Valelife june july 2013 web by Charlie Trott

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Vale Life

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June/July 2013

See our website at: www.vale-life.co.uk

Free local listings for events and businesses Cover picture: Thame Show 2011

Inside: Camp-tastic

Summer fun for kids at AGS

Lords of the dance

Crendon Morris wants you

Riz is the biz

Town festival boasts week of events

Second Stage

Centenary year for Thame Players Theatre Penny, Ruby, Hero, Naomi, Amanda and much, much more... w dinner plus overnight stay at The Broad Leys w Go Ape passes w w Personalised Zatchel w Tickets to HOYS w Tickets to Great british beer fest w

Have you ever considered realising your most valuable asset by selling your business? ¥

5f the answer is yes, perhaps now is the ;me to ﬁnd out more

=lanning and prepara;on is the >ey to maximising the value, whether you are considering selling now or in the near future.

Aor a conﬁden;al no cost discussion and mar>et appraisal contact; Michael Horgan. 01296 747632 or 07710 987307 Or email: Horgan@business-‐partnership.com

www.business-partnership.com “Achieving success for over 30 years”

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Bartlettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

The Hambledon Wing Open May 2013. To enquire please call 01296 747000 or visit www.peverelcourt.co.uk

Exceptional Elderly Care in Buckinghamshire Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

CeX, Unit 1, Crown Buildings, High Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1SL Vale Life : May/Jun 2013

Opening Hours Mon to Fri: 9.30am-6pm Saturdays: 9am-6pm Sundays: 11am-5pm

Buy, sell, exchange! At CeX you can buy, sell and exchange technology and entertainment products including DVDs, mobile phones, consoles, video games, computers, Blu Ray movies, digital electronics, laptops, cameras, iPhones, Blackberrys, iPods, xBox, iPad, Playstation...

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at the top of the High Street! 4

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

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2 b lish e d 2 0 0

For all your stone needs... Internal stone at our Gallery in Thame The Gallery Stoneworld, 43A Upper High Street, Thame, Oxon, OX9 2DW. Tel: 01844 279307 Email: sales@stoneworld.co.uk

External stone at Great Milton

Views Farm, Great Milton, Oxon, OX44 7NW. Tel: 01844 279274 Email: sales@stoneworld.co.uk

Stoneworld is a family-run, independent company offering help and advice on all aspects of stone purchase and use

Our extensive range includes: l Over 30 different natural stone paving options l Variety of finishes including hand cut, tumbled, sawn and honed l Natural stone block paving l Cobbles and pebbles l Rockery stone l Over 50 different ornamental gravels l Swimming pool edging l Natural stone walling l Range of interior stone for floors, walls & worktops l Feature stones and water features l Bespoke fireplaces and hearths l Bespoke digital masonry service

www.stoneworld.co.uk

See the new Scavolini Kitchen range at Gallery Stoneworld, Thame Best sellers in Italy for 30 years

Showroom now Open

Luxury Coach Holidays

DayTrips,Theatres & Shows Join one of our great value tours! el.com .mottstrav w w w : e n nli Book o on Wimbled

Festive Breaks! Day Trips July Monday, July 15: Wimbledon Tour & Museum A Blue Badge Guide conducts a tour of the grounds and free time in the museum £38. Saturday, July 20: Vimy Ridge & Notre Dame de Lorette. Enjoy a guided tour of the tunnels and a walk through the preserved trenches where Germans & Canadians were only yards apart. View the magnificent Vimy Memorial before we continue on to Notre Dame de Lorette, the largest French cemetery on the Western Front. Guide Accompanied. £49. Saturday, July 20: Cosmopolitan Ostend Ferry Port and Fishing Harbour all rolled into one of the brightest, biggest and best of the Belgian seaside resorts. A home from home but with continental ‘extras’ and an amazing choice of bistros, restaurants, bars and cafes. Great shopping, a fine sandy beach and the most mouth watering Belgian waffles. £36.

We have a great selection of Christmas Markets UK markets; Winchester – 3 Days, York – 3 Days, or further afield... Liege, Bruges, Cologne. Valkenburg, Black Forest, Rudesheim, Moselle, all 4 days from £219. Christmas Breaks 5 Days to Bournemouth, Scarborough, Torquay, Chester, 1940’s Entertainment. Bruges, Monschau from £459. or 8 Days to Austrian Lakes, Diano Marina or Switzerland from £539. Welcome in the New Year In Bournemouth, Eastbourne, Harrogate, Scotland for Hogmanay 4 Days from £339. Or Austrian Lakes. Diano Marina – 8 Days from £599. Romantic Paris or Rudesheim 4 Days from £289.

See our 2013 brochure for many more holidays... British Seaside Resorts - Special Event Breaks - Garden Weekends - Scotland, Ireland & Isle of Man - Bulbfields - Spain - Battlefield Tours - Italy - Switzerland & Portugal

Motts Holidays 4 Buckingham Street, Aylesbury, HP20 2LD BOOKING HOTLINE: 01296 336666 6

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

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

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Style file

Ticket to ride

Well, fancy!

Be a trail-raiser

In from the cold

Lords of the dance

Open all hours

Art of the village

Camptastic

Best of the county

Service with a smile

Riz is the biz

Hands on approach

Take your partners

Perfect skin

Towersey time

Passion for property

Rascals rock

A taste of summer

Road to anywhere

Animal house

Keep on truckin’

It’s all looking rosy

Zatchels comp

Mark of quality

Vale Life Vouchers

Are you ready for the beach? Fantasy and fabric with Paula Shepherd New boutique is quite unique Studio has digital plans Summer camps go full circle Training tips for tennis fans It’s all good therapy

Beauty Spot says thank you Clarins Local firm is a one-stop shop Melanie Parr looks on the bright side Small town girl is one for the wildlife Naomi’s back in the garden Quainton firm produces the goods

Tree-mendous

hose of you who have been following my feeble attempts to get some kind of fitness regime going will be pleased to know that I did manage a bit of exercise recently. As you can see from the picture to the right I’ve gone ape up in Wendover Woods, which was slightly strenuous and actually rather fun! Of course what you can’t tell from this photograph and my calm demeanour, is that I’m actually about 100ft up - those

ongratulations to the following May/June edition competition winners! Hopefully your prizes will have arrived by now, let us know if not. Commiserations to those who weren’t so lucky - read on though for more

Rail firm has some capital offers Two walks to help the hospices Morris men are social folk Craft crew for village show Thame show still biggest event Town festival is week of fun Your chance to dance, it’s Strictly Florence Folk festival boasts family fun Never too young to beat the drum 3B Hire has vehicles to suit Garage keeps fleets on the road Win a trendy Bicester Zatchel Save money with our new voucher page

aren’t shrubs in the background you know! This particular aerial pathway had a few more planks than most of them too, so I think you can see, it was quite a challenge. It’s a lovely spot up in the woods and there’s the handy ‘Café in the Woods’ for refreshments afterwards. Jolly nice paninis, almost like health food with salad and everything... I’m trying! Enjoy the magazine,

Charlie

Charlie Trott, Editor: editor@vale-life.co.uk competitions inside this edition, including the chance to win: Tickets for The Horse of the Year Show, Passes for Go Ape, Wendover; Tickets for The Great British Beer Festival, a personalised Zatchels bag from Bicester Village, ARGI+ diet supplement and a meal for two with

Monkey business - see page 40 to win Go Ape passes! overnight stay at The Broad Leys, Aylesbury. Last issue’s prizewinners were: A copy of Britain’s Best heritage Pubs book: Lynn Broadway, Thame; Max Ingram, Aylesbury; David Ball, Aylesbury Tickets to Waterside Theatre:

Angela Harvey, Aylesbury Tickets to the Home Building & Renovating Show: Gemma Williams, Thame; Mrs J Churchman, Wycombe; Andrew Rees, Brill Dinner for two at Scott’s Restaurant: Michele Young, Princes Risborough

Front cover picture: Prizewinning bull photographed at Thame Show by Nick White: www.nickwhitephotography.com Vale Life Magazine is designed and published by House of Mouse, 23 Glenham Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3WD Telephone: 01844 261579 Mobile: 07702 006218 Website: www.vale-life.co.uk Email: editor@vale-life.co.uk Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of Vale Life. 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 : Jun/July 2013

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...

oliday time is just around the corner and that means swimwear - something that can drive fear through the heart of many women as can thoughts of baring flesh that has been kept covered for most of the year. But fear not, by understanding your shape and using a few tips and tricks, you will be looking cool by the pool in no time at all. Shape Up: Frills and skirts on swimwear have become popular over the past couple of years and are great for those with a narrow silhouette, as they will add curves, but should be avoided if you are more of a pear-shape. If as a pear you wear different sizes on the top and bottom, seek out stores offering separates, to get the perfect fit. More of an apple shape? Try a tankini style that covers the middle and isn’t too figure-hugging. Look out for detailing such as frills and glamorous metallic on the shoulder line. For a fuller bust it is well worth spending extra on a correctly sized, underwired suit - on a beach holiday your swimwear becomes your underwear and should provide the same support. Most lingerie stores and departments have bra-sized swimwear from great designers and will advise on the correct pieces to work for you. Whatever your shape, make sure the size is right for you - whether you are choosing a one-piece or bikini get a good fit around the tummy, hips and bottom to avoid cutting-in or the dreaded muffin top. The result should be a smooth fit - not baggy but not so tight as to dig into the skin. A higher-cut leg shape will give instant length to your pins.

spots, paisleys or florals, if choosing a print. For those who wear a smaller size top than bottom, keep patterns and detailing to the top half only to balance out your hips and choose a flattering darker colour below. Don’t forget to look at the size of the pattern - larger prints will overwhelm petite frames, but will look great on taller girls. Colour Craze: White can look fabulous against a tan, but check whether you suit a bright bluish white or a softer creamy white against your skin. Darker colours are slimming, but if solid black is too harsh, choose a design with mesh detailing - maybe go for navy, deep green or aubergine instead. To get the colour right, make sure to choose a shade that complements you and the rest of you holiday wardrobe - purple, pewter and teal are flattering shades for everyone. Cover Up: Many brands have a great selection of co-ordinating accessories such as sarongs and wraps - these are great if you are really self-conscious by the pool and are brilliant for slipping over your swimwear for a cocktail or two at the bar.

Final Word: If in doubt, v-necklines will look great on all body shapes, purple and teal are perfect colours for everyone and the every-popular illusion panels will flatter whether you are curvy or have a straighter body line. A little forward planning goes a long way so make sure before you bare all your skin is in great condition and that you use a good sunscreen. The ideal swimsuit that will flatter you perfectly is out there... it just demands a little bit of knowledge and experimentation with what’s in Pick a Pattern: For those store. Add a pair of great sunglasses with a straighter body line or little with a gorgeous floppy hat and waist definition, stick to geometric get on and enjoy that well-earned designs. Curvy girls will look great in summer break! 8

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Elegance of Thame Moontide Black swimsuit

Gorgeous of Tring Curvy Kate bikini House of Fraser: BIBA Purple Goddess swimsuit

l Katy is running another of her popular Capsule Wardrobe Workshops on Wednesday, July 10, from 7.309.30pm, at the Spread Eagle Hotel, Thame. If you have a wardrobe full of clothes but nothing to wear, you won’t want to miss it! Tickets cost £25 and include a glass of wine and your personal workbook. l Katy Dyer is an award-winning personal stylist based in Thame, South Oxfordshire. To discover your style personality and find out what to wear to make the most of yourself, go to www.katydyer.com or call Katy on 07815 923109.

Elegance of Thame Moontide Beach dress & bikini

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

On the market square at Winslow is the tiniest and yet most beautiful shop, where fabric, fantasy and fashion collide in a wonderland of unique work by designer Paula Shepherd...

nspired by vintage fashion, Marie Antoinette, Vivienne Westwood and Alice in Wonderland, Paula Shepherd is a creative whirlwind, who adapts her artistic talents to a variety of media. “My shop is full of colour and all the things that I am passionate about,” says Paula. “My artwork, bespoke wedding dresses, designer

hats, bags, tiaras, fascinators and veils, fabrics, jewellery, chandeliers, cards and shoes...” Paula is the queen of upcycling. She will take an existing dress, hat, bag or pair of shoes and turn them into a stylish and flamboyant work of art: “With hats, I either design from scratch or embellish an existing one,” says Paula. “By enhancing existing outfits or adapting new ones, I provide a reasonably-priced way of owning and wearing something beautiful and unique. I take commissions, so a customer can show me an outfit and I’ll design a hat to go with it, or they bring along an old wedding dress, or plain pair of shoes and I’ll work them into a gorgeous new piece that complements and enhances their outfit.” Paula adds buttons, bows, pearls, fabric, feathers, beads, all manner of fabulous embellishments she has collected over the years, to create works of art that add real glamour and a fantasy element to an outfit. “I love vintage fabrics,” says Paula. “I’m trying to bring back that element of style. Hats for instance were much more glamorous in the 1920s. There are places you can go and buy a standard hat off the peg now - but they aren’t the same. With a little work I can turn it into something unique, stylish and special for you though.” Whether it’s handbags, lampshades or chandeliers Paula adds old school glamour with vintage, baroque, and fantasy elements and has some truly stunning pieces on display. Paula has a degree in Textiles and Surface Design and her skills extend to interior design, murals and ceiling art. Her framed artwork includes pictures of corsetry, illustrations inspired by Alice in Wonderland and fabric drawings, for which she stitches outlines with a sewing machine and then colours and collages on top. Originally from Sevenoaks in Kent, Paula moved to a farmhouse at Waddesdon some 18 years ago where her interior design talents were given full range and her home was featured on Channel 4’s Britain’s Best Home series and in Interior Design magazine: 25 Beautiful Homes. Paula has worked as a nursery nurse, using her creative skills to keep the youngsters

Paula Shepherd

Fancy T’hat amused and in recent years, taught inmates at HM Prison Springhill at Grendon Underwood. She currently volunteers at Crisis Skylight in Oxford helping homeless and vulnerable adults explore their artistic sides: “Art is such a positive thing,” says Paula. “It encourages people to express themselves and gives them more confidence.” Paula’s work has been on display at boutiques in London and Oxford and in the visitor centre at Bicester Village, but now she has her own base at Fancy T’hat on the square at Winslow, she is hoping more people will be able to discover her unique talents and visit the shop for a browse and a chat. Opening hours are 10.30am-6pm but Paula advises calling ahead to check she will be there or to make an appointment. l Fancy T’hat, 14 Market Square, Winslow, Buckinghamshire, MK18 3AF Tel: 07789793449 Web: www.fancyt-hat.com

Right & top left: Paula’s daughter August Hudson

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

A B C AYLESBURY BULLION COMPANY The Family of Jewellers

11a, High St Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP20 1SH Tel:

01296 423198

Jewellery designed and produced to your specifications, or choose from our extensive range of new, secondhand and antique pieces. l Diamond merchants (certified stones always available) l Antique restorations l Hand engraving

l Valuations: insurance and (carried out on the premises) l Insurance claims advisors l Complete repair service

probate

Servicing of Rolex, Tag, Omega, Raymond Weil, Gucci etc. Batteries fitted and waterproof testing carried out on the premises. Top prices paid in cash for antique and modern jewellery, watches (especially Rolex), coins, gold, silver, platinum and scrap precious metals. Part exchange available.

11a High Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1SH

Tel: 01296 423198 www.aylesburybullion.co.uk

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Thame’s already fab selection of unique independent boutiques has received a boost in the form of Ella Jane Gifts. The quirky new store on Swan Walk has gorgeous gifts and much more...

idden away at the back entrance to Swan Walk, the little alleyway of shops that runs up the side and behind Thame’s Swan Hotel, is Ella Jane gifts. The unit previously housed ladies fashion boutique, Ricochet, which closed earlier this year. Ella Jane gifts is owned and run by Alison Cooper and her daughter Rosie Ella Jane, 9. For Alison having her own premises is both a dream come true and something of a relief, as for the last year she has been battling the elements on Princes Risborough market and the weather has not been kind! Alison grew up in Marlow, enjoyed a successful sales career and then ran a café in Henley. She went to the Spring fair in Birmingham one year and was overwhelmed by the enormous range of things for sale. “It was amazing,” she says. “There were so many gorgeous things it made me want to open a shop, there and then! I started putting together a range of gifts and homeware items and selling them party plan and on a stall at fetes and fundraising events. “Things were going really well, but I didn’t think I could afford the expense of running a shop, so I took a stall on Princes Risborough

Alison and Rosie Cooper market. When the weather was good things were fine but it was poor last winter and several times the market was called off as high winds threatened to blow the stalls over! It’s a tough life being a market trader! The shop at Swan Walk came up at just the right time. It’s small but that means the running costs are less, which suits me. “I sell unique vintage/shabby chic style pieces of furniture, which act as display units for the other items. They are all one-off pieces which have been done up either by myself or a friend, so are completely individual. I also stock gifts, toys, homeware, cards, bags, scarves and jewellery, at prices to suit all pockets. There are items from as little

as £1 like a pack of cards or little hanging heart to larger pieces of furniture for £500. “I try to choose items that you don’t find everywhere else. Good quality products at prices people can afford.” Rosie’s favourites are the cuddly toys, especially the big cuddly turtle. For those with more sophisticated tastes there are funky oilcloth satchels, stylish cushions and beautiful, handmade reversible jewellery by Sophie Court, made from paper, acrylic and sterling silver finished with fresh water pearls - lovely and very different. Ella Jane also has some good value dress jewellery: “It comes in little bags,” says Alison, “ideal for gifts or bridesmaid presents. “I have a new special offer every fortnight - ‘like’ my Ella Jane Gifts Facebook page and you’ll be kept up to date - it might be 10% off certain items or a special deal on something.” Alison also holds private gift parties at the shop on a Friday and Saturday evening. If this sounds like fun, invite 8 to 10 friends along and enjoy complimentary wine and nibbles and a relaxed shop. There’s a 10% incentive for the organiser too, call Alison for details. Ella Jane Gifts is a fun and funky addition to shopping in Thame and well worth a visit. It’s no wonder Alison is smiling, she’s not only got the shop she’s been dreaming of, she’s finally in from the cold. l Ella Jane Gifts, 11 Swan Walk, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 2HN Tel: 01844 260865 Email: alison@ellajanegifts.com Website: www.ellajanegifts.com Open: Mon: 9am-4.30pm, Tue to Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat: 9.30am-5.30pm Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

SPECIAL OFFERS at Body & Soul Receive these 5 travel size products along with the bag FREE with two Elemis purchases one to be skincare

Special uly June/J r Offe s

HOLIDAY TREATMENT OFFERS Book the OPI or Shellac Luxury Pedicure and get the OPI or Shellac Application on Fingers for HALF PRICE* Book a full leg, bikini and under arm wax for only £29* Minx toes for only £18 (normal rrp £22)

*All treatments must be taken within the same appointment.

