Vale Life Magazine Mar-Apr 2016 Web Edition by Charlie Trott

Vale Life FREE MAGAZINE

Your free magazine for Aylesbury, Thame and the surrounding area

Take me home

www.vale-life.co.uk

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

Mar/Apr 2016

Cover picture: Spring at Tiggywinkleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Photograph by Les Stocker www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk

Inside:

Enter the dragon

Green light for Haddenham pub See our website at: www.vale-life.co.uk

Meet the early birds

Network group is cashing in

Got an old motor?

Classic cars head for Chiltern Rally Free local listings for events and businesses

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

w A Meal for two at Canaletto Italian Restaurant, kingswood w w A Signed copy of The Seduction of Celia w

Exciting news! Chalfont Lodge Care Centre has a stylish new look! Following signiﬁcant investment, Chalfont Lodge Care Centre has a brand new look which we’d love to show you! The appearance of our care centre has been carefully designed with the people we care for in mind. Our bright lobby is the perfect spot for socialising or taking part in one of our many daily activities, and our bedrooms are comfortable and tastefully decorated.

Our friendly care team is always on-hand to give tours and answer any questions about the wide range of services including:

Nursing care • Dementia care • Respite breaks Please contact me at Chalfont Lodge on:

01753 465 480 Emerson Kupfuwa General Manager Denham Lane, Chalfont St. Peter, Buckinghamshire, SL9 0QQ 2

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

www.barchester.com

website design + branding Whether you want a new brand & website, or need to update your current one. We create it all.

WWW.SHAREDCREATIVE.CO.UK HELLO@SHAREDCREATIVE.CO.UK t: 01296 346 346

WE CREATE: WORDPRESS WEBSITES / LOGO DESIGN / EMAIL MARKETING / BROCHURES / PRESS ADVERTS / POSTERS LEAFLETS / EXHIBITION STANDS / BUSINESS CARDS STATIONERY / SIGNAGE / VEHICLE WRAP DESIGN INFOGRAPHICS / SOCIAL MEDIA PAGE DESIGN

SHARED creative, Verna House, 9 Bicester Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 9AG.

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

Inc. Heritage & Sons

Because every life is unique Winslow 01296 713 341 • Amersham 01494 434 484 Aylesbury 01296 428 638 • Bletchley 01908 372 700 Buckingham 01280 813 188 • Wendover 01296 620 777 www.cpjfield.co.uk

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

w w w.ridgewaykitchens.co.uk

A quality fitted kitchen for just £9995* including installation. If you’re looking for a high quality, good value kitchen come and see our range of stunning Germanengineered kitchens.

At Ridgeway we offer a complete service from measurement and design to fitting and finishing. If needed, our in-house team can do

all the interior building work so you get consistency from beginning to end.

*For just £9995 inc. VAT (subject to survey) you could get: 4 4 4 4

Free guidance and planning 3D CAD illustrations (like this one) German-engineered units SiemenS integrated appliances a Fridge Freezer b Cooker

c Extractor d Induction Hob e Dishwasher Blanco f Sink and tap g Under-unit Lighting

4 Laminated worktops 4 Installation 4 Connection to existing electric, gas and water supplies. For full details visit our web page below, or call 01844 279900.

www.ridgewaykitchens.co.uk/9995

“Everything came in on budget and there were no hidden extras or surprises.”

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Visit our showroom

Call for a chat, arrange for a tour of our showroom near Thame or, for more information on our German-made or English bespoke kitchens, visit our website. 01844 279900 www.ridgewaykitchens.co.uk

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Your reliable local family firm Have you been let down lately by your oil supplier on delivery or price? If so call Nolan Oils Now on:

01869 343477

01869 343477 info@nolangroup.co.uk www.nolangroup.co.uk

01454 315050 info@sodburyfuels.co.uk www.sodburyfuels.co.uk

01869 241414 info@nolangasandfuels.co.uk www.nolangasandfuels.co.uk

Bicester (Nolan Oils) 01869 343477 info@nolanoils.co.uk www.nolanoils.co.uk

â&#x20AC;˘ Supplier of oils to homes, farms & industry â&#x20AC;˘ Payment plans & Top up service available

01869 342101 info@nolanmarquees.co.uk www.nolanmarquees.co.uk

01869 342100 info@nolanhospitality.co.uk www.nolanhospitality.co.uk

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

www.crusader-holidays.co.uk

2016 Brochure OUT NOW!

Britain & Europe - 120 exciting holidays across more than 20 countries Free local Joining Points l Top of the range Setra Grand Touring Coaches

Ring 01296 336666 now for your copy!

Day Trips, Special Events & Shows - 2016 April

Sat 2 Tue 19

September

Muhammad Ali Exhibition

Ideal Home Show at Olympia £30 London Eye Flight & Thames Cruise £49

Fri 9 Sat 10 Sun 11 Sat 17

Ladies Day at Royal Ascot

Buckingham Palace, State Rooms £41 French Chateau Lunch £75 Duxford Air Show £35 London Theatres Mamma Mia £79; Bodyguard £85; Showboat £70

October

Wed 5 & Thur 7: Knitting & Stitching Show Ally Pally £34 Tue 11 Jersey Boys & Lunch £73 Sat 22 Houses of Parliament Tour £40

June

Thur 16 Ladies Day at Royal Ascot £59 or £99 Sat 18 Blenheim Palace Flower Show £34 Thur 23 ‘Beautiful’ The Carole King Musical & Meal £79

London Eye & Thames Cruise

July

Thur 5 River Avon Fish & Chip Lunch Cruise £37 Sun 8 RHS Malvern Spring Festival £37 Thur 19 Call The Midwife Experience at August Chatham Dockyard £35 Thur 4 Charlie & The Chocolate Sat 21 London Theatres: Factory & Meal £79 Jersey Boys £75; Sat 6 Buckingham Palace Kinky Boots £84; Wicked £53 & Garden £49 -BC

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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

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

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

8 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 21 22 23 24

Talking trends

Wakey wakey!

She’s back in fashion!

Designing for all

Talent spotting

Re:Fresh

Cutting the quill

Three new colour schemes

Making it easier

Ready, set, garden

Knitting for refugees

Full of the joys of Spring

Mount up!

Turn it up!

Preventing tension & pain

Reductional suicide

Rehabilitation through sport

Tom’s the name, time warp’s the game

The power of light

Good old fashioned revivals

Squeezing the diary

Enter the dragon

Labour of love

In the kitchen with Nick Coffer

Time to be charitable

Let’s party!

Katy previews S/S16 fashions Penny’s childhood fashion faux pas Artists and makers to delight at new fair Antique trimmers make interesting collection New store packed with useful aids Are needles mightier than the sword? Why not join the Tour de Vale?

An introduction to the Alexander Technique Tennis for all at Halton centre

HydraFacials - are they hot or hype? Tracy’s got a zest for life

Meet hair transplant expert Dr Tam Volunteers needed for local causes

All change...

hings have been chopping and changing on our local high streets of late... In Princes Risborough the lovely Chocolate Boutique sadly closed while further along the High Street a new FreeFrom Organic Delicatessen and Health Food Shop opened. On Wendover High Street a clothes shop has been replaced by a funeral parlour, a lighting shop replaced a kitchen shop, quite briefly but has moved out after only a few weeks, while in Thame Cargo has closed down, possibly to be replaced by a FatFace clothing

ongratulations to the following Feb/Mar edition competition winners! Hopefully your prizes will have arrived by now, please let us know if not. Commiserations to

store, although apparently Bill’s are interested too, and the old off licence is soon to house a branch of Bell, a Northampton firm which specialises in luxury home interiors and ‘the latest design inspired products that make your house a home’. What’s Cooking, the popular deli has expended into the shop next door (previously a sweet shop) and now boasts a rather stylish café of which I’ve heard lots of good reports - fab food and coffee and very reasonable. Incidently the Chinese restaurant behind them

those who weren’t so lucky - read on though for more competitions inside this edition, including the chance to win: A meal for two at Canaletto Italian Restaurant, Kingswood; A signed copy of The Seduction of Celia.

Early birds strike network gold The team behind Chinnor Pavilion Polly’s tips for a stylish Spring

“It’s all about colour,” says Charlotte. Naomi’s ready for Gardening Week Lucy’s tips for animal lovers

Dan’s back with the music news Sandra interviews lino cut artist Kathryn Acton It’s all new, Pussycat, at Aylesbury Waterside! Showtime with Shaun Nolan

Matt’s got the chops at Haddenham pub Fancy making a Tiramisu Trifle? Boot celebrates three fab years

is now under new management as ‘Harvest Moon’ and following a redec is looking lovely and serving up some top quality Chinese food I went a few weeks ago and thought it very good. Sadly Café Bobo on Greyhound walk has gone though. Meanwhile on North Street Jack & Atticus is to morph into tillynilly. The popular home accessories firm has expanded over the last few years supplying made to measure blinds, soft furnishings, homeware, and lighting and also an interior design service. Tracy Neilsen and her team already have a studio and offices above the J&A shop but now J&A are leaving thinks it a great opportunity to have a shop window at street level and

Last issue’s prizewinners were: A Citrus Zinger Water Bottle: Ann Smith, Thame A copy of Out Of Time: Debbie Loveday, Tring A Spa Day for two at Champneys:

somewhere to display and sell their exciting range of homeware and accessories - watch that space... In Haddenham The Green Dragon is open again as a pub with restaurant (see page 53) and will be well worth visiting as chef Matt is serving up some really excellent fare and the place looks great. If farm shops are your thing, there’s a new one opening in Butler’s Cross on Easter weekend. Buckmoorend Farm Shop is run by 3rd generation farmers from a farm on the Chequers Estate and will be specialising in home reared meats. Happy reading!

Charlotte Russell TLC Badminton Session: Bev Bristow, Tiddington; Joanna Carbray, Haddenham; Julie Tattersfield, Thame Tickets to the Photography Show: Sam

Charlie

Editor, Vale Life Magazine McMahon, Thame; Rebecca Cox, Cublington; Graham Johnson, Aylesbury Tickets to the Wedding Show: Joanna BeardsmoreDilks, Aylesbury; Stefanie Reading, Aylesbury; Josie Stevens, Haddenham

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 : Mar/Apr 2016

with Katy Dyer

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

Talking trends

love Spring and all of the promise it brings. The days are longer and lighter – and there is so much colour! It really is an exciting time in the fashion world, as street style exerts an ever growing influence over trends whilst the designer catwalks continue to provide the inspiration for what’s hot on the high street. So what are you going to be wearing this Spring/ Summer season? Very little seems

Marc Cain Sports Stripe Navy/Orange Dress £169 Gallivant, Thame

colour to your everyday wardrobe. Metal Mickey Liquid metallics are everywhere – shoes, handbags and belts. This is a truly opulent trend being used in accessories including bags and also shoes, including Converse sneakers as well as glamourous evening sandals and shoes. If ultra shiny is not your thing, how about just a little sparkle in the weave of a top or just a touch of shimmery sequin in a motif on a top? Metal is a strong feature in the Americana trend, with studs and sequins on jackets and sweatshirts alongside blouses and shoes.

to be light and delicate – florals, lace spots & even sunglasses are all oversize and statement, so choose carefully!

Super Stripes, Always a strong look – and they are in every direction. Ubiquitous Breton along with stripes in the vertical and diagonal (surprisingly flattering). Think about the colours – red, white and blue, both nautical and patriotic – perfect for carrying off that ‘by the seaside’ vibe. If you have softer or lighter colouring, you may prefer muted or blended stripes in summer pastels with complementary brights. Pretty Pastels Never far away in spring trends. Featuring in traditional yet oversize florals along with pretty accessories and luxe fabrics of silk and cashmere. Handbags too – perhaps not the most practical colourway but nevertheless perfect for spring. And teaming these shades with a neutral

Back to the Future Real inspiration has been taken this season from 1990’s fashion –

Reef Box Clutch £29.50 M&S Collection

Stripe Blouse & Jeans (Lifestyle) Next, Aylesbury

White Structured Handbag £35 River Island is a great way to make you look chic and elegant – think lemon with silver grey, periwinkle with taupe and blush pink with a strong navy blue. Perfect for adding a splash of

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Luisa Cerano Pastel Stripes Shift Dress £289 Gallivant, Thame

Orange floral print structured tote handbag £42 River Island

cute slipdresses and mule-style shoes. Take up the trends that feel best for you, and remember you don’t have to go all out 90s (particularly if you did it first time around). The look is lighter and more sophisticated overall, and much less grunge than came along with mid-nineties style. Pack your trunk With handbags, it’s structure all the way. A step on from the satchel, the trunk bag is another statement altogether. Smart and practical and in a fabulous variety of colours and sizes, find one to suit you perfectly. If this style feels just a little too structured, how about a large, soft tote with a metallic or satin sheen – a great size for pretty much everything!

Marc Cain Cream 3/4 Length Jacket/Coat Gallivant, Thame £329

Crop it out Trousers are short! 7/8’s slim-fit trousers are superflattering with neat flats or heels. Wide shape culottes are designer trend that requires careful outfit planning – keep the look elegant by teaming with a nude heel or pale flat that tones with you skin

Mos Mosh Pink Tailored Jacket £150 Gallivant, Thame Luisa Cerano Tailored Black Culottes £229 Luisa Cerano Suede Leather Jacket £565 Gallivant, Thame

6 Greyhound Walk, Thame

New for 2016! Patrizia Pepe 120% Lino Mos Mosh Duffy NY

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

and avoiding hard lines on your silhouette.

Luisa Cerano Pastel Blue Trench Mac £479 Gallivant, Thame

On the Fringe Another trend continuing from the past couple of seasons is fringe – so bring it back for Spring/ Summer. Bags, earrings, dresses and skirts – but perhaps not all at once! Full throttle ruffles are also a key trend to look – adds obvious volume so consider fabric and design before you buy. Pop of Colour As well as pretty pastels, there are plenty of pop-art inspired brights as an alternative to the soft impressionist palette. Red and yellow are the most widely seen on the trend catwalks for Spring. Have fun with colour – it’s the best season for it and it’s not just in clothes – again, consider how you can include this trend in accessories – bags, shoes, jewellery, scarves, hair accessories and even make up. Spring style is such a great time to try something new. And it may not be a new buy or the very latest look – always take a look in your

Plus Red Dress & Sunglasses River Island 10

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

own wardrobe first (and unpack your summer pieces if you’re one of those who likes to separate you clothes by season) – there’s sure to be a little gem that you’ve forgotten about that you can dress up in a whole new way! l Katy Dyer is a style coach and corporate image consultant and works with people of all ages, stages and backgrounds to help them present themselves at their very best. Because when you look good, you feel good. Find out more at www.katydyer.com or simply call 01844 872 025.

Column: Penny Harper ‘Thoughts of a small town girl’

She’s back in fashion!

f there were two words guaranteed to strike fear into my heart as a young schoolgirl they were: Mufti Day. For the rest of the year, or even term, I could convince the cool girls that I too was at the cutting edge of fashion, with my knee high socks rolled down into a doughnut around my ankles, and my skirt turned over so many times at the top that it looked like a belt. The school uniform was my saviour, except on those most dreaded of Mufti Days. In that make-do-and-mend era of the mid-1980s my clothes either started life as curtains, or a big ball of multi-coloured wool, or in a bin-bag donated by Mum’s work colleague’s oldest daughter, Keeley. Keeley was about three feet taller than me, with considerably bigger boobs and a perm. She was the embodiment of cool and even had her ears pierced. I was always so desperate to get my hands on her clothes but on me, they looked like I’d looted Top Shop and in my haste had only managed to come out with a cropped top with pineapples on it and a ra-ra skirt that needed two belts to keep it around my (non-existent) hips.

Penny pushing the boundaries of 70s chic

Fashion for me was a pastel kilt / knitted pink and white-striped jumpercombo with a bright red belt cinching it all in. I have actual photographic proof of this bag-lady chic. Money for clothes was scarce in the reign of the denim patches and duffle coats. Everything got passed down - even underwear. It’s my younger brothers I felt the most sorry for. Tom still curses being the youngest of three. By the time I had cottoned on to the fact that I could ask for clothes

SUNDAY

Y VER CAR INN E HOLIDAY AT TH

Why not treat the family this Sunday to a delicious Three Course Carvery Lunch at the Holiday Inn, Aylesbury.

£13.95

Penny Harper

Small Town

Girl

would have paid full price for it. If the answer is ‘no’, then step away from the tweed boob-tube. It may be a bargain but it just ain’t your style, baby. I suppose the reason is that the items (once cherished dungarees and stripy jumpers of old) are one of a kind. They’re unique and original and they make me ask questions of this other size eight shorty, with her small feet and impeccable taste (who gives generously to Oxfam so that I may look smart at work)…questions such as, “When are you having your next clearout? There’s a mufti day on Friday.”

Wedding Fair

PER AduLT

£9.95 CHILdREN uNdER 12

Call us to book your table in our child-friendly Junction Restaurant, where we will have a fantastic Three Course Lunch waiting for you at an amazing price!

There’s an ice-cream decoration too! station and a colouring corner Perfect venue for family gatherings, birthdays and anniversaries.

for Christmas or my birthday, I was about 14. Dungarees came into fashion, swiftly followed by pixie boots and culottes - are they trousers or is it a skirt? Who cares; paisley should be confined to carpets anyway. As ever, I was a good twelve to eighteen months behind every single fashion fad. I also didn’t seem to have access to the ‘right’ shops and always ended up with the dramatically less cool Kays Catalogue version. Today I look round at the children at my school and they of the ‘Primani’ era are all decked out in their alternative ‘uniform’. Disposable fashion means ‘cool’ is accessible to more- but at what true price? I can’t even bring myself to buy a pair of sweat socks from the places that encourage you to fill a bin bag of clothes for the price of a pair of pixie boots. These days I frequent charity shops. It’s a favourite pastime of mine and has turned up some real treasures in the past. The items of clothing I wear that are the most often admired are those procured from Thame’s multitude of charity shops. My top tip for successful charity shopping? Ask yourself if you

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

PRIVA T EVENT E AT THE S HOLID A Y INN

Packages available from £25 per person to include Three Course Meal and private room hire.

