Vale Life Magazine May/June 2012 by Charlie Trott

FREE MAGAZINE

Your free magazine for Aylesbury, Thame and the surrounding area

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May/June 2012

Inside:

Who’s the Daddy?

Getting the beers in for Father’s Day Free local listings for events and businesses

Take me home

www.vale-life.co.uk

Vale Life

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

Bottoms Up!

Fine gin and sloegasms from the Foxdenton Estate

What’s Cooking?

Win a Raymond Blanc Cookery School Course

A little Horse Sense

Equine therapy is helping youngsters

Penny, Ruby, Matt and much, much more...

Cover image: Bluebell Woods by Kate Hopewell-Smith www.katehopewellsmith.com Tel: 07725 233247

w Crazy photography w Raymond Blanc cookery school course w w dinner for Two at the five arrows w Mia Tui Bag w Mumlin w

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Vale Life : May/June 2012

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

Who’s the daddy?

C’est chic

Bottoms up!

Winning formula

11 One hungry gent

Perfect fit

What’s cooking?

Room to rent

Someone to talk to

Appliance of science

A little horse sense

The heat is on

Goldmember

Luverley jubilee

Paws for thought

Charity treats for midnight feats

Filling the gap

Dahliferous day

Pure fabrication

A rural affair

8 10

12 15 16 20 21 22 26

Get the beers in, it’s Father’s Day! Sloe far so good for Foxdenton Matt’s got his eye on Miss Piggy Win a Raymond Blanc Cookery School Course Put your life back on track with CBT Equine therapy is helping youngsters Zac Purchase on rowing for gold Helen Peacocke’s just-a-walking the dog When the NHS says no can do Material girl to spread her wings

Chez Blanc puts the accent on furniture Crocketts open gateway to success Stove style is what’s hot on the hearth First base for new business Taxi firm is just tech-tastic

Summer sizzlers on the stage Aylesbury fun is all for free

Pamper yourself ready for a midnight stroll All things Roald at the big parade Country living just can’t be beat

Will 2012 be an annus mirabilis?

hat excitement in Thame this week with the visit of Camilla, HRH the Duchess of Cornwall, who was attending a freedom of the town parade with personnel from RAF Halton, as their Honorary Air Commodore. The Duchess accepted the Freedom of entry to the town on behalf of RAF Halton in a spectacular ceremony watched by hundreds of people in the town centre. A military band and body of airmen and women marched in silence from the Southern Road recreation area, into the town centre, where the Duchess, dressed in a striking air force blue outfit and matching hat, was presented with a framed scroll by the Mayor of Thame in his red robe. There was then a dramatic unsheathing of bayonets by the RAF who are apparently now allowed to brandish their weapons in the town! With the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations coming

ongratulations to the following Mar/Apr 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

up fast and the first anniversary of Kate and Wills wedding upon us, it seems that the Royals are enjoying something of a resurgence in popularity. Time then for Vale Life’s own little tribute to her majesty in the form of this fabulous photograph taken by Pete Griffith of All People Photography in Waddesdon. We feature Pete and his business partner Michelle on pages 28 and 29 of this edition. While interviewing him for the feature he mentioned work he does for Helen & Douglas House in Oxford, which provides hospice care for children and young adults. He photographed HM the Queen there in 2004 when she officially opened Douglas House, a ‘respice’ for people between 16 and 40 with life-shortening conditions, Happy reading

Charlie

Charlie Trott: editor@vale-life.co.uk

competitions inside this edition, including the chance to win: a Raymond Blanc Cookery School Course; Dinner for two at The Five Arrows, Waddesdon; a copy of Crazy Photography; a Mumlin and a Mia Tui Amelie bag. Last issue’s prizewinners were:

Dinner for two at The Angel: Sally Munday, Crowell A Sarah Cole Jubilee Mug: Lesley Entrecott, Aylesbury; Elizabeth Mellor, Wendover; Lilian Bannister, Chesterton; Helen Trundley, Hemel

Hempstead; Rosemary Harris, Ludgersall Hotel Chocolat Selection: Rachel Sampson, Chearsley; Ann Murdoch, Waddesdon; Mr P. Dudley, Aylesbury Luxury Welsh Spa stay: Mrs C Galley, Princes Risborough.

Front cover picture: Bluebell woods taken by Kate Hopewell-Smith, www.katehopewellsmith.com Tel: 07725 233247 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 : May/June 2012

Sunday, June 17th, is Father’s Day, the perfect occasion to show the big man how much you care. It won’t take much - so surprise him, this year get him something he will really enjoy...

n the UK Father’s Day is held on the third Sunday of June. It is a day to honour fathers and father figures, such as grandfathers and fathers-in-law. Some think the idea may originate in pagan sun worship, as there are forms of paganism that see the sun as the father of the universe. The summer solstice occurs around the same time of year as Father’s Day, suggesting a link between the two. The idea of a special day to celebrate fatherhood was introduced here from the United States. There, a lady by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd, was inspired by American Mother’s Day celebrations to suggest dads deserved something similar. Nice one Doddsy! Over there the event has been celebrated in June since 1910 and the idea has gradually filtered across. Many people now make a special effort to be with their fathers or to send them a card or gifts on the day. As is the lot of poor old dad though, the usual efforts are: mugs, ties, socks, underwear, or even worse, tools for household maintenance or garden work! Of course anything with ‘World’s Best Dad’, or simply ‘Dad’ if you are not too sure, is appropriate and a reminder to the recipient not only of his responsibilities but that somebody cares. Photographs of children printed on desk calendars, mugs, T-shirts, mouse mats, bags and even ties can later be taken to the office to avoid cluttering the home and to remind dad why he is working so hard. Of course, if organised in time, mothers and family members can help children to make personalised cards and gifts, with drawings done by the children. This will make dad extremely emotional as it minimises the cost, and he will have a lovely keepsake to treasure. Some family members do show a little more initiative giving luxury food items or even better, a drop of booze! There is no doubt that most dads need to relax with a pint or two every now and then, so read our beery guide to the fabulous range of beers, gifts and tours, available from our local breweries, that would make the ideal pressie for the father in your life, after all, he is the daddy! 8

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Make Father’s Day special with Brill Beer! Available in bottles or draught, in Minipins or Polypins, Vale Brewery favourite beers have been crafted since 1995 in Haddenham and from 2007 in Brill. Try a case of 12 bottles mixed to suit your taste or for a gathering, a 17pint minipin or 35pint Polypin. Well known Vale beers are: Wychert: A terrific malty tasting traditional bitter, excellent flavours and a subtle fruity finish. VPA: Vale Pale Ale a Bronze medal winner at the Great British Beer Festival, a dry hoppy ale with a great citrus nose and a clean fresh taste, Gravitas: A strong, pale ale packed with hop and Citrus flavours, rounded off by

a dry malty biscuit finish with a pronounced hop aroma throughout and more recently a new addition Red Kite: a 4% bitter created with four different malts, a subtle hop finish and a colour reminiscent of its avian namesake. Next Vale Brewery Open Day is the Saturday after Father’s Day, Saturday, June 23rd, when you can bring dad to taste a wide variety of different beers and visit our beautiful brewery in Brill. The Vale Brewery, Tramway Business Park, Ludgershall Road, Brill, Bucks, HP18 9TY Website: www.valebrewery.co.uk On Facebook as Vale Brewery Tel: 01844 239237

Wychwood Brewery Brewing in Witney dates back to 1811 and Wychwood Brewery is sited at the Old Eagle Maltings, built more than 150 years ago when barley was malted for the town’s brewery. Today Wychwood brews an extensive range of high quality crafted ale each year using traditional methods and is home of the legendary Hobgoblin and Brakspear beers. In January 1996 the first Hobgoblin beer in bottles was produced. It is now the flagship

beer of Wychwood Brewery and the 3rd best selling premium bottled ale in the UK. In 2004, Wychwood Brewery began brewing Brakspear beers following a £1 Million refurbishment. Much of the original brewing plant from the Brakspear Brewery in Henley on Thames was incorporated into the existing brewery. The brewery tour experience takes approximately two hours and includes a complimentary drink in the Cellar Bar, a tour of the brewery, a bottle tasting session, and the opportunity to look around the brewery store. All of Wychwood’s merchandise