59 Westmorland Avenue Aylesbury HP21 7HS Tel: 01296 434216

www.bodyandsoulaylesbury.co.uk

QUALITY AFFORDABLE APPROACHABLE

Off on your holidays?

Why not take Georgini with you?

Sterling Silver with sparkling Cubic Zirconias

The perfect finishing touch to every bikini

l Column:

Hero Brown

The urban guide

www.muddystilettos.co.uk

City girl Hero Brown blogs about life in the sticks at www.muddystilettos.co.uk and is here with a taste of what’s new...

ometimes on a sunny day, next to the meandering Thames. I sit and wonder how I Then it’s just a matter of what managed to end up in the to wear. There’s no trouble sorting most landlocked part of the this bit out. Thame’s lovely Elegance British Isles. Was it a subliminal lingerie shop has the goods for desire to avoid wearing a bikini in those of us who now need a little public places? Did I secretly want scaffolding with our swimsuits, to thwart Mr Muddy’s sailing habit? Aylesbury’s H&M caters for the more coltish and online holiday Or was it a desire to catapault fashionwear Hibiscus (www.myhibi. my children en masse over to my parent’s house in Oxford every week? com) based in Wendover, scores a perfect 10 in designer holiday wear. Oh yeah, that’s the one. Again in Wendover, Curve I think I’m probably quite hard to boutique stocks a fantastic range of please (subtext: well, you can work summer pretties, including gorgeous that one out). I remember when I sparkly Sam Edelman sandals and still lived in London I went housecasual tops. Men should head to hunting in Brighton - loved the Gallant in Thame (deck city, but couldn’t find a village shoes, Gant swimmers), pretty enough to tempt me or Gatsby in Marlow out of the Smoke. Now (cool Ts). Kidswear is I’m in a beautiful village, the easy bit - they look but often mentally add a lovely in anything frankly coastline at the end of Gant trunks - but I’m still a massive every beautiful view. from Gallant fan of Gorgeous Giggles We don’t believe in Princes Risborough for in moaning at Muddy well-made, largely BritishStilettos though and so have sniffed out some, as it happens, rather lovely sourced clothes. The only thing that’s missing now alternatives for those who don’t is a red hot lifeguard to jolly the fancy hammering it down to the day along - but lo! This is where I coast on the next blue-sky day. Top on the list, Wycombe Lido. It’s can really help. If you saw my first video post the other week (if not, slick, newish, cool to look at (and smack bang in a park) and fab in the why not? Check it out on the blog!) sunshine, with a shelved entrance you’ll know that I met a couple of to the pool so little ones can paddle Dream Boys - think Chippendales safely while you swim out to ‘sea’ a without the shaggy hair and gold little. lamé jockstraps. They were easy on There’s the brilliant Ruislip Lido the eye and liberal with the baby oil. ‘beach’, set in acres of woodland I think that’s a view we can all agree just off the M40, complete with is pretty spectacular! miniature gauge railway, café, kids park and free parking. l Follow Hero’s free blogazine And of course just up the road, Muddy Stilettos for the very best Shillingford and Wallingford outdoor unmissable bits of Oxfordshire and pools (the latter heated), nestled Bucks: www.muddystilettos.co.uk

New and exclusively available in the Aylesbury Vale at

Hester Clarke Fine Jewellers

Cambridge St, Aylesbury, HP20 1RS, 01296 482963, hesterclarke.co.uk

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Ruislip Lido

Curve, Wendover

Jun/July 2013 Vale Life : Mar/Apr

Jane, left and assistant Sue

Most people save the bone china for very special occasions. A tenth birthday is just such an event but at the White Hart Studio they are not drinking tea, they’re doing a spot of painting...

t’ll be ten years come October since Jane Davies first opened The White Hart Studio. In that time she has put together a charming and efficient team of ladies to help run the shop and developed a fabulous and eclectic range of beautiful gifts, jewellery, homeware, cards, ladies fashionwear and much more. Blessed with excellent taste and an eye for what her customers might like, Jane is constantly searching for new items to tempt and delight, (just in for example, is a new line of fun and funky jewellery and scarves from Hot Tomato) and has built a large following of loyal customers. The White Hart Studio has been a resounding success but Jane is not one to

rest on her laurels. She is about to launch a new www.whitehartstudio.com website which will not only have pictures and information on her current range but also the option of purchasing online. Items will then be *delivered, or held for collection in store, (*except for some furniture and larger, heavier items). This does not mean The Studio will be neglected though. In fact it has just been given a makeover and now boasts a stylish ‘Bone China Blue’ livery and updated logo. “It felt time for a change and a bit of fresh colour,” says Jane, “and it’s good to tie it in with the new website. The blue has a nice warmth to it and the new signage looks great. I love the old fashioned

typewriter font my friend, art director Sarah Stretton, has incorporated. “The website will take a few weeks to complete and go live, as everything has to be photographed and catalogued, which is a major task! There will be four categories: jewellery, fashion, interiors and giftware. It gives customers the option of 24-7 shopping, which could be handy if you are not near Haddenham during opening hours.” l White Hart Studio, 15 Churchway, Haddenham, HP17 8AB Tel: 01844 292308 Open Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun: 11am-4pm Website: www.whitehartstudio.com www.facebook.com/WhiteHartStudio

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

13 3

Book online by July 1st and get 15% off !

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Use code: DOIT2013

Youngsters looking to let off a little steam this Summer have some exciting opportunities at Aylesbury Grammar School, where 360 Sports Camps are running a range of Multi-Activity and Sports Specific Camps, full of fun activities and for the seriously sporty, top quality coaching...

he Jenner family, right, from Tring, are sports mad! Heidi, Peter, Judy and Rose are all Level 2 Qualified Basketball Coaches. Peter is currently Head Basketball Coach for Bucks Hornets U18 Girls National League Team and is also into swimming, football, cricket, golf, martial arts and water polo and has developed a sports performance improvement website! Daughter Heidi, 23, has a degree and masters from Loughborough University and is now a PE Teacher at Berkhamsted School. Her specialities are basketball, netball, swimming and waterpolo and her coaching experience includes Assistant Coach to the GB U22 Wheelchair Basketball team and Head Coach of Loughborough University Womens 2nd Basketball team. Rose has just completed a Psychology Degree at Exeter University where she captained the Women’s Basketball First Team and she and Poppy have been members of the England Basketball Development Squad while Heidi, Rose and Poppy have all represented Southern England at

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

various international Tournaments. Heidi founded 360 Sports Camps in 2008, because she wanted youngsters to have a fun time in a friendly, family environment while developing their skills and abilities with elite professional coaches. The family has a wealth of knowledge, training and experience in looking after, coaching and motivating youngsters and they provide the core team around which Heidi has organised this year’s Summer Camps in partnership with Aylesbury Grammar School. “The Sports Specific camps are for both beginners and experienced players,” says Heidi. “They are led either by professional sports people, or those who have played or coached at the highest level. We cater for ages 7-11 and 11-15 and each camp will have a 360 focus on the sport in question, covering technique, fitness, nutrition, mental strength, goal-setting, drills and match play. In addition, they will give a clear indication of what each child has achieved at camp, identify talent and provide a player pathway to local clubs, as well as gifted and talented programmes in schools, so the child can continue to develop. “The Multi-Activity camps are for children from 7-12 years. They include the opportunity to participate in sports, dance, arts and crafts, with a number of activities running at any one time, so children can always find something they are interested in. While great fun for youngsters Multi-Activity Camps aim to assist busy working parents, who can book children in for pre-camp and after-camp clubs if required. There is flexibility in booking and parents can select any combination of days over the four week period. In addition to the professional

Poppy, Peter, Heidi, Judy and Rose Jenner coaching staff, the courses will be manned by trained Sports Leaders to ensure complete and appropriate supervision and at least one member of staff per 10 children. Those who live a distance from the camp can benefit from a FREE morning pick up and evening drop off service to Aylesbury Bus Station, ensuring safe transfer to and from the venue. To book or find out more

details on 360 Sports Camps, the camp programs and costs see: www.360sportscamps.com. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact Heidi at 360sportscamps@gmail.com or call her on: 07854 299452. l 360 Sports Camps, The Dacha, Tring Hill, Tring Herts, HP23 4LD Tel: 07854 299 452 Email: 360sportscamps@gmail.com Web: www.360sportscamps.com

Multi-Activity Camps

Dates: 29th July to 23rd August Mon-Fri: 9.30am-4.30pm Ages: 7-12yrs Price: £40 per day, or 5 days £180

Sports Specific Camps

Column: Chris Gallagher ‘Fitness Focus’

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Service with a smile

trawberries and cream, a bit of sunshine and a lot of rain... Cliff Richard! Brave British failure once more... As you are reading this Wimbledon will be upon us. It is the pinnacle of elite Tennis competition and the highlight of the British Summer sporting calendar. There should be plenty of home talent for us to back this year including Andy Murray, Laura Robson, Heather Watson and last year’s Men’s doubles winner Jonathan Marray. But did you know that we have a high performance LTA tennis centre in Halton? Perhaps you or your sons or daughters could be the next Andy Murray or Tim Henman? As a youngster I had my chance my brothers attended lessons, with the elite level coaches at Halton. I wasn’t quite Fred Perry though and had more fun sneaking back later in the evening to plunder lost balls smashed off court and into the surrounding hedges. I’m hoping they won’t read this and want them back!

If you have an interest in improving your tennis game then the biggest benefits will come from training with a high level coach. But there are plenty of opportunities to better on court performance with strength and conditioning training and speed, agility, footwork and strength are all skills you can train and improve by yourself. In May I attended a Speed and Agility workshop with elite performance coaches who work in sport at the very highest level. It was a real experience learning from guys who have competed at the Olympics and coached Olympic level athletes, as they demonstrated how Roger Federer’s success owes much to his speed and the graceful way he glides across court. Working as a trainer or coach you have to be creative to engage your clients or athletes. People get bored with the repetitive nature of gym based training or by pounding a treadmill. To inspire one client to buy in to her cardio training, we used to mock up a tennis court in the

exercise studio and simulate match play with her running intervals in the form of tennis-based speed and agility drills. Backpedalling across the studio to hit that overhead smash; sprinting to the ‘net’ to reach a drop shot from her ‘opponent’ - we would never have got that much energy and running from her on the gym floor or out on the pavement. Whether you are playing in the local Aylesbury and District Tennis League or on Centre Court at Wimbledon, the ability to move more quickly and nimbly around the court than your opponent is an enormous advantage. If you have access to a court or can mock one up on your driveway you can put together your own Tennis (or any other sports) speed and agility session. Example drills may include: Drill 1: Start outside the doubles line facing the net. Side step into court until both feet are over the singles sideline, before shuffling back to the start. Complete the sideways shuttles for 10-20s. Rest

Chris Gallagher

Fitness Focus 20-30s and complete 3 rounds. Drill 2: From the same position, start facing into court. Run forwards until both feet are over the singles sideline before backpedalling to the start. Repeat for 10-20s. Rest 20-30s and complete 3 rounds. Give them a try and let me know how you get on. If you end up across the net from Rafa Nadal one day I expect an invitation! l Chris Gallagher is Fitness Director of PT-Results, Aylesbury For a free consultation and personal training taster session with Chris email: info@pt-results. co.uk and quote ‘ValeLifeTaster’ .

Win a tin of ARGI+

f you love sports and fitness, you may already know about ARGI+ from Forever Living Products. L-Arginine is well-known to athletes. It is an amino acid that’s so potent, scientists refer to it as the ‘Miracle Molecule.’ Our bodies convert L-Arginine into nitric oxide, which helps blood vessels relax and open wide for greater blood flow. Greater blood flow supports many important functions in our body and helps maintain healthy: blood pressure; cardiovascular health; immune function; muscle tissue; bones and tissue; male sexual function; fat and glucose metabolism; anti-ageing hormone production and more. ARGI+ provides all the power of L-Arginine, plus: • Pomegranate: well-known for its strong antioxidant properties • Red Grape Extract: to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels • Grape Skin and Berry extracts for cardiovascular and immune system health Together, these ingredients create a new generation of supplement - one that supports better health throughout your entire body. Just a scoop of ARGI+ mixed with

Elizabeth Gurney Mombrun MCFHP Mobile Foot Health Professional • Fungal Foot • Nail infections • Ingrowing nails • Corns and callus • Routine nail cutting • CRB checked • Member of BAFHP For appointments and queries please phone: 01295 810384 Mob:07817957986

water, or your favourite aloe drink, helps provide a performance boost to every part of you. If you’d like a chance to win a tin of ARGI+, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk What do scientists refer to L’Argingine as? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email by July 31st. l Forever: Cecily Lalloo Tel: 07767308717 Email: cecilyl2@hotmail.com Web: www.embrace-wellbeing. myforever.biz

NB As with any supplement you should always consult your doctor before use if you have any medical conditions or if you are pregnant.

Maria Bray

Nutritional Therapy

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Call for free half hour consultation Boost your energy Lower ‘bad’cholesterol/blood pressure l Lose weight without starving l Brighten your skin, hair and nails l Take charge of your health l Help your child deal with growth/development or food issues l l

I can assist you to achieve your desired health improvements with a mutually agreed and appropriate stepped programme of dietary and lifestyle changes.

Tel: Maria on 0771 5414719 / 01296 581561

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Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Providing the ultimate salon experience

What’s new at

Sam left and Emma right with their bridal themed models

Lee Stafford, Guido and Lee’s wife, Jessica-Jane Clement

An audience with Guido Eclipse stylists Vicki Krol, Sam Probets and Heidi Janes were lucky enough to be invited by Redken to attend ‘A Conversation With Guido’ at the Saatchi Gallery on the Kings Road in Chelsea recently. Guido Palau, (generally referred to by first name only) is a British-born hair stylist and leading trendsetter. He is the only hairdresser to be ranked in the world’s top 50 most influential people in fashion.

Eclipse girls Sam, Vicki and Heidi The after-show party

Alexander McQueen and is described by British Vogue as ‘The World’s most in-demand hair stylist’.

The evening started with champagne on arrival and the opportunity to have a look around the gallery, before meeting Guido. We couldn’t believe our eyes seeing the incredible pieces Guido shot to fame after styling George of artwork on the walls of this amazing Michael’s Freedom! ‘90 music video, gallery and this was just the beginning! which featured several supermodels Listening to Guido brought home what including Naomi Campbell and an amazing industry we are involved in Cindy Crawford. He now works for top and proud to be a part of - it was one fashion houses such as Prada, Marc of the most inspiring nights I have ever Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and been to.

Andrew Barton, Guido and Lisa Shepard We listened to Guido being interviewed by the fashion editor of Vogue magazine for a fascinating hour and a half and then joined the ‘after-show’ party where we enjoyed some cocktails and bumped into our friends from The Annexx. We also got to meet and greet several famous stylists - Andrew Barton, Lee Stafford, Lisa Shepherd and of course the man himself, Guido! It was a fantastic night so a BIG thank you to Redken. Report by Vicki Krol

Wanted Full-time Apprentice

Are you friendly, fun, hard-working, reliable, creative and passionate about hair? This is a great opportunity to join our amazing team and train to be a hair stylist. If you are interested please contact Eclipse Hair Design for details on 01844 260062.