ENJOY a

F RflEexiEble

DAY CLUB 328th HEALTH * February PA S S

2016 Forwill more information This Spring, enjoy more from a health club that inspire you. on all our events please call 01296 734030 or email events@hinnaylesbury.com For more information or to book any of the above events, contact us on 01296 734000 and quote reference ‘VALE EVENTS 1’ 11 Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Thame by Clive Baxter

Sally Evans is back with a fabulous line up of Artists & Makers for this year’s fairs and a new venue - Bradmoor Farm has been added. So whether you’re on a mission to buy, or a voyage of discovery, make a note of these dates and delight in finding something new and unusual...

ally Evans has an eye for the unusual and a real passion for arts and crafts. Her events bring together an eclectic mix of pieces from local artists and makers, offering visitors the chance to find some truly unique items and to meet the people who made them. Sally’s fairs are always a delight to visit, showcasing home grown talent and the very best local artists and makers. She has been organising events since 2004 and has a loyal following of both buyers and exhibitors who return to her events time and again. “I’m excited to have found a venue to replace Waddesdon Plant Centre,” says Sally. Bradmoor Farm, Haddenham’s new farm shop and restaurant, has a fabulous event and function space with lots of lovely natural light and it’s going to be lots of fun filling it full of talented artists from Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire. There’s a café next door which does a great Sunday carvery lunch and lots of car parking. We had a trial run last year and it went very well. There will be forty stands at Haddenham - as usual a terrific mix of artists and makers. l Sally Evans Artists & Makers Fairs 2016, 10am to 4pm, For more information contact Sally: 01844 273069, Email: sllyevan@aol.com Web: www.sallyevansevents.co.uk Thame Town Hall / Wendover Memorial Hall / Bradmoor Farm, Stanbridge Road, Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8JX

Featured Artist: Clive Baxter www.clivebaxterart.co.uk

Clive is an extremely talented ink illustrator producing fabulous drawings of panoramas, properties and structures. In particular his illustrations of local high streets are very appealing. “I am inspired by the natural structural forms that surround us and the forms we chose to surround ourselves with.,” says Clive. “The challenge for me as an artist is to capture the main features of a view using black ink. I have developed techniques by drawing many portraits of structures which expand the range that a pen provides further than simply dots and lines.

Featured Artist: Jenny Hoole As an award-winning commercial designer, Jenny brings fresh ideas to the glass making process. Her inspiration is drawn from a fascination with colour, texture and form. She applies layers of tiny particles of glass which are then heated in the kiln, in multiple firings, to achieve her bright, clean coloursbefore the fused glass

Featured Artist: Tony Francis Former TV producer and presenter, Tony Francis made the switch from camera to paintbrush with remarkable effect. His work was chosen for the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition at the first time of trying. Tony has captured scenes from India to Portugal, from Morocco to Vietnam. He also likes to reflect the vivid colours and unusual shapes of the British countryside. His subject matter is wide and includes 12

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Berkhamsted by Clive Baxter

takes on a moulded shape in a further firing. Each piece of glass jewellery is created to be elegant, simple and contemporary in design. The decor pieces are a modern statement for the home - expressing pattern, texture and shape in practical vessels. Each new glass piece is carefully tailored to ensure it is true to the original idea - Modern... functional...Individual...

BskyB. He says: “Television taught me to look at life from many points of view, not just eye level. ” He works mostly from home in Hawridge Common, but also enjoys the challenge of painting en plein air. landscapes, wildlife and architecture as well as still life. The inspiration to paint followed 25 years of running his own independent TV company and producing more than 600 countryside programmes for ITV, BBC and

Acrylics by Tony Francis

Jewellery by Jenny Hoole

2016

April 23rd Thame Town Hall April 30th / May 1st: Bradmoor Farm May 14th: Thame Town Hall October 29th: Thame Town Hall November 12th: Wendover Memorial Hall November 19th: Thame Town Hall December 3rd: Thame Town Hall December 10th / 11th: Bradmoor Farm

Column: Nicky Gregory‘Curious World’

Cutting the quill

pocket quill cutter was owned by the individual and used to keep his quill in good writing order. A quill cutter was also the man who finished the shop bought quill. A pen cannot be made with a quill fresh from a bird’s wing. A quill-dresser prepared the feathers plunging them into hot sand causing the outer skin to peel off, the membrane within to shrivel and the quill barrel to harden making it transparent. This process was repeated several times, depending on the required grade of the quill. To obtain uniform colour and make them easier to split, they were dipped into a diluted solution of aqua fortis (latin for ‘strong water’ nitric acid HNO3). As many professional penmen felt this treatment made the quill split under the pressure of constant writing, some quills were untreated and sold to law and mercantile clerks, who considered them more durable. After the quill-dresser the quill-

Victorian Ivory Quill cutters

Nicky Gregory

Curious world

Mystery object cutter finished the pen. An experienced quill-cutter could cut five to six hundred pens a day. With a small sharp knife he cut an acute angle oriented with the curve of the feather so it would curve back over the hand when it was in use, then a slit was cut to the end of the longer side of the angled cut. Right-handed people preferred quills from the left wing, while

Victorian Ebony Quill Cutter 1850 left-handed preferred quills from the right. The nib was created by cutting away the corners on either side of the slit to shape the end and finished with a straight cut across the base of the nib to square it up to a fine writing point. The quill was now a pen. Our December Mystery Object

was a Crumb Catcher and the February one, a Euphonium Tuner! Can you guess what this one is? The prize for the winner chosen from correct answers is a £10 Gift Voucher for Antiques at Wendover. Email your answers along with your name, address and contact telephone number to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Winner to be notified by email. l Nicky Gregory is the owner of Antiques@Wendover, The Old Post Office, 25 High Street, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6DU Tel: 01296 625335 Email: antiques@antiquesatwendover.co.uk Web: www.antiquesatwendover.co.uk

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

Early Victorian swivel top games table The Old Post Office, 25 High Street, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6DU Tel: 01296 625335 Email: antiques@antiquesatwendover.co.uk Website: www.antiquesatwendover.co.uk

A range of fully traceable Canadian Diamonds, brought to life in Fairtrade gold with the best of British craftsmanship and design.

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

01296 482963

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

If you have mobility or health problems a new store has a wealth of lifestyle products and mobility aids that may just make life a little easier...

hristopher Walsh set up The Easy Living Company at Watermead, Aylesbury just a year ago to provide the best mobility and healthcare products coupled with an excellent level of after-sales care and customer service. “I’ve worked in the industry for 15 years now,” says Chris, “and I’ve seen it can be daunting for customers to research and purchase many products within this market, especially for the first time and many companies just do not deliver when it comes to after-sales care and support. “I saw a need for an online resource and shop, backed up by the guarantee that customers will never be pressured into sales and will be looked after properly once their money has been spent. Providing a high quality service is the shop, get in touch and they our top priority. will arrange to visit you at your “We discuss, assess and explore home if possible. options or solutions to people’s personal Christopher and his staff Christopher Walsh understand how trauma, mobility or personal care problems and match their needs to products that can help.” disability and sickness impact on people’s lives The Easy Living Company website is a and which kind of product may help. It is this great first port of call and gives a good idea product knowledge and awareness of how of the range of products on offer. You can people’s physical and emotional wellbeing can buy items on the internet but many need to be improved that is key. be tried and bought to fit the individual, so Christopher spent ten years working with a visit to the store is recommended. Riser/ the Princes Risborough based Independent Recliner Chairs, and Posture/Profiling Living Consultants, run by his mother Beds for instance are all different with a Maureen and his manageress Debby is an ex variety of mechanisms and constructions carer with extensive experience of helping to suit different situations and conditions. people with mobility and health issues. The Easy Living Company are specialists “One size doesn’t fit all,” says in this field and offer a ‘try before you buy’ Christopher.”Even a walking stick needs to service for every piece of equipment on sale. be the right height and shape for the user. For Mobility Scooters, Bathing Aids, Wheelchairs, instance, if you have arthritis, a shaped or gel Rollators, Walkers and more can all be tested handle may be easier for you to grip.” at the store. And if you are unable to travel to The Easy Living Company works with local

Manageress Debby, left, with Chris’s mum Maureen

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

care homes and occupational therapists, Bucks County Council and with the Royal Bucks Hospital rehabilitation department. They also partner Bucks CC in supplying equipment. Customers can range from 7 years to 107! The shop is conveniently situated by the lake at Watermead to the North of Aylesbury. If you go to the right on entering the car park, you can drive up to the side of the shop which is right by the lakeside. It is open from 10-5pm Monday to Friday and from 10am4pm on Saturdays. For those with short term needs, say while recovering from a hip or knee operation, many items such as adjustable chairs, walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, frames, rollators and ramps are available for hire. l The Easy Living Company, 35 Lakeside, Watermead, Aylesbury, HP19 0FX T: 01296 435 607 E: info@theeasyliving.company W: www.theeasyliving.company

Column: Janice Issitt ‘Making the most of it’

Knitting for refugees C alling all knitters! If you love knitting and don’t have an outlet for your work then this could be just the thing for you. Last month I was asked by some other Instagram photographers, to take part in an all day knitting class for Knit Aid. One of the ladies was leaving that weekend to visit and volunteer at the camp in Calais for refugees and wanted to take some warm items to give as gifts. I managed in one day to knit two hats and it was amazing when she sent me photos of the recipients, who she said were delighted. Knit Aid can be found at: www.knitaid.org and it’s simple, they run workshops for people to learn knitting, sell merchandise and collect the handmade items to send over to refugee camps. They send to Calais, Lesbos, Dunkirk and Greece, extending their reach all the time. What you can do - have a look at the patterns on the knit aid website, there is a snood which is suitable for beginners and a hat pattern for slightly more advanced (but it is

still very simple). Even easier is knitted squares for blankets. If like me, (and all the knitters I know), you have a massive stash of wools sitting around, then here’s a perfect project to use up some of those spare balls of left over yarn. My pattern used an Aran weight wool, casting on 70/72 stitches onto circular needles (size 6mm) and knitting in the round before you reduce to finish the crown. You don’t even have to knit a rib

if you don’t want to, the curl of the wool adds an attractive edge on its own. If you don’t have thick wools then try knitting with two strands together at the same time, some of the other women did this and it really worked well. The needs of the camps change all the time so please check the Knit Aid website or social media accounts for all the latest requests and information about where to post to.

Janice Issitt

Making the most of it There are a few other organisations that also want knitters, Knit For Peace is one and can be found at: www.knitforpeace. org.uk They have done a lot of research into the health benefits of knitting and crochet, and constantly encourage women all over the world to take it up and make items for those in need. They also pass on yarn and needles to enable people on low incomes to knit. I hope I have maybe given you an idea, it would be lovely if you joined in with us. l Read Janice’s blog at: http:// janiceissittlifestyle.blogspot.co.uk where she posts photo tutorials about things to make and lovely pictures of life in the Vale.

Win a copy of The Seduction of Celia

uckinghamshire author Andrew Dicker, of Ivinghoe has just had his first book, ‘The Seduction of Celia: A Collection of Short Stories’, published. It’s a polished set of tales focussing on the emotional psychology of the characters involved and the things that make us who we are. What hope for Billy when his mother is a drug addict? Is Mabel really mad or just old? Will Vicky, a recent mother of twins, regain her figure and will she really try prostitution as a career, or is that just desperation? Celia, very alluring, very intelligent and successful, but why is a relationship so hard to achieve? Andrew embarked on a writing project in 2013, after he retired from the NHS and many of the

sources of the material in his stories are drawn from his own experiences. Topics covered include; drug addicts, mental health, prostitution, managing relationships, motherhood and much more. If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning a signed copy of The Seduction of Celia simply email your name, address and telephone number along with the answer to the following question, to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Where does Andrew live? Winner to be drawn at random from correct entries and notified by email by April 20th, 2016. l Published by Austin Macauley, www.austinmacauley.com Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

I enclose a cheq ue/postal orde r (payable to Please debi WheelPower) t my Mastercar d/Visa/Switch ........................ number: ........................ ........................ Start Date ........ ........................ ........................ ....................... ........ Security Expiry Date No ........................ ........................ .............. .............. Issue Cardholder’s No ................ Name ................ ........................ ........................ ... Signed ........ ........................ ........................ ...................... ........................ Date ................ ........................ ........................ ........................ ............ ..

6 Tick here if you are a UK wish Whee tax payer lPow and on your dona er to reclaim the tax tion (at no cost to you)

Entry Fee

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Adults £15 , Under 16 FREE. Entr I enclose y Fee on payment the day for Entry Adult £15 £30 Each fee. .00 (£30 on day) Cycle Jers £ ............ ey (Adults .................. £29, Chil Closing date ............ ds £25) to pre orde (circle size r cycle jerse Mens required) y – 18th S, M, L, May XL, XXL , Ladies XXXL, XXX S, M, L, XL XL, XXL , XXXL Childs S, M, L Additional £ ............ Donation .................. ............ Total £ ............ .................. ............ Car Parki ng £ ............ .................. 6 For health and ............ safety reaso parki

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data wer your deta to occasiona unsubscribe lly receive infor base. You also agree to ils, you agre at any time e to WheelPo WheelPo mation by emailing or tick here data@wheelp about WheelPower’s work wer sharing your informati wer to opt out of ower.org.uk We will NEVE ALL or by calling , including by email and on with R sell your infor future mailings (incl us on 01296 SMS. You can uding futur mation to third 395995 RETURN party organisat e bike rides). WITH YOU R REGI ions.

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STRATION WheelPo wer, Stok FEE TO: e Mandevi Buckingh lle Stadium, amshire, HP21 9PP Guttman or enter n Road, Stok online at e Mandevi www.tou lle, Ollie Moore rdevale.c & Keith Worge om r

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The mix96 Tour de Vale Bike Ride is back - a fun, family event that raises vital funds for WheelPower, The Stoke Mandeville based charity transforming lives through sport... Charity

Registratio

n No. 26549

oin Buckinghamshire’s biggest and best bike ride this June on one of three glorious routes starting and finishing at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. Whether it’s the 25km Fun Ride, 60km Challenge Ride or 100km Advanced Ride you’ll have a great time touring the scenic countryside, while each route is equipped with water stops, marshals, first aid and support vehicles for your safety. With the 2,000 capacity expected to sell out, cyclists are urged to enter early to avoid disappointment (500 capacity Fun Ride). I encloseon a cheque/postal order (payable to WheelPower) Last year more than 2,000 registered cyclists number: Please debit my Mastercard/Visa/Switch 6 Tick here if you are a UK tax payer and took part in the Tour raising an awesome ....................................................................................................................... wish WheelPower to reclaim the tax on your donation (at no cost to you) £62,476.78 to help disabled people, so hurry! Start Date ........................................ Security No ...................................... Organised by WheelPower, the mix96 Expiry Date ...................................... Issue No ........................................... Tour de Vale bike ride has raised funds Cardholder’s Name ...................................................................................... transforming the lives of thousands of Signed .......................................................................................................... disabled children and newly injured adults Date .................................................... Pre-order your over the last 13 years. Entry Fee: Tour de Vale Cycle Jersey As a locally based charity WheelPower Adults £15, Under 16 FREE. on the day £30 Each need your support as every pound raised will Entry FeeMen: S, M, L, XL, I enclose payment for Entry fee. help them to continue their vital work at Stoke £ .......................................... Adult £15.00 (£30 on day) XXL XXXL, XXXXL Mandeville Stadium and beyond. Cycle Jersey (Adults £29, Childs £25) (circle size required) Ladies: S, M, L, XL, So don’t just enter the Closing mix96 de cycle jersey – 18th dateTour to pre order May

totalled with the rest of the group and entered for the top fundraising team award. How do I enter? It’s easy to enter - either fill out an online entry form at: www.tourdevale.com or print off and post in an entry form. Call: 01296 395995 or email: info@tourdevale.com and a form can be posted to you. Pre-registration costs £15 per adult while children under 16* go FREE (*under

Tour de

- S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL, XXXXL Vale Bike Ride - supportMens WheelPower XXL XXXL Ladies - S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL by raising as much sponsorship as you can Children: S, M, L Childs - S, M, L £ .......................................... for the charity and help beat last year’s Additional Donation £ .......................................... £29 adult / £25 child fantastic efforts. Ask family, friends and work I enclose a cheque/postal orderI (payable WheelPower) order (payable to WheelPower) enclose atocheque/postal Total £ .......................................... colleagues (many companies will match their Please debit my Mastercard/Visa/Switch number: Please debit my Mastercard/Visa/Switch number: Car Parking ....................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................... 6 For health employee’s fundraising), your local shop, gym Junior Fundraiser: rider (aged 16 or and safety reasons parking at the stadium will be restricted for the exclusive useThe of disabled participants. Tick if disabled parking is required. Start Date ........................................ No ...................................... StartSecurity Date ........................................ Security No ...................................... or anyone else you can think of. You can also under) who raises the........................................... most sponsorship Conditions Expiry Date ...................................... ExpiryIssue DateNo...................................... Issue No ........................................... I acknowledge that the Mix96 Tour de Vale Bike Ride is a sponsored charity ride and I pledge to raise as much sponsorship as possible. raise funds securely online at: Inspirational Endeavour Award (new for Cardholder’s Name ...................................................................................... Cardholder’s Name ...................................................................................... The ride is not a race and all riders must obey the highway code and the wearing of a suitable cycling helmet is compulsory. Signeda.......................................................................................................... I understand that if I am in doubt about my health or have medical condition that be affected by exercise, I should obtain my Signedcould .......................................................................................................... www.wheelpower-raisemoney.org.uk 2016): WheelPower are taking nominations doctor’s approval before participating in the Mix96 Tour de Vale Bike Ride. Date .................................................... Date .................................................... dangerous and I accept that the organisers cannot be held responsible for personal injury, overcome accident, loss or damage Every rider who takes Cycling partcaninbe the mix96 forEntry people who have either a caused or sustained as a result of my participation. I agree that I will abide set outFee: by WheelPower for participating safely in this Fee: by the rulesEntry event. Riders under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Entries limited to 2,000 places (500 25K) on a first come first served basis. Tour de Vale will have aI chance to win one significant in their life before Adults £15, Underchallenge 16 FREE. Entry Fee on the day £30 Each Adults £15, Under 16 FREE. Entry Fee on the day £30 Each understand that WheelPower may take photographs of me taking part in this event and permit them to use the images for promotional I enclose payment for EntryI enclose fee. payment for Entry fee. of WheelPower’s awardspurposes. that recognise entering theon day) Tour Vale bike£ ride or cyclists th Adult £15.00 (£30 £de .......................................... Adult £15.00 (£30 on day) .......................................... By registering for the Mix96 Tour de Vale Bike Ride and giving WheelPower your details,inspire youChilds agree to WheelPower Cycle Jersey (Adults £29, Childs £25) Cycle Jersey (Adults £29, £25) exceptional achievement. whose achievements will others. storing your personal information on their database. You also agree to WheelPower sharing your information with Mens - S, M, L, XL, of XXL,Mens XXXL, XXXXL -work, S, M,including L, XL, XXL,by XXXL, Individual Fundraiser: who receive information Examples nomination themes could RideThe partnersrider and to occasionally about WheelPower’s emailXXXXL and SMS. You can Ladies - S, M, L, XL, XXL,Ladies XXXL- S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL de de unsubscribe at any time by emailing data@wheelpower.org.uk or by calling us on 01296 395995from injury/ raises the most sponsorship be:Childs age, weight loss, comeback - S, M, L £ .......................................... Childs - S, M, L £ .......................................... t 01296 395995 e info@tourdevale.com or tick here to opt out of ALL future mailingsAdditional (including future bikeAdditional rides). Donation £ .......................................... Donation £ .......................................... 16s must be accompanied by an adult), illness, disability, overcoming adversity, adults We will NEVER sell your information to third party Totalorganisations. Total £ ..........................................£ .......................................... www.tourdevale.com Handcyclists are FREE too. new to cycling, or any other achievements RETURN WITH YOUR REGISTRATION FEE TO: On day entry costs £30 for each rider. either endeavour or will inspire WheelPower, Stoke Mandeville Stadium,that Guttmann Road,displayed Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, HP21 9PP or enter online at www.tourdevale.com Supported by others to cycle. Nominations can be made by Images courtesy of Ollie Moore & Keith Worger anyone, however nominees must be entered l WheelPower, Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Charity Registration No. 265498 Guttmann Road, Stoke Mandeville, on the 2016 mix96 Tour de Vale bike ride. Bucks, HP21 9PPSunday 26th June 2016 Top Team: Are you riding Sunday 26th June 2 By registeringFundraising for the Mix96 TourByderegistering Vale Bike for Ride giving WheelPower you agree to WheelPower theand Mix96 Tour de Vale Bikeyour Ridedetails, and giving WheelPower your details, you agree to WheelPower Tel: 01296 395995 storing your personal information on their You also agree WheelPower information with sharing storing yourdatabase. personal information on to their database. sharing You alsoyour agree to WheelPower your information with with a group? (e.g. cycling club, company, Stadium Sta Ride partners and to occasionally receive information about WheelPower’s work, including email and SMS. Youincluding can Email: Stoke Mandeville Ride partners and to occasionally receive information aboutbyWheelPower’s work, by email and info@wheelpower.org.uk SMS. You can Stoke Mandeville unsubscribe at any time by emailing data@wheelpower.org.uk or by data@wheelpower.org.uk calling us on 01296 395995 unsubscribe at any time by emailing or by calling us on 01296 395995 school Please state name of t 01296 395995 et info@tourdevale.com #Tourdevale 01296 395995 e info@tourdevale.com Website: www.tourdevale.com or tick here or to optscouts). out of ALLorfuture mailings bike the rides). tick here to(including opt out offuture ALL future mailings (including future bike rides). We will NEVER sell your information to third party will NEVER sell organisations. your information to third party organisations. this group and Weyour fundraising total will be Charity No. 265498 www.tourdevale.com www.tourdevale.com