The con

Tring Brewery Take a tour of Chiltern Brewery Buckinghamshire and The Chilterns’ oldest independent brewery, The Chiltern Brewery in Terrick near Wendover, is ‘bubbling’ over with great looking and beautifully packaged gift ideas for Father’s Day. The lovely presentation pack of six of their best and most popular bottled beers is ideal as a gift and includes John Hampdens and Battle of Britain ales and the award winning Three Hundreds Old Ale. It is priced at £17.40. Alternatively the pack can include five bottles and a lovely stemmed Chiltern Brewery glass from which to try the beers for an extra £1. If the dad concerned prefers his beer draught then the new eye catching and environmentally friendly Eight Pint Sharing Pack is ideal with a choice of four beers starting at a very reasonable £19.95. Finally, the secrets of beer making and the fascinating history of The Chiltern Brewery are there to be explored on an inspiring

and bottled beers are available to purchase. The Brewery Store is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Tours take place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons throughout the year (excluding public holidays). Pre-booking is essential as the tours are extremely popular. The cost of a tour is £7.50 per person. To check availability, and to make an online booking, visit www.wychwood.co.uk or call: 01993 890800.

tour of the brewery at Terrick. Vouchers for the one hour tours, which are held on most Fridays and Saturdays are available as original and very different gift ideas for £10.50. The tour concludes with a tutored beer and food tasting session sitting down in the shop, above, with a delicious selection of beers and nibbles. The gift packs and vouchers are available online at www.chilternbrewery.co.uk although the Eight Pint Sharing Pack and the presentation pack with the glass need to be collected from the beautiful old brewery shop at Terrick.

Whether you want to tantalise his taste buds with one of our monthly specials or knock him out (not literally) with a bottle of Death or Glory, Tring has something for your Dad. Our lovingly crafted ales are available in bottles, supplied singularly, in boxes of three or 12 and in bags of six. In addition at least eight different cask ales means you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to beer presents! Hey we even have branded barbecue aprons, Tee, Polo and Rugby shirts. Don’t feel brave enough to choose a beer?... there are always gift vouchers, which can be redeemed against anything in the brewery shop.

Vale Life : May/June 2012

If you’ve never had a sloegasm, you don’t know what you’re missing! The combination of Champagne and sloe gin is only one way of enjoying Foxdenton’s gin-tastic drinks though...

he Foxdenton Estate Company is a family run business that specialises in the artisan production of English gin and gin liqueurs. The firm is run by Winslow couple Nick Radclyffe and Virginia Curzon Berners. Nick’s family first acquired the Foxdenton Estate in 1367. The original estate is near Oldham, Lancashire, but during the 1800s the family took on new lands in Dorset and mainly lived there. The Radclyffes have a proud history of military service, family members have served in the Dragoon Guards and the Life Guards and Nick himself went to Sandhurst after school, before moving to a career in the city. “The Foxdenton Estate company was formed in 1935 by Major C. R. E. Radclyffe,” says Nick, “and passed to me in 2001 on the death of my father Alexander. Since then we have tried to develop the company as befits our history. The family has been associated with hunting and shooting since the early 1800s and we have been making fruit liqueurs at home, like many who are keen on field sports. “I went shooting with friends, about five years ago, and took a bottle of my homemade plum gin along. They all said how good it was and that I should market it. It seemed like a great idea, as I would be mixing two of my favourite activities - shooting and drinking! “I looked at the sloe gins being served at shoots and thought there was room for a personalised product that could be branded with the shooting estate’s own label. “We decided to make good, traditional

Nick mans the bottling machine 10

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Nick and Virginia and their delicious sloe gin

Damson gin in the making

English drinks based on my old family recipes and proceeded to develop the ones we most enjoy ourselves!” Fruits used for Foxdenton English fruit liqueurs include plums, raspberries, blackcurrants and wild fruits like sloe berries: “We use gin as the base for our drinks,” says Nick, “We have also now developed our own special high strength gin, ‘Foxdenton 48%’ aimed at discerning drinkers for whom strength and flavour are important. “Virginia and I started producing fruit gins at home in 2009,” says Nick. We sourced a distiller to make a gin for our recipe and we picked the fruit locally ourselves.” “The first batches were made in Kilner jars whereas we now use special containers and some of our fruit is sourced from further afield now too, like our damsons which come from Herefordshire. We started selling at Estrella Delicatessen in Winslow and through other local, independent stores like The Chiltern Brewery Shop in Terrick. “We took a stall at the Herts County show and completely sold out. It was wonderful, we realised we had a business with potential.” Nick and Virginia are now helped by Nick’s sons Charles and Piers and business partner, John Simpson who handles international orders and exports. They moved to premises in Buckingham two years ago and have been quietly expanding: “Developing the London Dry Gin was a big step up,” say Nick. “John is a keen gin drinker and he worked with us to develop the recipe. We wanted a gin that would taste fantastic in

a gin and tonic, so it is quite citrusy - there’s lemon peel and lime flower, Angelica and Orris Root in with the base botanicals of Juniper and Coriander seeds. It took about six months to get it right before we took a big breath and bottled our first 1,000 litres! “It is a premium ‘Export Strength’ London Dry Gin and has sold very well. It is sold in Harrods and top merchants like Lea & Sandeman export it all over the world. It won a silver medal and ‘Best in Class’ at last year’s International Wine & Spirit Competition.” Foxdenton now supply many shoots with their own label drinks and have just started making a gin, a sloe gin and a Piri Piri chilli sherry condiment for popular country pursuits brand, Tottering by Gently. They also supply miniature, half and full bottles as corporate gifts, or wedding favours - you can have your own label made up if you order a fairly minimal amount. Find out more on the Foxdenton website or catch Nick and Virginia at Winslow Farmers Market, Waddesdon Country Show or Bucks County Show. If you fancy a sloegasm though, you may have to supply your own Champagne!. l Foxdenton Estate Company Ltd 40 Celtic Court, Ball Moor Road Buckingham MK18 1RQ. Tel: 01280 824855 Email: nick@foxdentonestate.co.uk Website: www.foxdentonestate.co.uk

l Column: Matt Brown - One Hungry Gent A close shave for brains and brawn

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Matt Brown

ONE Hungry Gent

am sitting writing this and looking lovingly into the eyes of a cute little piggy. Well, that’s not entirely true. What I’m actually doing is looking lovingly into the dead eyes of a decapitated pig’s head that is languishing in my fridge. Let me explain. In those far off, crisp and cold days that history will record as ‘just before Christmas’, we acquired a pig at a party. I want to l Listen to Matt Brown on Heart make it absolutely clear that this Breakfast With Matt and Michelle (weekdays 6-9am 102.6FM). is not a countryside version of Tweet Matt at twitter.com/frazzleddaddy throwing car keys into a fruit bowl. www.onehungrygent.blogspot.com It was a perfectly normal and forgetting, the head. The head I straightforward party celebrating am going to use to make brawn, the festive season in which you which in case you don’t know take a bottle of wine and is a rich, meaty, and bring home a pig. utterly delicious kind So, we tended ‘I honestly never gave of terrine. For those much thought to the and fed the of a Lincolnshire pigs until the notion of shaving my bent I offer you my beginning of April own dinner’ sincere condolences but and now, after some would ask you to bring Haslet to slightly more brutal ‘tending’ by mind, which is much the same sort the butcher, have a freezer full of of porky parcel. sausages, bacon, chops, offal, Having never made brawn trotters, roasting joints and, not