Eclipse Hair Design, 56 North Street, Thame, OX9 3BH Tel: 01844 260062 Web: www.eclipsehair-design.co.uk Email: info@eclipsehair-design.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @eclipsethame and Facebook Eclipse Hair design

STOP PRESS... Like us on Facebook for up to date information and promotions: Eclipse Hair Design 16

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Osteopathy; Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Patents; Cranial Osteopathy; Homeopathy; Physiotherapy; Reflexology; Reiki; Nutritional Therapy; Japanese Acupressure & Seitei Body Therapy; Aromatherapy Massage; Holistic Massage; Indian Head Massage; Hot Stone Massage; Hypnotherapy; Relationship & Psychosexual Counselling; Speech and Language Therapy; Zero Balancing Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Thame Therapy Clinic is the town’s oldest complementary health centre. It is owned by two therapists, who have brought together a friendly team dedicated to the care of patients...

round 100 years ago Thame Therapy Clinic, on the Upper High Street, was the town’s Fire Engine House and the comfortable treatment rooms of today are in fact converted stables once used to house the horses that pulled the fire wagon. The premises went through several residential and retail uses until in 1992 a local osteopath established Thame Therapy Clinic and brought in colleagues offering osteopathy, acupuncture, massage and counselling. At the time to have such a combination of complementary therapies under one roof was quite an innovation and the first such venture in Thame. Andy and Kieren The clinic thrived and passed through the hands of another osteopath before being “Most of our treatments take an holistic bought in 2007 by current owners Andy approach and treat any problem in the Roscoe and Kieren Spencer.. context of the whole picture,” says Andy. Andy has been with the clinic for 19 years. “Some treatments are to help people be more He had previously worked as a town planner relaxed and able to cope with life’s stresses in a busy London Borough, a position that better. There is quite a range available and if caused him considerable stress. He found that someone thinks they would like help but isn’t Acupuncture improved his health and was sure which treatment would be best suited so impressed that he decided to their needs, they can call up to train as an Acupuncturist and speak to myself or Kieren himself. He qualified as an and we can advise as to the best Acupuncturist in 1993, as a options.” certified Zero Balancer in 1996 “I love coming into work,” and in Chinese Herbal Patent says Kieren. “It’s not just about Medicine in 2005. He has been helping people though, it’s about at Thame Therapy Clinic since meeting them and getting to 1994. know them. It’s having the kind Kieren qualified from the of ‘doctor/patient’ relationship British School of Osteopathy relationships that GPs don’t have Receptionist Hayley (BSO) in 1999 and has worked the time for anymore. Modern at the practice ever since. He treats all types medicine has become a lot less personal of patients from newborns to the elderly and but health is a very personal thing. It’s not also now teaches at the BSO. just about treating sickness but providing “At Thame Therapy Clinic we aim to do the opportunities to find good health. best that we can for each person that walks “When we bought the practice, seven years through the door,” says Kieren. “We like to ago, we had 11 practitioners. Now we have 19 make everyone feel at home. We want people - mostly hands on therapies. The practitioners who come here to feel it’s a warm, friendly, rent their space here and we ensure they are relaxed environment and to know that the not just lovely people, but properly trained quality of the therapists is first class.” and have professional memberships, valid Talking to Andy and Kieren it is clear insurance and so on. that their ethos is about care rather than “As Andy and myself are paid for giving making money. They are genuinely interested treatments, the clinic itself is not essentially in helping people and are realistic in their a money making concern, so we are able assessments of what they can do for people. to keep our charges down and we don’t

Thame Therapy Clinic sign patients up in advance for a series of treatments, they book and pay as they go and choose whether to continue or not depending on how they are feeling. “Most of our clients first come here because they know someone we have helped, someone who has been here and experienced a benefit, or they have heard of our good reputation and friendly, caring approach.” This year Thame Therapy Clinic is celebrating it’s 21st birthday with a special open day on Saturday, July 20th from 1pm to 6pm. All are welcome, patients old and new and those who are curious to find out more. There will be family fun, games for kids, raffles prizes, taster sessions, tea and cakes. Hopefully the weather will be kind and the pleasant back garden will be put to good use. To find out more about the treatments and therapists available call in or see the website. l Thame Therapy Clinic, 23 Upper High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3EX Tel: 01844 215555 / 01844 261592 Email: info@thametherapyclinic.co.uk Web: www.thametherapyclinic.co.uk

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

COLOUR EXPERTISE Aveda hair colour is used exclusively by experts. Your professional hair colourist will give you advice and inspiration based on their experience and expert knowledge. Their skilful colour artistry - combined with a hair colour system that can create any shade you can imagine - to offer you a truly personalised colour

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Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

ü Family Business est 1987.

ü Retailers for seven manufacturers including British-‐made Clearview & Charnwood Stoves.

Come and see us at The Oxfordshire County & Thame Show!

ü Specialist contractors and advisors for heritage & thatched properties.

ü In-‐house HETAS installation teams, fireplace remodelling, sweeping and stove servicing.

ü Trusted suppliers to respected local developers & estates including The National Trust.

Ginger-Interiors

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w Wall art w Clocks w Candles w Lamps w Mirrors w Vases w Ornaments w Homeware w Prints w w Fireplace sets w Signs w Furniture w Kitchen & Dining w Gifts w Cards w Mats w Handcrafted Fairtrade Products w 20

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Amanda Trott

l Column

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Beauty might be skin deep but there’s a lot you can do to keep your outer layer in tip top condition. Clarins taps the power of nature in their luxurious skincare range and it’s now available at Monera...

f you’ve visited Monera Beauty Clinic in Thame recently, you will have noticed the salon has had a rather fabulous makeover. Owner, Karen Case, has redesigned the layout of the ground floor to create a bigger space for their nail bar and enable them to cater for their increasingly popular range of nail treatments. The front door now opens straight onto the reception area, where you are immediately greeted by one of the salon’s friendly reception team. Funky floral wallpaper makes for an eye catching feature wall and the new retail area is brimming with a selection of gorgeous Bare Minerals makeup, Jessica Nail polishes and other such goodies. The makeover has added two more treatment rooms and the salon has also introduced Clarins to complement their existing professional skincare ranges. Clarins is a range of plant based face and body care for both men and women which, along with their range of specialist salon treatments, also has products for use at home. The Monera therapists have each spent a week at Clarins in London learning how to perform the specific massage techniques used for their facials and the ins and outs of the various products. Once the therapists had completed their training, Clarins spent a day in the salon offering Monera’s clients the opportunity to come along to a ‘Meet the Expert’ day where they were offered half hour taster facials, hand and foot or body treatments and received a free skin analysis. I chose a taster Triactive facial, which included a cleanse, tone and moisturise, advice about my skin and which products would work well for me at home. After my relaxing treat, Natalie, the Clarins expert, explained what products she had used on me and how to get the best out of them should I wish to try any. The lure of receiving a complimentary beauty bag with an array of mini products was too

Funky flowers and a bigger nail bar

Clarins expert Natalie gives Amanda a Triactive Facial

much for me to resist, so I decided to treat myself to a couple of products in order to qualify for my free gift! I chose Double Serum (an age control concentrate) which instantly made my skin feel like satin and had a pleasant peachy fragrance and the wonderful Water Comfort One-Step Cleanser. I was pleasantly surprised to discover they seemed reasonably priced and very simple to use. A full length Clarins Triactive treatment has five different customised facials to suit all types of skin and all of the therapists have been trained to advise on the best one for your individual needs. The Youth Activator is perfect for mature skin, delivers intensive replenishment and reactivates the plump, smooth luminosity of youthful looking skin while the contouring and detoxifying massage, de-puffs to restore definition to features. The Lifting Line Smoother retextures the skin and with its renewal process is intensively energised and instantly becomes smoother, firmer and lifted and looks refreshed and rested. The Radiance Reviver detoxifies and recharges dull, tired, stressed skin with a cocktail of

Monera’s new reception area

antioxidants and super revitalising plant extracts which restore health and radiance. The Moisture Replenisher intensively replenishes depleted moisture levels in dry, dehydrated skin which instantly restores softness, suppleness, comfort and radiance and finally, The Skin Healer immediately and intensively soothes, calms and repairs sensitive skin to restore softness, suppleness, comfort and radiance. All of the facials have been scientifically tested and developed with concentrated plant extracts and specific movements to deliver immediately visible results. Each of the facials finish with a scalp, hand and foot massage to complete the well-being experience, they each cost £65 and last for a blissful 1 hour and 20 minutes. I am extremely impressed with the Clarins products and think you will be too. So if you think you would enjoy an hour or so of complete relaxation whilst your skin gets a lovely treat, then hot foot it down to Monera where one of Karen’s highly trained therapists is waiting to spoil you. l Monera Beauty Clinic, 62-63 North Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3BH Tel: 01844 260454 Website: www.monera.co.uk

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

A Thame firm is taking the stress out of property management by providing a one-stop shop of fast and reliable services designed for Letting agents, property owners and estate agents...

ome Address Ltd is a Property Styling and Inventory Services company run by Michelle Downs and Steve Wood. Michelle bought her first home at 19 and has been buying and selling properties across the South East ever since. She has a real passion for property which has turned into a full-time career. She is now a fully trained, insured, CRB checked, AIIC (Association of Independent Inventory Clerks) approved, Inventory Services and Property Styling Professional, with a track record in providing the full range of residential inventory services. As a landlord herself she knows the importance of having a clear, comprehensive, accurate and detailed inventory prepared when renting out a property. “Our surveys are completed using the latest mobile technology,” says Michelle, “enabling us to deliver comprehensive reports with embedded date and time stamped images, direct to our clients within 24 hours or less. It is vital to all parties that the Inventory is completed to a high standard, so the schedule of condition truly represents all aspects of the property inside and out. “At check-in, we take the time to walk the incoming tenants through the inventory and discuss the report contents with them, before asking them to confirm their understanding and acceptance, by signing each item of the inventory, and before proceeding to the key exchange. We provide the same duty of care

Michelle Downs for check-outs and interim inspections. Steve has almost 20 years experience in the building trade and a talent for transforming unloved rooms into beautiful, eye-catching living spaces, both inside and out. He has a fine reputation locally which has earned him a number of prestigious projects over the years, from extensive landscaping jobs to large extensions and a variety of property maintenance contracts. Steve and Michelle first met some five years ago when she invited him to quote for a new patio at her home: “We’d heard he was a good, reliable builder, who put quality workmanship at the top of his agenda,” says

Home Address has already worked with several local agents and received some glowing reports: ‘Hamnett Hayward feels that forging a good relationship between the landlord and tenant is the most important aspect of a letting. We try to maintain the balance between acting in the client’s best interest and showing a duty of care to the tenant. We have seen that Home Address Ltd share this enthusiasm and determination to succeed in our aims and their flexibility to work around tight schedules is a valuable asset to our business.’ - Tracey Tasker Hamnett Hayward Residential Lettings

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Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

‘I wholeheartedly recommend Michelle and her company Home Address. I have found her ‘onestop shop’ service for property professionals to be totally professional, reliable and competitively priced. The company gives 100% to each service they offer, from clear and very detailed property inventories to a thorough professional domestic clean. They have been a pleasure to work with. I will not hesitate to use them again in the future’ - Carron Lewis Lettings Manager, Reaston Brown

Steve Wood Michelle, “and it was true! He did a great job, we got on really well and he’s been invited back time and time again to extend our home, remodel our garden and various other projects. We particularly love how he always tidies up at the end of each day, to minimise any disruption to our lives. “We discovered a mutual passion for providing an exceptional customer experience and decided that our shared values and service portfolios could only complement each other. Together we could offer a stress free one-stop shop for property services. Whether you are looking for styling and presentation advice, room pampering, end of tenancy cleaning, or general maintenance and building services, we can accommodate you. “Since the company was formed last year things have really taken off. Our high standards have been appreciated and our clients have given us some lovely feedback. We are already expanding operations and are happy to discuss our services with estate agents, letting agents and property owners across the Vale area.” l Home Address Ltd, 27 Henrietta Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3TJ Tel: 01844 261865 Mobile: 07825 005777 Email: Michelle@homeaddress.ltd.uk Website: www.homeaddress.ltd.uk

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

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info@ridgewaykitchens.co.uk | 01844 279 900 | www.ridgewaykitchens.co.uk Competitive pricing info@ridgewaykitchens.co.uk | 01844 279 900 | www.ridgewaykitchens.co.uk Vale Life : Jun/July 2013 throughout the year

Vale Life : June/july 2013

Our House by Melanie Parr House kitchenware, John Lewis

Make every day a sunshine day with kitchen and tableware in this season’s zingiest shades...

ye-popping brights are everywhere this season, and they’re not just limited to your wardrobe. The interiors stores are full of vibrant tones to liven up even the dreariest of summer days. John Lewis’s brilliant House collection has everything for summer dining, both inside and out, with jewelbright stackable Retro ice lolly bowl, wine glasses, Steamer Trading neon-bright picnic cutlery and mugs in every shade imaginable. Meanwhile, get in the vintage holiday spirit with retro beach hut mugs from Ginger Interiors, ice lolly bowls from Steamer Trading and hip lemonade Strawberry huller, and cola John Lewis glasses from John Lewis. DRH Collection lemonade tumbler, John Lewis

Above: beach hut mugs, Ginger Interiors Right: House stacking glasses, John Lewis Also at John Lewis is the cute and quirky Chefn StemGem strawberry huller, perfect for that post-pickyour-own strawberry feast. For fun, funky and colourful entertaining, Cargo’s Mexican range includes dip bowl sets, taco Above and left: parrot mug and sherbet stripe plate and Mexican dip bowls, Cargo Below: Kuhn Rikon knives, John Lewis

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Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

holders and tortilla Enamelled collection, Tillynilly warmers in vivid lime, Where to get the turquoise and look... orange. Also at Cargo are sherbet Tillynilly 01844 220035; stripe and spotty info@tillynilly.com; plates, as well as www.tillynilly.com Queens mugs adorned John Lewis Home House Holmers Farm Way, with picnic Cressex Centre, High parrots, Wycombe, HP12 4NW; 01494 cutlery, flamingos 462666; www.johnlewis.com John Lewis and peacocks. Tillynilly also has Ginger Interiors 8 Duck Farm Court, plenty to put colour on the dining Aylesbury, HP20 2SQ; table with gorgeous enamelled aluminium serving bowls 01296 415035; www.gingerinteriors.co.uk and platters in the brightest hues. Steamer Trading Company 109 High Street, Thame, So, even OX9 3DZ; 01844 217389; if it’s not www.steamer.co.uk always sunny, at least Cargo 18 Cornmarket, Thame, OX9 this summer is 2BL; www.cargohomeshop.co.uk guaranteed to be hot on colour.

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

the axolotl Dad used to bring home id you know that only one from school, the downright bizarre. in two thousand tadpoles We came home from our hols once survives to become an to find Vanessa the tarantula had adult frog?! I learnt that escaped and webbed pretty much shocking statistic as I tried to peel the whole of the stairs and right two more contenders in the Game across the landing. This sent Mum of Life off the bottom of the bare screaming up the driveway, Dad into foot I’d carelessly plonked in the a blinding rage and me and James soft, squidgy mud of the stream at into a frantic hunt to find Vanessa the end of my brother’s garden*. Talk about a guilt trip. We had spent before some unsuspecting visitor did. a glorious afternoon pond-dipping We staged water for sticklebacks, dragon races in James’s avoiding the nip of long and narrow bedroom, the river boatmen and later, the less popular and marvelling at the giant land snail derby. caddis fly larva in his We had scorpions and homemade armour leopard geckos, garter of sticks and mud. The little grass snake snakes, corn snakes, Someone found a glass snakes... Then there was the weeny little grass snake and we iguana. I’d never seen anybody try passed it around, taking it in turns and slap a reptile before, but when to be piddled on as it demanded to be released back into the woodland. bad-tempered Clifford whipped his tail around and caught Mum sharply As kids, our place was referred across the cheek well, let’s just say, to affectionately as ‘The Animal it was a good job he could run fast! House’. We were collectors of the When Keiko, the Japanese furry, the scaly and, in the case of

tillynilly

creative home interiors

exchange student visited, she exclaimed, “Oh, it’s just like home!” She was referring to the constant chirruping of the escaped crickets that had now established their own colony behind the cooker. It wasn’t just reptiles and creepy-crawlies though; we had a succession of dogs and cats too. Dad had a friend who worked for the RSPCA, so we had a steady stream of unwanted mutts and moggies, including a fluffy black cat called ‘Katie’ who was drawn to roads like moths to a flame. She used up her nine lives…and then some. Then there was the guinea pig epidemic. Who knew those things were born ready to go. And I do mean READY TO GO. Let’s just say they like to ‘keep it in the family’, and that’s how we ended up with 13 of them. My Grandpa grew up on a farm and couldn’t understand why anyone wasted money feeding pets. He went as far as to show me a book with tribesmen eating guinea pigs. I kept him well away from the shed after that. I love animals, but I’m having a hard time coping with our latest arrivals - four piglets, with us until they go ‘on holiday’ in mid-August.

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Penny Harper

Small Town

Girl

Maybe it’s because they come when called, just like dogs. Maybe it’s because they roll over and let you tickle their tummies like a soppy cat. Maybe it’s because I’ve read ‘The Sheep Pig’ one too many times. When I saw Thame Show had ‘Pig Agility’ on the bill this year, I thought it a chance for our swine to get out and show they could earn their keep. Alas, by August it’ll be back to just me and the gecko. There isn’t much meat on those. *No tadpoles were harmed during the making of this column.

Sara Allen Cakes Eye popping, jaw dropping, mouthwatering works of art for your celebration. You imagine it - we create it ! Tel: 01844 347555 Mobile: 07740 486868 Email: Saraallen cakes@aol.com Facebook: Sara Allen cakes

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01844 220035 Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

l Column ‘In the Garden’ with

Naomi MacKay

It’s all looking rosy

or a keen gardener there is never enough space in the garden. There’s always another plant to squeeze in, a new feature to try to find a spot for, or a new use for the garden. And, if like me, you need to leave space for the chickens to have a scratch about, the guinea pigs to have a scoot around in their run, and for a small boy or two to kick a football or hit a cricket ball, then space is at an even greater premium. The answer, of course is to grow upwards. Take a look around your garden - can you look out of your back door and see right to the back or side of the garden? Then there is an opportunity to bring some height into your planting. Not only will you be able to cram in even more of your favourite green things, or grow some fruit and veg, but you will add more interest to your plot. And how many walls and fenced are unclothed? There’s more planting space right there! For freestanding upward growing, take a look at tiered planters. They are really popular right now and are perfect for

This Cascade planter (£109.99 from Forest) can add colours to any patio

This obelisk (£39.99 from Forest) can add height to any border

This miniature climbing rose ‘Nice Day’ is from Bransford Webbs

popping on a spot on the patio which makes them ideal to use as a small cottage garden - combine pretty bedding plants with some fruit and veg - herbs, tiny round carrots, radishes, salad leaves and so on can still be planted or sown now. Take a stroll around the garden centre and see what small veg plants they have on offer. Next year, think about tomatoes and strawberries, ready to be plucked while you’re grilling on the barbecue or enjoying a drink outside in the sunshine.