Vale

6 Tick here if you are a UK tax payer andhere if you are a UK tax payer and 6 Tick wish WheelPower to reclaim the tax wish WheelPower to reclaim the tax on your donation (at no cost to you) on your donation (at no cost to you)

Bike Ride

TourTour

Sunday 26 June 20 Stoke Mandeville Sta

(circle size required) (circle size required) Closing date to pre order cycle jersey – 18th May Closing date to pre order cycle jersey – 18th May

Car Parking Car Parking 6 For health and safety reasons parking at health the stadium will be restricted for the exclusive use of be disabled participants. Tick if disabled 6 For and safety reasons parking at the stadium will restricted for the exclusive use of disabled participants. Tick if disabled parking is required. parking is required. Conditions

Conditions I acknowledge that the Mix96 Tour de Vale Bike Ridethat is athe sponsored charity ride Bike and IRide pledge raise as much as possible. I acknowledge Mix96 Tour de Vale is a to sponsored charitysponsorship ride and I pledge to raise as much sponsorship as possible.

The ride is not a race and all ridersThe must obey theahighway and the wearing of a suitablecode cycling is compulsory. ride is not race andcode all riders must obey the highway andhelmet the wearing of a suitable cycling helmet is compulsory. I understand that if I am in doubt about my healththat or have a medical could affected by exercise, obtain my I understand if I am in doubtcondition about mythat health or be have a medical conditionI should that could be affected by exercise, I should obtain my doctor’s approval before participatingdoctor’s in the Mix96 Tourbefore de Vale Bike Ride. in the Mix96 Tour de Vale Bike Ride. approval participating Cycling can be dangerous and I accept that the cannot held responsible for personal injury, loss or damage caused Cycling canorganisers be dangerous andbeI accept that the organisers cannot be accident, held responsible for personal injury, accident, loss or damage caused or sustained as a result of my participation. I agree I willofabide by the rules set out by participating safely this or sustained asthat a result my participation. I agree thatWheelPower I will abide for by the rules set out by in WheelPower for participating safely in this event. Riders under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.16Entries limited to 2,000 places (500 25K) onlimited a first come firstplaces served(500 basis. event. Riders under must be accompanied by an adult. Entries to 2,000 25K) on a first come first served basis. I understand that WheelPower may take photographs me taking part thisphotographs event and permit useinthe images I understand that of WheelPower may in take of me them takingtopart this event for andpromotional permit them to use the images for promotional purposes. purposes.

Vale Vale

Bike Ride Bike Ride

RETURN WITH YOUR REGISTRATION FEEWITH TO: YOUR REGISTRATION FEE TO: RETURN

WheelPower, Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Guttmann Road, Stoke Mandeville, WheelPower, Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Guttmann Road, Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, HP21 9PP or enter online at www.tourdevale.com Buckinghamshire, HP21 9PP or enter online at www.tourdevale.com

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Images courtesy of Ollie Moore & Keith Worger Images courtesy of Ollie Moore & Keith Worger

Supported by

Supported by Charity Registration No. 265498

Charity Registration No. 265498

Column: Fitness Focus with Cathie Kidger

Health & Fitness

Preventing tension and pain

eveloped by an Australian actor with chronic voice issues, the Alexander Technique is a reeducational method, which teaches the ‘use of the self’. As children, we move freely and effortlessly, but as we start to react to the stress of modern life, we begin using excessive amounts of tension in the smallest of tasks, throwing ourselves out of balance and increasing the likelihood of wear and tear and pain. By learning to recognise and change our habitual response patterns, we can re-gain our natural poise and balance, enabling us to go about our daily lives with less effort and strain. Notable pupils include Roald Dahl, Dame Judi Dench, Sir Paul McCartney, George Bernard Shaw, Professor John Dewey and Sir Colin Davies. I first had Alexander Technique (A.T.) lessons as part of my musical training at L.A.M.D.A. I loved the feeling afterwards of being light, tall and calm and it made me more self-aware outside of lessons.

A few years later, after developing Repetitive Strain Injury, I decided to re-train as an A.T. teacher, embarking on what would become an enlightening, although sometimes frustrating, three year course of self-discovery, after which, I hoped to teach others. There are many reasons why people learn the Alexander Technique, including to prevent/

alleviate pain, to indirectly improve posture, to help cope with stress and to improve a specific skill such as playing a sport or musical instrument. With longer working hours, pressure at work and the use of computers, more people than ever are suffering from stress related illness and muscular issues. A trial published in the British Medical Journal (2008), showed that Alexander Technique lessons had long-term benefits for people with chronic back pain and a recent study has showed it to be beneficial for those suffering from neck pain. Teachers use a light touch and verbal instructions to work with a pupil in everyday movements and situations eg. sitting, standing, walking, using a computer, playing an instrument, lifting, going up and down stairs etc. Pupils are taught the ‘constructive rest position’ where they lie, semi-supine, on an Alexander table (similar to a massage table) and the teacher works with them to release unnecessary muscular tension in

Cathie Kidger Alexander Technique

various parts of their body - arms, shoulders, legs etc. The preventative and reeducative nature of A.T. means it can save people from having to pay for medication or treatment at a later date. It may also help to prevent surgery in some cases I run regular workshops at the Thame Barns Centre (future dates include Saturday 14th May and Saturday 2nd July, cost: £15) and have a private teaching room in Thame. I also give presentations to companies and groups. If you would like more information, please contact me as below or visit: www.stat.org.uk l Contact Cathie on: 07989 572712, or via her website: www.thamealexandertechnique.com

Active Women and Thame Racquets Fitness Centre offer

Active Women and Thame Racquets Fitness Centre offer • SIX exercise classes at £5 each

(including free crèche facilities if needed)

• Classes on offer include yoga, fitball and pilates and squash

FREE

bottle and T-shirt

SIX exercise classes at £5 each (including free crèche facilities if required)

Classes include Yoga, Fitball & Pilates and Squash and can be selected from the current timetable at: www.racquets-fitness-centre.com from 4th April to 5th Sept, 2016

Attend 3 sessions get an Active Women Water Bottle Attend 6 sessions and get an Active Women T—shirt Further membership incentives at the centre will follow the initial 6 sessions

Classes can be selected from the current timetable at Natural vision education for everyone, long-sight, short-sight; www.racquets-fitness-centre.com between 4 April and 6 June 2016 whatever your vision problem and whatever your age, For more details and to get your Active Women rewards card For more details (required to obtain offer) please contact Emma Freeman relaxation and improved seeing habits for offer) Emma.Freeman@southandvale.gov.uk or 07801(required 203550 can help you gain better clarity and eye health. or contact the centre directly on 01844 261754

and to get your Active Women rewards card please contact Emma Freeman: 07801 203550 Email: Emma.Freeman@southandvale.gov.uk or contact the centre directly on 01844 261754

Book a lesson today at: charlotte@seenaturally.co.uk or Tel 07960 977768 Private 1:1, group lessons and courses www.oxspa.co.uk/active-women

ww.seenaturally.co.uk | www.seeing.org | www.batesvisioneducation.org

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

Call now 01494 412525 Monday to Friday (9 am to 5 pm) or email for an appointment: c.v.health@nhs.net Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Column: Fitness Focus with Laura Card

Health & Fitness

Rehabilitate through sport

t Halton Tennis Centre (HTC), we give others support when they need it most. Tennis can play a pivotal role in helping your rehabilitation, strengthening your chance of regaining your former self. Working in conjunction with the National Injuries Spinal Unit at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Everyball Enabled Tennis has helped many individuals improve their rehabilitation prospects. It takes a long time to adjust to a spinal cord injury and getting up and about as quickly as possible is important. Any form of movement or exercise helps improve strength, balance and coordination. Wheelchair tennis can do that, but is about more than just that. It is also a lot of fun and a great way to meet new people. Furthermore, it can be played on any regular tennis court with no modification to racket or ball and only minor modification to rules (e.g. wheelchair players are allowed two

Everyball Inclusive Tennis at Halton

bounces). For all of these reasons it is one of the fastest growing wheelchair sports in the world. Visually impaired tennis, which uses special audible balls, has a similarly positive effect on its players. It has a long tradition dating back to 1984 in Japan and at HTC we hold regular sessions for a number of blind and partially sighted players. Those players tell us that a common side effect of tennis with us is that they improve their confidence - something which carries over into other areas of their life. Apart from wheelchair and visually impaired tennis, HTC offers tennis for adults and children of all abilities. For example, there are sessions for people who are deaf, for those with Down’s Syndrome, Autism and with general learning and/or behavioral difficulties. Everyball Enabled Tennis is constantly striving to build on its status as the Bucks and MK Sports Awards Club of the Year by reaching more and different groups

Laura Card

Everyball Enabled Tennis and even by going beyond tennis into other sports. None of this would be possible without the help of our main sponsor Alamac, who are improvement and change specialists working alongside health and social care teams, and to whom we are grateful. If you feel like picking up a racket or would like more information, please get in touch. l For more information about Everyball Tennis email: laura@everyabll.net or see: www.haltontennis.co.uk or call Alex Barnes: 07582 159583 Halton UK, Chestnut End, Chestnut Avenue, Halton Village, Nr Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 5PD

New Pilates Barre Class Mondays 9.15am-10.15am

‘Movement for every body’ Physiotherapy Massage l Acupuncture l Pilates

Yoga Barre l Tai Chi l Older Adult Fitness

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Amanda Trott

l Column

Health & Beauty

You don’t have to go to London to experience the latest A-lister beauty facial, praised by the likes of Kate Winslet and Eva Mendes. Skin Society is a little known Haddenham retreat where April Russell is quietly taking years off the local population...

idden away in Haddenham, at the end of a cul-de-sac, is a little gem of a salon owned by beauty therapist and skin specialist, April Russell. Skin Society is the culmination of over twenty years worth of experience from working in luxury salons such as Champneys and Harrods Spa and abroad in locations including New York, the Middle East and the Caribbean. April currently divides her time between her own clinic at home and a salon in London’s Belgravia. April invited me to her clinic to sample the amazing effects of HydraFacial, made famous by red carpet regulars Kate Winslet, Eva Mendes and Beyonce. Used in conjunction with Dermalux LED Light Therapy, it is the must have facial of the moment and April wanted to show me what the buzz was about. On arrival, I was impressed with how luxurious April’s clinic was, forget ‘home salon’ and think of luxurious spa salon full of expensive scented candles, calm white decor and luxurious furnishings. After asking me what my main skin concerns were, April explained how the HydraFacial and Dermalux worked. The HydraFacial is performed using a vacuum tip which is loaded with various serums, specially formulated to target and combat different skin issues: anti ageing; acne prone and congested; hyper pigmentation; and problem skin. The probe removes dead skin cells whilst deep cleansing and exfoliating. Skin specific serums are then worked deep into the skin. Dermalux is a non-invasive skin treatment that uses the power of natural light, energising cells to repair quicker. The clinically proven treatment

April Russell

April assesses Amanda’s skin condition

Amanda Trott

Beauty Spot

Deep cleansing with the Hydrafacial probe

Dermalux red light for anti-ageing provides one of the fastest and safest ways to reverse the visible signs of ageing, clear acne and blemishes and heal skin complaints such as rosacea, eczema and psoriasis. It is a completely pain free treatment, suitable for all skin types and conditions. It can be used in conjunction with a facial or purely as a stand alone treatment. Twenty minutes under the light is all that is needed and April recommends a course of 10 to really feel the benefit. April double cleansed my face and once clean, began to use the HydraFacial probe to deep cleanse even further. My interest was antiageing, so she tailored the serums to suit this. Although very different from a traditional hands on facial,

I still found it very relaxing. There are six steps; cleansing, exfoliation, brightening, extraction, hydration and finally rejuvernation where the Dermalux light is used to stimulate collagen and repair the skin. Dermalux uses different coloured lights for different purposes, the red light has a powerful anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory effect on the skin and is an excellent treatment for skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema and psoriasis. For acne and congested skin, blue light has powerful anti-bacterial properties that decongest and purify the skin and help to normalise oil production. At the end of the treatment my skin looked radiant, glowing and incredibly clean. It felt very smooth

to the touch and beautifully hydrated too. April finished by applying a moisturiser and suggested I leave my face make up free until the following day if possible. My skin looked so good, that I could happily have gone out for the evening with just eye make-up and lipstick alone, not something you catch me doing very often! l www.skinsociety.co.uk Contact April, Tel: 07931 480307 Email: info@skinsociety.co.uk l Amanda is a talented and experienced, Vidal Sassoon trained hair stylist, who at one time managed Charles Worthington’s Covent Garden salon. If you would like to have your hair cut, styled or coloured by Amanda she is available in Thame from Mondays to Thursdays at Eclipse Hair Design. Call 01844 260062 to book or arrange a free consultation.

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Column: ‘Kiss & tell’ with Tracy Kiss

Squeezing the diary

ou could say that I’ve started this year as I mean to go on - I’ve found myself with such gusto and drive, perhaps I’m having a growth spurt? Wishful thinking at 28! So what have I been up to you ask? Stick the kettle on and fetch a biscuit because this might take a while... Firstly I was rushed into hospital with severe internal bleeding following a loop diathermy procedure to rid my cervix of abnormal cells, found in a routine smear test. I naturally blogged about the procedure and the world’s press picked it up, running a campaign in conjunction with Cervical Cancer Awareness week to encourage women to attend their smear tests, which made me smile from my hospital bed as a problem shared is a problem halved and early prevention of cervical changes is much more appealing than trying to cure full blown cancer. I was invited to speak on the Lorraine

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Tracy with Calum at his new Henley gym Kelly Show and thankfully I am back home and healing now but it has reminded me how fragile life is. I then headed over to HenleyUpon-Thames where my friend Calum Best has just opened his first gym. Calum was an absolute gentleman and inspired me to take my love of fitness to a higher level, so I’ve begun a home study course to become a personal trainer. Learning from home fits nicely into my hectic single-parent schedule and I hope to eventually be able to transform lives, improve diets and

build self-confidence in others. I also completed two Creator Academy training programmes for a Youtube business course. My 700,000 social media following is growing rapidly by the day and everybody knows that a girl’s best friends are beauty and brains, I’m working on the beauty bit! I’ve just finished filming for three primetime UK TV shows airing this summer, all extremely fun and exciting but I can’t reveal more until they go on air. Having a film crew following me around my village was certainly interesting and the ITV hair and makeup team very kindly bought me breakfast and fluffed my hotel pillows as we shot ten hour days back to back; a far cry from the morning school run and mounds of laundry. Springtime always fills me with hope, inspiration and excitement for the summer, the change of the dark cold nights to bright and fresh mornings as colour bursts across the countryside.

Tracy Kiss

Kiss & tell We’re incredibly fortunate to have our health, to welcome in another glorious season and the opportunity to better our lives. So if I can squeeze my diary and make room for improvements then I’m pretty sure you can too, don’t let those New Years resolutions go to waste, make this month incredible and seize the day!

l Read Tracy’s blog at: www.tracykiss.com or follow her on: Twitter: @kisstracy4 Facebook: /TheTracyKiss

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Thinning or receding hairlines and hair loss are a major worry for many men, causing confidence to drop and even depression. Happily there are now treatments which can slow or halt the process and transplant techniques with impressive results... Before

octor Mark Tam is a highly respected and experienced hair transplant expert, specialising in Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) procedures. He is a member of the International Society of Hair Restoration and is well known for creating a natural and rejuvenated look for his patients. He has won multiple awards for his skills and ensures excellent results each time. Locally Dr Tam holds clinics at The Whitethorn Fields MediClinic at Stoke Mandeville where he can advise on the suitability of your hair for transplantation and undertake the procedure if appropriate. “I have been practising since 2009 and specialise in FUE,” says Dr Tam. “It is a very effective procedure for treating small areas of hair loss. I take hair follicles from one part of the head - usually the back where coverage is good - and transplant them to the area that is thinning. Given time you get a marked visual improvement and a very natural look. It can also be used to cover up scar tissue. “It is natural to lose hair from the hairline first. Men can start to recede at quite a young age. Hairs grow out of tubes in the skin, or follicles, often two or three hairs from the same follicle. We harvest the hair follicle, whether it has one, two or three hairs growing from it and leave the other follicles around it, so the hair won’t look noticeably thinner in that area, even if cut quite short. “The hair follicle may be rooted some 3-6mm under the skin but can be extracted and transplanted to another part of the head.” Dr Tam repeats this process many times until the section he is working on is full of

After

Dr Mark Tam hair once more. It won’t be quite the same thickness as your original hair growth but will be a marked improvement.