This little piggie went wee, wee, wee, all the way to the barbers before, I took to the Internet, where it would seem there are as many videos showing you how to make it as there are videos of cats that look like Hitler. It all seems jolly easy too. You make a stock of the pig’s head, pick off the meat, pour over the strained liquor and bung in the fridge. However, there is one rather unusual instruction before you put the stock on to boil and that is to ‘take a disposable razor and shave the pig’. Now, to be brutally honest I cannot stand shaving, but is there a person on this pale blue dot that we call home who does. I have long wondered at the necessity and convention to take a sharp blade and

scrape it across one’s neck, legs, back, moobs, nose, ears, toes and cheeks (front and back). I never honestly gave much thought to the notion of shaving my own dinner, but to be frank, the prospect does not appeal. Still, needs must as they say. Perhaps one of my darling children could give me the ultimate foodie Father’s Day present of a silver-plated razor especially for the debearding of the pig? Either that or they could do it for me. Now that really would be porcine perfection. l Hear Matt’s latest story from The Creepy Valley here...http:// thecreepyvalley.com/podcasts

Cold pressed popcorn a sweet’n’salty delight

imon Mead's Chiltern Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil must have magical powers, for Simon seems blessed with boundless energy and a knack of coming up with great new ideas for blending his oil into delicious new products. His latest is popcorn! Simon has elicited the services of a man who supplies American Air Force bases with vital supplies of fresh popcorn should they have a special occasion to celebrate. He actually makes ‘kettle’ corn as the corn is heated up with sugar, salt and oil in a giant cast iron kettle: “It is lovely and crisp,” says Simon, “Not like the ‘polystyrene’ you get masquerading as popcorn in some places, these days! I’ve been eating rather too much of it, it is very moorish!” Simon has bags of the sweet’n’ salty flavoured snack on sale now, in two sensible sizes: ‘big’ and ‘giant’. Away from the munching, Simon has found time to add some new flavours to his infused oil range.

“We’re now doing a Chiltern Cold Pressed oil infused with Porcini, one infused with Rosemary and a stir fry oil infused with lemongrass and ginger. “I’m really pleased with the way things are going,” says Simon. “The oils are selling well and my stockists seem happy to take on the new flavours.” With Summer on the way no doubt his dressings will see a surge in demand too. Meanwhile back at the farm shop in Wilstone, new supplies of fresh English asparagus are in, mostly from localish growers and a selection of colourful bedding plants is available, for those prepared to brave the elements and get planting! Here at Vale Life some sweet’n’salty popcorn and a good movie is a more likely scenario! l PE Mead & Sons Farm Shop, Wilstone, Nr Tring, HP23 4NT Tel: 01442 828478 Web: www.chilterncoldpressed rapeseedoil.co.uk Vale Life : May/June 2012

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Win a Raymond Blanc Cookery School course!

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The master chef shows how it’s done school’s chefs, has devised a mouthwatering selection of one, two and four-day courses suitable for everyone, from novice to accomplished enthusiast. Whether you want to learn the art of breadmaking, experiment with seafood or simply learn more about nutrition, there’s a course for you. For the mageirocophobic - those who fear cooking - the Learn to Cook in One Day is an intensive taster session that will equip you with the basic cookery knowhow and have you creating a delicious three course meal by the end of the day. If you’re slightly more adventurous and you have a special event planned, why not enrol on the Summer Dinner Party day and wow your guests with seasonal starters, mains and classic desserts? There’s even advice from the professionals on what to do if things get chaotic in the kitchen on the night. Seasonal courses run throughout the year to help you plan your perfect soirée. Especially for Father’s Day, on June 17th, is a one-day Patisserie & Desserts course, when you can make classic cakes such as Le Manoir’s famous lemon drizzle as well as soufflé and chocolate Marquise. For those ready for the next level, the school runs a series of Four-Day Residential Courses combining expert tuition on food preparation and presentation with five nights’

luxurious accommodation and fine dining at Le Manoir. The school also runs an overnight Food and Wine Tasting course for which head tutor Mark Peregrine and chef sommelier Arnaud Goubet impart the secrets of food and wine marrying, while you learn how to cook Le Manoir’s classic dishes. To get the next generation of chefs fired up about food, there are fast and fun Children’s Courses, which include exploring the garden to create a feast for lunch, followed by a sugar-filled afternoon of chocolate tasting and dessert making. All courses include a delicious informal lunch at the school as well as morning and afternoon tea. If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning a place on a Raymond Blanc Cookery School day course at Le Manoir, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Who is head tutor at The Raymond Blanc Cookery School? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email by June 10th. l The Raymond Blanc Cookery School, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Church Road, Great Milton, Oxford, OX44 7PD Tel: 01844 278881 Email: reservations@blanc.co.uk Website: www.manoir.com

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Vale Life : May/June 2012

Budding chefs have the pick of Le Manoir’s kitchen garden

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Vale Life : May/June 2012

Win dinner for two at The Five Arrows

uilt by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild in 1887 to house the master craftsmen working on his magnificent Waddesdon Manor, The Five Arrows hotel and restaurant is one of the most striking buildings in the village of Waddeson. It takes its name from the five arrows of the Rothschild family shield, with each arrow denoting one of the five sons dispatched by Mayer Amschel Rothschild to set up the family banking empire in the then financial capitals of Europe - Frankfurt, Vienna, Naples, London and Paris. Today, in keeping with its Rothschild heritage, the Five Arrows specialises in modern European cuisine - think roast guinea fowl with savoy cabbage, lardons and thyme jus, or duo of local venison with celeriac puree, braised red cabbage, wild mushrooms and redcurrant jus - served up in elegant but informal surroundings. The Grade II listed Five Arrows also makes a classic venue for a

wedding, civil partnership or private party. Ceremonies for up to 70 guests take place in the charmingly rustic Cartshed set in the Five Arrows’ stunning grounds, followed by a gourmet meal in the restaurant. Boutique accommodation is also available, with the individually styled rooms filled with antiques and objets from Waddesdon Manor and all named after Rothschild houses. If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning dinner for two with a bottle of Rothschild Estate wine, at The Five Arrows, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk Where do weddings take place at The Five Arrows? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email by June 10th. l The Five Arrows, High Street, Waddesdon, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP18 0JE Tel: 01296 651727 Website: www.thefivearrows.co.uk

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Vale Life : May/June 2012

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l Column: Ruby Moukli

Aylesbury’s own American foodie

his summer is about two things: the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics. Of the two, I’m most looking forward to the Jubilee. That may sound strange coming from an American. After all, we fought a war to escape the British monarchy, didn’t we? But Queen Elizabeth won me over one hot February day in Abu Dhabi in 1979, when she told me how much she liked Seattle, my hometown. Yes, I met the Queen, and Prince Philip, and grew up thinking that most of you Brits had also had the pleasure. Apparently not. And, to really wind you up, I didn’t even see it as an honour at the time. In fact, when scolded by my English mother for not curtseying, I haughtily replied, “she’s not MY queen.” Sorry. I’ve softened slightly since. Even if I still don’t buy into the notion that royals are intrinsically any better than the rest of us, I do think they’re fun to have around, and a great excuse for a garden party. Another American who met Her Majesty, long before I did, was also very impressed, not only with her conversation but with the drop scones she served at Balmoral. Years later she sent him her recipe. Her letter to President Dwight D Eisenhower is now publicly available in the US government archives. And, best of all, so is her recipe. And here you have it. Not only a quirky conversation piece, but a royally appropriate treat to serve at your Jubilee party, don’t you think? And, if you’re not a royalist, these would make a lovely breakfast in bed for Dad on Father’s Day simply adjust the recipe accordingly (unless he can eat for 16 people).