Planters that feature integrated trellis allow you to grow climbers in a container. It’s simple to make your own if you’re a bit handy, by attaching a solid piece of trellis to the back of a planter. Use one of the garden paints to match the two pieces if the woods are different colours. Next you need to choose some climbing plants to grow upwards. If you’re after quick results, you may still be able to pick up some small plants of annuals such as Morning Glory or Black-eyed Susan. Other climbing favourites are clematis of all shapes and sizes – and my

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

particular favourite the chocolate vine (Akebia quinata), which has purple flowers in April and a lovely vanilla scent. Roses are another choice for growing upwards, they can grow up trellis, scramble up trees, or ramble over fences. They’re easier to grow than you might think – people seem to get very worried about growing roses, but they thrive in most soil types providing there is good drainage, it’s not too sunny and not too exposed. Remember to feed regularly and prune to remove dead heads and improve flowering. Check out websites such as the RHS site at www.rhs.org.uk or ask at your local garden centre for advice. The best-selling roses are the compact patio types that are sold pot grown in bud and colour during late spring and summer. The most popular colours for garden roses are in order of preference: pink (30% all sales); pastel/novelty (20%); red (15%); white (15%); yellow (10%) and orange (10%). Which is your favourite? l Naomi Mackay is running a series of workshops for local businesses on writing for the web, social media and learning about the mysteries of SEO. Prices start at just £30 a delegate if you quote code VLJun13. Email naomimackay@gmail.com for details.

Telephone: 01844 208401 Mobile: 07732 329118 Email: info@landmarkgardendesign.com Website: www.landmarkgardendesign.com Garden, Forestry & Fencing Supplies

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Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Vacancies for hard landscaper and skilled labourers - contact Rodney on: 07732 329118

From inspiration...

...to installation

Established in 1985, Woodcrafts provides a professional and personal service in the design and build of bespoke kitchens and furniture. Our complete service includes consultation on everything from work surfaces and flooring to the best appliances to compliment your project. Kitchens; bedroom and bathroom furniture; free-standing or fitted units and multi-media rooms can all be crafted to your own specifications. See our work at: Cast Iron Range Cookers, Princes Risborough and at the AGA Shop, Thame Woodcrafts of Oxford, Unit 4a, Woodway Farm, Bicester Road, Long Crendon, Bucks, HP18 9EP Telephone: 01844 201670 Email: mike@woodcraftsofoxford. freeserve.co.uk Web: www.woodcraftsofoxford.co.uk

from design to build The Loggia Conservatory Modern Glass Extensions Cross Over Extensions Traditional Conservatories

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New Stables, Notley Farm, Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, HP18 9ER | www.crendonconservatories.co.uk Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Producing high quality timber products is a technical business these days. It’s not just a case of investing in the latest machinery though, there are quality standards to be exceeded, energy efficiency and sustainability to consider, plus a little input from some skilled craftsmen...

remier Architectural Joinery is based at Ladymead Farm in Quainton. It’s a delightful spot and an example of how farms have diversified from purely agricultural pursuits in recent years. The huge units, that only a few years ago would have been built to house animals or feed, are now workshops full of sophisticated woodworking machinery. Premier Architectural Joinery specialises in producing and in some cases fitting, high quality timber products for the construction and refurbishment industry, supplying to both trade customers and the general public. Premier has invested in the latest cutting edge CNC processing equipment, (computer controlled saws, to you and I), and can produce traditional and contemporary products quickly and accurately, whether these are single bespoke items, or a run of identical pieces with matching specifications; a one-off window or a complete site of joinery. Anthony Clark set up Ladymead Joinery on the farm back in 2001. The traditional carpentry firm was acquired by Patrick Green and his Premier Group last year with Anthony Clark on board as Operations Director. The two have known each other for many years, having first met at the village pub. Anthony is from Kingswood and trained as

Patrick ‘Paddy’ Green and Anthony Clark a carpenter and joiner at Aylesbury College. He has many years of experience working for corporate and private clients both in the local area and in London. Patrick grew up in Aldbury and went to Tring School. He trained as an agricultural engineer before becoming involved in plastics and then, with business partner Paul, set up his own plastic injection moulding business. With new investment from Premier Group, Premier Architectural Joinery has been able Ed Fox, Windor Line CNC Technician

2 28

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

to embrace modern production methods and standards and now prides itself on producing the highest quality products. “People expect good quality at the right price these days,” says Anthony. “We use high grade Sapele hardwood from sustainable sources, which is harder wearing and heavier than the wood many firms use. It’s a resilient timber that takes paint well, and provides a high quality product. For our windows and glazed doors we use Planitherm™ energyefficient safety glass with the best quality thermal insulation and it all comes with a ten year guarantee.” “A new European Community regulation comes into force on July 1st,” says Patrick. “All windows and doors must be CE marked. Companies producing windows and doors have to be certified to show they are working to the required standards. We are delighted to say that Premier Architectural Joinery has

Finial replica

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

recently been certified to produce windows and doors to the CE standard EN 143511:2006 + A1:2010 and we now hold the relevant CMS Licence. We are one of the first in the timber industry to achieve this qualification.” Patrick’s background in manufacturing combines well with Anthony’s understanding and experience in joinery and woodworking. Patrick has introduced quality management systems for his companies before and has found them invaluable: “The main objective in setting up Premier Architectural Joinery was to be the best manufacturer of hardwood joinery that it was possible to be,” he says. “I believe we are hitting this target on a regular basis, while always looking at ways to improve. “To measure this and ensure that we are achieving the best quality possible, we needed an independently audited quality management system to measure performance and identify improvements. This has been set up and inspected by independent auditors as operating to ISO9001:2008 Standard.” At their impressive workshops Premier Architectural Joinery now has around ten employees and apprentices. Positions range from CNC operator to joiners, sprayers, assembly technicians and of course, quality inspection. The company can manufacture and install anything in wood from windows, doors and gates to stairs, furniture, conservatories and roof lanterns. On our recent tour of the plant, Vale Life was shown how the rotted finial feature, pictured below left, had been scanned and recreated for a restoration project. “If someone has a picture of what they would like we can design and manufacture a piece to suit,” says Patrick. The firm is keen to save energy and recycle where possible and to this end all timber used is from sustainable sources and clean burn workshop heaters have been installed, which run on off-cuts from the workshop. A state-of-the-art automated briquetting system automatically collects the four or five tonnes of sawdust produced each month, briquettes it and bags it ready for sale locally through sister company Premier Eco Fuels. “People come to us for quality and attention to detail,” says Anthony. “Everything we make is purpose built to the client’s specifications, whether a one off commission, or an item to mass produce.” If you would like to find out more about Premier Architectural Joinery see the company website, as below, or call Anthony or Patrick on 01296 655555. l Premier Architectural Joinery Ltd Premier Group Plant No 2, Ladymead Farm Estate, Quainton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4AN Tel: 01296 655555 Email: u2us@premierarchitecturaljoinery.co.uk. Web: www.premieraj.co.uk

Nathan Fry Joiner & Spraying Engineer

Ben Curzon Final Assembly Technician

Vale Life : May/Jun Jun/July 2013

29 3

l Column:

Ruby Rasa ‘Tomayto Tomaaahto’

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

ce cream: international What You Need: childhood symbol for 600ml double cream summer. It has many 400g (1 tin) condensed milk forms, from gelato to 5 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder dondurma, but the idea is 3 Tbsp malt powder (Ovaltine or always the same: a creamy Horlick’s) frozen treat to cool you on a 3 handfuls chocolate chips hot day. One year, weary of having to either pay out to the You Do: WaltonWhat Cottage ice cream van all August long 11 Walton Road | Aylesbury | Buckinghamshire HP21peaks. 7SR 1. Whip cream into |soft or suffer sulky faces every day, I decided to try making my own. 2. Add condensed milk, cocoa and I had two serious constraints: malt and mix well. no ice cream maker and heat3. Throw in the chocolate chips and Chocolate Malt Chip induced laziness. I was not stir gently. about to slave over a hot stove Ice Cream 4. Transfer mixture to a sealable hard making custard as a base for plastic container and freeze. (makes almost 2litres) a frozen dessert. So I rolled 5. Using a strong mixing spoon, stir up my sleeves and invented a cream she’d ever had!’ She then after one hour (it will freeze around new method. All you need is a promptly emigrated to the US, the edges first, so fold these into the Tupperware-style container in of vanilla extract. The kids presumably inspired to live in middle) and again after 2 hours, then which to freeze the ice cream and I have had fun inventing leave for 6 hours or overnight. the land of malted chocolate. and either a good memory or new flavours and including all In the hopes of preventing a 6. Remove from freezer 5 minutes The latest addition to The Broad Leys portfolio is our stunning Walton Cottage. Located a stones throw a timer to remind you to stir it sorts of leftover sweets, but the transatlantic exodus, I’m sharing scooping, to allow it to soften from The Broad Leys, The Waterside Theatre andbefore Aylesbury town centre, our boutique home from home is Walton Cottage twice. recipe below was inspired by slightly.breaks and special nights away. perfect for business my recipe so you can make ittravellers, weekend 11 Walton Road | Aylesbury | Buckinghamshire | HP21 7SR Walton Cottage As for the base, I use only an American classic: Chocolate right here in the UK. I’m sure this 11 Walton Road | Aylesbury | Buckinghamshire | HP21 7SR whipped cream and condensed Malt, with some chips thrown should qualify me for some major l Ruby Rasa is a freelance milk. From there you can take it in for crunch. humanitarian award, but whether writer and photographer based in infinite directions, including An English friend tasted it from the British or the Americans in Aylesbury.Contact her via: the classically simple splash and declared it ‘the best ice editor@vale-life.co.uk I haven’t quite decided.

Win dinner for two at The Broad Leys plus luxury overnight accommodation The latest addition to The Broad Leys portfolio is our stunning Walton Cottage. Located a stones throw

The latest addition to The Broad Leys portfolio is our stunning Walton Cottage. Located a stones throw from The Broad Leys, Waterside and from The Broad Leys, The Waterside Theatre and Aylesbury town centre, ourThe boutique home Theatre from home is Aylesbury town centre, our boutique home from home is perfect for business travellers, weekend andinclude special nights away. Cottagebreaks features perfect for business travellers, weekend breaks and special nights away.

Free WIFI

he Broad Leys pub and ¥ Landscaped garden with summer house restaurant on the Wendover 3D High Definition flat screen Road, just outside Aylesbury ¥ 42” internet compatible TV with FreeSat town centre, is a delightful ¥ Stunning designer bathroom with waterfall-style shower retreat from the hustle and bustle of ¥ Easy access to Aylesbury train the town. Originally a 16th Century station, The Waterside Theatre and coaching inn and blacksmith’s forge town centre ¥ 20% off food when dining in The has been lovingly restored over Walton itCottage Broad Leys restaurant the last ten years and now features a 11 Walton Road | Aylesbury | Buckinghamshire | HP21 7SR Walton Cottage comfortable restaurant and gorgeous, Walton Cottage boutique-style accommodation, while From £150 per night still retaining the feel and charm of a for those on their way to Waterside Cottage features include Cottage features include Theatre, which is only a short walk proper pub. ¥ Free WIFI from the pub. we wrote about The Broad ¥ When Free WIFI ¥ Landscaped garden with summer house ¥ Landscaped garden with summer A meal could include: King Leys in our March edition, landlady ¥ 42” 3D High Definition flat screen house internet compatible TV with FreeSat Scallops pan fried with Chorizo, Pea Helen was anticipating the opening ¥ 42” 3D High Definition flat screen ¥ Stunning designer bathroom with compatible TV with FreeSat Purée, Pea Shoots and Beetroot of ainternet new addition to The Broad waterfall-style shower ¥ Stunning designer bathroom with ¥ Easy access to Aylesbury train Reduction, followed by Confit Leg Leyswaterfall-style portfolio,shower the stunning Walton station, The Waterside Theatre and ¥ Easy access to Aylesbury train throw from and Pan Fried Breast of Aylesbury Cottage. Located a stones town centre station, The Waterside Theatre and ¥ 20% off food when dining in The Duck, Rosemary and Apricot Sauce, the town pub,centre this boutique home from WaltonBroad Cottage Leys restaurant ¥ 20%isoffnow food available when dining in Theboasts Creamed Potato, Green Beans and home and Broad Leys restaurant luxurious accommodation, perfect for Rosemary and Apricot Jam and a TheThe Broad FromLeys £150 restaurant pertonight latest addition The Broad Leys portfolio is our stunning Walton Cottage. Located a stones throw Vanilla Pannacotta with Blueberry business travellers, weekend breaks from The Broad Leys, The Waterside Theatre and Aylesbury town centre, our boutique home from home is From £150 per night perfect for business travellers, weekend andnights special nights Compote and Sable Biscuit for and breaks special away.away. The Broad Leys restaurant is open dessert. There’s also a fabulous all day serving a full menu of modern brunch menu, served from 9.3011.30am at weekends and Sunday English pub food. You can choose from a restaurant menu, a bar menu, roasts from 12-8.30pm. If you’d like to be in with a chance sandwiches and snacks, or, from 4pm to 6pm, a pre-theatre menu designed of winning dinner for two, with a

Walton Cottage bottle of house wine, at The Broad Leys, plus an overnight stay in their new boutique annex, Walton Cottage, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk What is The Broad Leys’ new boutique accommodation called? Winner to be drawn at random from correct entries and notified by email by July 31st, 2013. l The Broad Leys, 8 Wendover Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 9LB Tel; 01296 399979 Email: helen@thebroadleys.co.uk Website www.thebroadleys.co.uk.

ak ea wa y or t in Ea t

Open 7 days a week from 5.30pm-11pm. Tel: 01296 615245 / 615927

Fr e

Little Kimble Indian Restaurant

New restaurant serving the finest quality Indian cuisine

ive

Come and experience the authentic tastes of India. Our menu has all your favourites plus exciting new dishes created by our expert chefs

Thursday Banquet Night: Starter/Main Dish/Side Dish/ Rice or Nan only £12.95

Risborough Road, Little Kimble, Bucks, HP17 0UF Tel: 01296 615245 / 615927 www.littlekimbleindianrestaurant.co.uk

Sunday Gourmet Night: Starter/Main Dish/Side Dish/ Rice or Nan only £12.95

Delicious Sunday Roasts

1 course from £10, 2 courses from £13, 3 courses from £16 Senior Citizen Menu 2 Courses for £7.95, Monday – Friday (12noon-3pm) The Village Gate Quiz Night Tuesday, 30th July, from 7.30pm, £9 entry per person (includes a meal) Teams of upto 6. Book a table now!

225 Aylesbury Road, Wendover, Buckinghamshire HP22 6BA Tel: 01296 623884 Email: info@villagegatewendover.co.uk Website: www.villagegatewendover.co.uk Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

l Column: Jacqui

Little things

Thorndyke ‘Foodie On Tour’

I don’t think it does. Having looked at the restaurant scene with parental eyes for the ’m not sure when I first last year and a half, I’ve been, realised I was a ‘foodie’; mostly, incredibly impressed; maybe it was baking as a 99.9% of places we’ve visited have child, or booking my first been perfectly accommodating, restaurant as an adult. What I do we’ve never been tutted at by other know is that my ‘foodie’ life changed diners, most venues have high the moment I became a parent. chairs or booster seats, some offer Gone are leisurely lunches and crayons and colouring sheets. There impromptu dinners out, replaced will of course be the odd place that by apprehensive eating (awaiting doesn’t welcome children – maybe cries of hunger/boredom/ they’ve been put off in the thirst/discomfort/all of past by kids running wildly the above) and preamongst other diners (I planned ‘date nights’ with may tut at this myself), or babysitter on duty. don’t want the peace and Don’t get me wrong, quiet of their restaurants MiniF is mostly a very shattered by screaming well behaved little boy, children. Ultimately but he’s just that - a little MiniF tucks in quietly though, I feel it’s positive boy. Children aren’t fully for restaurants to welcome developed emotionally, they get children, it’s an opportunity to hungry/thirsty/restless and don’t teach them about food, good table know how to express it - other manners, social etiquette, etc. No, than with peace-shattering howls. of course you don’t want my child I understand if you don’t have kids driving you crazy over a quiet lunch, you may not appreciate this while but, you know what, neither do I. enjoying your meal, but, does that If my child cries, I’ll console him; mean I forgo the right to restaurant if he won’t stop, I’ll walk outside food unless MiniF is elsewhere? No, with him. It falls to the parent to be

responsible for their child(ren), but at the same time, restaurants need to trust parents to do this. There’s only one venue I recall disappointing us; somewhere we’d visited previously, but had since employed a new, Michelin star chef. On calling to arrange a high chair, we were advised children were not allowed in that restaurant… hmm… ok. Keen to go, we settled on a meal in their other restaurant, where children were allowed. We had a lovely meal, but I can’t pretend it wasn’t tainted by the other chef not welcoming us, or specifically, MiniF. Funnily enough, we stuck our noses round the door to check out the Michelin starred restaurant, and were surprised to see it… completely empty. I guess they achieved the peace and quiet they were aiming for after all! You may feel Michelin starred restaurants should indeed refuse children - if you’re paying a high price for top-end food, you don’t want to be disturbed by noisy children, right? Thankfully, this isn’t felt across the board. Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, in Great Milton, are incredibly family friendly,

Jacqui Thorndyke

welcoming children of any age, in any part of their restaurant, offering a wonderful children’s menu. I’m truly warmed by this, not that I spend most of my time in Michelin starred restaurants! So, with my newly found parental experience, I’d like to applaud restaurants who do welcome children; aren’t they, after all, the ‘foodies’ of the future…? l For local food and restaurant reviews and recommendations, visit www.foodieontour.co.uk, or follow Jacqui on Twitter @FoodieOnTour. To contact Jacqui directly, please email foodieontour@yahoo.co.uk

Win tickets to the Great

British Beer Festival

he UK’s biggest beer festival will once again be taking place at London’s Olympia exhibition centre from August 13th-17th. The Great British Beer festival, which is in its 36th year, is organised and run wholly by volunteers from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and will showcase over 800 real ales, ciders and perries from across the UK, alongside specially chosen international beers that are rarely seen on these shores. Approximately 55,000 people are expected to visit the event over the five days of the festival, but it is not all about the drink. There is also plenty of different food to purchase and music to listen and relax to. There are plenty of old traditional pub games to play too, but these can be very popular! So if you see a spare alley, table or ‘Shut The Box’ going free, then make the most of it while you can! Tickets to the event can be bought from the show website at: www.gbbf.org.uk but if you’d 32

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

like a chance to win a pair of free tickets to the show, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@ vale-life.co.uk Who organises The Great British Beer Festival? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email by July 20th. l Website: www.gbbf.org.uk Email: gbbf@camra.org.uk Tickets: gbbftickets@camra.org.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/ greatbritishbeerfestival Twitter: @GBBF Tel: 01727 867201 (CAMRA).

