Buttermarket, just a few doors from his family’s butchers shop - Wren’s. The business expanded quickly and last year Darren moved into a smart and spacious new unit on Crendon Industrial Park. Here he has installed an impressive range of large displays that show off his flooring, doors and worktops, while next door a showroom is packed with high quality oak furniture from Charlton’s lovely Bretagne and Somerdale ranges. Darren is friendly and knowledgeable and offers excellent customer service, providing help and advice when requested and ensuring customers get the best product for their requirements. He supplies a spectacular range of internal and external doors in traditional and modern styles; engineered and solid wood flooring, plus luxury laminates and vinyls; and solid wood worktops - all excellent quality, competitively priced and great value. “We have more than 600 types of flooring to choose from here,” says Darren. “I’m happy for people to look round and am available to answer any questions. I have many years of experience and can advise on choosing the right product for any particular project. If you compare our prices with others you will find we are seldom beaten. I know people shop around these days so I make sure we are very competitive. Real wood flooring starts at around £30 per m2 but you can pay a lot more. We have something for all tastes and 42
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
The showroom boasts a huge range of samples
Furniture by Charlton
pockets here. I’m open to trade enquiries too.” do want the solid French oak though we can supply it and install it in your home and finish “Our vinyl and laminate flooring is really it in a range of colours. There is an added good quality and comes with a lifetime element of character in the bigger knots and guarantee. There’s a great choice of unique grain which some prefer.” contemporary designs and finishes and we Oakley Wood Timber has a huge range of have them on sale from under £20 per m2. flooring and nice big sample boards so you They’re not wood but they look incredibly like can get a good idea of how it, even to my expert eye!” it will actually look en masse: “The vinyl is ultra-soft, The Oakley Wood silent and hardwearing. Timber Winter Sale “If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, you will It’s ideal for damp rooms, starts online on Boxing struggle anywhere,” says Darren. basements, bathrooms Day and in store from In addition to the flooring or wet rooms and high Saturday, 5th January. traffic areas. We also offer There’s some amazing offers Darren has worktops in 12 Parador eco and pvc free to take advantage of and if types of wood, from American Black Walnut to European Oak, floors. your project doesn’t start “Modern ‘solid wood’ for a while your order can be Beech, Iroko, Wenge, Ash, floors are generally held for up to six months at Sapele, Cherry, Zebrano and Maple and he also supplies a engineered, which means the sale price! range of internal and external they come on a plywood backing, to make them more stable in our doors. centrally heated homes. They look and feel “We specialise in oak doors,” says Darren, “and have a lot of different styles, grades fantastic as they have a solid wood top and they can still be sanded down, several times and textures. We have set sizes which can be trimmed to fit if required or a bespoke if need be, to remove marks. They should be good for at least 40 years! service making doors to order. We also have “For actual solid wood we do a beautiful all the architraves, door linings, skirting French oak but generally once a customer boards, handles etc while for flooring we do the underlays and glues. We offer a full fitting sees the engineered floorings and understands service too, if needed, using our experienced the benefits it’s the more likely choice. If you local carpenters.” l Oakley Wood, 1a Drakes Drive, Crendon Industrial Park, Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, HP18 9EJ Tel: 01844 217075 Email: sales@oakleywoodtimber.co.uk Web: www.oakleywood.co.uk Open Mon-Fri: 9am-4pm, Sat: 10am-1pm Closed for Christmas from Friday, 21st Dec and open again from Saturday, 5th Jan.
OUR BIG WINTER SALE IS NOW ON!
MASSIVE DISCOUNTS ACROSS ALL OUR PRODUCTS. SALE ENDS 31.1.19
OUR PRODUCTS & SERVICES • Flooring - Over 600 types of flooring on large displays in store • Doors - 70 internal doors on display plus a range of external doors • Furniture - Tables, sideboards, dressers, bookcases & more • Worktops - 12 different colours/styles available in many sizes • Profiles - Oak skirting, architrave, linings, trims & more • Showroom - A large showroom with over 1,000 products on display • Stocks - Thousands of metres in stock, ready for quick delivery
Internal & External Doors
• Online - Thousands of products to view and buy online • Parking - Plenty of free parking • Customers - We are open to both trade & retail customers • Knowledge - Over 20 years of experience behind us • Delivery - Direct home or site delivery available • Fitting - We can offer a full fitting service if require Solid & Engineered Wood Flooring plus luxury Laminate & Vinyl
www.oakleywood.co.uk / Tel: 01844 217075 1a Drakes Drive, Crendon Industrial Park, Long Crendon HP18 9EJ Throughout January our Showroom will be open from Monday to Sunday 10am to 4pm
A stunning collection of Oak Furniture
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Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
homestyling
by Marie Westerman Roberts
What is “Lagom”?
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hristmas is here and as usual for me it’s with mixed feelings, we’re entering the festive season and decorations have to be put up. I absolutely love to decorate the house and really like the whole family to take part (as long as they do it my way) but since we are a modern family with different traditions and slightly different cultures it can sometimes take some compromising (usually from the rest of the family)! I have adapted quite well to English food - it’s definitely a roast on Christmas Day in our house and what would life be like without Jamie Oliver’s cooking shows and Brussel sprouts with lardons?! But the decorations are a completely different thing. I object to having to many led lights (god forbid they’ll be blue) and too many decorations up too early in December, even though the dark months of the year need some brightening up. I’m convinced that
balance”, “perfect-simple”, and “suitable” (in matter of amounts). Finding balance is the key to this concept, which is embedded deep in the Swedish spirit. Marie Westerman Roberts It infuses all aspects of life, from attitudes to health and The question remains though; exercise, diet and socialising. The who decides what is Lagom, idea apparently dates all the way especially when it comes to back to the Viking era. This was dressing your house for an when bowls of food and drink occasion, and what is “just the were passed around the table for right amount” for you? We all have everyone to take a fair share. It this is where “Lagom” makes an different preferences and if you was important that each person entrance and reminds me where want to go absolutely overboard take ‘just enough’ so everyone I come from. The buzz word in with decorations to celebrate could have some. interior design, after Hygge, is Christmas or any other celebration So along with the idea of from Sweden and it’s Lagom. I’m for that matter, then why not? As balance in all things, there is not entirely sure how this came long as it’s Lagom for you!! also a conscious unselfishness about but I might be starting to l Marie Westerman Roberts is an about Lagom. It works in a lot of understand now. Let me try to experienced home stager and the different contexts, which might explain; Lagom (pronounced ‘lahowner of Scandihome Home Staging explain why it’s so interesting and gom’) is a Swedish word meaning Services. For more information visit: special. “just the right amount”. www.scandihome.co.uk When it comes to design, this The Lexin Swedish-English email: marie@scandihome.co.uk translates into design that is both dictionary defines lagom as call: 01844 390017 SO1113 - Wayne Wiseman Businessor Card FINAL ART.pdf 1 17/04 functional and beautiful, and “enough, sufficient, adequate, You can also follow her on preferably has a balance between Instagram @scandihomeuk for just right”. Lagom is also widely inspiration and ideas the two elements. translated as “in moderation”, “in
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Homes & Gardens web. www.chiltern
with Nigel Grace
I Starting T E D a new project O ver the past couple of years in my features I have tried to pass on some of my knowledge and experience to those of you that may have been considering starting a building project - big or small. And now it is my turn. I have decided that over the coming months I will write about my new project here for Vale Life readers. I will talk about how I chose the property, the works that we plan to do and how we go about doing it. Hopefully it will all go to plan – but if not then I hope that perhaps you can learn from the bad as well as the good! Firstly, how did we go about finding the property? As you can guess from both my profession and these articles I am a great fan of property (blame my parents – both worked in the property industry for most of their working lives!). As part of our financial strategy we have several property investments ESS perceived and despite the IRELcurrent E Wreduced FREand gloom from H Creturns
the buy to let market we were still keen to add to our portfolio. It was clear to me that just buying a house and renting it out would not give us the returns we were looking for – nor the satisfaction, so for the past few months I have been looking for a property locally which required a lot of work, so we could add value to it. This took time - I am not going to lie. Hours spent looking at property websites, making rough calculations and then viewing potential projects - most of which did not stack up financially. It was important for us that whilst this was going to be a medium to long term investment, the numbers had to work for us and that we could make a profit or equity from the house. I suppose this is where my background and profession helped in that I should be able to assess the works required to a house and then work out whether it was a viable project or not (now if you don’t feel comfortable or experienced
in doing that, then you could ask a builder to come along to a viewing with you?). In the space of one week I saw two properties within a few minutes from our home, one in the centre of Aylesbury and one not too far from Tring. What was surprising was that both were in a similar condition – they hadn’t been touched for probably over 50 years. Neither had a bathroom! One had a toilet and the other had a converted outside toilet. One was partly heated the other didn’t have any heating apart from fireplaces (not sure how they heated their water apart from a kettle!). It is surprising to find houses still in this condition. Having viewed both houses I compiled an outline scope of works covering the works required and estimated the cost of what was required to be done. Ultimately It came down to the numbers and rent potential and there was one clear winner – the house in Aylesbury which is located very close to the town centre and
Nigel Grace
Safe as houses
within a three-minute walk to the train station. So, an offer was made and after the usual negotiation a figure was agreed that I was happy with and a deal was done. So once the usual solicitors were appointed I sourced quotes for a structural survey of the property (vital given its age and lack of any form of modernisation) and the critical asbestos survey which is required by law when you are undertaking refurbishment or demolition of a property. These are now booked in and by the next edition we will have the results!