Queen Elizabeth II’s Drop Scones (Serves 16) What You Need: 4 teacups flour 4 Tbsp caster sugar 2 teacups milk 2 whole eggs 1 Tsp bicarbonate of soda 3 Tsp cream of tartar 2 Tbsp melted butter What You Do: 1. Beat eggs, sugar and about half of the milk together. 2. Add flour and mix well together, adding remainder of milk as required. 3. Add bicarbonate of soda and cream of tartar, and mix. 4. Finally, fold in melted butter. Note: Her Majesty did not include cooking instructions, so here are mine. Heat up a lightly oiled skillet or crêpe pan and drop a heaped soupspoon of batter on for each scone. You can do about five at a time. When large bubbles come to the surface, gently flip them over and cook for a further 30 seconds, until browned. Scones can be stored for a couple of days in the fridge, in a sealed container.

l Ruby Moukli is a local writer, photographer and author of popular food blog Tomayto Tomaaahto, which you can read online at www.tomaytotomaaahto.com

Vale Life : May/June 2012

“

We soon pop to the doctors if feeling physically unwell but if life is getting you down and there are everyday issues that you are finding hard to cope with, just who do you call ?

alking is always good,” says Wendy Willis, “when people come to see me for a counselling or therapy session they can talk through their issues in a safe and confidential way; perhaps talk about things they feel they can’t discuss with close friends and family. “If we can establish trust and a good relationship I can help my client look at their issues and manage those issues better.” Wendy is an experienced counsellor, she qualified in 2001, and developed an interest in Cognative Behavioural Therapy (CBT) while teaching at Aylesbury Young Offenders Institute. “I gained a degree in English and Politics as a mature student at Oxford Brookes,” says Wendy. “I taught at Aylesbury College and at Oxpens and then did some part-time GCSE English teaching at Aylesbury prison. “There I also worked on behavioural programmes for young offenders which used CBT in ‘Reasoning and Rehabilitation’ courses. I could see how helpful the CBT was to some of those offenders, it really worked. “I’d already done CBT training programmes but decided to enrol at Birmingham University, completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in 2010.” Wendy also has an Advanced Diploma in Eating Disorders, a Certificate in Obesity Management and a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. She now works as a counsellor both from her home in Long Crendon and at the Practice in Thame, depending on which works best for her clients. “I offer support for a variety of issues,” says Wendy, “the most common are: relationship difficulties, eating disorders, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. “When someone gets in touch I like to have a detailed conversation on the phone to find out more about them and to try to understand some of the issues they are struggling with. When they come for their first session it is mostly about how we are going to get along as

Wendy Willis with client client and therapist, if we can work together and what they hope to gain from the therapy. “There’s degrees of problems - people may be so depressed they can’t do anything and struggle to get out of bed in the morning, or they may be feeling low, lacking in energy and feeling a bit helpless. “Some people suffer bouts of work-related anxiety. It may be an impending presentation that is worrying them and the fear of making a mistake that is causing the anxiety. It’s then about tracking some of those thoughts and how we can identify the thinking that is making them anxious. If the presentation is next week, we need to find a solution quite quickly but more usually clients will visit for six to eight weeks to work through an issue, although it’s impossible to generalise. “CBT appeals to me because it is goal orientated and very practical. It involves working in collaboration with the client and can be fascinating when you are discussing thoughts and the client identifies a pattern in their thinking that has lead them to certain behaviour.

“We deal with the here and now, the past may be an influence but if someone can’t get up in the morning because of the way they feel, we need to work on that and find a way of getting them out and off to work. We look for practical hands-on ways of dealing with people’s current problems.” CBT is now recognised as an effective method of empowering people to be able to deal with their own issues. You may be able to get referred for therapy by your doctor and some firms engage practitioners like Wendy to support their workforce. “CBT is not new,” says Wendy. “It has become popular over the last 40 years but it’s origins lie with early Greek philosophers such as Epictetus who believed that ‘man is not affected by events but by the view he takes of them’. We can work on that - just come and talk to me.” l The Old Police House, 5 High Street, Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, HP18 9AF Tel: 01844 208837 Email: info@intouchcounselling.org.uk Website: www.intouchcounselling.org.uk Vale Life : May/June 2012

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Communicating with children can be difficult, especially if they have been abused, have behavioural difficulties, or are struggling with debilitating conditions such as Autism, Asperger’s or ADHD. ‘It’s not a problem though,’ says Neil Smith ‘if you let the horse do the talking’...

eil Smith is a no nonsense type. He grew up on a farm near Durban, South Africa where horses were a part of life and has since honed his understanding of the animal, working in stables and yards and in the saddle, trying his hand at: team chasing, polo, polocrosse, dressage and show jumping. “As a boy I rode to school and to my friends’ houses,” says Neil, “I’ve always been around horses and I understand them. They are herd animals, they are sociable and respond to people instinctively.” Neil and wife Karen run Horsewyse, a community interest company, based in Long Crendon. Horsewyse has developed around Neil’s unique talents and practical skills with children and horses. He worked as a residential social worker and manager within the private children’s home care system and noticed how positively youngsters in his care would respond to visiting his horses. At Horsewyse, Neil, who has a special rapport with young people, has taken this several steps further and is now using the natural behaviour of horses to help children Neil gives Lauren from Vale Life some riding tips on Argentinian learn about themselves and the world around polo pony Honcho, who was rescued suffering from toxic laminitis them, changing their lives for the better. Horsewyse clients range from children with children’s home. He said they had ‘behavioural several other homes too.” emotional and behavioural difficulties to those problems’ - but at the time I had no idea what Neil took an NVQ in Childcare with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, children he meant. It had never occurred to me that, Management and eventually ended up and young people excluded from school, for whatever reasons, youngsters might be managing a private care home with Section families, siblings, teachers, social workers, so badly behaved that no school would take 52 children - children whose only alternative carers and organisathem, or that kids sufwould be custody. tions looking for fer the abuse that some Although popular with the youngsters and innovative team buildof these children had. I good at his job, Neil found the increasing ing and management came from a very small bureaucracy and restrictive regulations were training opportunities. community in South making it impossible for him to give his Neil came to Britain Africa and it just didn’t charges the kind of upbringing and care he in 1988, for a holiday, come up there. wanted and he reluctantly left the service. got himself a job at a “I treated them By this time Neil had met and married showjumping yard in normally though and Karen. Originally from Surrey, Dr Karen Barnet and spent the we seemed to get along Smith is a scientist with a degree in Zoology next few years learning and a PhD in Equine Exercise Physiology Many Horsewyse mounts fine. The owner of the different aspects of from the Animal Health Trust / University are ex racehorses, retrained home said he thought horsemanship. I had a way with the of Birmingham. When she finished the study by Neil and his team “While I was workchildren and asked if Karen bought one of her research raceing at a yard in ChessI’d like to come and hourses and put it in livery at Chessington ington,” says Neil. “a guy asked if he could work at the home with him. I said no at first, where Neil worked. The couple met and hit it bring some children down from his local but ended up doing it and went on to work at off! Several years and two children later she is

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Above and left: Lauren has a confidence building session with Neil and Patrick Below: Karen Smith

working as a medical writer while helping Neil with the running of Horsewyse. “There are several groups doing horse therapy,” says Karen, “more in America. They all do it slightly differently though.” “Karen heard about a course in Ireland,” says Neil, “a course called ‘Channelling Behaviour and Horses’ which the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association runs. I went across for the weekend and tried it. They had different specialists for each area but being a horse specialist who’s good with kids, I thought we could set something similar up here. Karen is the brains and organises everything, I concentrate on the horses and the children! “For me riding is secondary now to watching these children develop. It’s about giving them the opportunity to do something for themselves, with support, something of interest. I am hard on them I’ll tell them if I feel they are putting themselves in danger or not

looking after the animals properly. “Some of the children we cater for here have had so much abuse it takes over their life and everything is very negative. I try to break it down for them. Often they don’t want to talk about how they feel but we can set up scenarios with the horses whereby they can see a horse being left out of a group, or bullying other horses and they can relate it to it and how they think the horse might be feeling is actually how they feel themselves. “We’ve had elective mutes, children that won’t speak at all, start talking to the horses. We build their self confidence too. I’ll take them out of their comfort zone and they’ll be proud of what they have done. “People often ask what I am going to achieve,” says Neil, “but I am not trying to achieve anything! I want the child to have fun and be safe, anything else is a bonus. I don’t have specific qualifications, but I have a lot of experience and I will not tolerate a child misbehaving - they seem to pick up on that. “Difficult children may be difficult out there but when they come into the arena with a live horse running around they want to be my friend and stand next to me because they feel safe. “From that ‘false’ relationship we’ll move on to other things, build trust and be able to talk about things. “I don’t like to analyse it though. I’m not sure why it works, I just know that it does. I like to do it and give the kids some time away from their lives, which aren’t as happy as they ought to be.” “A lot of the children don’t sit on the horses,” says Karen. “It’s more about setting up challenges, developing teamwork, bonding and building confidence. “Often they come in a group, on a school programme for six weeks - we work closely with Booker Park School at Aylesbury and Chilworth House at Wheatley. They may talk about it at home because they love it, or their behaviour improves, so their parents get in touch to see what we do. The parents may come down to have a look and want them to continue here after school or at weekends. “Some of the children that Horsewyse helps have very complex disabilities and may not even see or acknowledge the horse at first. They’ll just be sitting on the floor looking at the sand. But by the end of the sixth week most of them will be interacting with the horse to varying degrees.” Neil and Karen moved out to Buckinghamshire about 15 years ago and now live in Haddenham. Initially they rented a field at Dinton where they started Horsewyse, but could only operate in the Summer months. A year ago they moved to Westfield Farm at Long Crendon where they have an impressive stable block and good-sized indoor arena. There is also a polocrosse field where their