Before

After The transplant will be a little fragile for the first few days but with care should heal and new hair will start growing from the follicles. The original hair that was transplanted will usually fall out making way for new growth which will take about a month to make itself noticed. The procedure is done under local anaesthetic (a small injection into the scalp) and the patient will experience minimal discomfort. Afterwards a little soreness, but nothing really bad. “Your transplanted hair will stay but the

original hair may still be thinning,” says Dr Tam. “So additional treatments may be needed in the future, although there are products such as Minoxidil or Finasteride available now which you can use to prevent further thinning, so it’s practical to treat areas such as the temples and the hairline.” Dr Tam is originally from Hong Kong but grew up in England. After obtaining a Bachelor of Medicine at the University of Southampton and qualifying as a doctor in 2006, Dr. Tam worked for the NHS before training in FUT and FUE hair transplant surgery in Los Angeles. Following his certification at a renowned US medical academy, he was offered an associate position at a leading London hair transplant clinic and was soon promoted to Medical Director. He is a published author, a key speaker at medical conferences and one of very few UK doctors to have achieved a qualification appointing him as a Diplomat of the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery. “I don’t do strip transplants any more,” says Dr Tam. “I prefer FUE - it’s less invasive. It’s a more intensive procedure, a labour of love really, but it will last a lifetime so it’s worth spending time to do a really good job. Dr Tam has been working at Whitethorn for three years and visits regularly on Thursdays. An initial consultation is £50, while the transplant procedure and associated care usually costs between £5,000 and £8,000. l Whitethorn Fields MediClinic, Old Risborough Road, Stoke Mandeville, Aylesbury, HP22 5XJ Tel: 01296 614441 Email: enquiries@whitethornmediclinic.co.uk Web: www.whitethornmediclinic.co.uk Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Column: Nick Phillips ‘Good to give’

Time to be charitable

ost charities are loaded aren’t they? According to UK Fundraising, last year was a record year for fundraising by UK charities, with £9.5bn income raised by the top 100 fundraising charities. So what am I whinging about? I think we are heading towards a perfect storm in the charity and voluntary sector. This headline refers to national charities - great institutions that do amazing lifesaving work. But they are just one part of the sector. Much of the voluntary sector works at a local level, small charities that do fantastic things in your town or village. And it is these charities that I am concerned about. The ‘perfect storm’ is the coming together of the key influences of press reports, local government cuts and increased need. From Kids Company and Age UK to ‘chuggers’ the press has hit hard at charities. Much of it, I hasten to add, very fair - but the combination of stories gives the impression of

a slightly shady industry focussed on money and donations. Yet the reality is that the vast majority of charities in Bucks turn over less than £25,000 per annum and survive on the good will of

volunteers. The local government in all areas is cutting back support to all sectors. Charities may be amongst the last to be affected but funding is likely to be cut - leaving a hole in their ability to deliver services. Demand for many sectors is at an all-time high. 71% of Bucks charities record unsustainable levels of demand. This includes children’s mental health, homeless charities and those protecting children from domestic violence.

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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

In a recent survey 1 in 5 charities states that they are in crisis. But why does this matter? Because it is charity, voluntary and community groups that really support us, our families and the most vulnerable in society. Fran Borg-Wheeler, CEO of Aylesbury Youth Concern said recently. “At Youth Concern we provide lifeline services to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in Aylesbury Vale. Council cuts have hit us hard with one third of our funding being cut from April 1st. This means that we are going to struggle to help as many ‘at risk’ young people, as the cuts put our services in serious jeopardy. Without Youth Concern support, many young people with complex needs will fall through the gaps and not be able to access the support they so dearly need.” So when we see those adverse headlines we should probably think of the local charities and community groups that we know -

Nick Phillips

Good to give and see how they compare. And why should it matter? I may be closer than most, but I think that if people are not supported in mental health, homelessness, or even local youth clubs the impact on them, their families and the rest of society will be felt over time by us all. Help directly by volunteering at www.volunteeringbucks.org.uk l Nick Phillips is CEO of

Community Impact Bucks, a charity dedicated to creating a better life for the people of Buckinghamshire and relied upon by some 900 local voluntary groups for funding, volunteers & crisis support. Tel: 0300 1111 250 www.communityimpactbucks.org.uk

l Column: Catherine Stoker Learning process

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Is it time to start preparing? Independent education consultant Catherine Stoker looks at preparing your child for their transition to senior school in September ...

o you have a child who is about to embark on their last term at primary or prep school? March school allocations or entry pre-assessments are done and chances are your child is starting to think about their new senior school, making new friends, meeting new teachers, getting to grips with a new timetable, school campus and routine. For some, they may even be a bit nervous about boarding for the first time. Here are a few suggestions as to what parents could do over the course of the Summer term to help prepare their child for their next educational adventure, so they have the confidence and skills to hit the ground running. 1. Consider the new parent/pupil day as a ‘three-line whip’. It usually takes place in the June of the summer term. It’s far easier to settle into a new environment if your child has already

Catherine Stoker Learning process made one or two friends or at least knows a few classmates. It will also give you the opportunity to meet other parents with children in the same year, as well as gaining insider knowledge from current pupils. 2. Find out which children from the current school will be going to the same senior school. Make contact with their parents and invite their child over a few times during the next few months. Even if they are not in the same house or class, it will be a familiar face to bump into during break or to sit with at lunchtimes, until new friendships are formed.

3. If your child will be boarding for the first time, take advantage of the opportunity, if available, for your child to flexi-board in the Summer term at their current school, perhaps instead of getting a babysitter on a Friday night. This will get your child gradually used to the idea of boarding and being away from home.

you have set, such as when to be home.

4. Talk about their new school over the coming months. The joining pack of documents will probably arrive in May or June. Look at it together and decide which extra-curricular activities they will take part in and how they will sign up for these. Which sports teams will they aim for and what musical instrument, drama lessons will they take up?

If you are having trouble deciding on the right senior school, why not give our independent, professional experts a call to discuss your requirements. Telephone 01865 522066 or email: consultants@ independenteducationconsultants.co.uk To find out more about our advisory services for parents, visit our website www.independenteducationconsultants. co.uk or sign up to attend one of our free events at www.futureschoolsfair. com

5. Give graduated experiences of independence. Let them take the bus into the local shops alone or meet up with their friends. Encourage them to understand the importance of being on-time and keeping to time deadlines

Pardon my English! 1) Deedy (Berkshire dialect) A) diminutive, puny B) an unlucky day, a Friday C) careful 2) Bauldrick (Hertfordshire dialect) A) a scarecrow made of old garments B) a spur attached to the heel of a fighting cock C) a horse-hide thong

3) Kerf (Hertfordshire dialect) A) the groove made by a saw B) the down upon the first sprouting horns of a young deer C) a spur attached to the heel of a fighting cock 4) Grizzle (Hertfordshire dialect) A) to eat or drink especially noisily or greedily B) to fret, grumble, whine C) to snow just a few flakes

l Catherine Stoker is Managing Director of the Independent Education Consultants (TIEC): www.inpendenteducationconsultants.co.uk

Tel: 01865 522066

r nt

A local dialect ‘Call My Bluff’ by Jacot de Boinod Can you guess the right definitions of the following words?

6. Encourage good decision making and thinking for oneself. Encourage them to take responsibility for doing homework according to deadlines, planning study time, keeping their bedroom tidy and to be responsible for keeping track of their valuables and belongings.

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l Adam Jacot de Boinod was a researcher for

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

ANSWERS: 1C) careful. 2C) a horse-hide thong by which the clapper was fastened to a church bell. 3A) the groove made by a saw. 4B) to fret, grumble, whine. Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Column: Down to business with Philippa Batting

Are you in ‘Team Bucks’?

can often be heard talking about ‘Team Bucks’, the idea that every person who lives and works in Buckinghamshire is on the same side, equally invested in the success of the county and equally responsible for doing their bit to support that success. The type of success I’m talking about includes attracting more visitors to our county to support our tourism industry, supporting more businesses to start up and create jobs, encouraging students from across the country to study at Buckinghamshire’s universities and then encouraging them to stay here after their studies, and making the county an attractive prospect for people wanting to relocate. By all working together in the interest of Buckinghamshire we get the benefit of the multiplier effect, knowing that the better our tourist destinations do and our schools perform and our businesses flourish and our countryside is cherished and our wealth creators are supported, the better off we all are. Many reading this will not have

Tolkein was inspired by Brill and the surrounding scenery when writing of ‘The Shire’ in Lord Of The Rings

a direct role in ensuring these things happen, but can play a part by becoming an ambassador for Buckinghamshire. This isn’t an official role that requires a time commitment, it simply requires you to shout about all the ways that Buckinghamshire excels to everyone you meet. Being positive about Buckinghamshire is easy. We have the best schools in the country turning out students ready to change the world, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that affords us the chance to escape the rat-race and embrace nature, the

‘Hollywood’ of the UK in Gerrards Cross (if you don’t believe me just ask Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie!), and we are the most filmed county in England. You’ll know all about the output of Pinewood Studios of course, but Buckinghamshire is a regular presence on both small and silver screen, from Bond, Potter and Sherlock to Midsomer Murders, Downton Abbey and more. Film buffs may already know that Aylesbury’s own Brill was the inspiration for a town in JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth, the result of the Lord of the Rings author’s regular visits in his youth. The diversity of our excellence stands out. Whether it’s parents, film-lovers, walkers, students or Hollywood A-Listers, who wouldn’t find something to attract them to Buckinghamshire for their particular calling? The trick is for all of us who are lucky enough to live or work here to be on the same page, spreading the same message that Buckinghamshire is a great place

Philippa Batting Down to business

to grow up, go to school, college and university, to settle down and work and start a family, to start a business, to visit, to explore, to retire in. We have something for everyone and that is the message that ‘Team Bucks’ needs to transmit. If you would like more headlines from Buckinghamshire’s CV please contact Buckinghamshire Business First’s research team: rupert@bbf. uk.com / 01494 568935. l Philippa Batting is MD of Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF). Based in Saunderton, BBF works to support and facilitate success within the business community and to create a dynamic environment in which local business can flourish. Membership is free - visit: www.bbf.uk.com for more details.

DOES YOUR BUSINESS NEED MORE SPACE? When your business grows, The Sanderum Centre can give you the space and support you need to ensure it doesn’t take over your home and personal life too. Our 1-2 person offices, ideally located in Thame or Chinnor, are perfect for start-ups and micro businesses needing a more professional space to work from than the kitchen table. Fully flexible, fully furnished and fully allinclusive offices – with contracts from as little as 4 months so you don’t have to sign up for any long-term commitments and everything included except your phone calls, broadband and contents insurance. All you need to get started is your laptop! With meeting rooms, call answering and admin support also available, we have everything you need to take your business to the next level. And if your business grows again? We can grow with you and help you move into a bigger space. All part of the service. Give Centre Manager Katie a call today to find out which offices are currently available.

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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

They say the early bird gets the worm and from 6.30am every Wednesday, Aylesbury’s BNI Heritage networking group are proving the point, having referred more than £1,028,000 of business between members in just over two years. Is this your wake up call...

f you are in business you want to be successful and that generally means generating more business, growing your company and hopefully making more money. Networking is the modern way to make business connections and build enduring, mutually beneficial relationships. It can introduce you to new contacts and new opportunities, help you to meet people who are willing to share their business experience and knowledge with you and to recommend your services to others. It’ll broaden your thinking and help you to discover new ways of finding potential clients or to spot markets you hadn’t thought of. It’s also a useful way to find suppliers and to build value-for-money relationships - whatever sort of supplier you are looking for: accountant, copywriter, recruiter, web designer, insurance broker - networking provides opportunities for two-way business. Entrepreneurs share a common energy and it is inspiring to mix with people who have to be resourceful to compete and survive. They may experience the same difficulties as your business does and be willing to share their solutions. Networking will improve your communication skills and although the focus is on business, it can also lead to making new friends who enjoy sharing ideas, goodwill and enthusiasm for business with like-minded people. BNI Heritage Aylesbury is a networking group of some 30 local businesses. First founded four years ago it met in Waddesdon originally but now has a regular home in

BNI Heritage Aylesbury members make their breakfast selections

Hardings Restaurant at Aylesbury College. It is the local ‘chapter’ of BNI, the world’s largest referral organisation which has more than 185,000 members across some 60 countries. It was founded in 1985 by Dr. Ivan Misner with the aim of building powerful referral networks and the philosophy that ‘Givers Gain’ - members give referrals to other members to build relationships and receive referrals in return, thus generating more business for its members. The BNI organisation provides a positive, supportive and structured environment in which these quality business referrals can be developed and exchanged with only one representative from each trade or profession allowed to join a specific chapter. Attending a recent meeting I found the Heritage Aylesbury group to be a friendly, helpful and welcoming crew. The businesses represented were many and varied from Tax Advisor to IT Expert, Designer, Copywriter, Massage Therapist, Plumber, Furniture Supplier... and the companies ranged from one man firms turning over £20,000 to larger operations with turnovers in the millions. The meetings run to a set structure with members arriving, for informal networking, anytime from 6.30am, until it’s time to serve breakfast and start the meeting at 6.45am. There’s an education slot, member and visitor presentations, a 10 minute prepared presentation by a member and then a run through any referrals and testimonials to be made or given, with the chance for members to ask for any specific introductions they are

There’s plenty of time for informal networking too

looking to gain in the following weeks. The meeting was chatty and jovial but ran to schedule under the efficient chairmanship of Jenny Bird. Meetings end by 9am and there is then the option to leave or network informally until 10am. It is estimated that the average Heritage Aylesbury member could benefit from around £24,000 worth of business referrals a year which is a pretty good return from the few hundred pounds membership charges. Members also benefit from regular training workshops. Those interested in doing more business are welcome to attend a meeting as a visitor. There is no charge, you get breakfast - a very pleasant full English, or Continental if you prefer - and the chance to distribute your business cards to members and to introduce yourself and give a brief description of your business to those attending. Contact Ross Batting as below if you would like to find out more. l BNI Heritage Aylesbury Contact: Ross Batting, Tel: 01844 291430 Email: heritageleadership@emaildodo.com Website: www.bni.co.uk Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Column: Small World with Robyn Bourne

Are you a collaborator?

started this posting wanting to talk about collaboration, partnerships and why silo mentality isn’t so good for businesses, but on talking to a colleague about what I wanted to achieve I realised that I might have to take a step back and explain the terminology I was trying to discuss. It would seem that whilst people have heard of ‘collaboration’ ‘partnerships’ and ‘silo mentality’ some had trouble clearly defining what was actually meant by it. Surely we all talk to our colleagues so we must collaborate? And what on earth is a silo other than an agricultural building? This is the analogy that I used to describe what I meant, and how I think working in partnerships, or collaboratively, can work effectively for businesses, large and small alike. Imagine the CIA, MI5 and FSB (the old KGB, not the organisation that I work for, the name lent itself to me thinking of this example!) Working in silos they would each be collecting intelligence on a wide

variety of subjects, let’s just say, for this example, ‘baddies’. In isolation they work tirelessly to gather as much as they can within the realms in which they work. However, as soon as a ‘baddie’ leaves the country the trail stops. As they are a silo they don’t tell the other organisations that the ‘baddie’ is on their way to another country, they

just wait at the airport for them to return and carry on gathering more information. It isn’t their job to share, so why should they? Working collaboratively however there would be a joined up approach. As intelligence is gathered it can be shared to fill in the gaps, a bigger picture can start to form and grow. Not only do you

know now the ‘baddies’ name, age and height but you can also gather who he phones, where he goes to, and where he ate last night. And by sharing the information with the three parties involved you are all collaborating and contributing to this greater knowledge. To put it very simply, and in the words of Aristotle, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. And so I am back to my beginning... We all know that 1+1=2 but isn’t it great when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. And that is exactly what can happen with the right collaboration and partnership. I’ve recently been working with various different stakeholders on a variety of subjects but they have all had the same thing in common. Alone, or with a silo mentality, it wouldn’t have happened: together it was far bigger than double the two individuals. I’m not saying that this is always the case, but I guess I’ve just been lucky so far this year, and long may it continue. Finding the right partnership

Robyn Bourne Small World

really can reap rewards and can cost you no more than doing what you are already good at, it is all about looking outside of your silo and knocking down a few walls to find the right connection that will work for you and your business. And now I’m off to find my next successful collaboration... l Robyn Bourne is Development Manager for the Thames Valley region of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) supporting 7,500 local members. The FSB offers members a wide range of vital business services including advice, financial expertise, support and a powerful voice in government and aims to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions. www.fsb.org.uk

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l Column: Jonathan Vernon-Smith

fieldstead insolvency

Consumer Affairs

Debt problems? Cash flow problems?