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l Nigel Grace MRICS is an experienced chartered quantity surveyor, who has built and redeveloped many houses himself. If you need help or advice on your project contact him on: nigel@ nigelgracelimited.co.uk
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Homes & Gardens Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Italy’s favourite kitchen If you watch Channel 4’s Grand Designs programme, you may have noticed local firm, Stoneworld, demonstrating their expertise in a recent episode featuring the refurbishment of Dinton Castle. Stoneworld are not just an innovative stone company though - sourcing, working and supplying high quality natural materials - they also specialise in the most stylish kitchens and have a stunning showroom in Thame where you can browse some impressive designs by Italian firm Scavolini...
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nown as the ‘beautiful Italian’, Scavolini is one of the world’s most significant manufacturers of custom kitchens and bathrooms. Like Stoneworld, it is a family run firm, originally founded by brothers Valter and Elvino Scavolini in a little workshop at Pesaro in 1961. As the business expanded the brothers embraced cutting-edge technology and engaged with specialist designers and by 1984 Scavolini had became Italy’s leading kitchen supplier. Although known as ‘Italy’s favourite kitchen,’ 57 years on their market is global, supplying kitchens of high quality and value that satisfy in terms of style, function, safety and durability in more than 60 countries. Stoneworld Kitchens supplies and fits Scavolini kitchens across the local area and has a fabulous selection of their designs on display at their showroom in Thame. The kitchens complement Stoneworld’s product range, which includes external stone products plus a huge selection of internal stone and porcelain flooring, kitchen worktops, splashbacks, fireplaces, hearths and pool surrounds. Charlie Drummond and Ellie Harris are Stoneworld’s kitchen experts. They offer a friendly, helpful and personal service from an impressive showroom - a converted chapel in the centre of Thame. “We’re a friendly, knowledgeable team with a lot of experience between us,” says Ellie. “People say they like the fact you can
Charlie and Ellie 48
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Scavolini’s Diesel Social Kitchen display at Stoneworld Kitchens and Flooring in Thame see the flooring and the kitchens together here, which helps when matching colours. We offer a full design package. You can come in with architects plans, or a sketch on the back of an envelope, but as long as we know where the walls, doors and windows are, we can start the design process. We offer a free home measuring service and can reproduce your kitchen in 3D on a computer and then show how different colour and material combinations might look. “With Scavolini you get real Italian design flair. Their colour palette is particularly varied and there are a range of wood and lacquer finishes to choose from. They have a variety of modern and traditional styles and clever combinations of the two, so you could have a Shaker kitchen with contemporary styling, which is ideal if you have an older home with a modern kitchen extension. “There’s a lot to think about in designing a kitchen though. It’s not just the look of the units but what goes inside them, from innovative space saving storage features to appliances, lighting and the kitchen sink, (Stoneworld are exclusive distributors of Caressi sinks, taps and sink accessories, a designer range from the Netherlands). We have it all here - you could plan your new
kitchen without leaving the building but in reality a few visits and a fair bit of decision making will be required. This may take some time but once the design is finalised we can usually have your kitchen ready for installation within 8 to 12 weeks. The Scavolini units are built in Italy and arrive fully assembled.” When it comes to worktops Stoneworld has a great selection, from quartz to granite, marble and slate. “We deal with a lot of different quartz manufacturers,” says Charlie. “All the main brands, plus we have our own Summit Stone range which is extremely high quality but very competitively priced and exclusive to Stoneworld. We have a wide range of glass and tile splashback options too, plus a huge variety of flooring, so you can get a complete picture of how your kitchen will look here, rather than having to imagine how items from different suppliers will work together. “You don’t have to order a whole kitchen though, we can just supply a worktop, splashback or flooring, if required. The glass splashback options are endless, so please ask if you have something in mind, as your own unique idea will usually be possible.” Stoneworld’s spacious showroom offers the perfect opportunity to examine several
Homes & Gardens Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Summit Stone Quartzt worktops
Carattere kitchen Scavolini kitchen installations. These include Scavolini’s Diesel Social Kitchen, which features exquisite design details and is the result of a collaboration with iconic fashion brand Diesel. The combination of wood, metal and wired glass is very elegant and yet super trendy and already something of a design classic (see picture opposite page). Upstairs are yet more innovative design features to marvel at. In particular the Carattere kitchen, boasts an integrated handle pull within its classic Shaker frame door
and shows how striking, a contrast of light and dark cabinets within the same kitchen design can be. Could this work in your home? Pop in and see what you think! This kitchen display also incorporates an innovative Fisher and Paykel DishDrawer dishwasher - a dishwasher in a drawer! In addition to their extensive range of stone flooring, Stoneworld offers, oak, encaustic cement tiles and porcelain flooring options in an ever expanding range. Porcelain flooring is an economical,
Porcelain ‘Stage Oak’ effect flooring lightweight, low maintenance alternative to natural materials such as wood and stone. It is printed and textured and hard to tell from the real thing. At the showroom you can see just how real the porcelain planks actually look. If you are in the market for a new kitchen and would like to see what a Scavolini design could look like in your home, Ellie and Charlie can, using the latest computer aided design technology, generate a 3D image. Once on the Stoneworld system, colours and finishes, or
The Stoneworld Kitchens & Flooring at Thame even the selected range, can easily be changed to see if something else would appeal more. You don’t have to be on Grand Designs to choose a gorgeous new kitchen from Stoneworld, just pop in to their showroom on Thame’s Upper High Street and see if the Italian styling inspires you! l Stoneworld Kitchens, 43A Upper High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 2DW Tel: 01844 261768 Email: info@stoneworldkitchens.co.uk Web: www.stoneworldkitchens.co.uk
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Homes & Gardens
Your home
Cooking up a dream kitchen Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
by Lucy Blevings
New year is a perfect time to think about revamping your home. And being at the heart, the kitchen is the ideal room to start. So what are the latest trends and cool ideas for that kitchen you’ve always dreamt of...
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reating a clutter-free, minimal look straight from the glossy magazines is often front of mind when revamping the kitchen. Think handle-less kitchen furniture, shelves that can be neatly hidden away and internal drawer systems to ensure that everything has its place. Your flooring choice will be important too, and natural wood flooring is one interior design trend that can be particularly impactful in the kitchen. The good news is that engineered boards are suitable for wet and humid areas and can be installed on top of underfloor heating. When receiving guests there’s little worse than being the one left hovering over a boiling kettle. A steaming hot water tap puts paid to that, enabling hot drinks to be served up in an instant. Look out for a tap with a built-in filter system too, to enjoy drinking water that tastes as good as buying bottled mineral water. If your guests are staying to dinner, then preparing the meal will be less of a headache with a scratch resistant worktop. A ceramic or quartz surface will lend the kitchen an air of luxury and be hard-wearing and hygienic enough to prepare your veg on. With dinner cooking there is time to sit back and relax, but doing so can be tricky if the noise from appliances drowns out the conversation. Extractor hoods are a likely culprit here, but the latest cooking technology offers a solution, quietly and directly drawing off odours from the hob. If all this sounds like a lot of hard work to plan, then take a step back and visit a kitchen
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retailer that uses the latest CAD software to help with the design. Many are now using 4D technology, such as 4D Theatre by Virtual Worlds, which enables you to step into your dream kitchen via a virtual reality headset, so you can create your ideal space and get planning a very special 2019!
l Eggersmann: 020 7731 4466 www.eggersmanndesign.com Natural Wood Floor Co: 0208 871 9771 www.naturalwoodfloor.co.uk Abode: 01226 283434 www.abode.eu CRL Stone: 01706 863600 www.crlstone.co.uk Bora: www.bora.com
Abode Pronteau 3IN1 Prostream steaming hot water tap in Urban Copperx1
CRL Quartz Regency White 2 worktop. CRL Quartz from CRL Stone can emulate the natural beauty of marble for a luxury finish, whilst being extremely hard-wearing and easy to care for.
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Handleless furniture and shelving and appliances that can be neatly hidden from view are just some of the clever design solutions from Eggersmann Kitchens.