Horsewyse CIC Horsewyse Children’s Summer Activity Days

Days full of the great outdoors, including riding and other horsey activities, nature walks and arts projects. Suitable for riders and non-riders alike. Builds confidence and team-building skills. Special Art Days and a Riding Academy week will be held during the summer. For more information, visit the Horsewyse website or email horsewyse@btinternet.com Tickets: £25, available from Horsewyse

www.horsewyse.org.uk

Stagecoach Aylesbury: 01296 747758 aylesbury@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/aylesbury

Stagecoach Thame: 01865 763767 thame@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/thame

Tel: 01844 202966

Horsewyse CIC is a not-for-profit company providing equine facilitated learning for children and young people with learning and behavioural difficulties.

Summer Holiday Workshops

29th July - 2nd August

Now booking!

Bringing the commu nity together Set within the beautiful Swanbourne Estate, Home Farm Day Nursery is a small and homely Nursery. Our aim is to provide the highest quality of care and education within a calm and secure atmosphere, allowing the children to flourish. Come and visit; you can be assured of a warm welcome!

Special features of Home Farm Day Nursery include: • Beautiful countryside location • Home cooked food • Baby sign • New Sensory Room • Convenient location for commuters • Close to Swanbourne House and many village schools For details call 01296 720 835, email office@homefarmnursery.co.uk or visit www.homefarmnursery.co.uk 15 minutes from: Milton Keynes, Buckingham, Leighton Buzzard, Aylesbury

FreTime Haddenham Care & Activity Service (formerly Haddenham Day Centre)

For day care that’s unsurpassed! At your community service, we offer a broad range of opportunities for: • people needing care, support and company • those with mobility needs • dementia

** Trained carers ** Personal care ** Bathing ** ** Hairdressing ** Activities ** *** Now welcoming new clients *** Telephone Linda on 01844 292 265 or just pop in for a chat

Passionate about Care FreTime, The Village Hall, Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8EE (Previously run by The Red Cross, but with the same friendly staff ) The Fremantle Trust is a registered charity and not for profit provider of innovative high quality care and support services

FT 310

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

£4

2, y from 00 0*

A collection of 1 and 2 bed apartments & 2 bed houses

available on a shared ownership basis

APARTMENTS ONLY: Eligibility now available to all!

n e p o e m o H w o h

ay d n o M o t y Thursda m p 5 o t m a 0 1

A413

3.3 MILES TO WADDESDON

Bi c

rR o ad

Bicester Road Aylesbury HP18 0PS

Road Weedon

2 MILES TO AYLESBURY TOWN CENTRE

AYLESBURY A41 A418

AYLESBURY VALE PARKWAY

o us

e Ro a d

A418

*Represents a 35% share in a one bed property value at £120,000. Prices are correct at the time of print and are subject to change. A monthly rent & service charge is applicable. Priority will be given to those who live or work in the Aylesbury Vale District Council area. Terms & conditions apply. Catalyst Housing is a charitable housing association.

A413

A41

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

A day out in London means fun and excitement for all the family. Chiltern Rail has some great offers available too which give big savings on rail travel and entry to the major attractions...

iving in the Vale, we’re fortunate to have the best of both worlds. We’re surrounded by beautiful countryside but we’re also only a short distance from London. The Chiltern Railways line connects local stations at Aylesbury, Thame, Wendover, Saunderton and Princes Risborough, to the capital in an hour or less and when you arrive at London Marylebone you are within walking distance of Regent’s Park and Baker Street. It’s a great way to travel into the capital with your family, especially as this Summer you can discover more for less when you travel with Chiltern Railways! Chiltern are really pushing leisure travel this year and have negotiated heaps of offers to help families and groups save money it’s amazing how much you can save if you want to! Just by going by train you can get Two-for-One on lots of top attractions

including Madame Tussauds, The London Dungeons and ZSL London Zoo. But the savings don’t stop there. You can also get deals on restaurants, exhibitions and top West End theatre shows - you can do all the things you have always wanted to do but couldn’t justify the cost! The train operator has a selection of offers including GroupSave travel which enables four people to travel off-peak for the price of two adults. There’s also a Family Travelcard available

for groups of between 1 adult and 1 child and up to 2 adults and 4 children. So what are you waiting for? Make this Summer an even more exciting one by getting out and exploring our capital city by train. Book you day out in London now by visiting www.chilternrailways.co.uk l Chiltern Railways - for train tickets and UK train times, timetables & fares see website: www.chilternrailways.co.uk Customer Service: 08456 005165 Twitter: @chilternrailway

Take the train and get Two-for-One at the ZSL London Zoo ZSL London Zoo has been entertaining and delighting visitors since opening to the public in 1847. With over 760 animal species, exciting and innovative exhibits it’s a great day out in the capital for all ages and sizes. It’s a perfect day out and just a short walk away from Marylebone Station!

Take the train and get Two-for-One at the London Dungeons Take the train and get Two-for-One at Madame Tussauds Filled with 14 exciting, interactive zones and the amazing Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie experience, Madame Tussauds London combines glitz and glamour with incredible history. Walk down the red carpet and strike a pose with Kate Winslet, before challenging your favourite sporting stars like David Beckham, Jonny Wilkinson or Usain Bolt. Get up close to some music mega stars like Rihanna and Michael Jackson, before addressing the nation alongside Obama.

The London Dungeon, one of the UK’s most iconic attractions, has left London Bridge and re-invented itself as a new bigger, bolder and better attraction in the vast underground vaults of County Hall on the South Bank, next to the EDF Energy London Eye. The all new multi-million pound attraction brings 1,000 years of authentic London history to life with a unique mix of talented live actors performing in scarily funny shows, stunning special effects, edge of your seat surprises and two exciting thrill rides. Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Column: Emma Ward‘Country Girl’

Champions! F inally the sun has come out, the fields are full of the vivid yellow rape and over the past month the barns of Buckinghamshire farms have been home to more than just animals and machinery; every Wednesday night you would also have found Young Farmers wielding paintbrushes, hammers and other household implements and tools. It’s rally time again! ‘Rally day’, as it is called by Young Farmers Club (YFC) members, is the Bucks YFC Country Show, hosted this year by Edgcott & Winslow YFC at Singleborough. For YFC members, when it comes to competitions, rally day is the Don, the champion, the Big One and most certainly the one to win. Months of preparation go into it, with ‘rally prep’ being a large part; display boards to be painted and decorated, go-karts to be built and tug of war to be practised. We compete in a mix of before-the-day craft and cookery competitions and on-the-day

competitions, which range from the seriously competitive - tug of war, stock judging, machinery handling - to the downright ludicrous doughnut eating, bath race and churn rolling. For me, it is the mixture of the serious and the silly that make rally day the fantastic and highly anticipated event that it is. My favourite competition on the day had to be the pram race, which required two members to dress as mum and baby and then race round a course - particularly amusing as both our team members were male. Acting as baby was my good friend Sam, who donned a very fetching fleece onesie borrowed from my sister, and mum was a strapping lad named Michael, who needed to be strong to make it round the course with his overgrown infant in tow. They set off at a good speed, and all was going well until they came careering round the first corner: the pram wobbled, swerved out of control and there was a loud snap as one of the front wheels broke

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

off and both mother and baby went flying. Retrieving baby Sam wasn’t easy, as baby and pram were face down on the grass and we had strapped him in tightly for safety! For us, the race was well and truly over! In contrast the tug of war final, which takes place at the end of the day, is taken very seriously and some teams have trained for months. Our girls’ team hadn’t even pulled together once in practice, so nerves were frayed this rally day! Each team has to be weighed. The men’s team can’t be over 680kg, and the ladies’ 580kg. The usual trick, if you are a few kilos over, is to strip as much clothing off as possible and hope for the best, which can lead to some funny looks from the public whilst weighing in! Of course after weigh in, everyone eats like a horse, in a last minute attempt to gain extra energy. By a miraculous stroke of luck (or maybe it’s just because we’re the greatest club in Bucks??!) both Edgcott’s men’s and ladies’ teams won their respective competitions. The rally day has the additional bonus of having a large after-party, where clubs can celebrate their successes, or commiserate with

Emma Ward

Country Girl each other on competitions lost! Anticipation was in the air, as the overall rally winners were announced and yet again, I am pleased to say that Edgcott & Winslow YFC did Buckinghamshire proud and were crowned Rally Champions 2013. Trophies were handed out, raised in the air, drunk out of and found in the bar the next morning, still sticky from the night’s concoctions. Finally a message to the other YFC clubs; better luck next time, you ought to spend more time on your rally prep!! If you would like to find out more about Young Farmers Clubs in Buckinghamshire, visit: www.bucksyfc.co.uk or email: office@bucksyfc.co.uk.

Win tickets to the Horse of the Year Show

Equimax Pony Club Mounted Games 2012. Pic: Gwen Harris

William Funnell and Billy Congo Leading Show Jumper of the Year 2012 Pic: Kathryn Pearn

Broadgrove Only You and Alexia Trodd-Bohin: Kathleen Wood Children’s Riding Pony of the Year. Pic: Trudy Trafford

very October, Birmingham’s NEC is transformed into an equestrian haven, as Horse of the Year Show settles in for five jam-packed days of prestigious showing and show jumping finals, awe-inspiring displays, international show jumping and serious retail therapy. This year’s show will take place from Wednesday 9th to Sunday 13th October and in its 65th anniversary year, the show has teamed up with Vale Life Magazine to offer you the chance to help us celebrate in style at the ‘World’s Most Famous Horse Show’. Three lucky winners will receive two tickets for the daytime and

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

evening performance on Wednesday 9th October. This performance includes the inaugural Dressage Future Elite Championship in which seven horses aged between seven and 10 years old, currently working at an Advanced Medium and Prix St Georges level, will be invited to compete at the show to perform the Intermediate 1 Freestyle Test to Music. Other Wednesday highlights include the NPS/Baileys Horse Feeds Mountain & Moorland Ridden classes, showcasing the very best of Britain’s native breeds;

the Cuddy Working Hunter of the Year, and a host of national show jumping championships. There are also regular favourites the Equimax Pony Club Mounted Games and Osborne Refrigerators Double Harness Scurry. New for 2013: The exciting UK debut of Luma the Lion, a small pony with a mighty personality. Luma will entertain the audience every day at this year’s show, as well as a second captivating display to be announced very soon. If you’d like the chance to win one of three pairs of tickets to the show,

simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Which anniversary is Horse of the Year Show celebrating in 2013? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email by July 31st. The competition is not open to Vale Life Magazine or Grandstand Group employees. Winners are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from the show. No cash alternative is available. Tickets are non-transferable.

l HOYS Tickets are on sale now. For show information, the timetable and ticket prices visit: www.hoys.co.uk or call the box office on 0844 581 8282

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Make the most of our beautiful countryside and raise vital funds for Rennie Grove Hospice Care on a sponsored walk this Summer. It’s a fun way to help out and enjoy some spectacular local scenery...

local hospice charity is inviting Vale residents to dig out their hiking boots and join a sponsored walk this summer. Rennie Grove Hospice Care, formerly Iain Rennie Grove House Hospice Care, is hosting two walking events that celebrate some of the best bits of our local countryside and culture. Walk to Remember Sunday, July 14: This brand new 10km sponsored walk is designed to give bereaved family and friends the chance to come together in a beautiful, tranquil setting, in memory of special people they

Halton House

have lost. The circular route starts and finishes in the inspiring grounds of Halton House near Wendover and includes a rest stop at the Iain Rennie Memorial Woodland in Wendover itself. Used recently for filming of The King’s Speech and Downton Abbey, Halton House, a stunning Rothschild mansion, is not usually open to the public but

Crown copyright reserved is being made available to Walk to Remember participants by kind permission of RAF Halton. From Halton House, walkers will continue on into Wendover Woods and wind their way down to the Iain Rennie Memorial Woodland near Bacombe Lane, before looping round and heading back to Halton House along the Grand Union Canal. There will be a rest and refreshment point for walkers at the Memorial Woodland, approximately half way around the route. With music, a barbecue, other refreshments and family entertainment, this stop will also offer family members who are not walking, the opportunity to join in with the activities and enjoy a chance for reflection and remembrance. In addition to their entry fee, participants are being encouraged to raise money to help Rennie Grove meet the challenges of caring for an increasing number of

local patients in the future. Entry includes a T-shirt, water along the route and a special memory gift at the end and costs £17 for adults, £7.50 for children between 5 and 16 years and is free for the under 5s. For further information, please see www.walktoremember.co.uk or call the Fundraising Team on 01442 820730. Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge Sunday, September 15: Returning for its 5th year, this popular event attracts almost 1,000 people to ‘walk the chalk’ along the end of the Ridgeway trail, scaling the peaks of Whiteleaf Cross, Coombe Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon. Choose between 5, 9 or 18 mile routes with buses courtesy of Arriva back to your car at the end. Dogs welcome! Registration is open now on: www.c3peaks.com lRennie Grove Hospice Care, Website: www.renniegrove.org Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

The ancient and mysterious art of Morris has been practised for centuries. To some it’s about keeping folk traditions alive while others find it a fun way to keep fit and visit lots of pubs...

Crendon Morris dancing in Abingdon Market Place

he origins of Morris dancing seem to be lost in the mists of time. It is thought to have roots in North African dances with the name evolving from ‘Moorish’ dancing on its journey through Europe to Britain. There are references to the ‘Morys’ in court records from the 15th century and while Shakespeare mentions Morris dancers in his plays, one of his actors, William Kempe, famously Morris danced from London to Norwich in 1600 and reported his feat in an illustrated book showing early Morris dancers accompanied by the pipe and tabor. Morris dancing became a common part of village celebrations until banned by Cromwell. But Charles II lifted the ban and it again became a feature of rural festivities. Although not as widespread as it once was Morris dancing is one of our most popular forms of English folk dance. We’ve all enjoyed local Morris sides such as Crendon Morris performing at village fetes and festivals, or outside the local pub and the dancers themselves seem to have a great time. “It’s not just about keeping the Morris tradition alive,” says Crendon Morris founder member and Bagman, Ray Shurrock, “it’s a very social activity and it gives us the chance to raise funds for local charities. This year it’s for Thomley Activity Centre at Worminghall.