house team Vale Impi Polocrosse plays. Karen, Neil and their son Matthew started the polocross team four years ago with just the three of them, now they’ve got around 50 members and Matthew, who is now 14, has been playing for the Great Britain under 16s team since the age of 11! The team has a mix of novice and experienced players and caters for every level of play. “We are keen to encourage lapsed riders back into the saddle and non-riders into the saddle for the first time,” says Karen. “If you are interested in finding out more, come and watch a few chukkas and see what you think. “With Horsewyse we’re at that difficult point where we’ve expanded and our overheads are increasing, so we are looking for new clients and additional funding. “We raise money through riding activities and with company teambuilding courses, we’re also waiting to hear if we have been successful with Waitrose in Thame, where we are one of three local projects up for sponsorship. “We would like to get local businesses involved, we don’t expect something for nothing though, they can come and have a fun day, or training days here, or do some teambuilding. We also welcome staff volunteers who might help out with painting fences or mucking out! Any support is gratefully received even if it’s just coffee or a few tea bags!” Horsewyse currently has two grooms, Livvie and Daisy and a grant from Bucks Community Foundation has funded the services of a business development officer, Angela, for six months. There are also several volunteers such as Shane and James who help out and are very much appreciated. To see Neil and his horses at work with the children is quite inspirational and the results are clearly visible: “The horses do most of the real work though,” says Neil. “We just set up an environment where our clients can grow and build their confidence.” l Horsewyse CIC, Westfield Farm, Westfield Road, Long Crendon, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP18 9EW Tel: 01844 299299 Email: horsewyse@btinternet.com Website: www.horsewyse.org.uk

Matthew and Livvie practise Polocrosse

Vale Life : May/June 2012

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Vale Life : May/June 2012

High standards, a rounded education and the supportive environment mean that Swanbourne House is a place that prepares pupils, not only for top public schools, but for life itself...

wanbourne House is set in 55 acres of wooded grounds. It was formerly the home of the Fremantle family whose fame was set when Fremantle sailed with Nelson’s ‘band of brothers’. Just forty-five minutes from Oxford, Brackley, Banbury, Tring and Dunstable and within very easy reach of Buckingham, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, Milton Keynes, Woburn and Prices Risborough, the school is the dynamic boarding alternative for the area and often the first choice for those looking for a few years boarding experience before Public School. Pupils are prepared for Common Entrance to top Public Schools as well as Grammar School and many

pupils gain scholarships. Although non-selective, Swanbourne has achieved 79 scholarships in the last six years, which shows the depth within the school. Pride is taken in the high academic standards and although nothing substitutes for academic rigor, provisions for homework, sports, music and drama ensure the children are truly rounded youngsters. The boarding ethos at Swanbourne centres on openness, honesty and trust within a strong family home and the school happily provides the flexibility often necessary, given the many demands made on parent’s time. The children live within the mansion, spending time together as a boarding family in the evenings and

at the weekends and they enjoy an impressive variety of activities and trips at the weekend too. The School offers opportunities in Music, Sport and multiple activities for boys and girls. In the senior years all of the pupils are part of a prefect duty team. Leadership Training is an integral part of the School’s programme and team tasks are set which develop teamwork, ingenuity, organisation, negotiation and self-reliance. If anyone was to sum up Swanbourne, it is about growing up with support in a school where pastoral care is a main beacon. The sense of fun and the provision of activities, together with strong academic organisation provides a rich tapestry.

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Joint heads, Julie and Stephen Goodhart invite you to “Come and see us, you can be assured of a warm welcome.” Next Open Morning: Saturday, May 19th To request a Prospectus or arrange a visit contact: Mrs C Hollowday on 01296 720264, email office@swanbourne.org or visit our website, www.swanbourne.org “Swanbourne is just a school one would dream of. It is truly a great discovery.” Gabbitas Guardianship. l Swanbourne House School, Swanbourne, Buckinghamshire, MK17 0HZ Tel: 01296 720264. Email: office@swanbourne.org Web: www.swanbourne.org

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Vale Life : May/June 2012

01296 585215

Rowing could be the story of the 2012 Games and all the thrills and spills will be taking place just up the road, in Buckinghamshire...

owing will bring the magic of the 2012 Olympic Games to Buckinghamshire this year and it will all be taking place, in front of a massive crowd, at the spectacular Dorney Lake centre in Buckinghamshire. For British rower Zac Purchase, member of the Marlow Rowing Club and hot tip for an Olympic Gold, the Games isn’t just about winning medals and going for glory, it’s something for us all to be proud of and enjoy. Zac and rowing partner Mark Hunter broke new ground in British rowing, traditionally dominated by heavyweight men, when they won the nation’s first Olympic lightweight medal with gold in the double sculls (rowing with an oar in each hand) in Beijing, four years ago. As Zac reflects, resting on his laurels was never an option: “As soon as the Olympics were announced, in 2005, I was totally set on winning gold in London.” The chance to compete in front of an estimated 20,000 British fans at Dorney Lake is a fantastic prospect. “The most exciting thing about London 2012,” says Zac, “is not the opportunity to compete for gold in front of a home crowd, but seeing and experiencing the huge amount of enthusiasm and passion that the country has for the Olympics.” He hopes it will also inspire more

l Zac Facts: Zac was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours for services to sport. To find out more about Zac see www.zacpurchase.com or follow him on Twitter @ ZacPurchase or on Facebook: Offical Zac Purchase. and more people to enjoy sport and to this end is supporting Reactivate Bucks, a non-profit campaign getting people more active before, during and after the London 2012 Games. For a taste of the excitement to come, Reactivate Bucks is hosting a Give it a Go Week (taking place 11th to 17th June) featuring many of the sports (including rowing) we will enjoy seeing at this year’s Games. And with many being free or light on the pocket, there’s never been a better time to get back into a sport you once loved, or give a new one a try.

‘I’m totally set on winning gold in London’

34 20

Vale Life : May/June 2012

There are hundreds of activities to choose from at the click of a button. There’s also the chance to be part of a Community Games taking place near you, where you can celebrate London 2012 with friends and neighbours. Zac supports sport in communities wherever he can. Last year he hosted the annual Bucks Sport Awards which celebrates the sporting achievement of volunteers and organisations across the county. As well as inspiring everyone to continue to make a difference through sport, Zac shared his sense of fun. Amidst his tales of gruelling training regimes, and the highs and lows of international competitions, Zac listed a love of pizza, playing Wii and watching Blackadder as being among his perfect ways to chill out. You can’t help wonder what drove such an unassuming individual to become a world champion. Zac cites many sources of inspiration. Among them is fellow Marlow rower, Sir

Zac at last year’s Bucks Sport Awards. For details of this year’s competition, and to nominate your sporting hero, see www.buckssport.org or email info@buckssport.org Steve Redgrave’s five Olympic golds. Like Zac, Sir Steve also wants the magic of the London 2012 Games to continue beyond this year. A Bucks resident, Sir Steve is urging people to become a Sport Maker, and to make sport happen where they live and to make the most of the training and support available through Reactivate Bucks. As Sir Steve says: “You don’t need medals to become a sporting hero. By helping people you know to get involved in sport you’ll be doing something amazing for your friends and local community as well as having fun yourself.” So you don’t have to be an Olympian to feel part of the Games. See www.reactivatebucks.org or call 01296 585215 for details on all the ways you can make 2012 the year you do something special.