K e e p yo u r h o m e s a f e
Homes & Gardens
with AVDC Community Safety Team
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Preventing break-ins
T
aking just a few steps can make a big difference in keeping your home safe from burglary. Here are some top tips from Thames Valley Police and the AVDC Community Safety Team: Lock your doors and windows controlling access to all areas to deter burglars. Try to double lock your doors every time you leave the house. Lock UPVC doors with a keyensuring you lift up the handle remembering to turn and remove the key. Lift, lock and remove. Keep valuable items out of view, you may also wish to store them in a home safe - ensuring you don’t place this in your bedroom as this is the first place a burglar will look. Alternatively you could store these belongings in a safety deposit vault which will remove the risk of your own home being a target to burglars - these are normally used by individuals who have a large amount of family gold or jewellery. Property mark valuables with
a UV marker pen, writing your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters of your address. If your property is recovered by the police, the police can then shine an Ultraviolet light on your items. You can also register your valuables for free using accredited property databases such as Immobilise. Protect your garden and outbuildings - ensure you are closing ground floor windows, doors and patio doors.
Create a natural defence against burglary through defensive planting - keeping hedges, walls and fences high. Ensure your shed/garage is locked and secure, consider buying a shed alarm. Use timer switches - timing your lights to come on in the evening if you aren’t in. This is an effective way of deterring burglars. Give burglars nowhere to hide - keep fences low at the front of the house, with higher fences at the side and back to prevent easy
access. Make it difficult for anyone climbing fences or gates by using trellis, thorny plants or a suitable anti-climb topping. Gravel drive ways will ensure you hear anyone approach the building. l For further crime prevention
advice you can visit: www.thamesvalley.police.uk/cp/ crime-prevention/residentialburglary/ or www.aylesburyvaledc. gov.uk/burglary-wintertime
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Homes & Gardens
In the garden
with Naomi MacKay
Naomi’s Have you thought about your garden plans for 2019 yet? Never short of ideas, Naomi MacKay suggests seven ways to enjoy your garden more next year...
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Start a compost bin or heap
on d en an se Gr gns As 4’s esi C D 52
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Find us at Views Farm, Great Milton, OX44 7 NW
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t’s always good to try something new, so if you aren’t already doing my 7 resolutions for 2019, then pick one or two and see if they work for you!. 1. Test your soil. At Woburn Abbey Garden Show this year, Gardeners World stalwart Adam Frost asked the audience how many of them had tested their garden soil. There weren’t that many who had, and yet if you don’t
Homes & Gardens
In the garden
with Naomi MacKay
s top 7 gardening resolutions at the Eden Project recommend the tiger worm (Eisenia fetida), which you can order online.
know what you are growing on, how can you tell what will thrive in your garden? Soil testing kits can be picked up at the local garden centre and are easy to use. So make a resolution to start your garden year off with some new knowledge…
3. Grow something you really love. Is there a plant you admire every time you go to a garden show or visit an open garden? Make a note to get one for yourself. On my list is Callicarpa bodinieri var. giraldii ‘Profusion’ or the Beauty Berry (www. gardenersworld.com) – a lovely deciduous shrub that boasts true purple berries in the Autumn and Winter. It’s a real showstopper, which I have never managed to grow myself yet – I’m putting that on my shopping list!
2. Start a compost bin/heap. There are so many benefits recycling waste, reducing landfill and the end result - nutrient-rich material to help your garden grow. Coffee grounds, garden waste, vegetable peelings and shredded paper – it can all go in the compost bin and produce nutrient-rich material that can help your garden grow. Make sure you place your bin on a level, well-drained surface to stop it getting soggy and allow the worms to do their job. You can even add your own worms – the experts
4. Hang a bird feeder. There’s something lovely about coming downstairs on a cold
The Beauty Berry morning, making a hot cup of coffee and sitting at the kitchen window watching the birds enjoy the food I put out. I’m lucky to have all kinds of visitors; woodpeckers, long-tailed tits – I’ve even seen a bright green
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parakeet come visiting – I heard it before I saw it! And if you have children, it’s a great excuse to get them to sit quietly watching the feathered visitors and trying to identify them. Continued on page 54
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Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
In the garden
with Naomi MacKay
Watch the birdies Continued from page 53 5. Invest in some decent garden tools. If you struggle to dig with your spade or find your hand tools uncomfortable and ineffective, you’re less likely to get jobs done in the garden. Look out for cushioned handles and stainless steel blades. If you suffer with arthritis, the ratchet-handle secateurs take the strain out of cutting woody stems.
And by the way, once you have your decent tools - look after them! Resolve to clean and put them away after each use. They’ll repay you with years of use. 6. Save on your shopping bills. Resolve to plant herbs, fruit and veg to keep your food costs down next year. If you’re short on space, choose produce that can be pricey to buy in the shops – new potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers and salad
Invest in some new tools and look after them! leaves, broccoli, mange tout, French beans and baby corn. 7. Look after your garden wood structures. Whether it’s fences, gazebos or wooden supports, if you look after them they will last longer and as tedious as it may be, painting or preserving wood is far easier and cheaper than having to replace it. Most garden paints and stains include preservative, but if you
don’t want to affect the colour of your wooden features, opt for a clear preservative. Ask for advice at your local garden centre. l Naomi MacKay is a Bucks-based
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
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Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
In the garden
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55 53
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
a n i m a l m ag i c
with Lucy Ellis
Have a Pawfect time!
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Seasonal treats can be dangerous for pets, so be careful to keep the Christmas pudding, mince pies and chocolates safely out of reach of wet noses, and remember that mistletoe and berries are also poisonous. Christmas decorations can also pose a hazard as twinkly baubles and tinsel are irresistible to cats who can cause an accident trying to get the glistening goodies.
outine can easily be turned upside down during the holidays and pets can get stressed by the upheaval, so we’ve got a few ideas to help you and your furry friends have a fun festive season. While there is increased household activity, cats and dogs can benefit from a quiet spot that acts as a safe haven for them to find respite away from the mayhem. There are also a wide range of natural valerian-based products to help relieve stress in animals, from a simple spray for bedding and clothing, to a room atomiser or diffuser for very anxious pets. If you’re travelling over Christmas, don’t forget to take bedding and toys for your pets so that your holiday destination feels like a home-from-home for the animals. It’s easy to forget to take your dog out for a walk while you’re entertaining, but it’s important to take them out as normal, as regular
exercise will help them cope with the upheaval indoors. As well as physical exercise you can play brain games with your dog to help exhaust them; Unique Pets has a wide range of canine enrichment toys, or you can enlist the kids to make your own. Put discarded gift boxes to good use by scattering treats in them and covering with paper for your pup to sniff out. Cats too love an empty box, so don’t do your recycling too quickly!
Wherever you are for New Year’s Eve, don’t forget that many animals don’t like fireworks. Remember to walk your dog early and take them out for a toilet break before the bangs begin, exhaust them with mental stimulation or provide a natural chew to release calming endorphins. Keep curtains closed to hide the flashes of light, and leave a TV or radio on to drown out the noise. If you’re thinking about getting fit for a New Year’s Resolution, then why not include your dog. Most hounds would be happy to go
Lucy Ellis
Animal Magic for longer walks more frequently, but you could also try a sport such as agility or canicross where you will be running with your dog. Or if it’s your dog who needs to lose a few pounds, then canine swimming is a fantastic form of exercise to help improve fitness, tone muscle and lose weight without putting pressure on joints. Try an introductory swim at the Pool for Paws at Unique Pets as something new for your dog. Whatever your plans for the festive season, we hope you enjoy a safe and happy holiday with all the family. l Lucy Ellis is a writer and
blogger who with Jenna Tomlins runs Unique Pets (Aylesbury & Winslow), independent pet shops, www.uniquepets.co.uk
Pet Industry Federation Independent Retailer of the Year!
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, hydrotherapy pool, puppy socialising, dog training classes, pet photo studio, professional dog grooming and pampering service and much more...
Aylesbury
01296 706403
Call 01296 706403 or pop into shop to book your grooming appointment 56
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Stay Warm This Winter! Dry Logs
Prompt Delivery
Pick Up Only
Pre-Packed Coal
For Open Fires & Multifuel Stoves
Visit Us For:
- Large Selection Of Fruit & Vegetables - Extensive Freezer Selection- Home Produced Lamb & Beef - Top Brand Pet Foods & Animal Feeds - Chiltern Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil -
P E Mead & Sons Farm Shop Wilstone, Nr Tring, HP23 4NT 01442 828478 www.pemeadandsons.co.uk
New Year offer at Green Dragon! O
nly nine miles from Aylesbury, the Green Dragon Eco Farm nestles in Aylesbury Vale surrounded by 45 acres of gently rolling countryside. Wildlife Conservation During the winter, the Wildlife Zone team has been busy training the young birds of prey, using the new Wildlife Hub – a huge undercover space that easily accommodates large groups of visitors and school children, whatever the weather! From when it was opened in August 2018, the Wildlife Zone’s aim has been to support the protection and conservation of British and European native animals that are at risk in the wild. New European Polecats will be arriving in the New Year and once they settle in, Green Dragon will be playing a part in the conservation of their species. Pushed to the brink of extinction in the UK a hundred years ago, the
Special New Year Offer
Polecat
new polecats will take part in a breeding programme for release into the wild. With these latest additions and the expertise of the Green Dragon Wildlife Zone team, the animal encounters programme is now even more fascinating for the visiting public, particularly ‘Rangers for a Day’, an exciting and exclusive experience for 10 to 17 year olds. ‘Love your Pets’ Half-term Over February Half-term there will be a special ‘Love Your Pets’ theme. The skilled and experienced livestock staff will be hosting a variety of educational and fun
Playbarn
experiences and hands-on activities including Q & A sessions and pet care workshops and encounters. At Green Dragon, there are pets for all ages, from the furry varieties of guinea pigs and giant continental rabbits to the exotic pets, such as snakes, lizards, tarantulas, and poison-dart frogs. Chickens also make unusual but interesting pets with the added bonus of providing fresh eggs for breakfast! For a fun and fascinating family day out during the school half-term holiday, Green Dragon Eco Farm is the ‘place to go’, that is local, warm and welcoming.