Illustration from William Kempe book 38

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

“Our side meets to rehearse every Tuesday, area and red for the blood of the boars, which from 8.30pm to 10pm, if we aren’t out Henry VIII used to come down to hunt. The dancing and we always have a pint in the pub boar is our emblem too.” afterwards. We have 12 regular dancers and Crendon Morris Men have been in action five musicians at the moment but we’re always for nearly 50 years now and have raised over open to new members. At this time of year £40,000 for local charities. The side formed in we are often out dancing at pubs and local 1967 in response to a challenge issued by the events. It’s great for fitness, you’re using your late Charles Cope, landlord of The Eight Bells arms, your legs, your heart, your lungs... in Long Crendon. A visiting Morris side had There are set dances and steps to follow. danced at the pub and when some of the local We have an ancient book full of them. Dances lads poked fun at them he challenged them to are usually based around agriculture, fertility, form their own team and do better. fighting or weddings. Ray danced with the There’s ‘Haste to the team from ‘67 to ‘72 Crendon Morris Dates for July Wedding’, ‘Harvest and then had a break Tues, July 2nd: The Seven Stars, Dinton Hoe’, ‘Balance the Tues, July 9th: The Leathern Bottle, Lewknor. before rejoining in ‘92. Straw’ and Skirmish’ - Sat, July 13th: Thame Show, Thame “We were all Crendon all to do with old men originally,” he Tues, July 23rd: The Pointer, Brill Tues, July 30th: The James Figg, Thame English traditions.” says. “but today the Morris sides usually team comes from miles wear traditional costume with bell pads on around: Crendon, Chinnor, Haddenham, their shins and baldrics (belts worn over the Thame, Aylesbury, there’s all types of people shoulder) in their team colours. Implements involved, from all walks of life. It’s great such as sticks, swords and handkerchiefs may fun though, we all love it. When you see the also be wielded by the dancers! response from people watching, especially the “Up North some of the Morris teams have children, it’s lovely. We’ve danced in different blacked up faces. It’s because traditionally countries and for people from all over the the dancers came out of the pits or factories world, it’s a great thing to be involved in.” covered in dirt and went to the pub as they If you are interested in joining Crendon were. They’d dance and sing with their faces Morris, or finding out more, checkout their covered in dirt and the Morris teams honour website and call, or email, Ray: the tradition by blacking up. “In the Cotswolds area Morris teams l Crendon Morris: Contact:Ray Shurrock, traditionally dance in white. Crendon Morris Tel: 01844 351848 dancers also wear baldrics coloured green for Email: ray.shurrock@crendonmorris.com the Forest of Bernwood, which covered this Website: www.crendonmorris.com

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Enjoy arts, crafts and classic cars in one of our prettiest villages, on Sunday, July 14th and help raise vital funds for local hospices...

he tiny village of Speen, village green next to the welcoming up on the Chiltern 15th century King William IV pub. Work by many exciting local escarpment above Princes Risborough, is designers and artists will be on display, from jewellery, ceramics and a lovely spot. Speen means ‘wood chips’ in Anglo-Saxon and the art, to quilting, glass, greeting cards, wood and much more... original villagers prospered by This year there is also the added skilfully utilising timber from the surrounding woodlands. They are attraction of a car display, outside the marquee, by members of the still keen on crafts today and now hold an annual Arts and Crafts Fair, Porsche Club GB and the MG Car which has steadily grown in size Club. The King William IV will be over the last four years. open and is also running a barbecue The Fair is a one day event and especially for the fair. this year takes place on Sunday, The Fair is organised by Speen July 14th, from 10am to 4pm in the Arts & Craft Fair A5 Ad 2013 13/5/13 23:06 Page 1 large Speen Village Marquee on the Supporters Group, which was

THE

Speen G R O U P

SUPPORTING LOCAL HOSPICES

‘View From Speen’ painted by local artist Christine Bass

In support of our local hospices

Ar ts & Crafts Fair

The Speen Group’s Annual Charity

The King William IV, Speen founded by Suzi Rose in 2001, with the aim of raising funds for the local hospice charities by putting on local events. They are now known as ‘The Speen Group’ with several of the original members still on the committee and everyone giving tirelessly of their time and effort for free. With limited Government funding the Hospice charities rely heavily on organisations like Speen Group to raise the funds necessary to care for people with life limiting conditions and give support to their families. The four local Hospice charities supported by Speen Group are: Florence Nightingale House, Helen

& Douglas House, Iain Rennie Hospice at Home and The South Bucks Day Hospice. The Arts and Crafts Fair is an event for the whole family. A chance to enjoy the lovely village, relax, have a stroll round the cars and craft fair, refuel at the pub or barbecue and help raise vital funds for local hospices. Admission to the fair is just £1 per person. l Speen Arts & Crafts Fair, Village Green, Hampden Road, Speen, Bucks HP27 0RU Sunday, July 14: 10am-4pm Admission £1 Email: diana.summers@btinternet.com or antoinette.james@hotmail.co.uk

Picture of Village Marquee during last year’s Arts & Crafts Fair

SUNDAY

14th July

10am-4pm

on the Playing Field, Hampden Road, Speen, Bucks HP27 0RU THE PORSCHE & MG CLUBS WILL BE PRESENT ON THE PLAYING FIELD There will be refreshments in the marquee and a BBQ provided by The King William IV Pub

£1 entrance fee on the door We support Florence Nightingale House • Helen & Douglas House Iain Rennie Hospice at Home • The South Bucks Day Hospice Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

39 3

Win 2 free passes to

Go Ape, Wendover

o Ape is the UK’s Number One Tree Top Adventure experience and we are lucky enough to have one of their courses set high up on the Northern crest of the Chiltern escarpment, at Wendover Woods. Here, safely supported on wires high up in the trees, you can enjoy spectacular views of the wild landscape and the thrill of swinging through the trees on Tarzan ropes before whizzing safely back to earth on a zip wire. It is great fun of course, but also slightly scary and a bit of a challenge - ideal for team building events, stag parties or teen birthday events. Vale Life wouldn’t expect our dear readers to do anything we wouldn’t though, so as editor I was volunteered to accompany my son Cameron, 17, and Harvey, 13, the son of my assistant, Andrea, on a tour through the treetops. Most of us are slightly nervous of heights, some more so than others, but the Go Ape team soon had us firmly strapped into our safety harnesses and at the ground level training area, we were run through the procedure for clipping ourselves

onto the safety wires. Basically you will always be attached to a wire by at least one safety leash, so although you might feel a little nervous negotiating a tightrope 60ft in the air, you can’t fall to the ground even if you lose your footing. You will be held by your safety wires, so can right yourself and carry on! The course at Wendover takes a good couple of hours to complete but it’s so absorbing and such good fun that it seemed much shorter. It starts with a climb up a rope ladder (clipped to a safety line of course) and you begin to feel the nerves kick in, as you find yourself on the first of a series of rather narrow platforms, attached high up the huge fir trees. Wire ‘walkways’ with increasingly tricky footholds are suspended between the trees and so like Tarzan, or Indiana Jones, you start your journey through the jungle canopy! Every now and then a little extra thrill is thrown in - a Tarzan swing, or a zip ride. The youthful members of the VL team were skipping along the wires like a couple of monkeys, fearlessly embracing each thrilling wobble and thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Going to the fair?

he Kimblewick Country Fair takes place from 12noon on Sunday, June 30th and it’s a fun day out in the country for all of the family! Now in its fifth year, this traditional fair, run by local country folk, has gradually grown bigger and bigger and now boasts four fields of fun! Expect traditional country games such as egg throwing, crockery smashing and bale tossing, farmers’ market and trade stands, fairground rides, vintage vehicle displays, horse and dog shows, falconry and gun dog displays, tractor rides and pony rides. As well as the hound parade in the main ring, there’ll be plenty of other doggy activities going on throughout the day, including terrier racing, a gun dog scurry and the always popular family dog show.

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

There’s a class for every pooch (and owner), so do take your dogs along. A new addition to the fair this year is a full horse show, with show jumping classes from 1ft to 3ft, and showing classes with Chiltern and Thames Rider qualifying. Parking is free, and entry reasonable, so why not pop along and enjoy yourselves! Kimblewick is a small rural hamlet, situated between Thame, Aylesbury, Wendover and Princes Risborough, just a couple of miles from each. Directions and a map are to be found on the Kimblewick Fair website below. l Kimblewick Country Fair, Dodd’s Charity, Kimblewick, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP17 8SX Website: www.kimblewickfair.com Email: office@kimblewickhunt.co.uk

With the creaking limbs of middle age upon me and a slightly dodgy back I was mildly concerned I wouldn’t last the course, but all was fine. There’s nothing too strenuous involved but it’s good light exercise and a lot of fun. The views are stunning. From certain points the woods seem to stretch for miles and to be up in the tree tops with the squirrels and wood pigeons is thoroughly exhilarating. “I’ve wanted to try Go Ape for ages,” says Harvey, “and now I want to go again! I’d recommend it to anyone. It was brilliant, leaping through the trees, jumping, swinging and climbing and looking down at the amazing views of the valley.” “I was really looking forward to Go Ape,” says Cam, “but a little nervously as I’ve a slight fear of heights! The staff were really good, they made us feel welcome and explained how to use the equipment well. It was

really enjoyable, I’d definitely do it again. The Tarzan swings were the scariest bits but they were the most exhilarating too! It felt like quite an accomplishment afterwards, it’s a good bonding activity and would be fun to do with a few friends.” Have we convinced you? If so and you’d like a chance to win two passes to Go Ape at Wendover, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Which range of hills is Wendover Woods on? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by July 31st. l Go Ape, Wendover Woods, St Leonards Road, Wendover, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5NF Booking line: 0845 643 9215 Website: www.goape.co.uk

Your Local Mobility Shop Independent Living Consultants

Get out and about!

Great Deals on pre-owned & new mobility scooters! Also : wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, adjustable beds, riser/recliner chairs, daily living aids, and much more!

Can’t get to us? Call to arrange a home asessment. Visit us : Woodway, Princes Risborough, HP27 0NN

0845 6011933 www.IndependentLivingConsultants.co.uk

Supported by Vale Life : Jun /July 2013

The Oxfordshire County & Thame Show takes place at Thame Showground on Saturday, July 13th, this year. A fabulous day out for all the family, the event is packed with animals, demonstrations and entertainment to inspire and enthrall and lots of good things to eat, drink and enjoy...

ngland’s greatest one day agricultural show takes place at Thame showground in July. This year there will be demonstrations and displays throughout the day in the ever popular Countryside Arena: from Pig Agility to Horse Whispering, Falconry, Sheepdogs herding Ducks, Terrier Racing, Ferret Racing and Gundogs. A superb selection of countrymen demonstrating their skills in hedge laying, stone walling, broom making, smithying and more will surround the arena, while the

Photographs by Nick White (www.nickwhitephotography.com) Main Ring hosts two top class show jumping competitions, one being the Oxfordshire Area Trial. The Scurry Driving is particularly exciting (see bottom right picture) while the Lamb National Sheep Race will have the crowds flocking to cheer on their favourite woolly jumpers! Spectacular parades of cattle, classic cars and hounds and impressive displays of agricultural equipment all add to the country carnival atmosphere, while the 1066 Pipes and Drums (Hastings) will give two stirring performances mixing marching and music with

military precision. The most beautifully turned out animals will be on display too, competing to be the best in the county: cattle, sheep, horses and donkeys, rabbits and a fun dog show, for which you can take your pet along, to enter on the day. Birds and Alpacas will also be on show. The new Food and Drink Village will offer a wide range of produce to sustain you through the day while The Food Hall will be packed with delights to try, buy and take home. Ticket prices are slightly different this year being £13 in advance per

adult (£15 on the gate) and £4 per Junior (5-15yrs, £5 on gate). Under 5s go free and Senior Citizens are £8 (£10 on the gate). Tickets are available from the Thame Show office, from local tourist offices and from the new show website, where there is a list of additional tickets outlets. l The Oxfordshire County & Thame Show, Thame Showground, Kingsey Road (A4129), Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3JL Tel: 01844 212737. Email: info@thameshow.co.uk Web: www.thameshow.co.uk 8am-6.15pm

Main Ring: Showjumping, Scurry Driving, Lamb National, Classic Cars, 1066 Pipes & Drums (Hastings) Band, Hounds & Beagles, Cattle Parade, Agricultural Display. Countryside Arema: Horse Whisperer, Bob Hogg Sheepdogs Display, Gamegoer Gundogs, Falconry Display, Pig Agility. General attractions: Fun Dog Show, Food And Drink Village, Home & Garden Marquee, Food Hall, Bakery Display, Shopping & Craft Marquee, Many Trader Stalls, Livestock Classes Sheep / Cattle, Alpaca Display, Bird Display, Rabbit Display, Vintage Machinery, Lorries & Tractors, Classic Cars, Morris Dancers, The Syndicate New Orleans Four Jazz Band, Children’s Amusements and much more...

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Princes Risborough is rapidly building a reputation for staging impressive community events that attract and entertain visitors from across the area. This year the annual Risborough Festival has joined forces with RizfesT Music Festival, for over a week of fun and fantastic music...

f your musical tastes include The Rolling Stones, The Police, Oasis and The Beatles then RizfesT 2013 is the place to be over the weekend of July 12/13/14th. RizFesT is the climax to Princes Risborough’s Annual Town Festival which begins a week earlier on Saturday, July 6. See the Festival website for a daily schedule of what’s on (www.rizfest.com/town-festivalevents) - seemingly hundreds of events from lacemaking demonstrations to music in pubs, the town produce show, heritage exhibitions... the town will be buzzing, so well worth a visit. The popular Children’s Parade, (this year’s theme is ‘Music through the Ages’) and Street Fair is held on the High Street from 1pm Saturday 6, with an array of local stallholders supported by musical performances from local schools and young bands in the Market Square. The 10k Town Run (9.30am) and Children’s Chocolate Hunt (1pm) on Sunday, July 7, are then followed by a week long programme of events organised by local businesses, clubs, schools and societies, ranging from tours, talks and exhibitions to walks and concerts. Risborough’s own Skasouls UK will kick start RizFesT 2013 on the evening of Friday, July 12th in the Community Centre from 7pm. Skasouls will be supported by The fabulous Dung Beatles and their excellent Beatles tribute. For Saturday, July 13, it’s open air RizfesT on Princes Risborough School playing field, where a day of music culminates with The Rollin’ Stoned providing a show that is an affectionate and skilfully observed homage to their idols, mixing gentle parody with some classic rock’n’roll. The line-up also includes The Mighty Redox - half punk/half hippy staples of the Oxford music scene, playing upbeat psychedelic blues workouts of pure energy; Annirythmics, who will transport you back to the heady days of the 80s, when Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart were the king and queen of the British music scene; locally based ‘not just another Rock Band’

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Black Rose; and Splash the Cash playing a collection of Johnny Cash songs. Local girls 2 Non Blondes and Popular Jake complete the days line up. The music continues on Sunday, July 14, with The Secret Police performing their tribute to Sting and partners with uncanny accuracy, supported by Noasis the definitive tribute to Manchester’s supergroup Oasis. Icecoldplay, The Sunblaze Steel Band and local singer songwriter Ross Stevenson complete the line-up. Tickets for RizfesT 2013 are now on sale.

Above: The Rollin’ Stoned Right: The Dung Beatles For more details visit: www.rizfest.com or contact The Information Centre, Princes Risborough. l RizfesT2013: Tickets are available online via: www.rizfest.com, from the Princes Risborough Information Centre and from the Aylesbury Tourist office Email: admin@rizfest.com

Sponsored by Park Street Dental Clinic, Thame

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Thame’s Players Theatre is a brilliant place to enjoy a wide range of entertainment, from theatre to film, music and comedy. It’s going to be even better too, but first each must play his part...

hame is a vibrant community with many clubs, groups, events and organisations that enrich the lives of local inhabitants. None more so perhaps than Thame Players Theatre Company which, founded over 60 years ago, now boasts in excess of 150 members and presents a variety of quality productions, from Shakespeare to pantomime, musicals and high drama at the charming Players Theatre on Nelson Street. Although an amateur company, run by volunteers, productions are of professional quality and tickets for the five shows staged each year are generally snapped up pretty quickly. While Thame Players have been active in the town for around 60 years, The Players Theatre celebrates its centenary this year. The building was originally constructed as a church hall and officially opened by the Reverend Spooner, in 1913. The Players’ next production, ‘A Century of Song’ (July 9th to 13th) is a revue show to commemorate the life of the building. It will feature songs, sketches and newsworthy events from the last 100 years, from the suffragettes to the current day, highlighting local and national news events, every ten years along

year, but we will still need support from the local community to help us reach our goal. This can be from businesses, organisations or individuals and may be in the form of donations or by helping to organise fundraising events. If anyone would like to get involved, please contact me on: 07938 857291.” Thame Players are a community group and welcome new members who would like to act, direct, produce, build scenery, operate the lights or sound or to help ‘front of the way. An exhibition of the same The impressive sum of £250,000 house’. There are details of how to decades - to tie in with the show, will was raised for a major refurbishment join as a Member or Friend on their website. run at Thame Museum from 15th in 2002, which “We do it for fun but June until the end of August. transformed the we take it seriously and It’s a busy year for Thame Players church hall into aim to put on the best as the group are looking to raise the proper 119 seat quality shows we can,” £200,000 for improvements to the theatre it is today. says Tony. theatre stage, seating, and heating. “We couldn’t The Theatre A registered charity, the group do everything we provides a stage for a originally acquired the theatre on wanted in 2002 due to wide range of events a 50 year lease, in 1977, from St budget restrictions,” from productions Mary’s Church. It was a basic hall says Thame Players by local and national in those days and not in great repair committee member Tony Long theatre groups, to but with a bit of work it provided Tony Long. “We now magic and music shows, celebrity the space they needed until 1997 aim to raise a further £200,000 audiences, Thame Cinema Club when they bought the freehold to fund a larger stage area, as the for £24,500. The hall had a sitting current space is below the minimum and much more. Coming up soon is young comedian Matt Richardson tenant of course (Thame Players) size required for many shows and who previews his Edinburgh Fringe so the sale price was considerably limits what we can put on - and to below the market rate had the move the stage further back, so that show (July 19th) and on July 21st, ‘Fashion Goes Wild’, a show put on by premises been vacant! the viewing experience is enhanced local stores. and we can add an extra row of ‘Relative Values’ at ‘All the world’s a stage’ said seats at the front of the stalls. The Players Theatre Shakespeare, but it’s nicer watching “Most importantly, the heating a show in the comfort of The system needs updating and Players Theatre. improving to keep audiences warm and comfortable. We plan to do the heating this year and the other work l Thame Players, The Players Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame, next Summer. Oxfordshire, OX9 2DP “SODC and Thame Town Tel: 07938 857291 Council have been very supportive Email: ThamePlayers@aol.com over the years and Thame Mayor Tickets from www.thameplayers.co.uk Peter Lambert has kindly made us or Tickets Anywhere, Greyhound one of his Mayor’s Charities this Walk, Thame, Tel: 01844 217228 Hall opening night 1913

Thame Players would like to thank

for sponsoring this feature Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Do you watch ‘Strictly’ and dr of sequins, steps and perfect t

ylesbury Waterside Theatre has proudly supported local charity, Florence Nightingale Hospice since the theatre opened in 2010. The partnership has included many successful joint fundraising activities and projects including decorating and selling sunflower-themed cupcakes and gingerbread men, (left), in aid of their annual Sunflower Appeal, auctioning a technicoloured dreamcoat during the theatre’s run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, (left), entering a team of staff to take part in their Midnight Walk (see below) and holding regular bucket collections in aid of the charity. This year, however, the theatre and the hospice are taking fundraising to a whole new level with a spectacular ballroom dancing event in celebration of 25 years of hospice care.