‘You don’t need medals to become a sporting hero’

l Column: Helen Peacocke - Paws under the table Retired Oxford Times features writer Helen and her faithful Border Collie Pythius explore walks and dog friendly pubs in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds

Helen Peacocke

Paws under the Table

Ipsden: A 2.5-mile circular walk that can begin or finish at the King William pub, Hailey

f it’s rolling hills and peaceful country lanes filled with birdsong that you are looking for, l Dog Friendly pubs and walks this two-and-a-half mile walk in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds in the Wallingford area is for you. http://pawsunderthetable.blogspot.com You can begin and end your walk at the King William pub at Hailey, bridleway sign on the right-hand near Ipsden, having travelled the side. This will lead you down A4074 or A4130 if coming from Warren Hill, which is picturesque nearby Wallingford. but quite steep. The view at The hamlet of this point is superb, Hailey is at the top ‘Enjoy the delights of so do take time to a little grassy hedged end of Ipsden, stop and stare, and although the particularly as lane filled with Brakspear pub the vast expanse nesting birds singing is set back from a of sky overhead is their hearts out’ minor road that soon usually dotted with becomes an red kites that swoop across unsurfaced track, you can’t miss the landscape. the charming white-washed facade. On reaching a small road, turn With your back to the pub turn right and walk about 60 yards to left and walk on until you reach a an uphill footpath on the left. Walk

Vale Life : May/June 2012

this track until the path splits. Take St Mary the Virgin, which has been a place of worship for more than the right-hand path and enjoy the delights of a little grassy hedged 800 years. Turn right having reached this lane filled with nesting birds road and walk another quiet lane singing their hearts out. until you approach a crossroads After walking about half a mile, and a well-worn diagonal track having passed several red-brick houses, you will come to the village through a field on the left-hand side. This will lead you to the point of Ipsden. Cross the road and take where you can cross the road and the aptly named Quiet Lane, take a well signposted road opposite, then keep walking until opposite that leads back to the pub. you spot the large imposing Old Vicarage on the right-hand side. You will spot the King William on your left-hand side after a short Having passed this house, turn walk. The pub right into a serves seasonal bridleway Pythius at The King Willian and wholewhich requests that horse some food and a selection of riders remain real ales drawn on the left straight from hand side. the barrel. This will take On winter you past the days, it is a war memorial warm and cosy and on to the atmosphere, but if weather other side of the village. There are permits, take your pint outside to seats along this path so that you the grassy lawn to soak up the can sit and take in the view, which sunshine and spectacular view. includes the shadowy shapes of the Didcot Power Station towers in the l Read about Helen’s latest walks far distance. Carry on walking and at http://pawsunderthetable. you will finally reach a road that blogspot.com/ runs past the village church,

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Individually tailored & high quality massage Massage can benefit pre and post event as well as rehabilitation with injuries. Regular massage should be an integral part of your fitness regime keeping you on top form & functioning effectively. Also helping you recover more quickly from exercise & reduce your risk of injuries. Special offer for Vale Life readers: Discounts up to 25% off sessions between 10am – 4pm Mon – Fri (bookings made before 01/06/2012)

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Function Fitness Sports Massage Therapy & Personal Training Vale Life : May/June 2012

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Changes in health service funding mean GP practices have more control over their NHS budgets but are no longer allowed to fund certain minor procedures. Cue Chiltern Vale Health, a private organisation offering a range of services from minor surgery to ear wax removal... “

raditionally GPs have removed nuisance lumps and bumps,” says Dr Claire Bonner, leader of the Chiltern Vale Health (CVHealth) Minor Surgery Team, pictured, “things that people have found troublesome or ugly. Suspected skin cancers are referred to the hospital, but non-threatening or benign ‘nuisance’ lesions which people would like removed for cosmetic reasons, would traditionally have been removed by their doctor. “Many GPs would have taken part in the minor surgery rota at their practice to remove lesions such as keratoses (thickened rough patches), lipomata (fatty lumps), naevi (moles) and cutaneous horns (hard, dry skin outgrowths). “However, changes in health budget priorities have meant there is now no minor surgery funding for benign nuisance lesions, so this work can no longer be done by your GP at their NHS practice. Certain items are still allowed under the NHS: removing symptomatic sebaceous cysts (cysts which are sore and bothering the patient), fatty lumps (lipoma) and in-growing toenails. “Unfortunately a lot of people have benign lesions that they don’t like and would like to have removed, which now means paying yourself to have them treated privately. Chiltern Vale Health offers an alternative to seeing a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, which could cost several hundred pounds.” The CV Health service charges £220, which includes pre-surgery counselling and advice, removal of up to two lesions and the subsequent laboratory analysis, follow-up appointment to remove stitches (if required) and a follow-up information letter for you and your GP. The organisation is a collaboration between Vale Health and Chiltern Health, two local private companies providing communitybased clinical services for the NHS, and boasting a new self-funded minor surgery service with clinics in Aylesbury and High Wycombe.

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Dr Claire Bonner

The three initial locations are: Poplar Grove Practice, a modern purpose-built facility especially designed for general practice at Meadow Way, Aylesbury; Fairford Leys Surgery, on Kingsgate, Fairford Leys and the Wye Valley Surgery in High Wycombe. Dr Bonner and a small team of local GPs work for CV Health in addition to running their own surgeries. All the doctors are fully trained and experienced in minor surgery with appropriate qualifications and accreditation. Dr Bonner has diplomas with distinction in dermatology and dermoscopy in addition to her Honours degrees in Pharmacology and Medicine from Edinburgh Medical School. She moved to London in 1993 where her husband, now a consultant surgeon, was working. They have three boys and moved out to Buckinghamshire to enjoy the rural surroundings. She joined Poplar Grove

Practice as a GP in 2000 and has worked as an Assistant in Dermatology at Stoke Mandeville Hospital since 2005: “I’ve always been interested in dermatology,” says Claire. “My expertise is in the recognition and treatment of various skin problems but I also enjoy the practical aspects of minor surgery. “Such minor surgery procedures involve very little discomfort for the patient. They will generally be done after the injection of a small amount of local anaesthetic to numb the area completely. The most a patient should experience is a small amount of pressure or pulling, but no pain.” “If you wish to use the CV Health service, you can refer yourself directly for treatment. However it is probably best to go through your doctor, as some conditions may still be treatable on the NHS and your GP will assess

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Dr Claire Bonner with patient at Poplar Grove Practice

Sister Cassie Quigley, Specialist ENT Nurse, using the binocular operating microscope and removing wax from an ear. your lesion and advise you on what your options are. “People are already used to paying for services such as travel vaccinations themselves, now with health budgets under increasing pressure, the CV Health service fills a gap by offering patients services they are no longer able to receive under the NHS by utilising the skills of local GPs.”