There’s even more reason to visit Green Dragon Eco Farm between the 7th and 31st January, as there is free admission for a child with every paying adult. Open all year round, the farm attraction has many undercover and indoor facilities across the site: the Wildlife Hub with birds of prey flight displays, the Animal Barn with Christmas lambs, Pet’s Corner and its variety of exotic pets, and the Soft Play and Messy Play Barns for indoor fun and somewhere to eat. Open from 10am, the farm and Wildlife Zone close at 4pm and the play barns at 5.30pm. l The Green Dragon Eco Farm, Play Centre & Eaterie, Claydon Road, Hogshaw, Bucks, MK18 3LA T: 01296 670444 W: www.greendragonecofarm.co.uk Open daily 10am-5.30pm
For more details about the Wildlife Zone, Ranger for a Day, or Half-term activities and events, please ring 01296 670444 or email info@greendragonecofarm.co.uk
T h i s fa r m i n g l i f e
by Heather Jan Brunt
Amazing animals at war
T
his year commemoration events have taken place all over the country to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. People, places and animals have all been remembered, and in my job as an entertainment reporter I have been writing about many theatrical shows dedicated to remembering the soldiers who fought, the civilians left behind, and the horses who joined the men on the battlefields. It is easy to forget the role of animals in wars – horses, dogs and pigeons are just some of the animals that have played a huge part in conflicts past and present. The stage show War Horse, based on the book by children’s author Michael Morpurgo, tells the story of a Devon farmer’s son whose horse Joey is conscripted into the cavalry at the outbreak of war. Over 16 million animals served in the First World War. They were used for transport, communication and companionship. Horses, mules, donkeys and camels carried food, water, ammunition and medical
Sgt Stubby warned of gas attacks and helped find wounded soldiers during WW1. He once captured a German spy and was wounded twice during his service. supplies to men at the front, and dogs and pigeons carried messages. Canaries were used to detect poisonous gas and cats and dogs were trained to hunt rats in the trenches. Conscription was introduced by the government in March 1916 because there were no longer sufficient volunteers to meet the army’s needs. Under the Military Service Act all medically fit single men aged between 19 and 41 were required to enlist. Two months later the act extended conscription to include married men and the age limit was lowered to 18. Some men were exempt, for example clergymen, teachers and some industrial workers. These
roles were described as Scheduled (or reserved) Occupations and included coal miners, doctors and those working in the iron and steel industries which produced the ammunition and equipment needed for war. Men who felt they should be exempt from the draft due to potential damage to their business had to apply to a tribunal which would decide whether or not they should be conscripted. And although many farmers willingly went to war to fight for their country, some farming families, struggling with a severe lack of labour after their farmhands left for the military, had to go to a tribunal to try and get their sons exempted from service, but did not always succeed. One way around this serious shortage of labour was the introduction of women to the land. The year before conscription was introduced, The Board of Agriculture organised the Women’s Land Army so that women could work in agriculture, in place of the male farmworkers who had joined up to fight.
This farming life Heather Jan Brunt
Towards the end of 1917 there were more than a quarter of a million women working as farm labourers, with 23,000 in the Land Army itself, doing chores such as milking cows and picking fruit. The government wanted women to get more involved in the production of food and do their part to support the war effort. We know for a fact that the Women’s Land Army was active during the Second World War on the farm where we live, so no doubt they were here too during the First World War. It is a sobering thought to remember all those who have fought, worked, lived, suffered and died during the First World War and in all conflicts past and present. l Follow Heather Jan Brunt on
Twitter @HJBjournalist
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
s h ow t i m e
with Shaun Nolan
New year, new shows
T
he thought of a new year beginning, excites me greatly. I see it as a fresh start and a time of great anticipation for the shows that will be gracing our stages in the months to come… But before we get to 2019, we have some pantomimes to get through. At Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Peter Pan runs until December 31st, while across town the Queen’s Park Arts Centre’s pantomime The Sword in the Stone, runs until December 30th. As you may remember, I directed a play at the Arts Centre back in September and many of the wonderful cast are also in this, so I recommend it very highly indeed. As we get into January, in the Vale especially, we find ourselves in the midst of many different music tribute acts, especially at the Waterside. The Johnny Cash Roadshow (January 4th), The Little Mix Experience (January 13th),
The Sword in the Stone is on at the Queen’s Park Centre, Aylesbury Believe – The Cher Songbook (January 17th), Someone Like You – The Adele Songbook (January 20th) and Re-Take That (January 26th). There is most definitely something for everyone in there! Meanwhile, in London, there are so many shows opening this month that it’s hard to keep count. My biggest recommendation has to be the UK premiere of Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Sweat at the Donmar Warehouse until January 26th. The play – which premiered off-
Broadway in New York last year before winning the Pulitzer and transferring to Broadway – is set in Pennsylvania and tells the story of a meeting between a parole officer and two ex-convicts, and three women who were childhood friends working in the same factory. It examines de-industrialisation and the struggle of working class Americans, and has been hailed as one of the most landmark plays of the decade. It’s almost sold out, but if you get in there fast, you should be able to get a ticket. It’s sure to be amazing. If that doesn’t sound like your kind of thing, I have two other picks. Firstly: The Convert at the Young Vic Theatre (running until January 19th), starring Black Panther breakout star Letitia Wright and written by Danai Gurira (of The Walking Dead and Black Panther acting fame). The play examines whether faith and religion have a cost and if so, when
Shaun Nolan Showtime!
that cost is too much? If musicals are more your thing, a glorious new production of Jeanine Tesori’s 1990s off-Broadway musical Violet arrives at the Charing Cross Theatre on January 14th. It follows a young girl, born with a facial disfigurement, as she rides the greyhound bus to Oklahoma in the hope of having her face healed by a doctor. Don’t forget your hanky! l Shaun Nolan is a freelance writer
and producer who, when he isn’t writing columns, is typically found writing his own fictional stories and scripts. You can find him at @ shaunycat on Twitter and if you want your show mentioned in this column, tweet him and let him know!
Racing legend in local fundraiser
L
ocal charity Scannappeal, have announced that Grand Prix winner and TV Pundit Johnny Herbert, will be coming to Buckinghamshire on Thursday 8th February to help raise funds for the charity by holding ‘An audience with…’ event. Kindly hosted by Sytner in High Wycombe, the evening will feature Johnny in interview with Motorsport TV Presenter, Louise Goodman, talking about his racing days, Formula One and winning the Le Mans 24hr. The audience will also get to ask Johnny questions, a unique opportunity for any motorsport fan! The event is raising funds for Scannappeal, which provides state of the art medical equipment for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust hospitals. Money raised will go towards Scannappeal’s three Appeals: The Cancer Fighting Fund, raising £130,000 for equipment to treat 58
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
patients with prostate, kidney and bladder cancers. The All Heart Appeal, raising £185,000 for two latest generation 3D scanners, to diagnose and evaluate heart disease and the Eye See Appeal, which is raising money to purchase five specialist machines for cataract surgery and more complex eye surgery, helping to improve and restore vision. Tickets are £25 each and are available from www.scannappeal. org.uk/events or by contacting the office on 01494 734161.