Award-winning BBC Three Counties presenter Jonathan Vernon-Smith extends his Consumer Hour to report for Vale Life Magazine on consumer issues that could effect you...

adly over the years I have dealt with far too many cases of consumers who have employed the services of a rogue tradesman and have paid a heavy price for their mistake. But how do you find a good tradesman to carry out work in your home or garden? Here are my top tips: NEVER employ the services of someone who knocks at your door offering their services. If a builder, roofer or plumber has time to cold call people, then they’re obviously not very busy. Why are they not very busy? BECAUSE THEY’RE PROBABLY NOT VERY GOOD! A good tradesman will be busy with work for weeks in advance. I am always similarly sceptical of anybody who tells you on the phone they can

Creditors demanding payment? Demands from HM Revenue & Customs?

effectively with him/her. Always ask for references (particularly when you’re using someone to carry out a large job). Don’t be afraid to make contact with their previous customers and ask if you can go and look at the job they did. Ask them if they had any problems and what the tradesman/ company was like at resolving those problems. It is very important that you agree a method of payment before work begins. I personally do not pay for work until it has been completed. If the builder/electrician/plumber needs to buy parts etc for the job, then I am happy to pay for that on the basis of a receipt, however I insist on paying for labour costs on completion of the job. When

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do a job for you that day. Always ask your friends and neighbours if they can recommend a good tradesman when you decide you need some work doing. It may sound simple, but the best way I have always found to employ the services of someone good, is to use your trusted contacts. Chances are if they did a good job for your best friend or next door neighbour, they’ll do a good job for you too. Make sure you always get at least 3 quotes from different people before you decide who to use. Don’t necessarily use the cheapest, but at least if you have a range of quotes you can ensure that you are not overpaying for work to be undertaken. I generally go for the quote in the middle as long as I have a good feeling about the tradesman and feel I can communicate 30

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

you’re dealing with a large job (eg an extension), then I would agree a payment plan in writing. However, you should always ensure a large enough final payment is retained to act as an incentive for the job to be completed to your satisfaction. Finally, NEVER agree work without a written quote. Verbal contracts and quotations are of course legally binding, but trying to prove what was agreed weeks down the line is normally a nightmare. Of course, as always if you follow my advice, but still come unstuck and find yourself dealing with a cowboy, then remember you can always call my consumer programme on 01582 637450. l Listen to The JVS Show

weekday mornings from 9am on BBC Three Counties Radio: www.bbc.co.uk/threecountiesradio

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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Chinnor Community Pavilion

TV star Sarah Beeny may not seem to have much in common with Chinnor Football Club but when it comes to design they can both pick a winner...

hree years ago we wrote about Haddenham based Entrance to Pavilion where architectural design and cedar and brick ‘wrap’ in . project management company, PCMS Design. The firm room, a bar and commercial was project managing extensions and kitchens plus a council chamber alterations to a home near Thame being and office for Chinnor Parish featured on Sarah Beeny’s Channel 4 Council. series ‘Double your House for Half the The Pavilion’s sports facilities Alex Bond Money’. PCMS Director Alex Bond and and party suites are available for his team did a great job and although the TV hire, and a regular range of activities will soon work hasn’t come flooding in, the company be on offer from fitness classes to clubs. has been extremely busy in their chosen field “It was a reasonably complex project to - designing and managing building projects manage,” says Alex. “as it was jointly funded across the local area. by Chinnor Parish Council, SODC, The The versatile firm is involved in Football Foundation and Sport England and commercial, educational and community we wanted the building to be functional, projects as well as residential work and recently attractive, eco-friendly and economic to run. played a key role in managing and designing “It all went smoothly though and Chinnor the development of Chinnor Community Parish Council have been very complimentary the work we have done. Extension to a home in about “We were involved right from the Long Crendon with bespoke lantern light beginning, which helped a lot. We started with a feasibility study to determine what was needed and spoke to planning officers. We developed the vision, drew up the designs and building specifications, organised relevant planning permissions, selected a suitable construction firm and then made regular site visits to support the building contractor as construction progressed.” Eco-friendly features include solar PV cells on the roof, which will generate electricity for Pavilion. This brand new facility is much the Pavilion and link into the national grid, and more than a sports and social club, boasting a ‘grey water’ collection system for the WCs to state of the art changing facilities - four team minimise the use of fresh water. and two officials changing rooms to cater for A large patio area extends across the back the adjacent sports pitches, tennis courts and of the Pavilion with views across the playing playing field - a stylish function room, a club pitches, and the landscaping includes several

new trees. The building design smartly integrates the external materials of buff brick and cedar cladding by wrapping them into the entrance lobby, whilst the zinc clad roof is asymmetric, keeping the pitch low but still catering for the solar panels. Laminated timber beams support the roof and make a nice feature internally, whilst acoustic panels dampen the sound and keep noise to a minimum. Working on a wide range of public, private and commercial projects, PCMS Design are very versatile in their approach to materials and design. “No two projects are the same,” says Alex. “it is important to consider what is right for the building and for its occupants. We understand specialist areas such as heritage buildings, period cottages and thatched buildings, but we are also experienced at

Extension to thatched cottage

working on development sites and new builds. Our team has a strong technical background, so we know our designs can be built. An attractive design is no good if it’s impossible to construct - we take a practical approach and create aesthetically pleasing designs that don’t give the builder headaches!” Contact Alex as below if you have a project you would like to discuss. There is no charge for an initial consultation. l PCMS Design, Rectory House, Thame Road, Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8DA Tel: 01844 202932 Email: info@pcmsdesign.co.uk Website: www.pcmsdesign.co.uk Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Step inside by Polly Gibbs

The Look: Walls - Urban Cit

Sue Timney for M&S

New Season, new looks – catch up on the latest ideas for your home with my spring edit. Look out for monochrome, brushed gold, faux foliage and the return of rattan....

pring always brings an air of optimism with longer days, thoughts of holidays and dining alfresco. It’s also when new collections arrive in store, making it perfectly timed for reinvigoration or reinvention. Heritage and craft continue to reign, as we value individual creativity and statement interiors over playing it safe. Monochrome is a style that never really goes out of fashion, but it’s popping up everywhere this spring from Ralph Lauren Home to M&S. Give it more edge with oversized plants and smatterings of gold accessories. The self-confessed ‘mistress

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

of monochrome’ Sue Timney is renowned for her distinctive use of black and white graphic prints. During the 1980s she was one of the first to merge fashion and interiors, which started the ‘lifestyle’ trend. Today, the two colours remain an essential part of her design identity as her new collection for M&S demonstrates. Her three designs offer a contemporary way to rock the mismatched crockery trend. Pop the collection onto a black tablecloth as shown (main pic) and it just sings with style. (From £6. marksandspencers.com). We also see materials like marble utilised in exciting new ways, brought up to date with

Polly Gibbs

Step inside

Polly Gibbs, Creative Director at Coco Design, shares her down to earth approach to interiors, from design secrets to trends and everything in between. copper or gold detailing. For example, Tom Dixon’s ‘Stone’ lighting and Lyngards marble glaze ‘Marney Pendant’ (pictured right)have particularly caught my eye; transforming expectations as the solidity of stone becomes delicately translucent when lit. (See the collections at Heals. From £195. heals.co.uk).

Step inside by Polly Gibbs

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Gold Star from Rockett St George

House Doctor Collection at Design Vintage

Conran Mirror for M&S

Marney Pendant by Lyngards for Heals

craze, which would support a shift away from cooler silvery chrome metals. The popularity of Downton, Indian Summers and other period dramas has us hankering after a bygone decadence. If it hasn’t yet, I think gold will grow on you and I predict crystal will be making a comeback too. Meanwhile, if you’re still hesitant, this simple Star Tray offers a contemporary use of gold (£37. rockettstgeorge.co.uk). In fact, it would look well with a few crystal coupes. One of my favourite things right now is a metal edged mirror I bought for my bathroom and I have spied a fab ‘Conran Mirror’ with a brushed gold frame for £69 at M&S that I might just have to covet. House Doctor have a lovely selection of square metal edged mirrors from £50 (try royaldesign.co.uk) and Loaf have just launched ‘Inigo’, a full length mirror with a simultaneously classic yet industrial aesthetic (£265. Loaf.com). Continued on page 34

Stone Wall Light by Tom Dixon If you feel the contrast between black and white is too harsh, mellow it out with warm based grey accessories, paint or wallpaper and add tropical green living (or faux) foliage - also making a big comeback right now. Abigail Ahern raves about Cactus plants, expect to pay from £55 for her faux range. (abigailahern.com). Check out the single artificial Monstera Palm by Design Vintage (£17.50) and a faux fern complete with root is novel. (£5.50. designvintage.co.uk

Warm toned metallics continue to dominate interiors and give monochrome schemes glam and sparkle. Try touches of this year’s hottest colour, brushed gold. Not convinced? The Dulux colour for 2016 is ‘Cherished Gold’ following on from last years copper

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Step inside by Polly Gibbs

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Design Studio 1st Floor 55 North Street, Thame OX9 3BH Visitors welcome to browse and shop Telephone or email for design appointment

MADE TO MEASURE BLINDS - CURTAINS - CUSHIONS FABRIC - WALLPAPER - HOME ACCESSORIES - GIFTS

Palma Chair from Design Vintage Continued from page 33

massively right now, so I figure it will be sticking around for a couple Expect to see interior collections of seasons at least. This [Palma] chair is available with a distinctly 70s Boho vibe from Design Vintage (£215. coming through this year, from designvintage.co.uk). Macrame jute hanging plant holders (£8.50 at rockettstgeorge. co.uk) and yes, rattan furniture is having a new lease of life – I know, l Polly is an award-winning designer, Decorex100 Interiors right? Influencer and Amara Interiors I’m not going to lie I’m not Blog Award Finalist. Her website is sure about it either, but the 70s currently undergoing a revamp. are influencing current design

Motorised and child-safe blinds ◦ upholstery ◦ installation

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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

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

Your only difficulty will be in deciding just which stone to choose… At Hard Rock Flooring, your local, leading independent supplier of Natural and Composite Stone, our unique relationships with quarries and suppliers worldwide ensure we can source even the most demanding brief. We are stone enthusiasts, passionate professionals with more than thirty years experience in helping customers realise their design ambitions. Our team of experts, led by Iain Marfleet and Will Luitsz, provide a truly bespoke service, combining specialist knowledge, extensive contacts and the latest technical advancements, to ensure customers, both private and commercial, will benefit from the very best service and guidance. This February our ongoing success led to the opening of a new, much larger showroom and workshop in Grendon Underwood where we are now pleased to welcome customers old and new to discuss any current or future projects for which stone products might be required. Visit our Showroom & Warehouse, open Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm at: Unit 2 & 3, Lawn Farm Business Centre, Grendon Underwood, Nr Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0QX Tel: 01296 770859 Email: showroom@hardrockflooring.co.uk Website: www.hardrockflooring.co.uk Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Real Living

Three new

by Charlotte Bolton

Colour schemes for 2016

Bored with the same old look? Why not make plans this Easter to inject some gorgeous spring colour into your home…

e bang on trend in early 2016 and give your sitting room or bedroom a chic and stylish makeover with one of this season’s freshest new colour combinations.

Next lilac/blue feature wall

Lilac and Copper A less sugary, but just as sweet, alternative to pink, lilac is a great way to introduce pastels without being too ‘girlie’. With this new pairing of lilac and copper, their warm hues complement one another perfectly, and the on-trend metallic hit keeps things looking and feeling really fresh and modern.

Real Living

Charlotte Bolton Circular Metallic Mirror, £20, Wilko

Copper Candlestick Holder, £4.99, www. maisondumonde.com

Blue Lilac Cushion, £12, Barfoot & Duggan

Copper Wall Clock, £39, Not On The High Street Monochrome main feature wall

Cora Fabric Accent Chair, £84, www.overstock.com

Black dipped wicker baskets, from £32.50, Rockett St George

Lilac also works well with other tones in a similar spectrum, such as blues and purples, or for a more sophisticated twist, team with cool greys. Monochrome and Tan Graphic black and white hues instantly add a cool modernity, but sometimes this colour combination can feel a bit stark. Warm it up with tan tones and natural textures such as wood, wicker and leather, to stop things feeling too harsh.

Oak tan photocube keepsake box, £24.95, Not On The High Street

With a limited palette like this, you can afford to have a little fun, so mix different tones and patterns and maybe introduce the odd quirky element, such as a vibrant piece of art or a bold print, for an individual look. Continued on page 38 36

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Highgrove sofa, £699, DFS

Black and white chevron cushion, £22.50, www.zazzle.co.uk

Heart of House Vintage Style balloon plaque, £3.99, Homebase

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Real Living

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

by Charlotte Bolton Blue Fish Tealight Holders, £4 each, Not on the High Street

Cobalt blue Irish Tweed throw, £79, Not on the High Street

Green Fern Print Cushion, £12.55, Red Bubble

Sinnlig scented candle, £2.99, Ikea

Charles Huntington Flooring

•Expert Advice Nicole 2 seater faux Rosario wallpaper, £41 leather sofa, £159.99, •Professional Fitting www.sofasworld.co.uk Layered blues per roll, Designers Guild •Very Competitive •Expert Advice stylish finish. Whereas lighter hues folky prints too. To stop your room/ 2) Pair the wall(s) with a larger Continued from page 36 for Residential and •Professional Fitting can often feel cold, these neutrals space feeling too dark, freshen it up ‘main’ accessory such as an Commercial workarmchair, mini sofa or in the case of can be•Very much richer (against with pops of white. Cobalt Blue and Green Competitivethe main - you can even throw With their rich, jewel tones, blue •Carpets to suit alla bedroom - curtains or bedspread. colours)for Residential andin a few other shades to warm it up - just Bring in smaller accessories such as Get The Look - how to bring and green make for a brilliant duo, Budgets Commercial work make sure these don’t ‘overpower’ pretty glass vases, display bottles or colour into your home in three bringing warmth and character to •Carpets the main palette. to suit all glass candlestick holders in blended easy steps : •Free Quotes any room. shades for a stylish scheme. 1) Create a feature wall as a Mixing differing hues, from Budgets •No Obligation starting point - this will give your emerald to mossy green and l To find out how your home •Free Quotes •Free Parking could be featured in a UK homes 3) Cement your scheme by decor a fresh feel with impact. cobalt to turquoise, creates interest magazine my website: •NovisitObligation Decorate the wall with wallpaper or teaming the main colours (of each and makes it easier to add new palette) with warm neutrals and soft www.reallivingspaces.co.uk. paint it. With these colour palettes accessories. Parking Share •Free your home interior ideas • VINYLS SISAL • STAIR RODS whites - choose cushions, bed linen, with others in a magazine! choose lilac, blue or This pairingCARPETS works really well with you• could as a startingTAPES point. and throws in these colours for a the current trend for tropical and SAFETY FLOORING •black/grey WOODshades • BINDING It’s fun, and free! •Expert CARPETS • VINYLSAdvice • SISAL • STAIR RODS Opening Times: Monday to Friday 10am until 5pm SAFETY FLOORING • WOOD • BINDING TAPES

Charles Huntington Flooring

•Professional Fitting Tel: 01296 337181 Mob: 07767370067 •Very Competitive Web: www.charleshuntington.co.uk Tel: 01296 Mob: 07767370067 for337181 Residential and 23 DUCK FARM COURT, STATION WAY, AYLESBURY, HP20 2SQ Web: www.charleshuntington.co.uk Commercial work DUCK FARM COURT, STATIONvinyl, WAY, AYLESBURY, HP20 2SQ WE WILL NOT BE BEATEN ON QUALITY OR SERVICE l Independent, family run carpet l Carpet, sisal, coir, hardwood l Extensive range of23traditional Charles Huntington Flooring to suit all and flooring specialists l Exclusive suppliers of Roger Oates and contemporary flooring •Carpets Charles Huntington Flooring Charles Huntington Flooring WEcan WILL NOT BE BEATENyet ON hard-wearing QUALITY OR SERVICE •Expert Advice Charles Huntington Flooring beautiful runners l Expert fitting service at competitive prices - we Budgets and rugs in our local area l Domestic and commercial match or better your quote •Expert Advice Charles Flooring Providing adviceHuntington and installations •Expert Advice •Expert Advice•Free •Professional Fitting Advice to private customers, professionals and •Professional Fitting Quotes•Expert •Expert AdviceFitting •Professional •Professional Fitting contractors for over 25 years •Professional Fitting •Very Competitive •No Obligation •Professional Fitting for Residential and •Very Competitive •Very Competitive •Very Competitive •Very Competitive Extensive experience with Commercial work for Residential and Residential and for Residential•Free and •Very Competitive Parking for thatched, heritage and listed buildings. Commercial work for Residentialwork and Commercial Commercial work Saturday 10am until 4pm. Any other time by appointment

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

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

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

comforts

Finally there is a real alternative to timber windows.

A fully stocked showroom including Solidor

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Lots to see! QuaLity products

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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

‘The Art of Wood Burning’

JØtul “fighting the cold since 1853”

The most comprehensive showroom in Oxfordshire Over 75 stoves and 15 under fire on display Kiln dried and Eco logs

Jøtul – logo

HETAS registered. Ample free parking. Boundary Business Park, Wheatley Road, Garsington, OX44 9EJ Showroom open Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-1pm For technical advice it is advisable to make an appointment

01865 361505 www.manorhousestoves.co.uk Featured stoves from JØtul 40

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

vale_life_advert_Layout 1 21/07/2014 15:54 Page 1

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Stone for the garden: for patio, paving, walls, gravel, cobbles and pebbles, feature stone and water features.

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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

l Column ‘In the Garden’ with

Get set for Nationa

f you’re nosy like me, there’ll be nothing you enjoy more than having a gander round new gardens – getting planting combination ideas, finding an unfamiliar plant – or just enjoying a day out of the house and away from a computer! That’s why National Gardening Week is such a joy; there’s the chance to take a peek into all kinds of gardens – sometimes for free or with the opportunity of extra activities going on – and the chance to grab a coffee and some cake along the way! The theme for this year’s National Gardening Week is Get Fit in the Garden, so expect all kinds of wellbeing events – at RHS Garden Wisley, for instance, there will be Tai Chi classes, buggy fitness class for families, and

Boy powered water pump at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show last year

Clare Broadbent in her WorkOUT Garden

‘meet the gardener’ events, where gardeners and horticulturists will look at how their roles keep them happy and healthy. They’ll also be looking at how everyday activities such as raking, digging and hoeing can keep you fit. One idea we loved from the RHS display at last year’s RHS Hampton

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Naomi MacKay

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

al Gardening Week Court Flower Show was this water pump – powered by human power – or in this case little boy power! A few changes like this could make all the difference when you’re in the garden. How about switching to a rotary mower if you are able to – many gardeners swear that they get a better cut, and it saves on electricity or petrol as well. Gold-medal winning the WorkOUT Garden designed by Clare Broadbent for the 2014 RHS Flower Show Tatton Park aimed to create a space that looked good and offered the opportunity for exercise – I particularly loved the pergola pull-up bar and the Archimedes screw that provided a workout for your arms and helps to aerate the pond! You could, of course, just drag your exercise bike or rowing machine out on the patio

to get the best of both worlds! This year, National Gardening Week runs from April 11th-17th, with National Open Gardens Day, when many gardens will open for free, on Friday April 15th. Find out more about National gardening week and events near you – including the Lindengate Spring Fair (held at a therapeutic garden in Wendover on Saturday April 16th) at www. nationalgardeningweek.org.uk What’s new Buddleja ‘Buzz 3-in1’ With gardens getting smaller, we all want to get more out of outdoor space. I love this buddleja from Thompson & Morgan – can’t decide which colour to grow? Continued on page 44

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l Column ‘In the Garden’ with

Naomi MacKay

some kind of container gardening, so any compost that helps our Pick this one, which features, planters look their best for longer white, purple and lilac flowers. This has to be worth a try. This new compact plant will grow happily compost from Westland includes in a container – unlike the lanky six months’ worth of feed – enough buddleja you might be familiar for the whole season. It also has with – and it will encourage the clay water storing pockets, which butterflies and bees into the garden. hold on to the water and release it slowly over time – helping to GRO-SURE® Easy Containers prevent drying out. Compost Around 48 million of us enjoy Celery ‘Peppermint Stick’ This celery with its candy-striped pink and white stalks is as pretty as a picture and will make a colourful addition to any salad. And it might just persuade any reluctant saladeaters in your house to give it a try as well! A packet of seeds from The Organic Gardening Catalogue costs £1.84 (www.organiccatalogue. com). Continued from page 43

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Celery ‘Peppermint Stick’

l Naomi Mackay is a freelance journalist and publisher of a website for parents of primary-aged boys at www.itsaboything.net. She also helps small businesses with blogs, social media and anything else that needs words! You can contact her at naomimackay@ gmail.com

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Column: Lucy Ellis ‘Animal Magic’

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Full of the joys of Spring!

he mild winter has led to flowers and trees blossoming early this year, so here are a few timely reminders of things to think about for your pets this spring. With lambing season well underway it is important to respect the farmer’s livelihood and stay vigilant on dog walks. Even the most well-behaved dog can worry ewes and lambs, so please follow these basic steps to keep all animals safe: - Leave gates as you find them and obey signage instructions. - Always keep your dog close, under control and on a lead around sheep and cows, including in a neighbouring field. - Do not let your dog off lead until you are sure that you are in a secure field without livestock, remembering that dogs can quickly bury their way through hedgerows. - And of course, always clean up after your dog.