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

ream of dancing your way to the finals in a flurry twirls? Read on, for your time could be now...

Craig Revel-Horwood Strictly Florence is a ballroom dancing extravaganza taking place on Sunday, October 6th in the theatre’s main auditorium - and you have the chance to take part! If you are reading this and crave the challenge of a lifetime, if you’re itching for an excuse to get out your glitzy dancing shows, then read on, this is for you! The Charity is looking for men and women aged over 18. You might enjoy the occasional ballroom dance at a local class, or you could be someone who has never undertaken a Tango or a Waltz before. You can be an individual dancer, or a couple who fancy taking on this fantastic dancing challenge in aid of the Hospice, together. If you don’t have a partner, the Charity will endeavour to pair you up. Ten couples will be selected by Florence Nightingale Hospice and tasked with learning two dances, one solo and one group, to be performed at the main event at the Waterside Theatre on Sunday, October 6th, in front of an audience and a panel of VIP judges. The winning couple on the night will walk off with the coveted ‘Strictly Florence’ crown and a wonderful top secret first prize! Plus the couple who raise the most money in sponsorship will win a fantastic dance experience day, courtesy of Karen Hardy

Lotte Duncan Dance Studios, Chelsea, which will include champagne, a 45-minute dance class, a photo with Karen’s winning trophy from Strictly Come Dancing series 4, Strictly goodies, and a personally signed photo to take away on the day. This unique event will be hosted by Mix 96 Drivetime presenter Katy Butler and features a special VIP appearance from BBC Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig RevelHorwood, bringing his ballroom knowledge and a little star quality to the event, plus BBC Good Food celebrity chef, writer and presenter Lotte Duncan, above. (Further special guests are to be announced nearer the time). “I’m encouraging anyone who likes dancing or who has never danced before, to get yourself a partner and a pair of dancing shoes,” says Craig. “Sign yourself up to take part in Strictly Florence - it’s going to be a fantastic, fun event, and all for the Florence Nightingale Hospice in its 25th Anniversary year. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what fabulous local talent Aylesbury has to offer!” “We are very excited about Strictly Florence and simply over-the-moon about Craig’s involvement,” says Sam Heggie of FNHC. “This fantastic competition is open to anyone over the age of 18. Even if you have never done ballroom before, or think you have

two left feet, please get in touch today and be part of something really special for our 25th Anniversary year.” The event promises to be hugely popular and tickets are on sale from July 1st via the Waterside Theatre Box Office on: 0844 871 7607 or by visiting: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury. Tickets start from £20 per person. Premium and corporate seating packages are available on request (limited availability). This spectacular event will herald the start of the Florence Nightingale Hospice 25th Anniversary celebrations and takes place on the eve of Hospice Care Week 2013 which runs from Monday 7th to Sunday 13th October. The Florence Nightingale Hospice has been providing first-class specialist Hospice care for local families affected by lifelimiting illness across Aylesbury Vale and surrounding areas since October 1988. For more information, visit www.fnhospice.org.uk or contact 01296 429975. If you are seeking to take part in Strictly Florence, please note:

Coming up at the Waterside Your at-a-glance guide to what’s on... Less Than Kind

Mon 24th to Sat 29th June

Comedy Club

Fri, July 5th

An Evening of Mediumship with Tony Stockwell

Tue, July 9th

Sofia National Ballet

Mon 8th to Wed 10th July

Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show

Tue 6th to Wed 7th August

Save The Last Dance For Me

Mon 26th to Sat 31st August

• The ten couples must commit to six weeks of dance training from week commencing August 25th-September 29th (one night a week on a set day/time) and will need to have their own pair of dancing shoes. Further terms & conditions apply. For more information contact the FNHC Fundraising Team. l Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG Telephone Booking: 0844 871 7607 Website: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury

l o r e n F c e y l t S tri c

Coming to Aylesbury this October

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF LOCAL HOSPICE CARE SIGN UP NOW

Have you got what it takes to dance like the stars of TV? We are looking for 10 men & 10 women to take part in this brand new event. Training will begin on 25th August with stage show and finale on Sunday 6th October at Waterside Theatre.

VIP Appearance by

Craig Revel Horwood & other special guests

For more details call

01296 429975 www.fnhospice.org.uk fundraising@fnhospice.org.uk florencenightingalehospice @fnhospice

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Eliza Carthy

Now in its 49th year, Towersey Festival has grown to be one of the UK’s most popular annual events. It’s a festival in every sense, with so many amazing things to see and do for all ages...

isted as a Guardian Best Of Summer 2013 selection and a Songlines Magazine Top 10 UK Summer Festival 2013, this year’s five day Towersey Festival event kicks off on Thursday, August 22 with The Blockheads - the chart-topping act whose run of hit singles includes Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3 and Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick - and closes on Monday, August 26, with a performance by Spiers And Boden, the founders of Towersey favourites Bellowhead. In between, the various stages play host to such acts as Mercury Prize nominated The Unthanks, the acclaimed Show Of Hands, featuring Miranda Sykes, a reformed Home Service (fronted by John Tams of War Horse and Sharpe fame) and Martin Simpson (whose new album was recorded with Richard Hawley). Adding an international element are the sinister looking, yet sweet-voiced Aussie choir The Spooky Men’s Chorale, Italian dance fusion sensations Nidi d’Arac and Swiss Cajun Punk Rock trio Mama Rosin (who recently supported Bellowhead on tour). But while the music is obviously a big draw

for many, it’s just part of Towersey’s enduring appeal as the festival embraces so much more. Look out for a series of film screenings

l Towersey Festival runs from Thursday, August 22, to Monday, August 26, 2013. Tickets are available for the full festival from £55-£125; camping tickets £55-£145. Under 5s free. Day tickets £10-£40.

Main Acts at a Glance

Special Offer: Thame and Towersey residents get 34% discount! Only £82 for the whole festival (camping extra). To book call 01629 827016.

Thur, Aug 22: The Blockheads, The Gloworms Fri, Aug 23: The Unthanks, Orkestra Del Sol, Vin Garbutt, Dan Walsh, Manière des Bohémiens, Vamm Sat, Aug 24: Show Of Hands, Martin Simpson, Gas Mark 5, Lucy Ward, Moulettes Sun, Aug 25: Home Service, Mama Rosin, Martin Carthy & Eliza Carthy, Nidi d’Arac, The Spooky Men’s Chorale, Banquet of Boxes Mon, Aug 26: Spiers and Boden, The Spooky Men’s Chorale, Roy Bailey, The Poozies, Tyde, Lisbee Stainton 46

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

So if you want soothing acoustic sounds or fiery beats, fancy trying your hand at Raku pottery firing, or learning the ukulele, joining a choir, or just wish to sit back and be entertained, Towersey’s the place for you!

Mama Rosin courtesy of Thame Cinema 4 All, great local bands selected by First Thursday Music Club, Crash Records, Charlbury Riverside Festival and Musically Monstrous, plus storytellers and poets, circus performers, wandering minstrels, and countless workshops and activities for adults and especially children. In fact, Towersey boasts over 100 events as part of the Children’s Festival strand, ensuring all the family are thoroughly occupied. And to top it all, there’s also great food and produce, and a well-stocked real ale bar with a range of appealing tipples by leading independent breweries.

For more information see: www.towerseyfestival.com Twitter: @towerseyfesti Facebook: Towerseyfestival

Martin Simpson

y Festivs rooatsl Towersvae l.....where great music ha YOUR local Festi

Thursday 22 Monday 26 August 2013

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Show of Hands * The Unthanks Home Service * Martin Carthy & Eliza Carthy Martin Simpson * Spiers & Boden (Bellowhead frontmen) World, Party and Dance with....

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Sin Singer ger Son Songw gwrite riters rs Moulettes Lisbee Stainton Grace Petrie Jess Morgan

re, rature, Literatu Live Lite ps, Live kshops, Worksho Wor e... more... and mor Art and Film,, Art atre,, Film Theatre et The Street Stre

Storytelling * Poetry * Big Screen Films * Open Mic Circus * Dance Workshops * Yoga * Craft & Art Workshops Real Ale Bar * Local Produce Market

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The First Thursday Music Club, Musically Monstrous, t the very Crash Records and Charlbury Riverside Festival presen shire. ngham Bucki and shire best in musical talent from Oxford

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Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

03/06/2013 15:44

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Some of us are born with rhythm and drum-meister Duncan Lee is launching a new course on which three to six year olds can demonstrate their inner Keith Moon. Mums can come too... The con

A Rockband Workshop lineup Duncan prepares a Rhythm 4 Rascals class

The main group tuition studio

2 48

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

ince we featured Dunx Drum School in Vale Life Magazine last year, owner Duncan has seen a steady stream of drummers and musicians beat a path to his door at Westcott Venture Park, near Waddesdon. Duncan, 24, is an accomplished drummer and tutor, with a BA in Music from Oxford Brookes University and a DrumTech Diploma from Tech Music Schools in London. He has set up his studio to provide an affordable drum tuition service for local youngsters. Over the last two years he has worked tirelessly to develop his studio complex and now boasts a recording studio where he can record bands, or do online sessions (Duncan composes and records drum tracks for songwriters and musicians). He also has a large group tuition studio and a rehearsal room, which bands can hire out complete with PA and additional equipment. Duncan has developed his own in house syllabus covering grades 1-8. His Dunx Drum School books come with a CD of play along tracks to assist the students in their learning. Duncan has also recorded tuition videos which are available to students at www.dunxdrumschool.com He has been busy of late recording new drum tracks to develop the online tuition

for his students: “I’ve got about 150 videos on my channel now,” he says. I have all the grade pieces for my students who are taking Rock School grades in July. There’s 25 of them and they are all at different stages.” Dunx Drum School has run several popular Rock Band Workshops which musicians of various abilities join and and are formed into bands for the day. They learn a song which is then performed in front of an audience and filmed for YouTube. The next workshops are planned for August 20th-23rd. At one workshop Duncan met James, whose son Jack, above right, is a talented drummer, despite being only four-years-old! Duncan is so impressed by the youngster’s ability that he has decided to launch Rhythm 4 Rascals classes for three-to-six year olds.

Studio

Crash Course in Drumming for Beginners: Description:

This course is designed for children who are keen on getting stuck into drumming! The course will show them the basics in drumming along with lots of fun interactive activities. Each student will leave the workshop with a video of themselves playing along to a popular song!

Dates: 29th of July - 2nd of August

Crash Course in Drumming: Description:

This course is designed for the slightly more experienced drummer. The students spend the week perfecting, storyboarding, filming and producing their very own drum cover of one of their favourite songs. This drum cover can then be put on Youtube to show friends and family. Highly recommended for drummers looking to gain confidence! Four-year-old Jack Dates and times have yet to be confirmed but the classes will probably be around 12 or 1pm on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. If anyone is interested in going along with their 3-6 year old please get in touch with Duncan and let him know you are interested. “The classes will last about 40 minutes.” says Duncan. “Parents can sit with their child to help guide them and hopefully enjoy themselves too. We’ll start by playing djembe drums, (see picture far left), with our hands, drumming along with music from their favourite films. Duncan has built a new mixing desk, pictured left, and created a new waiting room off his studio. He’s also revamped the rehearsal room, see bottom right. As if this wasn’t enough a big concert is planned for July featuring bands from his RockBand Workshops and he has been collaborating with YouTube star Cuboyd, the man in a box from Thame and has recorded a cover of Cuboid’s theme tune. When Duncan’s not at his studio he can be seen out and about performing with various bands and also takes his interactive percussion workshop to local schools. He has about eight lined up over the next few weeks! Anyone interested in seeing Dunx Drum

School or trying drums for the first time can experience a free taster session. Just call Duncan and he’ll book you in. All ages are welcome and excitingly parents bringing their son or daughter along are welcome to join in and have a go too! l Dunx Drum School, Unit 407, Westcott Venture Park, Wescott, Nr Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0PH Tel: 07708 733288 Email: duncan@dunxdrumschool.com Website: www.dunxdrumschool.com

Dates: 5th - 9th of August and 12th - 16th of August

RockBand Workshop: Description:

A great way for young guitarists, drummers, singers, pianists and bassists to network amongst themselves. The students are put into bands for the day to learn a Rock song which is then performed in front of an audience and filmed for YouTube so they can show family and friends.

Dates: 20th - 23rd of August

Rehearsal Room: The Dunx Drum School Rehearsal Room is available for hire by local bands who would like somewhere to practice. The space costs £20 for a 2 hour practice and then £5 for each extra hour. So a four hour rehearsal would cost £30. The rehearsal room is equipped with: Microphones, Mic Stands, Mic leads and an 800 watt PA system. You can also hire additional equipment: Marshall 100 watt stack amp; Crate 120 watt stack amp; Line 6 LD170 Bass Amp; Mapex Pro M 4 piece kit with stands (no cymbals).

Rehearsal room

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

49 3

Music Column:

The Factor with Carol Jenkins

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Sound of music

Carol Jenkins

The Factor Carol is a journalist and and an ardent music fan She is also a presenter at Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio. Listen to her live at www.smhr.co.uk Email: carol@vale-life.co.uk with all your gig news and comments she’d love to hear from you. Add gigs to our website: www.vale-life.co.uk click ‘what’s on, add an event’

Carol with Steve Hackett

Rock on

ore than 30 years after appearing at the original Friars Club in Aylesbury with his band Genesis, Steve Hackett made a triumphant return to the town for a sell-out gig at the Waterside Theatre recently - now the home of the new look Friars. Although the demographic of the audience for his Genesis Revisited II Show was considerably older and arguably more respectable some three decades before, they were none the less enthusiastic and appreciative as one of our a greatest rock guitarists belted out some of those iconic Genesis hits. Fans were treated to a stunning light show and a series of breathtaking guitar solos from Hackett, who was joined by various guest artists, including 80s singer songwriter Nik Kershaw. Having interviewed Steve, I’m pleased to report that he’s not only a guitar legend, he’s also a thoroughly nice man.

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

he shares the same first name as Julie Andrew’s musical nun in The Sound of Music and Maria Scobey, right, is just as passionate about singing - she does her’s in Aylesbury though, not on an Austrian mountain! An established vocal coach and professional singer, Maria is on a mission to get us all warbling, as she believes it is an important part of self expression. Maria runs a popular workshop, appropriately called ‘A Big Voice’, every Tuesday at Queen’s Park Art Centre from 8pm-9pm, where she works with local people of all ages and abilities, providing them with the techniques and confidence to sing. Her view is that while some people are natural singers, we can all be taught to sing. However, when she appeared on my radio show recently, she did cast me a doubtful glance as I caterwauled my way through ‘Long Train Running’ by The Doobie Brothers,

Maria Scobey in a desperate attempt to prove to her that there was some raw talent hidden in there somewhere! Needless to say I won’t be booking the Albert Hall just yet. Maria performs in local pubs and clubs, where her set includes a medley of popular hits from singers including: Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox. She packed out Aylesbury pub,

Just Chillin’ W hether you are a fan of chart act Little Mix, Loveable Rogues, Tich and Projekt Weekend, or prefer a bit of 80s nostalgia in the form of Midge Ure, Tony Hadley, Rick Astley, Carol Decker and Howard Jones, then don’t miss the Chilfest music event at Pendley Meadow, Tring on July 5 and 6. To celebrate 15 years in the live event industry, local production company Universal Event Production is staging two live music concerts; one with a contemporary Pop line up on Friday 5th and an evening of classic 1980s music on Saturday 6th July. As well as providing some top quality entertainment for music fans of all ages, the event will

be raising money for two local charities: Rennie Grove Hospice Care and Aylesbury Women’s Aid. For further details, or to buy tickets got to: www.chilfest.co.uk Chilfest Tel: 01296 660006 Email: info@chilfest.co.uk

More music live

ylesbury rockers Frowser ylesbury Rock covers will be raising the roof band El Bronson claim of The Buckinghamshire to be Mexican outlaws Yeoman pub, Bedgrove on and feature a mysterious July 20th. Get there at 7pm to hear masked vocalist! They will be the boys perform original tracks performing at The Horn, Victoria from their EP The Silver Shell Club. Street, St Albans on Fri, August 2nd.