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
@50
1969 TO 2019
THE EARLY MUSIC OF PINK FLOYD
TUE 30 APRIL 2019
by arrangement with Tony Smith Personal Management and Solo A CROSSTOWN CONCERTS / FRIARS AYLESBURY PRESENTATION BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CODA AGENCY
WATERSIDE THEATRE AYLESBURY www.aylesburyfriars.co.uk
classical lass
0844 871 7607
www.atgtickets.com or www.ticketmaster.co.uk
with Nicola Lisle
Festive treats galore
A
s we head towards Christmas and New Year there are some mouthwatering treats to feast on, starting at Stowe on 20th December with Opera della Luna’s Christmas Nuts, a suitably frothy confection of opera, operetta, comedy, Flanders and Swann and Christmas songs, delivered in cabaret style with canapés served during the interval. Directed by Jeff Clarke, who founded the company in 1994, the concert features soprano Paula Sides, mezzo Louise Crane and baritones James Cleverton and Ian Belsey. It wouldn’t be Christmas without at least one performance of Handel’s Messiah, and there are two to choose from in Oxford this month. Head to the Church of St John the Evangelist, Iffley Road, on 20th December to hear vOx Chamber Choir and the Oxford Sinfonia performing this much-loved piece in a new orchestration for wind by John
Ian Belsey - Opera della Luna Christmas Nuts
Lubbock (founder/director of the Orchestra of St John’s). They are joined by young soloists Camilla Harris (soprano), Felicity Turner (mezzo), Rhys Batt (tenor) and Robert Clark (bass). David Crown conducts. Two days later, period instrument ensemble Instruments of Time and Truth is at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin with a candlelit performance conducted by Edward Higginbottom and featuring Claire Booth (soprano), Alexander Chance (alto), Nick Pritchard (tenor) and Giles Underwood (bass). There are more festive delights
coming up in the New Year to keep those post-Christmas blues at bay. Catch London Festival Opera at Wycombe Swan on 2nd January in a costumed concert, New Year’s Night at the Opera, which features operatic favourites by Mozart, Verdi, Rossini, Bizet, Puccini, Offenbach and Gilbert and Sullivan. For a traditional New Year celebration, don’t miss the City of Oxford Orchestra’s annual Viennese New Year concert at the Sheldonian Theatre on 19th January. Enjoy a feast of Strauss waltzes, polkas and extracts from his operettas, alongside pieces by
Nicola Lisle
Classical Lass Mozart, Suppé and Léhar. Tenor Joshua Ellicott guest stars, and Stephen Bell conducts. Tring Chamber Music kicks off its new season on 26th January at Tring Park Mansion, where Paul Barritt (violin), Josephine Horder (cello) and James Lisney (piano) explore the influence of the ‘Salon’ on music-making in Europe with works by Smetana, Chopin, Brahms, Dvorak, Janacek, Hubay, Suk and Brahms. Finally, on 30th January, head to the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury, for a live screening of The Royal Opera’s lavish production of Verdi’s La Traviata, directed by Richard Eyre. A classic tear-jerker to end the month! l Nicola Lisle is a freelance writer and author specialising in classical music, genealogy and social history. Follow her on Twitter @NicolaLisle1 and send her a tweet if you would like your event mentioned in this column. Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19 59
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Start 2019 with a If you thought Neverland was a tricky place to get to, meet three guys whose tales of daring do in far flung places would have Peter Pan turning green with envy! Panto-time may end on December 31st but then 2019 kicks off and Aylesbury Waterside Theatre will be filled with music and adventure … Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Tuesday, 22nd January
N
ew Year signals a new line-up of must-see shows at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre and there’s a real sense of adventure in the showbiz air with explorers, historians and travellers taking to the stage in shows with a difference. Sir Ranulph Fiennes trailblazes proceedings with his aptly named show, Living Dangerously (Tuesday, 22nd January). Dubbed by the Guinness Book of Records as ‘the world’s greatest living explorer’ Ranulph has
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spent his life in pursuit of extreme adventures and ambitious expeditions. He was the first to reach both Poles, the first to cross the Antarctic and Arctic Ocean and the first to circumnavigate the world along its polar axis. Now you can travel alongside Ranulph on a personal journey through his lifetime, from childhood to serving in the army and his early expeditions to the Transglobe Expedition and his current Global Reach Challenge - for which his goal is to become the first person
in the world to cross both polar ice caps and climb the highest mountain on each of the seven continents – an inspiring pioneer of exploration. Known as the ‘History Guy’ Dan Snow believes that history is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to anyone on this planet and he’s ready to share memorable anecdotes from his career as a historian and broadcaster on Sunday, 27th January. Every show will have its own exclusive ‘local’ element with Dan presenting historical
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
a little adventure Vampires Rock: Wednesday, 23rd January
Coming up at Aylesbury Waterside Your at-a-glance guide to what’s on...
Ben Fogle: Tuesday, 26th February La Voix: Friday, 15th February
Dan Snow: Sunday, 27th January facts about each town and area on his tour. There will be a chance to engage with Dan during a question and answer session and his tales will be enhanced throughout with compelling digital imagery. This insightful night of history really is a must see. Completing the intriguing trio and celebrating the 20th anniversary of his widereaching career in broadcasting, is Ben Fogle (Tuesday, 26th February). Ben is ready to share some of his wildest escapades, thrilling tales told with warmth and
humour, which he hopes will be ‘enlightening, educating and entertaining’. Effortlessly charming, Ben has been described as a TV presenter, writer, conservationist and adventurer, and the show is named after his proudest achievement being appointed United Nations Patron of Wilderness. Tales of the Wilderness will take audiences on an adventure, from his swimming with crocodiles in Botswana, to climbing Mount Everest, working at Longleat with Kate Humble on Animal Park, John Craven on Countryfile and even at the World Worm Charming Championships! For a full programme of events at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, pick up their Spring What’s On Guide or check the listings online at: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury. l Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG Telephone Booking: 0844 871 7607 Website: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury
Peter Pan Pantomime
Fri 7th to Mon 31st Dec
Santa’s Christmas Party (Second Space) The Johnny Cash Roadshow Motown’s Greatest Hits Believe – The Cher Storybook Someone Like You – The Adele Songbook Steve Steinman’s Vampires Rock The Chicago Blues Brothers – Motown Mission Re-Take That – Take That Greatest Hits Mercury – Ultimate Queen Tribute Blake – Live in Concert La Voix – Live, Loud and Fabulous
Friday 21st Dec Friday 4th Jan Saturday 5th Jan Thursday 17th Jan Sunday 20th Jan Wednesday 23rd Jan Friday 25th Jan Saturday 26th Jan Friday 8th Feb Saturday 9th Feb Friday 15th Feb
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61
The ink said
The Trunk
I
’d never normally go into those bushes. But Dev kicks ’em high, and this one went straight over the fence. There’s a bit where it’s all twisted up, the wire, and you can crawl through. I edged under and over the bramble branches, contorting myself as if they were laser beams. The wide trunk of an oak tree rose up from the slope, and I leaned against it for balance. It took trees hundreds of years to get this big; for their bark to crack like this. Then I noticed one crack in particular, running straight up
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Ink Paintings and Micro Stories by Gabrielle Turner
from the ground to shoulder height. It was so unnaturally straight that I couldn’t miss it. Halfway down: two hinges. And strangest of all, where the handle should have been, a brass plate with a dark shape engraved on it: an oak leaf.
open if I pressed the perfect leaf against the plate. Slightly imperfect, gently curling to the right, with a delicate elongated tip. It began as a fantasy, but I repeated it to myself so often it became a quest.
‘Found it yet?’ Dev called out from the field.
Every year, when the leaves started falling from the trees, I would go back to the field. It was like searching for a piece of a jigsaw puzzle; a very particular piece, but one that looked just like all the others. I went there until the year I turned 14. I knew as soon as I saw it, fluttering head over tail through the sky. This was the leaf that would open the trunk.
‘Yeah mate, got it,’ I replied, ducking back through the hole in the wire. ‘Full of thorns back there. Lucky the ball’s not gone flat.’ For the rest of the day I couldn’t stop thinking about the oak tree, the door, and that shape. I imagined the trunk would spring
Gabrielle Turner The ink said l Gabrielle Turner is a writer and artist at the Phoenix Studio near Thame. As @theinksaid on Instagram she writes daily micro-stories inspired by her abstract ink paintings. Also at www.theinksaid.com and www.gabrielleturner.co.uk
To book please call 01844 213661 events@spreadeaglethame.co.uk www.spreadeaglethame.co.uk
Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 2BW
TRIBUTE EVENINGS
Friday 15th February George Michael “Beyond Faith”
Friday 29 March Bee Gees “Staying Alive”
Friday 31 May Motown “Mission Blue”
Friday 26 April Kylie Minogue “Olivia Jayne” & 80’s
Friday 28 June Abba “Abba Sensation” & 70’s
01844 213 661 3 Course Dinner, Tribute Act and DJ £29.50, £27.00 to Loyalty Card Holders events@spreadeaglethame.co.uk The Spread Eagle Hotel, Cornmarket, Thame OX9 2BW Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
63
o u r c r e at i v e va l e
with Sandra Smith
Vale Life : Nov/Dec 2018
Pushing paint around
N
ever mind that the essence of this column is creativity, let’s begin with numbers. In 2018 Jane Hooper celebrated her 50th birthday. She also submitted two paintings to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, both of which made it through to the last 4,000. One was accepted on what was the artist’s sixth attempt. At her Chilton home, Jane’s elation has barely abated. “When the email came through, I was so emotional! And in a TV programme about the RA Kirsty Wark chose my painting of the runner beans as her favourite!” Her “so simple” still life, which sold within two days, is typical of the understated subjects and compositions which are attracting attention from buyers and galleries. They showcase a pared down, everyday familiarity in which light indelibly fosters depth of character. “I don’t know,” she responds when I ask about the appeal of
those objects she chooses. “I think it’s the domestic, mundane, every day stuff. One of my paintings consists of a cabbage and a knife – I think it’s nice to be different.” Jane’s love of oils allows for the opportunity to “push paint around for a day or two.” A muted pallet is preferred because bright colours “jar” and she often glues thin tissue paper onto a canvas as a starting point in order to create texture. “I like to work on a dark canvas, blue or red, so you can just see the colour coming through. Then I go in with charcoal and draw a rough outline. I don’t want too much detail and I don’t like to be too realistic.” A chance encounter also led to an exploration of another genre.