Not all dogs get on with cattle! So keep yours on a lead if cows or sheep are loose. Wild birds still appreciate food supplies during the spring and summer, but it is important to change what you are offering

and maintain good hygiene as the weather warms up. Any fatballs not eaten within a fortnight should be discarded and replaced otherwise they can turn rancid, and remember that food may be taken back to the nest, so don’t put out anything unsuitable for baby birds, such as peanuts, dry hard food, chunks of bread or fats. While we all enjoy a visit from the Easter bunny, please remember that chocolate is poisonous to your pets. Make sure that you keep track of all treats hidden on an Easter egg hunt and collect every one at the end. Keep large Easter eggs safely out of reach of curious canines and cats, and visit the vet immediately if your pet should manage to eat any chocolate. Finally, if you’re looking for something to keep the kids entertained over the Easter holiday, try your hand at Fungility and teach your dog some new tricks at the

Lucy Ellis

Animal Magic same time. Unique Pets offers a fun version of an agility class designed to build a bond of trust between you and your dog through focus on agility equipment. You’ll soon discover that mental and physical stimulation is the best way to exhaust your children and pets alike! l Lucy Ellis is a writer of 20 years,

specialising in biographies and blogging on pets and hobbies. With Jenna Tomlins she runs Unique Pets, an independent pet shop offering individually tailored advice for pets, 2 grooming salons, dog training and a photography studio. www.uniquepets.co.uk

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

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

Music Column:

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

Turn it up! with Dan Mordente

Charity

Single from

Underground

Live Music

MARCH 25th Kevin Tair, The Green Man, Aylesbury 25th Incognito, Shootpool, Aylesbury 25th Nickita, Aristocrat, Aylesbury 25th Bitteroot, The Broad Leys, Aylesbury 26th Man Alive Band, Victoria Club, Aylebury 26th The Desert Penguins, The Eight Bells, Long Crendon 26th Jamie Benkert, Shootpool, Aylesbury 26th The Era That Time Forgot, Aristocrat, Aylesbury 26th Move It, Rivet Sports & Social Club, Aylesbury 27th Dub Bunnies (DJ), Aristocrat, Aylesbury 28th Group Therapy, The Eight Bells, Long Credon APRIL 1st Broken Bones, Shootpool, Aylesbury 1st The Bowie Experience, The Aristocrat, Aylesbury 2nd Polar Valley + Redneck Jesus + Imminent Annihilation, The White Swan, Aylesbury 2nd Muso, The Green Man, Aylesbury 2nd Gunslingers, Shootpool, Aylesbury 2nd The Dung Beatles, St Mary The Virgin Church, Aylesbury 2nd White Light, Rivet Sports & Social Club, Aylesbury 3rd Gerri Waite, Victoria Club, Aylesbury 8th Switch, Shootpool, Aylesbury 8th Best of Buble, Aristocrat, Aylesbury 9th The New Foundations, Victoria Club, Aylesbury 9th Hope & Glory, Shootpool, Aylesbury 9th Simon Phillips, Rivet Sports & Social Club, Aylesbury 12th Sandy Lenny, Aylesbury Opportunities Centre, Thame Road 15th Back In 4, Victoria Club, Aylesbury 15th Rubics, Shootpool, Aylesbury 16th Mouth On A Stick, The Green Man, Aylesbury 16th The Curvy Love Dogz! Shootpool, Aylesbury 16th InsideOut, Rivet Sports & Social Club, Aylesbury 22nd Mike Bryant, The Green Man, Aylesbury 23rd El Bronson, Shootpool, Aylesbury 23rd April – Skasouls, Rivet Sports & Social Club, Aylesbury

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

local band from Thame has released a charity single in support of Cancer Research UK and Melanoma UK. The 4-piece Indie Rock band – Underground - released ‘Ursa Major’ in a collaborative fundraising effort with local residents Naomi Probets, who is currently undergoing treatment for stage 4 melanoma, and husband, Tim Probets, a former member of the band. The single was released on the same night as a charity disco, held at The Spread Eagle in Thame, with CD sales alone raising over £450 on the night. The release is now also available from all good digital retailers including iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, with 100% of profits being split between the 2 charities. Underground have been together for many years. Their sound combines sleek electric guitar with melodic mellow piano tones. The single - Ursa Major - is an emotional song, featuring warm vocals and crisp piano, with a heartfelt message at its core. To donate to the cause, please visit: www.cancerresearchuk.org or purchase a download.

Sinnerboy

innerboy, formed and led by Rory Gallagher enthusiast Barry Barnes, will be performing at the Limelight Theatre on Friday 15th April. The band has been on the road for over 10 years now, paying tribute to Gallagher’s musical legacy, and has been instrumental in reviving his music since he passed away in 1995. Limelight Theatre, Aylesbury: Fri 15th April, 8pm. Tickets: £10 in adv / £12 on door. Box Office: 01296 424332 / www.qpc.org

Record shop pops up

ylesbury is to welcome a new record store this month. Second Earth Records will be specialising in new and used vinyl and CDs. This project is the brainchild of local residents, Dan Gregory and Colin Steele, who have been involved in the local music scene in various capacities for many years. Speaking ahead of the shop’s opening, Dan said: “Aylesbury has a rich musical heritage and our name is in homage to the lost record shop run by Friars Club owner David Stopps; Earth Records, which went on to become Oven Ready Records. “Both were crate digging heavens, where everyone from punks to hippies would hang out and flick through the vinyl. Friars club is still going strong and recently hosted gigs by King Crimson, however there is a record shop shaped hole in the town.” Second Earth Records will launch as a pop up shop on 26th March. It will be held weekly in Aylesbury Market Square every Saturday. Dan says: “Our aim is for it to be a spot where people can not only browse and purchase

music, but also talk about and listen to music. We hope to create a welcoming environment for all types of listeners.” “Our stock range will be broad and constantly growing, but our focus will always be on alternative and underground styles of music, be it black metal, punk and noise or jazz, dub and hip hop.” The pair are also keen to support the local music scene; “We will be working with local bands to stock their releases, too. We also invite any independent labels to get in touch so we can stock their releases.” “We believe that great things come from small beginnings. Our eventual aim is to open a bricks and mortar shop, which we hope will be a hub for music and art, with cafe space, art space and hopefully a small venue/bar area. We’ve seen a resurgence in vinyl buyers and we feel that Aylesbury deserves to have a shop like this, not only to celebrate its musical history and our own personal love of music and vinyl, but also to complement the growing amount of independent shops in the town.”

Andy’s Surprise release

1th March was the release date for ‘Element Of Surprise’, the new EP from local singer/ songwriter, Andy Robbins. Andy signed to Thame-based label, BFS Records, in January 2016 and has spent the last two months working hard to perfect his latest recording. The 30-year-old musician has been a regular on Oxford’s music scene for many years now, having played at renowned venues such as the Jericho Tavern and Oxford O2 Academy. Since signing to BFS Records, Andy has also become a regular on the Thame music scene, with shows at Thame Snooker Club, The Black Horse Hotel, The James Figg and The Falcon (Friday 18th March). Element Of Surprise is different to Andy’s previous album for the singer has stripped his music back to it’s acoustic roots, to capture the raw honesty of his powerful live performances. Element Of Surprise is available from iTunes, Amazon and Spotify.

Andy Robbins

“

Column: Sandra Smith ‘Our Creative Vale’

Reductional suicide! I

’ve always been interested in design. As a primary school teacher the older children wanted to learn printing, so I talked to the Senior Art Teacher who showed me how to do linocutting and I was smitten!” Despite initial enthusiasm, Kathryn studied her new interest only sporadically until retirement presented the time and opportunity to hone her skills. “Then I went on a lino reduction course at Buckingham Art for All. Lino, using water based ink, is relief printing – taking away what isn’t printed. It’s an interesting process and very satisfying. Picasso called it reductional suicide but it was something I could produce.” In her Winslow home of 30 years one wall of a dining area, which doubles as a workspace, showcases a selection of Kathryn’s work including a cat whose delicate shading could easily be mistaken for a pencil sketch. “That was my first drypoint,” Kathryn smiles, “which is etching

Kathryn Acton into an acrylic sheet, digging out what you want to print. I later did the cat as a screen print.” Considering the three processes enjoyed here, the elegant space isn’t awash with intrusive equipment. A wooden frame used for screen printing is propped against a wall,

a table houses a selection of Swiss and Japanese linocutting tools and a gel hand roller resting in a jar, and drying images are pegged to a folding clothes horse. The one bulky item is a printing press, its warm green veneer and trio of lambswool blankets – preventing paper tears by absorbing pressure – contrasting with its industrial framework. Kathryn’s fondness for minimalism is a common denominator prevalent in all her images, no matter whether linocut, drypoint or screen print, and from subjects such as the Groynes at Porlock to spring lambs. It’s a distinctive style that reflects the artist’s approach. “I’m not too interested in the finer detail. I abstract things from pictures and like the impact of negative space and I love blocks of colour.” As part of this year’s Bucks Open Studios Kathryn is exhibiting at three venues: Claydon House, Gawcott’s Chafor Vineyard and Green Dragon Eco Centre where

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Creative Vale

Sandra Smith visitors will be treated to a display of new work along with framed prints and cards. Meanwhile this likeable artist harbours ambitions to develop subtleties and grading of colour whilst simultaneously fostering a more commercial outlook. Such skills will not only add to her success, but further enhance the individuality of her artwork. www.kathrynacton.co.uk l Sandra Smith is a freelance

writer. Follow her on Twitter: @TheCurrentMrsS or visit: www.TheCurrentMrsSmith.co.uk

Jazzing it up at St Mary’s J

azz Upfront 2016 continue their Live Jazz Series with another concert at St Mary’s, Aylesbury on Thursday April 23rd featuring The Alex Garnett Quartet: Saxophonist and composer Alex Garnett is perhaps not as well known to British jazz audiences as he should be. The son of a saxophone playing father, the UK veteran Willie Garnett, young Alex worked in the City before eventually becoming a professional musician, a hired gun who gained valuable experience working with leaders such as blues guitarist Otis Grand and jump jive specialist Ray Gelato among many others, including big names such as Van Morrison and The Rolling Stones. Alex honed his jazz chops playing with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Humphrey Lyttleton, Peter King and Scott Hamilton plus more contemporary figures from both sides of the Atlantic including Gareth Lockrane, Seamus Blake, Phil Robson and Joel Frahm. His powerful, flowing, hard bop sax style has been heard with some of Europe’s leading bands and creative jazz ensembles, and it is testament to his reputation that Alex is also one of the few headlining UK jazz musicians in the current Ronnie Scott’s All Stars pool. He is joined by the talented and experienced trio of: Leon Greening, piano; Clark Tracey, drums and Arnie Somogyi, bass. Thursday, 21st April, 2016. Doors 7.30pm

Photo by Nick White

Music in Park

/ gig starts 8.15pm. Licensed Bar & Snacks. St Marys Church, St Marys Square, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 2JJ Tickets on sale now from Kim: 01296 437641 or Frank 07518 306552, price £14 (advance), £15 on door (under 18s £6).

et your picnic baskets and dancing shoes ready! Music in the Park returns to Elms Park on Sunday 1st May. Featuring more than 30 performers across three stages, Music in the Park offers music and dance acts across a wide range of genres. From choirs, solo singers and acoustic acts, through a variety of dance acts, to pop punk and rock; there really is something for everyone at Thame’s big day out! Topping the bill on the main stage are the popular Dung Beatles, who blend Beatles’ chart hits with some of their beautiful album tracks. In addition to the performers, there are fun activities for all the family, as well as a wide range of food and drink available. The event officially kicks off at midday and finishes around 9pm. For more information see: www.facebook.com/MusicInTheParkThame www.musicinthepark.org.uk

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

A legendary Welsh superstar, an Olivier-award winning family production and a record-breaking, pelvic-thrusting rock’n’roll musical make for an awesome April at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre...

octor, I can’t stop singing ‘Delilah’ - goes the joke. “You’ve got TomJones-itis,” says the Doc. “Is that rare,” I reply. “It’s not unusual!” sings the Doc! It’s a cracker and so is Tom: A Story of Tom Jones (Tue 5th – Sat 9th April). Tom, starring Kit Orton, is a brand new musical telling the inspirational story of the Valleys boy with a heart-stopping voice, who dreamed of making the big time and ended up becoming renowned on a world stage. Featuring hits of the era including Ghost Riders in the Sky and Lucille, this is a chance to track Tom’s climb to stardom, ending with some of his biggest hits: It’s Not Unusual, What’s New Pussycat, Delilah and more. Heartstrings are sure to be tugged when David Troughton (The Archers) takes to the stage as Tom Oakley in the uplifting tale of Goodnight Mister Tom Tue 12th – Sat 16th April. This magical stage adaptation sees evacuee William Beech move to the countryside where he forges a friendship with elderly recluse Oakley. This world-wide literary favourite continues to inspire audiences and bring generations together. A cult classic returns! Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show starring Diana Vickers (Little Voice, X Factor), Ben Freeman (Wicked, Emmerdale) and Paul Cattermole (S Club 7) is ready to thrill once more busting at the seams with songs including Sweet Transvestite, Damn It Janet and of course, Time Warp! (Mon 18th - Sat 23rd April). So why is the show so What was happening successful – let’s find out from in your life at the time you the main man himself – Richard wrote The Rocky Horror O’Brien: Show and how do you What has given the show such huge think society’s attitudes appeal? have changed to the kind of The fact that it has such lightperson you were then? hearted naughtiness, combined I was a recent father Tue 26th April with root fairy tales, has a lot to of my first child and do with its longevity. out of work when I What made you write something so off the wall wrote the show. 1972-73 was a moment of were you a rebellious person when writing? change. Glam rock and overt sexuality was I was always outside mainstream societal around, gay people were coming out and there rules simply by being transgendered. was a buzz in the air.

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

The Rocky Horror Show Mon 18th - Sat 23rd April What kind of a father would you say you’ve been and how has family life sat alongside your personal development? I believe myself to have been a good father (flawed) but constant and supportive. Why do you think people still get so excited by The Rocky Horror Show? Because it makes you laugh. People say to get the best insight into a person, ask them what their epitaph should say. What would be written on your headstone? He was loved. Where has been the most exciting place that you have lived and why was it so special?

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Goodnight Mr Tom Tue 12th to Sat 16th April

G4 Sun 10th April

Coming up at The Waterside Your at-a-glance guide to what’s on... I don’t thrive on excitement, I’m too much of a hippy for that. After writing such a blockbuster, what’s next for you on your bucket list in terms of your career and personally? I am the luckiest person on the planet. I shall be happy as long as I can keep singing. Why should people go and see Rocky Horror? Because it swings! Book now for this season’s shows by visiting the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Box Office, call 0844 871 7607 (bkg fee) or visit www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury (bkg fee) l Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG Telephone Booking: 0844 871 7607 Website: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury

The Dire Straits Experience

Fri 25th Mar

Superslam Wrestling

Sat 26th Mar

The Magic of Motown

Tue 29th Mar

Tap Factory

Wed 30th Mar

Tell Me On A Sunday

Thur 31st Mar

Tom: A Story of Tom Jones

Tue 5th to Sat 9th Apr

Sun 10th Apr

Goodnight Mister Tom

Tue 12th to Sat 16th Apr

The Rocky Horror Show

Mon 18th to Sat 23rd Apr

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

Tue 26th Apr

Superslam Wrestling, Sat 26th March Vale Life : Feb/Mar Mar/Apr 2016

49 3

Column: Showtime! with Shaun Nolan

A good old fashioned revival

Shaun Nolan Showtime!

One Man Two Guvnors plays The Court Theatre, Pendley revue about a series of couples and their relationships, this show is perfect for couples fancying a night out. Coming back into Aylesbury town, a group of teenagers are making their way to the Second Space at the Aylesbury Waterside with Risborough Youth Theatre’s revival of 13: The Musical playing two performances on Saturday April 2nd. With a feel-good score from Broadway legend Jason Robert Brown and a story that the kids will love, it’s a great trip to the

See Sheridan Smith in Funny Girl at The Savoy Theatre theatre for any family. Also at the Waterside this month is the UK tour of the recent West End revival of Goodnight Mister Tom (12th16th April), and the UK tour of the Rocky Horror Show revival fresh from the West End (18th-23rd April). If you fancy a trip up West this month though, why not try the first ever West End revival of the classic musical Funny Girl starring Sheridan Smith, with performances starting on April 9th at the Savoy Theatre? The first

production of Show Boat to be seen in the West End in 20 years also starts performances this month on April 9th at the New London Theatre, as well as the first London revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard playing at the ENO all month long with the show’s original star Glenn Close back as Norma Desmond. I’ll be at all three this month, so maybe see you there? Be it Tring, Aylesbury or London, April really is a month for amazing revivals of shows. All you have to do now is chose which one to see first! l Shaun Nolan is a London theatre blogger and lead Blogger for London theatre company LondonTheatreDirect. You can find him at @shaunycat on Twitter.