The Aristocrat recently and is a popular face among open mic performers at The Stars, The Green Man and Shoot Pool. Maria is married to local musician Mark Scobey, but plans for a large Von Trapp style musical family act are not on the horizon! To find out more about Maria’s singing workshops see: www.abigvoice.co.uk

Live Nash Brian Nash signing copies of his autobiography Nasher says Relax

rankie Goes to Hollywood guitarist Brian ‘Nasher’ Nash is headlining the Radio Rocks Music Festival in aid of Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio on August 11, at Westcott Club. Brian, whose single Relax is the seventh best selling UK single of all time, will be joining local acts including: Frowser, Devestation, Open Mind, Nickita, The Sonny Walters Band and Aylesbury-based singer Paul Adams. TV presenter Alison Keenan is opening the event at 1.30pm and there will be refreshments, plenty of family fun and a comedy stage. Tickets cost £20 per person or £50 for a family ticket For tickets go to: http:// buytickets.at/stokemandeville hospitalradio/8971 or email Carol: carol.jenkins@smhr.co.uk

by Cathy Soughton

Natural History Museum

ocated at the end of Akeman Street, Tring, housed in a purpose built Victorian building, is a fascinating museum with an amazing collection of stuffed animals, birds, reptiles and insects. Now part of the Natural History Museum, it was originally built in 1892 by Walter Rothschild, a zoologist and politician, (he was MP for Aylesbury from 1899 to 1910). From the mid 19th century, several Rothschilds, from the banking dynasty family, built or renovated country houses in the Vale of Aylesbury including Tring Park, which was purchased in 1872 by Baron Lionel de Rothschild for his son Nathaniel Mayer Rothschild as a belated wedding present. Nathaniel’s eldest son Walter was born in 1868. He had a fascination with natural history from an early age, announcing to his parents at

Lord Lionel de Rothschild in his carriage outside the Walter Rothschild Museum in1899 the age of seven that he would build his own museum. By age 10 he had collected enough stuffed animals to start his first museum in a garden shed. A number of exotic animals roamed the grounds of Tring Park including kangaroos, cassowaries, emus and giant tortoises. Walter even used zebras instead of horses to draw his carriage. His collections grew rapidly and for his 21st birthday he persuaded his father to give him some land on the outskirts of Tring Park to build a permanent private museum. Two large galleries were built to display his mounted specimens (present day galleries 1 and 3) which adjoined two new cottages in Park

Street, one providing the original entrance and housing his books and insect collection, the other for Alfred Minall and his family. Originally a joiner, Alfred was also a keen naturalist and acted as caretaker and taxidermist. The buildings were designed by local Tring architect William Huckvale, mostly in an Old English halftimbered style, similar to many of the other Rothschild public buildings in the Vale. The museum was built at a cost of £3,300 by local builders J Honour and Sons. The museum was formally opened in August 1892 and offered free admission to visitors who attended the Tring Agricultural Show at Tring Park. 5,000 people visited the museum on the first day a staggering number for the time. The collection continued to grow - by 1893 there were 300,000 beetles and 2.25 million moths and butterflies alone. With his curators, Walter published an annual scientific journal and numerous books and papers and over 5,000 new species were described. Between 1908 and 1912 a library and extra wings of the museum were built (now Galleries 4, 5 and 6). However in 1932 Walter was forced

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

to sell his extensive bird collection to the American Museum of Natural History to settle debts and pay an actress who was blackmailing him. Walter never married and when he died 5 years later in 1937 he bequeathed the museum and its collection to the British Museum of Natural History, on the condition that the Tring site remained a centre for research. During WW2 the Natural History Museum’s collections at South Kensington were evacuated to Tring. Between 1969-71 the display galleries were modernised, though they still retain a Victorian flavour, and the Bird Section moved into a new research centre on the site in 1971 which attracts researchers worldwide. Walter’s fabulous ‘Noah’s Ark’ collections can still be viewed at the museum, which is free of charge and is open daily. Regular events and activities take place; see the museum’s website for more details: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/tring/ l Cathy Soughton is a local professional genealogist and house historian: www.buckancestry.co.uk, email: soughton@btopenworld.com, Tel: 01296 624845

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The Road with Rob Auchterlonie

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Inner space Honda CR-V

s it really as far back as 1995 that Diana gave ‘that’ interview to the Beeb’s Martin Bashir? And was it really that long ago that they started selling appliances with pre-wired plugs for the first time? 1995 was notable for some significant deaths - Fred Perry, ex PM Harold Wilson, Ronnie Kray, Fred West (no loss there, obviously) but also for one significant birth - Honda’s CR-V. The Japanese giant saw fit to hit these shores with its superpractical SUV. And, years on, it still comes with that valuable commodity that families crave in a car - loads of space. Plus, for the first time in Europe, CR-V has a choice of either two or four wheel drive. The new aggressive look is a definite improvement and instantly gives the CR-V a bit more appeal and less anonymity. Its biggest plus point for me is the fact that hidden

Rob Auchterlonie

ON The Road

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l High ceilings and long ramps enable us to service

long wheelbase vans, campers and trucks

for that matter. Even with the seats up it’s got a capacity of 589 litres, and if you need the rear seats down just pull one of the handles on either side at the back and they fold flat in one easy motion. In the rear seats there’s more than enough room to allow three adults to travel in comfort, and with a flat floor they can stretch their legs without obstructions. The front cabin doesn’t disappoint either, with above average head, leg and shoulder room and a good all round view through the glass. Considering its price tag the CR-V lacks a bit in the quality of the dash area - the plastics used don’t quite live up to the picture painted by the exterior of the car, but there’s no denying the high level of equipment. S trimmed CR-Vs get plenty to begin with, SE adds extras like a rear view camera, electric mirrors, Bluetooth, and park sensors, with the SR sampled here, adding in bigger 18 inch alloys, rear privacy glass, a premium DAB audio

system, ambient light in the door lining, half leather and alcantara trim, active cornering light system and roof rails. CR-V has always found favour for its car-like driving dynamics. There’s a bit of roll but nothing that makes you want to grip the wheel tighter for reassurance, because everything hidden away underneath is doing what it’s supposed to. The brakes are good, the gearbox is a model of precision, and the smooth and refined 2.2 i-DTEC engine has more than enough grunt to cope with everyday motoring situations.

‘The new, aggressive look is a definite improvement’

AT A GLANCE: Honda CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC SR 4wd; £28,540; six speed manual gearbox; 150ps, 350Nm; 0-62mph 9.7 secs, Top speed 118mph; Fuel: urban 42.2, extra urban 53.3, combined 48.7; CO2 154g/km; Will it fit the garage? 4570/1820/1650 (l/w/h). l Follow Rob Auchterlonie Twitter: @robauchy

Self-Drive Van Hirehire 3B Hire & Servicing, Townsend Garage, Thame Road, Haddenham, Bucks HP17 8BY Tel: 01844 291430 w car, van, mpv & minibus hire w vehicle servicing - all makes & models w car valeting w tyres, exhausts, batteries

www.3bhire.co.uk Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

With Summer upon us trips away are in mind. Haddenham based 3B have a range of hire vehicles which can be taken abroad if required and if you are travelling in your own car they will happily check it over for you beforehand and advise as to legal requirements for continental motoring...

s the Summer holidays draw nearer there will be many of us planning trips away, whether for a week’s vacation or a day trip with family and friends. It’s fun, convenient and cost effective to travel together if possible but we don’t all have vehicles which can cope with several people and their luggage. Or it may be that we don’t fancy driving across the continent in the family runabout and would prefer a more reliable or newer vehicle. 3B Hire in Haddenham, (run by the three Bs: Ross, Lesley and Alan Batting), has some very roomy options, from family cars to group minibuses and is happy for you to take the vehicles abroad, which some hire firms won’t allow: “We are an independent company and are able to offer very reasonable rates,” says 3B director Ross Batting, “especially when you look at the cost per head. “We find people may hire a car out if they are doing a longer trip and their car is not that reliable. The minibuses are popular with schools, clubs, stag and hen parties and weekend trips, we have sizes up to 17 seaters. To drive one with over eight passenger seats you need a D1 category on your driving licence, but if you passed your test before January 1997 you will have that automatically - new drivers now have to take a separate minibus driving test.” 3Bs rates include fully comprehensive insurance, breakdown cover, green cards and

Toyota Verso, 7 seater, 2013 54

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Ross Batting

Vauxhall Vivaro 9 seat, long wheel base, 2008 minibus

documentation for travelling abroad, plus the compulsory emergency triangle, high visibility vest, first aid kit and so on. The rates work out slightly more per day for continental travel because of the extra costs involved. The stylish Toyota Verso below would cost £150 to hire for the weekend (Friday afternoon to Monday morning), or £360 for week of UK hire. “We have a complete range of vehicles,” says Ross, “from smaller cars such as a Ford Fiesta at £29 per day to Transits and Luton Vans, which are popular for moving home, and range from £45 per day for a Berlingo to £79 for a Luton with tail lift. We’ve got short

wheel bases, long wheel bases, something for everyone! Modern vans are much easier to drive and more comfortable than they used to be. “Here at 3B you get the personal service of a family company and the most competitive rates. Our phonelines are manned 24/7 and our website has vehicle options and pricelists. “Give us a call and we’ll make sure you have a vehicle that suits at a price that’s right.” l 3B Vehicle Hire Ltd, Townsend Garage, Thame Road, Haddenham, Bucks, HP178BY Tel: 01844 291430 Email: sales@3bhire.co.uk Website: www.3bhire.co.uk

Above and left: Vauxhall Vivaro 9 seat minibus

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Getting your car serviced is one thing but imagine running a fleet of vehicles which need regular maintenance and repairs. One Aylesbury garage is offering both a personal service and a low cost alternative to main dealers. KM Commercials aim to keep you on the road and in pocket...

evin Mortimer is an experienced Mercedes Benz trained mechanic who has worked on all manner of commercial vehicles. He set up KM Commercials around two years ago, initially to specialise in repairing and servicing Mercedes trucks and vans, but the business has quickly grown to become a fully-fledged car and commercial vehicle repair, service and MOT facility, covering all makes and models of vehicle, with Mercedes a speciality. “I started on my own with just a corner of the workshop here,” says Kevin. “But things have really spiralled. There’s five of us here most days now and often we’re working from eight in the morning to nine at night. “My dad was a lorry driver and I got interested in mechanics helping him out with odd jobs. I grew up in Aylesbury and went to Quarrendon School. When I left I worked for Red Rover in their bus garage and then for a local transport company before joining Aylesbury Truck, who serviced all types of military vehicles from pushbikes to tanks! I had a couple of years at Heathrow working for Esso, maintaining their airport fleet and worked for a local Mercedes Benz specialist where I trained as a Mercedes technician and worked on a wide variety of Mercedes trucks and vans. “When I first set up on my own the idea was to specialise in Mercedes. Many of the companies I deal with have fleets of various makes though, so I’ve invested in additional technology and we are now equipped to deal with all makes and models.” KM Commercials’ premises are on Smeaton Road, Aylesbury near Gatehouse Way. The unit originally belonged to Arriva and was used as a drive through bus wash, so has plenty of headroom! “The premises are a work in progress,” says Kevin. “We’re gradually improving and cleaning up the facilities here, which had become a little tired, but with a constant stream of vehicles to service it’s an ongoing job! “Anyone with a van or truck is welcome

From left: Richard, Kevin, Jock, Alan and Ryan to get in touch. We have contracts for fleet servicing for a number of large, local firms, but we are happy to deal with smaller operations, from independents with one vehicle, upwards. We are an independent garage that can offer you the quality of service that a main dealer would, but at a much lower cost. Our labour rates are only £35 per hour, that’s less than half some charge, but we have diagnostic equipment, courtesy vans, a recovery service and a mobile service. We do a lot of Preventive Maintenance Inspections (PMI) for companies with lorries, mini-buses, taxis and HGVs. They could be 6, 8, or 12 weekly, depending on mileage. Often we will go out to the client to do the inspections, although

it’s good to have the vehicles up on the ramp every now and then. “We offer a personal service - and aim to be here to help, whether it’s a breakdown call-out, loan of a van, or a site visit to get a vehicle going. We know that to many people, their vehicle is their livelihood, so they need a quick response. “It’s been a hard slog but I’m really enjoying it,” says Kevin. “I haven’t had a holiday for two years and we often work late to get a job out urgently, but there’s a lot of satisfaction in doing the job right. l KM Commercials, Unit 7a, Smeaton Close, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP19 8SU. Tel: 07720 706918 Email: hardworking_kev@yahoo.co.uk

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

55 3

Win a personalised Zatchels bag from their Bicester ‘pop up’ shop

atchels bags and accessory collections are lovingly handmade made in England and currently riding high at the forefront of British designer craftsmanship. Excitingly their exclusive designs and limited edition, discounted collections are now available just up the road, at Bicester Shopping Village. In just under two years Zatchels have become one of the UK’s ‘buzz’ brands with a high end portfolio of retail stockists worldwide and a thriving online store. Zatchels is the global accessories brand to be seen with this year - you’ll have noticed Zatchels bags regularly grace the pages of the glossy fashion magazine elite, championed and supported as a ‘must have’ brand time and again by Grazia, The Sunday Times ‘Hot List’ and Vogue.com and even Brit celebrities can’t get enough: Rita Ora, Ellie Golding, Jessie J, Zara Martin, the Mcfly boys, Jason Gardiner and Eliza Doolittle... all have been recently spotted sporting a Zatchel. Bicester Zatchels will be offering shoppers a diverse mix of bag styles to choose from. Their classic ‘staple’ satchel shape comes in five sizes, and has the option of a carry handle. Their saddle bags are available in small and large sizes, while their popular ‘bucket style’ barrel bag is an ideal mini ‘fashionista’ bag of choice. The exclusive Executive collection 56

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

of double fronted pocket bags is designed for business and professional use. In addition to their bag lines Zatchels have just launched a series of top of the range accessories which include iPad cases, luggage labels, men’s belts, wallets and portfolio cases. All Zatchels products are made from the finest leathers, with the focus on quality and production. Every Zatchels product is hand

crafted within their Leicester HQ, home to the Zatchels highly skilled workforce. Furthermore Zatchels are offering Bicester shoppers an exclusive service to personalise their Zatchels products in-store! Zatchels ‘never seen before’ laser engraving technique can be applied to bags and selected accessories. Shoppers will be able to personalise their Zatchels purchases with their initials, their name, or a short message. Bicester shoppers will be able to walk away with their own bespoke designer Zatchels products. Something completely original to them, reflecting the traditional heritage of a truly iconic British designer brand who are flying the flag worldwide for top quality merchandise and production.

If you’d like the chance to win a personalised Zatchels bag of your choice from their Bicester store, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk In which British city are Zatchels bags made? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email by July 31st. l Zatchels Pop-up Shop, Bicester Village, OX26 6WD Web: www.zatchels.com

Vale Life

Great special offers for Vale Life readers

e’ve some most excellent businesses here in the Vale, run by the loveliest of people and they’d like to offer Vale Life readers some great money-saving offers! Have a read through the vouchers below and see how you can save a few pounds, whether it’s a great value coffee at The Bell, Stoke Mandeville, an

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Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Men’s barbers, 245 Main Road, Walter’s Ash, Bucks, HP14 4HT Men’s hair: £10.50 Wash & Cut: £14 Boy’s hair: £8.50 Crew cut: £6.50 Senior Citizen: £6.50 Under 5s: £6.50 Saturdays: all cuts £12

Email: suesflowers2@hotmail.com www.suesflowers.co.uk

Tel: 07742 361711

Open Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 9.30am to 5pm Sat: 7.30am to 4pm, Thur: closed

43b Buckingham Street, Aylesbury, HP20 2NQ Tel: 01296 423233 / 0800 298 8514

Email: s.madness@yahoo.co.uk www.facebook.com/shear.madness1 www.shear-madness.webs.com

w Weddings w Corporate w Special Occasions w w Birthdays Parties w Sympathy w Gifts w w Soft Toys w Wines and Champagne w Innovative, contemporary and traditional designs

J.T. RecoveRy SeRviceS Debt recovery for small businesses Chasing overdue accounts can be frustrating and time consuming. Cash flow is crucial though, so let us worry about your overdue accounts, while you concentrate on running your business

F no ina ti l ce

No wiN - No fee Tel: 0781 4398284 Email: JTRecoveryServices@yahoo.co.uk

Les Liney

Vehicle Hire Car and van hire All sizes available including Luton tail lifts AA Cover Also available: Fully Insured 24 hour accident and Unlimited Mileage breakdown service Customer Parking

Tel: 01844 292783 Mobile: 07860 795236

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Old Farm Workshops Haddenham Road Kingsey, HP17 8LS

Bucks Camping Trailers trailers, parts and accessories Based Near Aylesbury, sales stockist for Maypole Trailers, Streetwize Camel Trailers and accessories

Pete Johnson Office Tel: 01296 641323 Mobile Tel: 07814 287090 Email: sales@buckscampingtrailers.com www.buckscampingtrailers.com

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www.wendover-computers.co.uk Using a computer can be frustrating at times, so why not let me help. I am a qualified IT Technician and can assist with all your computer needs at very competitive rates. Call Pete on: 0800 3118385, Mobile: 07881 555482 Email peter@wendover-computers.co.uk

01296 423769

julie@jamtasticdesign.co.uk

Landlords Special Launch Offers

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K Collins Felt & Flat Roofing Specialist Local business, Roofmaster approved Established 1969

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We also do slate and tiling repairs and chimney repointing

Call today for a free estimate 01296 655526 / 07831 465501

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Country estate management, equestrian facilities, grounds and garden maintenance, water features, landscaping, artificial turf installation and lots more…

& Maintaining our Landscape

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9:48 am

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R.W. PEARCE & SON LTD RO O F I N G C O N T R AC T O R S Established 1958 Specialists in re-roofing Period Properties, Country Cottages, Farm Houses and Barns, using traditional materials. Slating and tiling repairs undertaken.

Transforming

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01296 318584 info@redslettings.co.uk www.redslettings.co.uk

T: 0844 800 7644 M: 07778 277 222 E: enquiries@groundforcecontractors.co.uk W: www.groundforcecontractors.co.uk

01844 345859 email:rwpearce@btconnect.com

Vale Life : Jun/July 2013

Watermark, Worminghall Road, Oakley, HP18 9UL Family run business designing, supplying and installing kitchens and bathrooms for over 25 years Our extensive showrooms are open to the public - do drop in Bring us your measurements for your Free kitchen or bathroom design

Handmade Bespoke Kitchens now on display