Creative Vale
Sandra Smith
Jane Hooper “I went to a portrait class for several years but didn’t paint portraits for a long time. While driving one day I saw an old woman waiting by a bus stop and asked if I could take her photo. That really fired me up.” An ability to “paint in an
interesting way” and modestly regarding sales as “a pat on the back” add to the likeability of this artist who declares, “It’s been a hell of a year and Instagram has been good for me.” And as I take one last look at her still life images Jane shows she’s pretty good at reading my mind, too. “Yes, my goal is to get into the RA again.” l Instagram Janehooper_art
www.janehooperart.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
PACKAGELS L TO SUIT A
S ET DG BU Y INN A ID L O H E H T AT
Funeral Wakes, Christenings, Birthday Parties, Baby Showers, Proms, Reunions, Family Celebrations… In fact, any event that requires a venue.
COMMODATION! AC & K IN R D , D O FO
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Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
Phone 01296 734030 Email: events@hinnaylesbury.com
In the kitchen
with Nick Coffer
Caramel Drip Cake
Add the sieved flour gradually, then add the eggs, the caramel and flavouring.
s we head into a New Year, this is a show-stopping cake to banish all the blues. What is great about it is how you can make it look so spectacular with relatively easy techniques. It’s the creation of a lovely cake maker, Hayley Pfeifer, from the Dunstable Cake House, who is a regular on my Weekend Kitchen show. She likes her cakes big, bold and glamorous - and this caramel drip cake fits the mould perfectly!.
Divide the mix between the tins, then put them into the oven.
A
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a skewer comes out of the sponges clean. Leave cakes to cool on a wire rack.
For the sponge: 450g caster sugar 450g self-raising flour 450g butter 450g eggs (approx. 8 Large Eggs) A tablespoon of store-bought caramel from a jar A little drizzle of caramel flavouring
Line 3 x 8” tins Mix the butter and caster sugar together until creamy and fluffy.
Mix the butter and icing sugar together for the buttercream filling and add a drizzle of caramel flavouring. Take one cake. Spread caramel on top, then buttercream.Top it with another cake, then repeat the caramel and buttercream filling. Top with the last cake.
For the Buttercream: 500g butter 1000g icing sugar Drizzle of caramel Flavouring Extra caramel from the storebought jar for filling and drip effect Flake chocolate for decorating
Add buttercream to the top and sides and create a
Method Pre-heat oven to 160C/Gas Mark 3
Book your Christmas party Now!
In the kitchen Nick Coffer
smooth finish using a side scraper or a pallet knife dipped into some hot water. Pour lots of caramel onto the top centre of the cake and use a pallet knife to ease the caramel towards the edges to create the drips. Be creative - it’ll look different every time. Sprinkle some chocolate flakes on the top and it’s ready to serve. 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.
Book your Christmas party Now!
R E S TA U R A N T FINE DINING
High Quality Dining in our Historic 5 5 0 - y e a r ‘ O l d L i b r a ry ’ B u i l d i n g
01844 690 446 TA K E AWAY & F R E E LO C A L H O M E D E L I V E RY AVA I L A B L E
Business / family / friends... bookings now being taken
ORDER FOOD/RESERVE ONLINE www.radhunihp27.co.uk B o o k i n g s t a k e n fo r X m a s a n d N e w Ye a r The Old Library, Church Street, Princes Risborough, Bucks, HP27 9AA
New Year’s Eve Exclusive Party night with Elvis tribute
Mark Goddard
Sumptuous 3 course dinner with glass of champagne £54.95 Book online or by phone
Lunch Every day 12-2pm Dinner Monday to Saturday 6pm till 11pm Sunday 6pm till 10pm
FIND
US
Experience the Authentic taste of India Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
65
The Seasonal Table
by Virginie Bonvalet
Festive Non Alcoholic Mulled Fruit Punch
C
Step 2: In a large separate pot, bring the maple syrup to a simmer, add cinnamon sticks, star anise, and the cardamom pods, leave to gently simmer for 10 min.
elebrate the holidays with this delicious non-alcoholic punch, perfect to share with all the family.
Raspberry and cherry juice gives this drink its gorgeous red hue. Garnish with a rosemary sprig for a festive touch and impress your guests by incorporating hibiscus flowers - not only do they bring more colour to your festive drink but they will give you that special little “Je ne sais quoi!”
Step 3: Add the raspberry and cherry juice, as well as the hibiscus water that you had set aside and simmer for another 10 min. Carefully transfer to a heat proof server and garnish with the cranberries & apples. Step 4: Serve warm and if you’re like me and love a little festive magic, you can decorate with a few fresh rosemary leaves and cinnamon sticks.
Ingredients & Method SERVES 4-6 PREP: 10 MIN - COOK: 30 MIN 1/2 Litre Water 1/2 Litre Raspberry juice 250 ml Cherry juice 1 Handful of cranberries 1 Apple – sliced 1 Tbsp. Maple syrup 2 Star anise 3 cinnamon sticks 66
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10 gr Dried hibiscus flowers A few sprigs of rosemary and cinnamon sticks to serve Step 1: Boil 1/2 litre of water. Turn off the heat and add the hibiscus. Let steep for 15 minutes, then remove the flowers. Set the hibiscus water aside.
I recommended serving this with fresh crusty bread such as sourdough or rye to make sure you are able to soak up all the lovely juices! Enjoy… Bon appetit!
All photographs, recipes & words ©Virginie Check out my brand new website www.virginiebonvalet.com Email: bonjour@virginiebonvalet.com Social: @virginie_bonvalet
Win meal for 2 at Prezzo, Thame
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rezzo celebrated the reopening of its fresh, new look Thame branch on Tuesday 27th November, with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Mayor of Thame, Anne Midwinter. The event was also attended by deputy mayor of Thame, Linda Emery and local businesses, media and special guests, including Prezzo fan, Tia Latham, star of ITV’s Survival of the Fittest. The event followed a major, two-week refurbishment and the restaurant now looks extremely smart. Guests were treated to some extremely tasty sample dishes from Prezzo’s new Autumn/ Winter menu, including Beetroot Gnocchi and Craband and Lobster Tortellini, served alongside Prezzo’s Signature G&T cocktail, which the Vale Life team can now highly recommend! Prezzo Executive Chef Paul Lewis commented: “Both our dishes and our restaurant design have been influenced by what we call the ‘Spirit of Milan’. Think Italian dining with a sophisticated twist.”
Prezzo’s special Christmas Set menu is available until January, and includes 10 vegetarian or vegan dishes, along with Italian classics such as Risotto di Mare with King Prawn, Salmon, Saffron and Rocket and a rich Spaghetti Alla Bolognese with Slow Cooked Shin of Beef Ragu in a Rich Tomato and Red Wine Sauce. Prezzo’s popular Christmas Cracker Calzone - the classic Italian folded pizza filled with Roasted Chicken, Stuffing, Pancetta, Roasted Chestnuts, Winter Vegetables and finished with a Sloe Gin Cranberry Sauce is
on the Christmas menu again this year due to popular demand. And desserts such as Winter Black Forest Trifle and a superior take on a chocolate brownie Prezzo’s Chocolate Brownie Dome - filled with Caramel and served with a Warm, White Chocolate Sauce and Fresh Raspberries are well worth leaving room for! Prezzo’s Christmas Set Menu offers two courses from £15.75 and three courses from £18.75. **Prezzo also offers a separate allergy-aware menu and has a dedicated cooking area in each of its restaurants for allergy
sufferers, (available across all Prezzo restaurants). Prezzo has 185 restaurants nationwide all offering a wide variety of pasta and pizza on both lunch and dinner menus and to suit all budgets and palates. To book visit www.prezzo restaurants.co.uk or phone: 01844 218542. If you’d like to be in with the chance of winning a meal for two and a bottle of house wine (worth £50) at Prezzo Thame, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question, to: editor@vale-life.co.uk In which country is Milan? Winner to be drawn at random from correct entries and notified by email by Jan 20th, 2019. l Terms and conditions
This competition offer is available to the winner of the competition (aged 18 or over) who will be sent a Prezzo gift voucher to the value of £50 to their address by post. This voucher will only be accepted at Prezzo Thame, is non-transferable and no cash alternative will be given.