Appearing at Meadow View Park

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Tickets £25.00pp incl 2 Course meal Thame Football Partnership, Meadow View Park, Thame

CALL 01844 214401 TO BOOK NOW

The UK's No. 1 Beatles Tribute band

Saturday 21st May 2016

y love for theatre blossomed through falling in love with classic shows like Miss Saigon and Cats at a very young age and over the years, revivals of these shows have graced the stage and I’ve had the pleasure of going to see them on multiple occasions. I am, I admit, obsessed with the theatre and what I love seeing most at the moment are well-made revivals of great shows we already know and love. In the Vale this month, two amateur revivals are being staged at Pendley Court Theatre in Tring: the acclaimed National Theatre production One Man, Two Guvnors - a revival by Frayed Knot Theatre Company at the end of the month (20th-23rd April) with my friend Joshua Lake at the helm - and earlier in the month a revival of the musical comedy I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Berkhamsted Theatre Company: 5th-9th April); a beautiful musical

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

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

repare your taste buds and loosen your jeans, for the Great Missenden Food Festival. 2016 is set to be the biggest and best food lovers festival yet! All four days will be packed with exciting events and a host of new activities for the whole family. Why not take a wild food foraging walk with expert forager Matt Normansell or get hands on tuition in our Broil King BBQ Experience? Kids of all ages can get their fingers sticky making pizza from scratch in the cookery school or find their inner mad scientist, creating jelly explosions in the food laboratory and it’s all included in the cost of your ticket. The Market Place features up to 150 exhibitors selling and

Simon Rimmer

Lots to see and sample

sampling some the best of artisan local, regional and internationally acclaimed produce, as well as a small craft and gift area for those gifts you can’t find on the high street. You will find a tantalising selection including delicious cheeses, sweet treats, local produce, International cuisine and artisan street food. There’s live music, street food, pottery workshops and Celebrity

Great British Bake Off and made it all the way to the final! And you can pop in to the Cook-A-Long Ian Cumming Master Class Theatre for hands on cookery Plenty of lovely local produce tuition with our in house chef, Clover Hutson. Sessions include Demonstrations from Simon filleting and cooking fish, cooking Rimmer - host of Channel 4’s preserves and curds at home and Sunday Brunch, who will be joining making mascarpone from scratch the fun on Sunday afternoon at 3pm and Ian Cumming - Finalist on and turning it into a delicious sauce. the Great British Bake Off 2015 on There is also a dedicated session for Children aged 12 - 16 years where Monday at 10:30am and 3pm. they can learn to make gnocchi and Ian had been a travel pasta sauce. photographer happily making For further information and bread, puddings and the occasional details of workshops visit: cake for his family up until 2015 www.greatmissendenfoodfestival.co.uk when he found himself on the

Admission Charges Apply. Reduced Rate Advance Tickets Available Online Features are subject to change at the organisers discretion.

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

l Column: Jacqui

Thorndyke ‘Foodie On Tour’

Sunday is prime time

hen Wetherspoons recently changed their menu, removing Sunday roasts, the media went into a tailspin about it. ‘Sacrilege’ said one, ‘a nation mourns’ said another. Everybody please calm the hell down though, as far from being the end of the British roast dinner, I think it’s more likely to be an indication of demand for a better standard of British roast dinner. Halle-flippinlujah. Now, I’ve been to my fair share of Wetherspoons pubs in my time, especially during office lunch breaks with multiple tastes and budgets to please. I know the food isn’t amazing, but you get what you pay for, and sometimes what you want is a big portion of food at rock bottom prices, served up fast. When it comes to a roast dinner though, that’s basically the exact opposite of what I want. And according to my local butcher, I’m not the only one. Consumers, it seems, are

There’s nothing like a Sunday Roast! investing in better cuts of meat for their Sunday table, opting for more free range, and are generally a lot more knowledgeable about their meat choices. From the difficulty experienced trying to book a last-minute Sunday lunchtime table at any decent Oxford food pub (I always leave things till the last minute), I’d say it’s not just at home that the mighty

roast is thriving. Thankfully, it’s really not that hard to find a decent roast dinner these days, without needing to break the bank. Competition from high street restaurants and pubs has been reducing costs, yet people are spending more. Food seems to be one of those pleasures that people just aren’t willing to give up, even in times of austerity, and restaurateurs are understanding people would rather spend a little more to get something much better. We’ve had no end of celebrity chefs telling us to buy the best meat we can afford, buy free range, buy bigger cuts and make them go further. We’ve had Jamie Oliver banging on about everything from school meals to sugar tax, and we’ve been lapping it up. We’re a generation of consumers desperate for more knowledge about the food we put into our bodies and the impact it has. And personally I think it can only be a good thing. It’s making us think

Jacqui Thorndyke

more about food waste, locality and quality. So bring it on I say. Treat yourself to the occasional real pub Sunday lunch, none of this mass produced nonsense. Don’t stand for cook from frozen roasties. Ditch those bland supermarket joints in favour of proper, local, great quality cuts of meat from your butcher. The Sunday lunch revolution is coming! l For local food and restaurant reviews and recommendations, visit www.foodieontour.co.uk, or follow Jacqui on Twitter @FoodieOnTour. Email: foodieontour@yahoo.co.uk

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

Open: Tuesday: 6pm-11pm Wednesday-Friday: 11.30am-3pm & 5.30pm-11pm Saturday: 9am-11pm Sunday: 11.30am-4pm

Now open in Wendover: Tapas Bar & Restaurant · Wine Bar · Par ties · Functions · Meetings

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT TRES CORAZONES - April 20th Gourmet Wine Evening Go continental! New bi-fold door s and patio heater s at the front of the restaurant, mean you can now enjoy drinks & tapas al fresco! Open all day Saturday Churros and Tar ta de Santiago ser ved from 9am

Menu Del Dia 3 Tapas for £9.95 Wednesday – Saturday 11.30am-2.30pm Paella Sunday Choose from a selection of Paellas freshly prepared ever y Sunday, as well as our full menu. 11:30am–4pm (last order s 3pm)

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www.trescorazones.co.uk | www.facebook.com/TresCorazonesLimited 52

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Haddenham has a 17th Century connection with the Earls of Pembroke, whose emblem was the Green Dragon and could be why the village’s ancient hostelry is so named. New owners Matt and Kate aim to embrace its traditional role as a village pub but in a rather more modern way...

t won’t just be the good folk of Haddenham who will be pleased to see the village’s Green Dragon pub open again. The welcoming village watering hole is now being run by Matt Wood and partner Kate who have earned themselves quite a reputation for serving up the most excellent food at their previous business, Berkhamsted’s Bluebella Roos Restaurant. Matt is an accomplished chef and aims to offer high quality pub/restaurant food at The Green Dragon while ensuring it still remains a friendly inclusive village pub with muddy boots, children and dogs welcome! “The Green Dragon is a country dining pub,” says Matt. “We’ll be doing good food but the bar is important to us too. It’s a pub for the village community and we welcome those who are coming just for drinks or drinks and a snack. It’s about striking the right balance and a lively, friendly buzz at the bar makes a good atmosphere for diners too.” Matt is originally from Hazlemere and trained as a chef at Aylesbury College. He gained experience working in a variety of pubs and restaurants before opening his own, with Kate, some four years ago. “I’ve always loved food and cooking,” says Matt. “My mum is a good cook and prepares everything from scratch, which got me interested as a youngster. Bluebella Roos was very small, only 18 covers. It went very well but just wasn’t big enough.” Matt and Kate have moved to Haddenham to live at The Green Dragon with their young family: Tallulah, 6, and new arrival, River, who is only three months old! “Bluebella Roos was a fine dining restaurant,” says Matt. “Here we’d like to maintain that standard of cooking and friendly, unobtrusive service but with more of a pub/restaurant style menu and at pub prices. We are calling the dining side of things Bluebella Roos at The Green Dragon. “My favourite dish on the menu at the moment is the Pork Belly and Fillet with Celeriac Purée, Baked Apple, Glazed Butternut Squash, Ramsons (Wild Garlic) and Calvados, although the Blow Torched Scallops

Matt Wood

with Fennel Puree, Rock Samphire and Blood Orange is a close second!” There are sample menus on the pub’s website but Matt likes to vary things so keep an eye on their Facebook page or call in to see what’s new. Other dishes include Monkfish ‘Fish’n’Chips’ Pea Purée and Tartar Sauce (£14.50); or Roasted Corn Fed Chicken

Supreme, Wild Mushroom Fricassee, Potato Croquettes and Grelot Onions (£15.50). Starters are around £7 and include: Confit Salmon, Heritage Beetroots, Horseradish Mayonnaise & Samphire; and Pan Fried Chicken Livers, French Toast, Maderia Reduction & Pancetta; while desserts are around £6 for mouthwatering delights such as: Toasted Vanilla Marshmallow, Griottine Cherries, Honeycomb & Micro Basil; or Chocolate Delice, Salted Caramel, Peanuts & Raspberry; or of course a Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream! Bar snacks at £3/£4 include: Quail Scotch Eggs; Ham Hock BonBons; Oxford Blue Cheese Arancini; Duck Rillettes; and Mackerel

Paté Toasts which beats a bag of crisps in my book any day! “You can just come in for a coffee though,” says Matt. “We’re open from 9am Tuesday to Saturday and coffee or tea with a cake or pastry is only £3. We have a set lunch menu too with two courses and a glass of wine for £14.95 (see Facebook for menu).” The Green Dragon’s history as a pub can be traced back to 1754. The building is Grade II listed and built of coarse rubble stone with brick dressings and pretty shutters. It was in reasonable order when Matt and Kate took over and they’ve added their own personality with a splash of paint and some stylish and funky flourishes to create a spacious and comfortable bar area plus two more intimate dining areas and the pleasant garden has been nicely tidied up. Matt is assisted by Sous Chef Adam in the kitchen and Assistant Manager Simon plus a growing team of bar/waiting staff. “We are not just a restaurant,” says Matt. “We are a proper pub with award-winning beers and wines, scrumptious bar snacks and a cracking good Sunday Roast - come and visit!” l The Green Dragon, 8 Churchway, Haddenham, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8AA Tel: 01844 292826 Email: info@greendragonhaddenham.co.uk Web: www.greendragonhaddenham.co.uk Opening hours: Tue-Sat: 9am-11pm Sunday: 12-10pm, Closed Monday Food Served: Tue-Sat: 12-2.30pm & 6.309.30pm, Sunday: 12-4pm Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Column: Nick Coffer ‘In the kitchen’

Pear and Ginger Tiramisu Trifle

’ve long said that the best home cooking needn’t be in any way complicated. In fact, the simpler the better as far as I am concerned. Also, there is no need to come up with revolutionary creations. Often the tastiest recipes are just simple twists on muchloved classics. This pear and ginger tiramisu recipe, created by food writer and blogger Ren Behan, meets all of these criteria. Easy to prepare, it looks great and tastes wonderful. It also misses out the coffee which is a bonus for anyone who has to avoid caffeine. A lovely treat to serve at a relaxed family meal, a posh dinner party or after a barbecue (if and when the weather improves!). Makes 4-6 tumblers (dependent on size) or one medium-sized trifle bowl Ingredients: 3 large free-range eggs – yolks and whites separated 100g caster sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract 250g tub Mascarpone

In the kitchen Nick Coffer

Pic by Ren Behan 2 very ripe pears 250ml sherry ½ packet Ginger Snap Biscuits or Ginger Cake 100g grated dark or white chocolate for sprinkling on top A dusting of cocoa powder (optional) The ingredients will combine better at room temperature

your egg whites until soft peaks form. With a metal spoon, fold the egg whites into your egg and Mascarpone mixture.

Whisk the eggs yolks, caster sugar and vanilla together with an electric whisk for around 5 minutes until the mixture is pale and fluffy. Add in the tub of Mascarpone and mix until smooth.

Pour the sherry into a small bowl, dip six ginger biscuits into the sherry and then place one in each glass, or lay them all flat across one bowl, working quickly so that the biscuits don’t get too soggy.

In a second, clean bowl, beat

Add a few slices of pear on top of

Have a large trifle bowl or six small glasses/tumblers ready. Peel, core and finely slice the pears.

the ginger biscuits. Next, spoon some of your creamy mixture into the bottom of your tumblers/bowl. Repeat until all the mixture is used up. Cover with clingfilm and refrigerate, preferably overnight. Just before eating, sprinkle with grated dark or white chocolate, dust with a little cocoa powder if you wish and then 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 every weekday afternoon at midday for brilliant local guests with great stories to tell and all the music you want for your early afternoon.

The Bell is a delightful 17th century pub in the pretty village of Hardwick near Aylesbury. Lovingly restored and refurbished it is now an inviting place to enjoy a drink or choose from a wide range of freshly prepared, home-cooked food. The ever-changing seasonal menu offers delicious light snacks and meals at lunchtime, to a full menu in the evening, all served in a friendly, relaxing and informal pub atmosphere. Our chefs are adding options which are gluten, dairy and sugar free along with vegan specials so all can eat with confidence. A separate dining room and heated marquee in the courtyard are available for parties and functions. l Food served Mon-Sat from 12-2pm & 6-9pm and on Sundays from 12-4pm l Good selection of Organic Wines available

See www.thebellathardwick.co.uk for details of our Special Events or call the pub for details and to book

Fri, Mar 25th: Good Friday Fish Supper Sun, Mar 27th: Easter Sunday lunch

Wed, Mar 30th: Quiz Night, 7.30pm Wed, Apr 27th: Quiz Night, 7.30pm

The Bell at Hardwick, Lower Road, Hardwick, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4DZ | Tel: 01296 640005 | Web: www.thebellathardwick.co.uk 54

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Andy and Emma are celebrating three years at The Boot this May and you can join them along with ‘George’ and ‘Take That Live’...

esidents of Bledlow Ridge bought their village pub in 2010 to save it from being redeveloped. Emma and Andy Goddard, took on the running of the pub in 2013, investing their own funds in a fabulous refurbishment and hitting the right note with a reasonably priced menu of traditional pub food in a modern style. The restaurant has been busy from day one and it’s now recommended to book ahead if you want to be sure of a table at peak times! The Boot feels stylish and modern - pubby enough for a beer at the long walnut bar but with comfortable seating areas, an airy restaurant and a pleasant patio and garden to the side, plus a large car park. In medieval times cobbler’s shops were often attached to ale houses and this may explain the pub name. It is thought The Boot was originally Andy & Emma built in the 1800s, a small square building to which bits have been Steak Burger’ added over the years: “We changed the layout served with somewhat and moved the bar when we took Toasted over,” says Emma, “We’ve tried to make it Bap, Salad, a nice relaxed place, stylish but comfortable Mayonnaise, and welcoming and to appeal to everyone Beer Battered from villagers popping in for a pint or some Onion Rings take away fish and chips (available Tue-Sat, and Hand Cut Chips (£11); Rebellion IPA 6-7.30pm) to those from further afield who Beer Battered Haddock Fillet with Garden come to enjoy our excellent value food. It’s Peas, Hand Cut Chips, Tartar Sauce & Lemon got to work for adults and for children, for (£12); Pork Belly, Pork Fillet and Crispy dog walkers and retired people, for families Ham Hock, Crackling, Black Pudding, Mash, and couples and for occasional functions - we Buttered Spinach and Apple Purée (£16.50). cater for parties, wakes, corporate functions Dessert examples include: Belgium Waffles and weddings and can put a marquee up in with Toffee or Chocolate Sauce and Ice the garden for larger events. Our Head Chef, Cream (£6); Raspberry & White Chocolate Andy Hipgrave has been with us from the Crème Brulée served with a ‘Boot’ Ginger start and does a fantastic job.” Biscuit (£5); and Sticky Toffee Pudding Foodwise the menu is soon to change with Toffee Sauce & Honeycomb Ice for the Spring and you can choose from Cream (£5.50). There’s also daily Specials, lunchtime snacks, pub classics or main Sandwiches and a Children’s Menu plus on dishes. How about a Meat or Fish Sharing Sundays a choice of roasts for around the Platter at £15 or from the starters: Bubble & £13/ £14 mark and from Tuesday to Friday Squeak, Crispy Smoked Bacon, Poached Egg, lunchtimes a set price three course menu for Hollandaise sauce (£7.50); or Thai Spiced £20. Do book ahead though. Crab Cake with Wilted Spinach and Sweet At the bar there’s beers from the local Chilli Sauce (£6.50). Marlow Brewery, lagers, ciders (including Main dishes at present include: ‘The Boot local Radnage Cider when available) and a

selection of good quality, reasonably priced wines from £14 to £40 including from the local Dawes Hill vineyard. Emma and Andy love to host occasional live music events and have a Swing & Soul night coming up on Sat April 23rd while on Saturday 14th May they celebrate three years at The Boot with a special Family Day with Hog Roast and an evening party with live music from Take That Live and a George Michael tribute plus disco and buffet (evening tickets £10 per head). “It’s been a learning process,” says Emma, “as we hadn’t run a pub before but after a few months we found our feet and we’ve been lucky to find some great staff. We have a new website launching soon with online booking for the restaurant and the new Spring menu too, plus the party coming up - it’s an exciting time!” l The Boot Country Pub & Eating House, Chinnor Road, Bledlow Ridge, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4AW Tel: 01494 481499 Email: theteam@theboot-bledlowridge.co.uk Website: www.theboot-bledlowridge.co.uk Facebook: search for: The-Boot-UK Twitter: @TheBootUK Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

escribed as a PopUp Supper Club set amongst architectural salvage, serving seasonal set menus and great booze at communal tables, Native Feasts is a recipe for success cooked up by Chris Godfrey and Greg Jones. Chris (Oxford Private Dining) was awarded a Michelin Star for his cooking whilst head chef at the Sir Charles Napier. Prior to that he worked under Phil Howard at The Square and Emily Watkins at the Plough at Kingham - he knows his stuff! Greg met Chris whilst heading up the bar at the Napier and has previously managed cocktail bars and restaurants in Sydney and the UK. Greg’s passion is for all things liquid, whether it be organic wine, single estate coffee or British beer! Their aim is to bring Oxfordshire a new type of communal dining experience. Taking the best of British, seasonal ingredients Chris’s cooking brings the produce to the fore, cooking it simply and

inventively to shared tables of diners to enjoy together. Each night can be washed down with a thoughtfully curated menu of organic European wine, British beers and strong cocktails. The Pop-Up is to run on Friday and Saturday nights until April 9th at the moment and hopefully will continue if all goes well - here’s hoping. I was fortunate to be invited to the opening night and had a fabulous time. Lassco’s is a fascinating and atmospheric setting and the tables of ten are great fun, whether you drag a few friends along or just make new ones over dinner and the whole occasion feels like a bit of a party. On arrival we milled around the bar area and I enjoyed a pint of XT4 from the local brewery while my wife Amanda polished off a couple of Rhubarb Bellinis (£8.50).