In February this year CV Health also launched a new service, based at Haddenham Medical Centre, for the removal of ear wax, using a high-powered binocular operating microscope. Micro-suction is thought to be safer, quicker, less unpleasant and more effective than traditional treatments such as ear drops and syringing. For further information on all CV Health services there are websites at: www.chiltern

health.co.uk and www.valehealth.co.uk and there should be leaflets available at your doctor’s surgery. l CV Health, Unit 2, The Merlin Centre, Lancaster Road, Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 3QL Tel: 01494 555204 / 5 Email: info@chilternhealth.co.uk Website: www.chilternhealth.co.uk www.valehealth.co.uk

Vale Life : May/June 2012

l Column: Penny Harper - thoughts of a small town girl

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Penny Harper

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n u su du

A young Penny Harper concentrates on not tangling the ribbons, again...

actually really enjoyed it. It’s funny that when it came to the actual May Day celebrations in the Beehive Pub car park, in the middle of the next village, none of the boys showed up. Hmmmmm. The annual Maypole dancing at our school had two possible outcomes. These were a) that a beautifully-woven pattern created around the pole was met with

al items from all

ove r

the

ld or

Be au

here’s Something About May… that makes people across the world do some rather odd things. In Oxford, there’s a trend for jumping off bridges into freezing water with the risk of snapping your legs in the process. It could be especially interesting this year after the recent droughts and warnings of low water levels. I went to Sweden once and, in order to get into the traditional spirit (meaning Schnapps) I spent the entire evening pretending to be a frog whilst wearing a crown of daisies on my head. It was like some bizarre Midsummer Night’s Dream but without the ass (if you don’t count the English wally hopping around the field). It sounds like odd behaviour but it can’t be as odd as watching the boys of Mrs Guest’s class dancing around the maypole in the school hall. The odd part being, that they

w Wall art w Clocks w Candles w Lamps w Mirrors w Vases w w Ornaments w Homeware w Prints w Fireplace sets w Signs w w Furniture w Kitchen & Dining w Gifts w Cards w Mats w Ginger Interiors, 8 Duck Farm Court, Station Way, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 2SQ Tel: 01296 415035 Email: clare@gingerinteriors.co.uk

Website: www. gingerinteriors.co.uk 24

Vale Life : May/June 2012

rapturous applause or b) that me and my friend Amy became entangled in the ribbons, which was met with guffaws from the dads and screams from the mums who rushed to find a pair of shears. Then there’s one of my favourite of English traditions: Morris Men. I always thought my Dad would make a good Morris Man because he has a beard and drinks real ale. He’s not very coordinated though and I’m pretty sure he has an aversion to bells. Of course, I am falling into the blatant trap of stereotyping. I have a female friend who does it and she does not have what I would consider excessive facial hair. Of course, the Morris Men don’t just come out to play in the Spring. Who could forget the images of David Cameron and family, posing with the Whitchurch Morris Men outside a pub on Boxing Day? Sam-Cam was thrilled with the post-Christmas cabaret after a

Small Town

Girl

thirsty walk across from Chequers. I’m all for bonkers traditions. I think it’s about time that we got some more going. I was looking up what other countries do on May Day. After all, it’s about Spring, new life, flora and fertility. I was interested to read that in Hawaii, the first of May is called ‘Lei Day’. Now there’s something to raise a pint of ale to!

Win a fabulous Mia Tui Amelie bag

he Mia Tui ‘Amelie’ Bag is the new ‘must-have’ item for stylish women on the go, who carry a lot of stuff! It looks like a fashionable shopper bag but inside it has many handy pockets so you can keep your mobile, keys, make-up and other essential items neatly organised and within easy reach. Inside are two clear, removable zipped bags which can be clipped to the bag’s interior for security and convenience - ideal for carrying toiletries, make-up or small electrical items when travelling. There’s also a co-ordinating clutch bag for essentials such as purse and keys so you can just ‘grab and go’ when necessary. Measuring 39cm by 16cm by 40cm, the Amelie can also easily carry larger items such as work files or laptops and makes a great alternative gym bag with room

for all your kit. If you need a bag that can take you straight from the office to the gym then out for dinner or on a day out with the kids, then this is the bag for you. It comes in: black, pewter, tan, red or mustard. If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning a funky Mia Tui Amelie bag worth £59.99, simply email your name, address and telephone number, along with bag colour choice and the answer to the following question to: editor@vale-life.co.uk In which French city is the film Amelie set? Winner to be drawn at random and notified by email by June 10th. Find more information on Mia Tui at www.miatui.com

Providing the ultimate salon experience Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have only recently announced their engagement but already there is much speculation as to when the wedding will be, which glamourous location they might choose and the kind of look Angelina will go for; what will she be wearing and how will her hair be styled… Will she surprise us and opt for classic styling, after all she is, apparently, a fan of Kate Middleton and has a picture of her and William on display at her home! This is a stylists dream come true, for the couple are true A-listers and are considered Hollywood Royalty. Here at Eclipse Heidi, Bev, Jade and Sam have each developed their own vision of the look Angelina may opt for, there’s classic, bohemian and classic with a twist…

We welcome our new part-time receptionist, Alyson, pictured bottom left, who has many years front of house experience and will be a real asset to our busy salon. Alyson is interested in diet and nutrition and is a keen member of Weight Watchers We aim to support local charities where we can and recently did our bit to help Sports Relief, raising £206 with a grand prize raffle. Many thanks to our clients who supported us in this effort. We had some fabulous prizes for the winners, kindly donated by suppliers and local businesses, Monera, Redken, Philip Kingsley and Rumseys to name but a few! Heidi is walking 58 miles (yes walking!) in aid of Help the Heroes on the May 10th and due to the kind generosity of staff and clients, is already on for raising over £300! This charity is very close to Heidi’s heart and we wish her feet all the best! Finally, Redken have launched Chromatics, which is a new AMMONIA FREE colour, boasting up to 100% grey coverage. It’s odour free and comes with the added benefit of no ammonia. To help launch this amazing product, for 10 days only from 9th-19th May, we are offering 25% off ALL our colour! Book now to avoid disappointment (skin test required – not to be used in conjunction with any other promotion). 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

Alyson Vale Life : May/June 2012

Tracy Nielsen in her garden studio

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Life in the material world is good for tillynilly. Enquiries are coming in thick and fast and owner Tracy Nielsen is now looking to move out of her garden studio and into more spacious premises...

’ve been doing this for nearly ten years now,” says tillynilly owner Tracy. “I started out making blinds for fun and it has just grown.” Tracy officially launched her tillynilly brand in 2009. She offers a full interior design service and assistance with product selection, fabric choice and design. tillynilly also supplies made to measure blinds, curtains and cushions, soft furnishings, materials and home accessories. There is also a reupholstery service. “We offer a personal service,” says Tracy, “which can involve several visits to a client’s home. It’s nice because I get to know the customer’s tastes and can help to choose paint colours or wallpapers, we offer a complete interior service.” 18 months ago Tracy expanded out of her kitchen and into a small garden studio at the back of her house but already she is looking

Vale Life : May/June 2012

for somewhere more spacious. “The studio office is a useful room,” says Tracy, “people can come and look through books and samples but we are getting a lot of enquiries and I’d like somewhere more spacious with studio space and room for a seamstress, so we can turn orders around more quickly and do alterations and adjustments on the spot.” tillynilly’s hand-finished Roman blinds are very popular - clients can supply their own material, or choose something from the range. “We make up the blind and supply the linings and fittings,” says Tracy. “We can do blinds and curtains to co-ordinate, whole rooms, or even the whole house, with combinations of Roman blinds, roller blinds, curtains and cushions, whatever is required. “We’ve recently had a spate of people asking for their traditional pleat-top curtains to be changed into eyelets for a more current look. Fabric can be expensive, so it’s sensible to reuse and recycle if you have some good material that you like.” “Things are going very well,” says Tracy, “I think it’s because we offer a good service and quality products at reasonable prices. We generally aim for good quality at mid-range prices but are happy to supply high end luxury fabrics if so required.” tillynilly’s website lists blinds options and links to an online store packed with stylish home accessories, some of which can be viewed in her display at the Stoneworld Gallery on Thame High Street. l tillynilly, Thame, Oxfordshire. Tel: 01844 220035 Email: info@tillynilly.com Website: www.tillynilly.com Store: www.tillynilly.com/store .