l Prezzo Thame, 12A Cornmarket, Thame, OX9 2BL Tel: 01844 218542 W: www.prezzorestaurants.co.uk
Harvest Moon
Tastefully decorated, authentic Chinese restaurant, serving traditional dishes to suit every taste. Eat-in and takeaway service. Perfect for parties - we can cater for groups of up to 50 people. Harvest Moon, 1 Pump Lane, Thame, Oxon, OX9 3BT Tel: 01844 215272 / 214834 Email: harvestmoonthame@gmail.com Website: www.harvestmoonthame.co.uk Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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with Alan Candy
Tough time for learners New driving test proves much harder to pass
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ew rules introduced to better prepare learners for a lifetime of safe driving have made passing the driving test harder than ever with the pass rate at a 10-year low according to latest Government figures. Now, Citroën – winner of the 2018 FirstCar ‘Driving Instructor Car of the Year’ award with Citroën C3 – and IAM RoadSmart have teamed up, one year on from the landmark driving test changes, to bring young drivers some insider tips to help them drive safely and
Alan Candy pass first time. Citroën’s analysis of pass rates since the driving test changes in December 2017 has revealed that just 45.5% of candidates were granted licences by examiners – the lowest figure since 2008/09, and a drop from 47.1% in the final year before the test changed. Twelve months ago to the day, the UK driving test underwent
For all your vehicle repairs, servicing & MOT testing a first-class service at competitive prices
its biggest overhaul for a generation in a bid to better prepare learners for realworld driving. The independent driving section was increased to 20 minutes with candidates required to follow satellite
navigation directions. Reversing manoeuvres were also revamped, with ‘reverse around a corner’ and ‘turn-in-the-road’ removed from the test. Examinees are also required to answer two vehicle safety questions while
A l l m a k e s s e r v i c e d & R e pa i r e d
BMW & MINI specialist
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 l l
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2a & 3a Broadfields Court (opposite Tesco), Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 8BU Tel: 01296 432552 www.tandeaylesbury.co.uk
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T ired of M ain De aler P rices? 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
oa d to t h e f u t u r e
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
with Alan Candy
Zero ems and no foolin’
Kia e-Niro Kia’s e-Niro electric vehicle goes on sale from April 1st, 2019, with a claimed driving range of 282 miles. It can be recharged to 80 per cent of battery life in as little as 54 minutes. The e-Niro is Kia’s second globally-sold electric vehicle after the Soul EV. More than 200,000 examples of the Niro Hybrid and PHEV have been sold around the world since 2016, with 65,000 examples sold in Europe and more than 11,000 here in the UK.
driving. Despite the tougher test, UK drivers support further changes in the future. Almost two-thirds of drivers surveyed (61%) believe motorway driving should be included in the practical test. Learner drivers have been able to take lessons on motorways since June 2018. Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Research, said: “Research from around the world shows that getting as much experience of driving in as wide a range of traffic conditions as possible will make you a safer driver in the long run. “Learning to drive is an investment in your future so it’s not worth rushing it. Once you have passed your test you will still need to perfect your observation, anticipation and planning skills to ensure you survive on our increasingly congested roads. “At work and at home we constantly need to update and develop our skills as new technology comes along and its worth taking that same mindset with you as you start your
Created at Kia’s design centres in California, USA and Namyang, Korea, the e-Niro incorporates the practicality and appeal of a crossover in what they call ‘a sleek, aerodynamic body with subtly sculptured surfaces’. The zero-emissions Kia e-Niro is available in a selection of five contemporary paint colours – including a dubious-sounding Pluto Brown, a shade that is unique to the e-Niro. It is priced at £32,995 after deduction of the plug-in car grant.
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motoring journey.” Top tips for passing the driving test: 1. Make sure you have had enough lessons and plenty of practice, your worst drive should be good enough to pass the test – not just your best. Do not try to rush the process. Be guided by your instructor, as they will tell you when you are test ready.
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2. Choose where you want to take your test - the route should reflect the type of driving you will be doing after passing. If you will be driving in town after passing, make sure you have a thorough grounding. Moving to a rural test to make passing easier will defeat the object. 3. Pick a good time for your lessons to ensure it replicates your test experience. A lesson every Sunday morning may not give the challenge of driving in traffic that a test on a Monday morning is going to present.
( 01844 399374 thamecars.co.uk Thame Cars, Rycote Lane, Thame, Oxon OX9 2BY Open Mon-Fri: 8:30-18:30, Sat: 8:30-17:30, Sun: 10:00-16:30
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BMW X5
Telephone:
01844 353388
40 Oakley Road, Chinnor, Oxfordshire, OX394ES (to rear of Claremont Automatics) Email: johnnixey@btconnect.com
Telephone: 01844 353388 l Bosch Car Service Centre l MOTs including Class VII (3.5 tonnes) 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
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Continued from page 69 4. Be thorough in checking mirrors and develop an ordered observation strategy. You will be required to stop and move away throughout the test and it may be that there is never an issue for you to deal with, so the examiner needs to be confident that you look properly every time. Make sure you can be seen looking or even mention the fact you have looked. 5. Be confident with the technology in your car and use it to your advantage. Make sure you have followed the instructions from a sat-nav and know when you can follow the directions safely. Knowing where all the controls are will increase your confidence. 6. Be prepared to ask the examiner to repeat their directions - it is not a memory test and it is better to be safe and confident than unsure. BMW is claiming to set the standard for the Sports Activity Vehicle with the new fourthgeneration X5 (pictured on opposite page). Combining what they call ‘an elegant and strong design’ with supreme on-and off-road ability, the new X5 has an even greater blend of premium luxury performance and comfort – at a price. The new model starts at a hefty £57,495. BMW say it’s a winning formula, with previous generations selling in excess of 2.2 million examples since the first X5 launched in 1999. On sale in the UK from June 2019, the all-new X5 demonstrates the latest BMW advances in technology, design and safety, with the highest level of autonomous capability yet seen on a BMW X model. A choice of TwinPower and M Performance petrol and diesel engines are matched to a new eight-speed Steptronic gearbox and the latest version of xDrive for maximum comfort, capability and performance. With a wheelbase 42mm longer than its predecessor,
Pavement parking ban? an increase in vehicle length of 36mm, an extra 66mm of width and a 19mm increase in height, the new BMW X5 has both an imposing appearance and generous levels of space for passengers and their luggage. The top X5 M50d costs an eye-watering £71,475 and accelerates from 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds, with a notional top speed of 155mph.
pavement, almost one in 10 doing so every single day. And with an estimated 31 million cars in the UK, this equates to about three million cars being parked on pavements on a daily basis. Pavement parking was also a weekly occurrence for more than one in 20, while just under one in five admitted they had done it but did not know how often. Yet the millions of Brits who Millions of UK motorists who admit to stopping on a pavement leave cars on pavements could appear to have little sympathy be forced to change the way they for fellow drivers with nearly park. half wanting to fine those caught At present it is only illegal to doing it. park on a pavement in London Harrison Woods, managing with Scotland also pressing director at YourParkingSpace. ahead, but Government is now co.uk, said: “Parking splits moving forwards and reviewing opinion, none more so than the the situation that could ban it issue of parking on pavements. across the rest of the UK. “In many parts of the UK it However, a survey by online is still allowed but this could parking portal YourParkingSpace. soon change as the Government co.uk revealed that millions reviews the issue. The outcome of Brits regularly park on a could affect the parking habits of
millions.” The contentious nature of the issue was further highlighted in the YourParkingSpace.co.uk survey which revealed an almost exact 50/50 split of those in favour and against a UK-wide pavement parking ban. Mr Woods added: “Parking on a pavement can cause real inconvenience to pedestrians but some motorists feel it can be their only option. “Our advice, where pavement parking is currently allowed, is to always make sure there’s plenty of room for pedestrians to get pass and to be aware of people with a pushchair, with a visual impairment or in a wheelchair.” Motorists looking to avoid parking on a pavement can find driveways through to spaces in commercial car parks available to book on an hourly, daily, weekly and monthly basis at www. yourparkingspace.co.uk Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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Past and present
If you own a valuable classic or prestige car you will want it kept in perfect order and stored securely, ready for showing, racing or selling. One local firm has all the bases covered, from restoration to preparation, maintenance and storage and if you are a Porsche fan you are really in luck...