The call to be seated came and the food began to arrive. It was very pleasant not having to choose from a menu especially as the food was all superb and at £35 per head great value, as you are getting four courses of top quality cooking and ingredients. Our menu was: Chicken bits sharing boards: Crisp chicken skin, honey, lemon and thyme; Sweet and sour chicken wing ; Beetroot, lentil salad, pomegranate dressing; Buttermilk chicken Second course: English Buffalo mozzarella, blood orange, radicchio Main Course: Tamworth pork loin, honey-roasted carrots, pulled shoulder

Dessert: Whisky caramel tart with malted milk ice cream It was all really delicious and all the better accompanied by a gorgeous Monastrell TragoLargo Spanish Red from Alicante (£25). The menus change every two weeks - details can be found on the website - so we’re already looking at a return visit and are hoping Native Feasts keeps going as there’s not many weekends left in the current run! Hurry and book before it’s too late - you’ll be glad you did. l Native Feasts, Lassco Three Pigeons, London Road, Milton Common, Thame, Oxon, OX9 2JN chris@nativefeasts.co.uk greg@nativefeasts.co.uk www.nativefeasts.co.uk

“HIPPITY HOPPITY EASTER’S ON IT’S WAY.....” OPEN THROUGHOUT THE EASTER BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND BOOKING ADVISABLE SAMPLE OUR NEW SPRING MENU

www.thevillagegate.co.uk 56

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

225 AYLESBURY RD WENDOVER, BUCKS HP22 6BA TEL: 01296 623884

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Win a meal for 2 at Canaletto

ou can’t beat a top quality Italian such as Canaletto at Kingswood for a warming mix of friendly service, welcoming ambience and great food. Canaletto Italian Restaurant and Public House is owned by father and son Javier and James Varela - Javier previously ran Rossini in Wendover for 13 years. It has a cosy bar area with oak beams, flagstones and an open fire where you can enjoy a pint or a snack. Beyond is the impressive restaurant with fabulous beamed and vaulted ceiling and feature stone

Restaurant

Canaletto at Kingswood fireplace. It is comfortably furnished with an airy, contemporary feel and bright floral prints on the chairs, which contrast pleasantly with the stone, oak beams and grey wood half panelling - it’s very smart but feels relaxed and welcoming. Parts of the building date back several hundred years. At Canaletto the food is all made on the premises using the finest ingredients - seasonal and local where possible - to create freshly prepared authentic Italian dishes, often from recipes handed down through the generations. There is an experienced and passionate team in the kitchens including one of the chefs from Rossini and they create good old fashioned, home-cooked Italian food

- classic dishes such as King Prawns in Garlic Butter (Gamberoni); Baked Gnocchi with Spinach and Gorgonzola; Tagliatelle with Bolognese Ragù; Fillet of Beef with Wild Mushrooms in a rich Port and Brandy Reduction (Filetto Canaletto); Baked Seabass with Vine Tomatoes, Fresh Herbs and Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Branzino); followed, of course, by a mouthwatering Italian dessert such as Tiramisu or Panna Cotta. The menu is varied seasonally, while there are constantly changing specials and always a good selection of pasta, meat, fish and vegetarian dishes too. There is also a bar snack menu. You can just pop in for a drink if you like - it’s a pub too after all and at

the bar there’s Doom Bar and Brill Gold from the local Vale Brewery plus Carlsberg, Peroni, Guinness and cider on draught and an extensive list of more than 70 carefully selected wines. The restaurant is open from 122.30pm and 6.30-9.30pm Tuesday to Saturday and then on Sundays for lunch from 12-2.30pm when there is a Sunday Lunch Menu as well as the À La Carte Menu to choose from. If you’d like to be in with the chance of winning a three course meal for two with bottle of house wine at Canaletto, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question, to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Who owns Canaletto? Winner to be drawn at random from correct entries and notified by email by April 20th, 2015. l Canaletto, Bicester Road, Kingswood, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0RB Tel: 01296 770251 Email: enquiries@ canalettorestaurant.com Web: www.canalettorestaurant.com

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Column: Heather Jan Brunt ‘This farming life’

Potted success for Yokel Tom

ust two and a half years ago farmer’s grandson Tom Ley set up his yoghurt business, with the aim of selling pure fruit yoghurt without any of the nasty additions like artificial flavourings and sugar. Now he is supplying over 150 independently owned stores across the south east, has added new flavours to his brand, and has even been to Number 10 Downing Street to show off his products to the prime minister. It’s been a great success story for Tom, 29, who lives at Bledlow Ridge, and works out of Rabans Lane in Aylesbury. His father’s family hail from North Devon, where they ran – and continue to run – dairy farms, and Tom’s aim was to create a unique yoghurt using milk from British dairy cows. He said: “I wanted a good fruit yoghurt, everything I tasted was full of artificial flavourings, colourings and sugar. I came across a farmhouse recipe that was just fruit and yoghurt and started to

This farming life Heather Jan Brunt

Tom Ley experiment.” Tom developed a yoghurt recipe which is now created for him at a small dairy in Essex. He adds pure fruit to the blend and has five flavours, the original three he started with, strawberry, mango and blackberry, with new additions, raspberry and black cherry. Grapes are used to lend a gentle sweetness to the fruit which, when blended with the yoghurt, produces a rasp and sharp taste. Part of his aim was to add value to British milk. His father, Geoff Ley, is the third son/fourth child of a North Devon dairy farming family, and Tom’s cousins still farm there today. As a young man Geoff moved to Buckinghamshire,

where Tom was born and raised, and set up his own agricultural software system business, SUM-IT, which is based in Thame. Tom worked for his father for two years and also worked at Land Rover before he decided he wanted to set up in business himself. He now has a fulltime employee to help with the Yokel deliveries which extend throughout Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Surrey and in parts of London, Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire. And he’s looking to take on another employee part time, someone to help with marketing and PR. Last year Tom paid a trip to Number 10 with other successful

small businesses that had benefitted from a government start-up loan, and met David Cameron. He said: “It was fantastic to visit Number 10; it’s a fascinating place, a really interesting world with fantastic art. It was a very enjoyable day.” Tom came up with the name Yokel for his yoghurts because he wanted something related to farming, something simple and ended up with Yokel, which is an anagram of his surname (OK Ley). l Heather Jan Brunt is a journalist

and a farmer’s wife. Follow her on Twitter @HJBjournalist. She and her husband sell their own award winning Terrick Beef on the first Friday & Saturday of the month. See: www.downonthefarm.co.uk

waitrose.com/thame

Why not treat yourself (or somebody else) to a bite of something delicious. Only the crunchiest biscuits, tastiest cakes, most luxurious desserts and gooiest dipping sauces make it into our Seriously range.

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

by Cathy Soughton

Aylesbury Prison

ost people will only glimpse Aylesbury prison from the outside as they travel along Bierton Road but if you delve a bit further you’ll find it has an interesting history. There has been a gaol in Aylesbury from at least 1180 but in the medieval period it wasn’t well secured and escapes were commonplace. In 1276 the gaoler was reported for allowing women to escape for 1 shilling a head! By the 16th Century the gaol was sited in the market place and when the ‘old’ County Hall (now the Crown Court) was built in the early 1700s, a new prison was built at the rear and opened in 1740. Conditions in this prison were dire with poor sanitation and overcrowding. Infectious diseases were rife and in 1812 it was criticised by prison reformers as being ‘ill constructed for every humane purpose’. Prisoners did not tend to spend long in gaol in this period but those who committed what were considered serious crimes were

Aylesbury Prison routinely transported to Australia or executed. A damning report by the Inspector of Prisons on the state of the prison, in 1843, finally resulted in the construction of a new much larger, better designed county gaol on Bierton Road in the late 1840s, opposite the new workhouse. Modelled on the new prison at Reading, it was built in red brick and stone with a large classical entrance arch. The last public execution at the prison took place in 1864 when William Stevens of Buckingham, a murderer, was hung from the arch in front of a crowd approaching 4,000 people, according to the Bucks Herald. For a while it was a mixed sex prison and up until 1877 the prisoners were all convicted locally. Control of prisons was centralised by the Home Office in

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

adapted to an adult male prison. In 1961 it changed again to house young male offenders aged between 17 and 21. In 1989, Aylesbury was designated as a long term young offender institution and currently holds the longest sentenced young adult males in the English prison system. If you had ancestors who lived in Buckinghamshire in the 1870s and ever wondered if they got on the wrong 1877 and prisoners subsequently came side of the law there is a database from all over the country. of prisoners who entered the Gaol It was converted into a women’s at: www.buckscc.gov.uk/leisure-andprison in 1895 and an ‘inebriate culture/centre-for-buckinghamshirereformatory’ for women was added studies/online-resources/victorianin 1901 to treat habitual drunken prisoners/ offenders. The information is taken from gaol Female prisoners have included receiving books held at the Centre 25 Suffragettes interred in 1912 who for Buckinghamshire Studies and subsequently went on hunger strike some even include photographs of and were force fed and the Countess the convicts. Some were as young as Markievicz, a revolutionary nationalist 10 and imprisoned and beaten with Irish Sinn Fein politician who took part birch rods for minor crimes including in the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin. stealing peas or turnips. Food for Sentenced originally to death but thought if your children won’t eat their commuted to life imprisonment she vegetables! was released in an amnesty in 1917 and in 1918 became the first woman elected l Cathy Soughton is a professional genealogist and architectural historian to the House of Commons, although providing family history and house she did not take her seat. history research: Tel: 01296 624845 In the 1930s the prison became www.bucksresearch.co.uk Email: soughton@btopenworld.com a borstal for girls and in 1959 it was

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l Column: Alan Candy’s Altomobiles

Sheer delight A Lexus RC 300h Premier

s with most exotic creations, the beauty is in the detail. And Lexus’ most futuristic masterpiece yet, the visually stunning hybrid coupe, has seen designers given complete freedom of expression, with no expense spared and no possibilities overlooked. The flagship RC300h (£40,495) which I have been driving is packed with exquisite touches that make it as much a piece of art as an automobile. The elegant and powerful two-door has pioneered the use of complex build processes to allow a sculpted, 3-D body that looks different from every angle and allows a chiaroscuro effect of light and shade in its dips, hollows, razor sharp creases and streamlined surfaces. A low-slung, wide stance coupe features the most extreme

Alan Candy’s

AltomobilES example yet of its trademark ‘spindle’ grille, dominated by the giant ‘L’ badge, flanked by matching horizontal L-shaped slashes of LED daytime running lights.

Headlight detail

Lexus RC 300h Premier A honeycomb air intake below and delightfully curved, mysterious miniature headlamps complete the frontal canvas. The interior is just as fascinating, presenting a variety of tactile surfaces crowned by luxurious Shimamoku wood on the RC Premier model. The Shimamoku trim, with

distinctive ribbon graining, is an example of the craftsmanship that goes into Lexus vehicles, made using a painstaking layer process. A driver-focused cockpit features logically grouped distinct areas – an upper display and a lower operation zone. Fingertip controlled technology is mainly operated from a touch pad on the

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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

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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

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l High ceilings and long ramps enable us to service

long wheelbase vans, campers and trucks console – easy to understand but very sensitive to operate. Fingertip brushing is all you need and it’s easy to accidentally race by the function you seek. As with everything, practice makes perfect. Lexus calls it HMI (HumanMachine Interface) technologies,

based on speed of operation and clear communication of date. Even the cabin temperature can be instinctively altered with a simple slide of a finger on a rising touch gauge. RC coupe drivers are also spoilt for choice when it comes to Continued on page 62

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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Continued from page 61 driving and eco modes. A rotary button on the console gives a choice of eco, normal and sport, plus separate buttons for EV (electric vehicle) settings and snow and the auto CVT lever includes a separate sport setting that puts the car into racing mode. Performance is everything we have come to expect from Lexus’ latest generation of hybrid

vehicles – an amazingly hushed cabin, seamless auto transmission and whisper quiet power delivery – the dash to 62mph here taking a decently quick 8.6 seconds. The difference with the coupe is that it features traditional rear-wheel drive, which provides the platform for some seriously involving and highly enjoyable driving. Adding to the quirkiness are an American-style kick-down, kick-off

parking brake, an on-off start button, paddles behind the wheel for lightning fast gearchanging, and even retro CD slot and analogue clock. The 2.5-litre petrol engine works in tandem with an electric motor and the full hybrid can be driven using the petrol engine and motor in combination or on its electric motor alone. A full range of clever stateof-the-art safety technologies

complete the picture. The RC300h truly seems to be the car with everything, blessed with good looks, fascinating technology and astonishing versatility. Lexus still sets the standard. Factfile: Model tested: Lexus RC 300h Premier. Price: £40,495 (range prices from £36,495). Power: four-cylinder in-line 2.5-litre petrol engine working in tandem with 650v motor (system output 220bhp). Performance: 0-62mph in 8.6 secs; top speed 118mph. Fuel consumption: Combined 56.5mpg. CO2 emissions: 116g/km. Transmission: Electric CVT, rear wheel drive.

Lexus RC 300h Premier

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

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03/11/2012 09:32

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Petrolheads will love The Chiltern Hills Vintage Vehicle Rally at Weedon Park in May - a fantastic day out with some 1,000 classic cars and vintage vehicles to be inspected and admired...

he Chiltern Hills Vintage Vehicle Rally is one of our area’s largest outdoor events. A must for car enthusiasts the rally attracts around 1,000 classic vehicles of all ages, shapes and sizes, including: Buses, Tractors, Vans, Lorries, Vintage Cars and Scooters. Everyone is welcome with any condition car or van. It’s a family day out and includes: Children’s Rides and Slides; A Fun Dog Show - bring your pet along, entries on the day; 50 or so Trade Stands, Auto Jumble, Food stalls, A Beer Tent/Licenced Bar, Specialist Teas and Coffees, A Pig Roast, Ice Creams etc. Entry is a very reasonable £6 per adult, while children under 14 go free. Organised by The Game Club, a group of local diners turned charitable fundraisers, the rally is now a well established annual event which enables the owners of classic and vintage vehicles to gather together in the Buckinghamshire countryside while raising money for deserving local causes. The rally takes place annually, on the third Sunday of May, between 10am and 5pm (May 15th, 2016). It moved to the current site at Weedon Park, opposite the Bucks County Showground a few years ago having previously been hosted at Weston Turville for some 20 years. There is a road run on the morning of the

Trina and Shamus

event that meets at the Aylesbury Tuck Café on Edison Road, where car owners and enthusiasts can join up for breakfast and a chat. It’s a casual arrangement and generally leaves Aylesbury Tuck around 9am to head for the rally venue. At last year’s rally special guests were Fuzz Townshend, presenter of ‘Car SOS’ and ‘Cherished and Classic Cars’ and Isla St Clair, who presented trophies to owners of the cars judged winners on the day.

With entries flooding in already for this year’s event it looks like being another cracking event. All classics vintage, cars, bikes, buses and tractors are welcome and this year’s special themes are the Triumph GT6 and Triumph Vitesse 2.0 50th anniversary and the Rover SD1 40th, so if you have one of those definitely enter or get in contact. See the website contact page to download an entry form and get polishing! l Chiltern Hills Vintage Vehicle Rally, Weedon Park, Weedon Hill, nr Aylesbury, HP22 4NN Email: entry@chilternhillsrally.org.uk Web:www.chilternhillsrally.org.uk Facebook.com /chilternhillsrally

Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

l Column: On

The Road

Smart car Volvo XC90 T8

ow many cars have you driven that come with an Orrefors crystal gearshift lever as standard? South of zero, I’d guess, but it’s one of the classy little touches you’ll find in Volvo’s latest range topper, its twin engined XC90 T8. It showcases the future for Volvo, one of the features of which will be the distinctive Thor hammer headlights you’ll find here lighting the way. It’s built on Volvo’s SPA platform (Scaleable Product Architecture) which means it will be used for future cars in the pipeline that we’ll be seeing before too long. 2015 was Volvo’s best year in the UK for 21 years, thanks to the V40 and the XC60. Nearly 3,000 XC90s have been sold here so far since its relaunch last year as a truly classy top banana true seven seater SUV. The latest addition to the

Rob Auchterlonie

ON The Road

Volvo XC90 T8 range is the T8 and the engines in question here are Volvo’s T6 petrol unit linked up with an 87hp electric motor, which on a 10amp feed found in most UK homes will charge up in three and a half hours. The T8 can be driven for up to 27 miles on electric power alone

Buck’s leading Jaguar, Jap & performance car Specialists Tel: 01296 658257

Volvo XC90 T8 – enough for most people’s daily commute – so on many journeys it will not emit any exhaust pollutants at all. It has a different mechanical setup to other XC90s. Its petrol engine drives the front wheels only, while its electric motor drives the rear wheels. This means that,

depending on the road conditions and the drive mode selected, the T8 can operate in front, rear or all-wheel drive. It is said to be the safest Volvo ever built, and offers the most comprehensive standard safety package in the car industry. It also features two world-first

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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

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

Volvo XC90 T8 safety technologies – Run-off Road Protection and Auto Brake at Junctions – which are part of Volvo’s advanced suite of intelligent safety systems. Dominating the dash area is the 9 inch info module that comes as standard and it’s a brilliant piece of kit. It houses pretty well all the functions apart from starting the thing up and it removes, with one swish of your finger across the black screen, the need to clutter up the dash area with randomly sited buttons and switches. I love it, and my initial foray with the XC90 a while back which left me baffled in some areas of its use was quickly forgotten. If you can operate a tablet, this is just as easy. Opt for the T8 Twin Engine and not only do you enjoy better performance, economy and substantially lower tax costs, also

the standard kit is better too. Irrespective of the trim level chosen, all T8 Twin Engine XC90s get a powered tilt and slide panoramic sunroof, Four-zone climate control with a cooled glovebox, 12.3” active TFT driver information display, that Orrefors crystal glass gearlever knob, seven Drive Mode Settings and Adjustable Steering Force, thirdrow air-conditioning, and auxiliary fuel-fired pre-conditioning heater (allows you to pre-set the cabin temperature before getting into the car). XC90 is a very spacious, as well as space-efficient, vehicle. The long wheelbase and the comparatively small engine bay – a result of Volvo’s decision to only use four-cylinder engines – means cabin space is impressive. It’s like a gentlemen’s club in there, so quiet and relaxing. It’s as a business user that you really score with this, they say. Because of its low CO2 figure, it qualifies for a 100 per cent first year allowance, so the entire cost of purchase can be written off in the first year of ownership. Some cynics might say for hybrid, read tax dodge, but not me of course. Its clean, minimalist Scandinavian design sets it apart from its competitors FASTFACTS: Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription; £64,205; 1969cc four cylinder petrol engine, 320hp/400Nm, plus 87hp/240Nm electric motor; Top speed 140mph, 0-62mph 5.6secs; Fuel – combined figure 134.5mpg; CO2 49g/km; Will it fit the garage? 4950/2140/1776 (l/w/h)

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Vale Life : Mar/Apr 2016

Looking to sell or part-exchange your car?

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Vale Life : Feb/Mar 2016

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