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eil Bainbridge has been involved in maintaining, race-preparing and restoring classic Porsche RS road and competition cars since the mid 1980s - long before values soared and they became seen as investments! A highly experienced Porsche mechanic Neil, who is originally from Kendal, trained at a Porsche dealership in the Lake District and then moved to Buckinghamshire to work for a Porsche specialist, first as an engine builder and then taking charge of the race and restoration department. Here he was offered the opportunity to drive a customer’s Carrera 2.7 RS Lightweight, in the production Porsche series. He got involved in modifying and enjoyed many years setting up and maintaining competition Porsches to a racewinning standard. Now, some 30 years later, he occasionally spots one of these circuit warriors awaiting restoration in his secure workshop and car storage facility at Westcott. Neil moved his business to Westcott in 1996 and trades as BS Motorsport offering a full range of maintenance, repair, rebuild and restoration services for classic, modern and current models of Porsche. The firm boasts an impressive collection of hi-tech equipment, from dynamometer facilities to a state-of-the-art Bosch mechanical fuel injection (MFI) test rig, which ensures engines old and new are set up perfectly, whilst their team of Championship
The BS Motorsports crew: Neil Bainbridge, left, with Rob Nugent, Rob Hayers, Dave Coundon, Nicole Parish and Emma Smith 72
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Rob Nugent puts an engine through its paces in the BS Motorsports Dyno-test facility winning engineers lavish the same attention to detail on all routine servicing activities, ensuring your race or road-going Porsche performs as it should. They also offer a full rebuild service for all Bosch MFI pumps. “We are a one stop shop for historic car restoration,” says Neil. “We don’t do bodywork here but we manage the project and ensure that any bodywork required is done correctly. We have several projects on the go at any one time, some of which can take up to a year to complete, as original parts may have to be sourced or even manufactured, having been out of
BS Motorsports offers a secure car storage facility
production for years.” The dyno-test room is fascinating, as here car engines can be bench tested up to 2000bhp. BS Motorsport actually tests more classic Porsche 911 engines than any other company in the UK and undertakes work for both trade and private customers - they will often have up to a dozen engines in various stages of assembly at any one time. BS Motorsport’s highly secure facility at Westcott also provides secure car storage. The site has a 24-hour manned security gate and full CCTV in addition to BSM’s own security systems. You can sleep easy knowing your valuable classic car is in safe hands here while the BSM team can cater for all of your servicing requirements too if needed. “Any type of classic car can benefit from our storage facility,” says Neil “and we can deliver your car to nearby tracks, such as Silverstone and provide full engineering trackside support if required. For more information see: www.bsmotorsport.co.uk or contact Neil and his team as below. l BS Motorsport, 421 Gasoline Alley, Westcott Venture Park, Westcott, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0XB Tel: 01296 658422 Email: info@bsmotorsport.co.uk Web: www.bsmotorsport.co.uk
Tel: 01844 274652
Email: info@risboroughservicecentre.co.uk
www.risboroughservicecentre.co.uk Chinnor Road, Bledlow, Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 9PH
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The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the Mazda Range: Urban 28.0 (10.1) - 65.7 (4.3). Extra Urban 51.4 (5.5) - 80.7 (3.5). Combined 39.2 (7.2) - 74.3 (3.8). CO 2 emissions (g/km) 167 - 99. The mpg fi gures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results obtained through laboratory testing. These are provided for comparability purposes only and may not refl ect your actual driving results.
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Money very well spent... VOLVO XC40
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HERE used to be an unwritten rule that to qualify for Volvo ownership you had to be closer to your pension than your youth – but not any more. Cars that decades ago had the aerodynamic qualities of a breezeblock are all of a sudden ‘de riguer’ in the desirability stakes, because while they still major on their commendable safety attributes, they also now have a big chunk of style built into them. Take this XC40. This is not a car for someone in their motoring dotage, who will only venture out onto the roads twice a week – once for the pension on a Thursday and the other to be at the head of a
VOLVO XC40
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Rob Auchterlonie
ON The Road slow moving snake of traffic on a Sunday afternoon. Here is a Volvo with a bit of style. Actually, that should read a Volvo with a whole chunk of style. Just one of a range that has encapsulated motoring for those who like a bit of class and quality when they cough up their cash and get behind the wheel.
VOLVO XC40 For a brand that has majored on sizeable vehicles in the past, it’s first ever compact SUV is a bold move. As is swathing the interior with orange carpet and door
trimmings... It’s dubbed the youthful cousin to the bigger XC60 and the Belgian built newcomer comes with all the collision avoiding systems
Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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VOLVO XC40
Taking away life’s little knocks...
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Independent specialists for Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT and Skoda Servicing, repairs, diagnostic testing, MoTs, tyres, air-con specialising in Audi R8, RS & S models. 5A HIGH STREET • WHITCHURCH • BUCKS • HP22 4JU T 01296 641 429 WWW.VASS-TECH.CO.UK Vale Life : Dec/Jan 2018-19
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VOLVO XC40 and safety features you’ll find throughout the Volvo range. Its bold and distinctive front features a big grille with a prominent Volvo badge, just in case its origins escape you, and features the brand’s T-shape daytime running lights. You can have a contrast coloured roof, but with the car in single paint finish it’s not initially evident how small the rear windows are – until someone in the back bemoans the fact they don’t open downwards as much as expected. They’re more square than rectangular though there is a decent sized rear quarter pane to let more light in. The cabin is as impeccably finished as you’d expect a modern day Volvo to be but it can be a bit sombre in there, even with the panoramic sunroof fitted here. That’s down to the fact that there’s a large expanse of roof from the top of the windscreen to where the driver sits – so those who benefit in the main from that glass roof are those in the back. The list of 76
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standard kit fitted to every XC40 is impressive with the driver aids being intuitive and easy to use. All versions come with Sensus navigation, a nine inch centre console touch screen, LED headlights, a 12.3inch TFT driver’s information display, Drive Mode settings, and a whole boxful of safety features including emergency braking, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, and pedestrian/cyclist/large animal detection. Out on the road and powered here by the 1969cc D4 diesel unit, the XC40’s all wheel drive set up is a confidence builder once you’ve got used to the small amount of body roll that’s evident. With 400Nm of torque available there’s never a time when you haven’t got the grunt to pass quickly and safely. There are 46 variants to choose from, so finding the right one for you shouldn’t be an issue. So, a premium compact SUV at a premium compact SUV price. While the range starts at £27,905, you’ll
have to find another 12k to get your hands on a comprehensively equipped First Edition version. Quality doesn’t come cheap, but with that in mind, it’s money very well spent. FASTFACTS: Volvo XC40 D4 AWD First Edition (based on R- Design Pro with lots of extra kit);
£39,905; 1969cc four cylinder diesel, 190hp, 400Nm; 8 speed auto; Top speed 130mph, 0-62mph 7.9secs; Fuel – urban 49.6, extra urban 61.4, combined 56.5; CO2 133g/km; will it fit the garage? 4425/2034/1658 (l/w/h);
Win tickets to Banff Film Festival
T
he Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is celebrating its 10th year of touring the UK and Ireland. For 2019 there will be more than 100 adrenalinepacked shows in almost 60 venues from January to May, including Abingdon and High Wycombe (both on 14th Feb) and Oxford (21st May). The Tour features two different collections of brand-new films from the world’s most intrepid filmmakers, starring pioneers and explorers tackling extraordinary expeditions in the wildest corners of the planet. “We’re thrilled to have reached 10 years of bringing the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour to the UK and Ireland – and what better way to celebrate than with the latest dose of cuttingedge adventure films from the world’s most prestigious mountain
festival!” says Tour Director Nell Teasdale. “We guarantee that the
anniversary atmosphere at the shows will be buzzing – and that audiences will go home inspired to have an adventure of their own as well,” she adds. Films in the World Tour are selected from hundreds of wild adventure titles entered into the Banff Mountain Film Festival, which takes place every November in Canada’s Rocky Mountains. The UK & Ireland Tour starts in Edinburgh on Saturday 19th January and finishes in Guildford
on Friday 24th May. As well as thrilling films, each event features a free prize draw for exciting outdoorsy goodies from the Tour Partners. For more information and to book tickets, see the website at: www.banff-uk.com. If you’d like to be in with the chance of winning a pair of tickets for the Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe show on 14th February, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question, to: editor@vale-life.co.uk In which country is Banff? Winner to be drawn at random from correct entries and notified by email by Jan 20th, 2019. l Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour: www.banff-uk.com
Independent Truck, Van & Car Repairer
Servicing l Inspections l MOT preparation l all makes & models l mercedes specialists l Breakdowns l Recovery service l Class 4/7 MOTs l courtesy vehicles l Mobile on-site servicing l
KM Commercials, Unit D8, Brunel Gate, Telford Close, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 8AR Tel: 01296 488898 / 07720 706918 Open Monday to Friday 8am-6pm and Saturdays 8am to 1pm
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Your friendly & reliable local plumbing service Gemma Lawrence-Davis T: 01296 425969 M: 07769 330983 E: gemma@theplumbersgem.co.uk www.theplumbersgem.co.uk
Windmill Services Property Maintenance & general building work
Telephone: 01844 279519 Freephone: 0800 7837194 Email: windmill2@btinternet.com Website: www.windmill-services.co.uk
K Collins Roofing Ltd Roofing Specialist
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Flat, felt and rubber roofing We also do slate and tiling repairs, PVC fascia boarding and chimney repointing
Call today for a free estimate 01296 655526 / 07831 465501
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Foot Care Clinic
Foot Health Practitioner
Kevin Wooldridge Plasterer 01296 392511 07725 184727 kevin.wooldridge1@ntlworld.com 78
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Corns • Callous • Cryo-therapy • Ingrowing Nails Thickened Nails • Fungal Nails • Nail Trimming DIABETIC TRAINED
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