French Armoire

There’s a breath of French air blowing through Haddenham and the White Hart Studio may well be to blame...

ane and the girls at The White Hart Studio are always full of the joys of Spring. At the moment though there’s a certain ‘joie de vivre’ in the air, you might say a hint of ‘je ne sais quoi’ too, but that wouldn’t be quite true, for Jane knows exactly what is going on. Influenced perhaps by recent holidays in France she has added a little chateaux style to her store with some gorgeous French furniture, including a huge and ancient mirror evoking images of ballgowns and bustles, wigs, romance and powder. Goodness knows which historic characters may have preened in front of this megalith of glass and plaster! “I’ve found a chap called Howard who looks around France for old furniture,” says Jane. “He’ll hunt in barns, sheds and at brocante sales, for undiscovered gems and is just back from Amiens to the North of Paris. He has brought me the gilt mirror from an old chateaux, a rosewood, Louis XV armoire,

Silk tunic, French mirror c1840 and one of the comfy Louis XV style chairs complete with mirrored door and a pair of lovely, circa 1950s, Louis XV style chairs with crackle paint and pink draylon upholstery. It’s something different for the shop and has really changed the atmosphere now we’ve set it all out. Some of the clothes seem to have a slightly French flavour too at the moment, so we are all feeling quite continental! “I’m really pleased I’ve found Howard, because I’ve spent a bit of time in France and it is very difficult to find old furniture at reasonable prices. Even on the local markets they ask a small fortune. “On the clothes front I’ve a new supply of very reasonably priced items straight from London. 100% silk tunic tops/dresses for only £34 for example, very good value. It’s a fresh, new range which I’m re-stocking on a regular basis, in small quantities and it’s quite unique.” The clothes are brand new and in pristine condition of course while the ancient mirror, which took several neighbours to transport from van to shop, is in need of a little love and attention. The moulded plaster surround has some chips and the lead-backed glass is tarnished in places but there’s no mistaking the magic in that reflection. 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 : May/June 2012

Pete and Michelle are All People Photography. From their base in Waddesdon they offer a full range of photographic services but love to focus on people from bump to bounce and beyond...

hotographs mean a lot to Pete Griffith, one half of Waddesdon based All People Photography. A few years ago the photographer and his wife Rachel, tragically lost two young daughters, Misha and Natalie, to an extremely rare genetic disorder called Batten Disease. It is impossible to imagine how devastating it must be to discover that two of your children have an incurable condition, but Pete and Rachel determined to face up to reality and make the best of their time together. Pete took many photographs of the girls and his family through their illness, at home, on fun trips away and at Helen and Douglas House hospice in Oxford, where Rachel now helps out and for which the couple fundraise: “You can imagine how special those photographs are to us now,” says Pete. “For me photographs are very poignant and important. I delight in what I do, because being able to photograph special occasions for people, babies, marriages and good times, creates a precious legacy for families to enjoy for years to come.” Pete runs All People Photography, with business partner Michelle Tebbutt, from The Old Post Office on Waddesdon High Street: “We teamed up in 2004,” says Pete, “I was struggling to cope at the time and Michelle doubles our manpower. She has similar skills and objectives to me and being female offers a different dimension. She’s great with clients

Vale Life : May/June 2012

and a very good photographer. She became a partner in 2005 and it’s been a delight to build a business with her over the last few years. “We opened the studio here, in 2007. We both live nearby, so it’s a handy base and great for meeting clients, taking small group and family shots and putting together our albums. “As our name suggests, we are all about people. Our aim is to offer high quality lifestyle photography that is fun, fresh, relaxed and spontaneous. We do wedding and event photography, portrait photography, school

and nursery photography and commercial photography. “We have recently launched ‘Bump to Bounce’ a package for which we take a series of pictures: mum-to-be’s tummy, the new born baby and then at around six months, the little person. It makes for beautiful images and will be very special for families to look back on and remember those unique times. “Our style, whether it’s photographing children, or a wedding, is very low key. We’re not forceful, we try and be part of the event without taking over. We take pride in our service and in looking after our clients.” Pete grew up in Princes Risborough, where he met Rachel, while only a youngster. They started going out when he was 20 and she only 16 and married three years later. As a boy he would take his little Kodak 110 camera everywhere: “I’d take pictures of everything,” says Pete, “I loved it! My first job was a YTS position at a photographic studio in High Wycombe. It was great, but it didn’t turn into a full time job and I ended up going into the print trade. I manned presses for about 12 years at CPM and for BSI at Milton Keynes.” When digital printing came in many presses

Vale Life : May/June 2012

had to lay off workers and Pete took redundancy: “We decided to go travelling,” he says. “Rachel and I went around the world in 19945 indulging my passion for photography. Then Rachel became pregnant, life was good!” Pete was still a keen photographer and as this was the second time he’d faced redundancy he decided to launch his own photography business: “I did a Diploma in Photography at West Herts College in Watford and had some brilliant work experience with Sven Arnstein,” says Pete. “He does a lot of celebrity photography and I worked with him on sessions with Simon Mayo and Carol Smillie, who I nearly dropped a huge studio light on - I still have sleepless nights over that! We photographed Neil Morrissey for a Radio Times cover and did a Hello shoot of Anthea Turner and Grant Bovey, it was great fun. “I started the business in 1999. A friend helped set me up in an old Victorian outbuilding in Whitchurch. I was there for five years, it was a perfect space but a bit hidden away.” It was around that time that Pete’s daughter Misha began to show signs of Batten disease, although the condition is so rare it took some time to diagnose. The next few years were

Michelle and Pete a rollercoaster of emotion for the family as while losing Misha and Natalie, Pete and Rachel had Sophie, (12) and Zak, (10) who are thankfully free of the genetic anomaly and

very healthy, happy children. “The studio at Waddesdon is ideal,” says Pete, “it’s easy to find, there’s parking outside and there’s a good space for studio shots. We like to work outdoors whenever possible, weddings throw up some great locations and we do a lot of our family pictures outdoors, or at people’s homes, we are always in and out. “We can supply images in various formats: in perspex blocks, on metal, on mdf framed mounts, in digital albums - the quality is really excellent now - as storybook albums, or in mini books. We do a fair bit of prom photography too and now supply images for instant download as well as in print format, as teenagers like to have them on their mobiles and to post on Facebook!” “We pride ourselves on good service,” says Pete, “ and having the skills and equipment is all part of that. We want to supply the best, sharpest, cleanest images that we can and that means investing in the latest technology. Cameras need updating every couple of years... I’ve got my eye on the new Canon 5D Mk III at the moment, it’s just out at £3000 and has great low light sensitivity - good for photographing in the challenging lighting conditions at some weddings and events.” Michelle grew up in Norfolk and got her interest in photography from her Father. “He was a keen photographer,” she says “and we used to spend our weekends together, photographing sporting events and wildlife around the local area. I studied Art and Photography at college but it remained a hobby while I followed a career in retail management. “A few years ago, having married, moved to Waddesdon and had two children, Pete and Rachel spotted me taking photos at the local pre-school. They were looking for someone to join All People and with my youngest child at school it was the perfect opportunity to build a career in something I loved. “In this job every day is different, I can be photographing a new-born baby one day and the next a thousand racing Santas, or a member of the royal family! I enjoy building

relationships with the people coming into our studio - many wedding clients return when they have their own families. “Pregnancy shoots are amazing to do. It is such a unique time in your life and a baby bump is something to be proud of! I feel it is important to capture these special moments as children grow and change so quickly.” To enquire about ‘Bump to Bounce’ packages, or any of Pete and Michelle’s other services, contact them via their website, which shows the range of services on offer. Clients and their families can also view and buy images from their shoot, or wedding, for up to 12 months after the event. l All People Photography, 86 High St, Waddesdon, Bucks, HP18 0JD Tel 01296 651788 Mob 07974 434215 Email info@allpeoplephotography.com Website: www.allpeoplephotography.com

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Since April 1st every home considering a Solar PV Installation now requires an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of ‘D’ or above. Chiltern Solar offers a FREE EPC with every installation - see website.

Since the Government cut back feed-in tariffs there has been confusion as to whether solar panels are still a good investment. ‘Equipment costs have fallen though’ says Chiltern Solar’s Steve Gamston, which means your return is as good as ever...

hesham-based Chiltern Solar supplies and installs flexible solar panel systems which can be designed to accommodate virtually any size and shape of roof. Steve and Julie Gamston started the business from their home, some 18 months ago and are currently fitting panels on their own roof - something they’ve been trying to find time to do, since their business launched! Steve, who is originally from Potters Bar, has a background in building, he was a building control officer for Barnet Council and then went into the building services industry working for firms like PHS and Rentokill, where he was a commercial director. “I was made redundant three times in three years,” says Steve, “and Julie was made redundant twice, so we decided to start up our own business. I was interested in renewable energy and I know about buildings, so we looked at solar energy. I’ve been on quite a few solar energy courses over the years and on manufacturer training courses and seminars, so I understand how it all works. We sourced a top quality supplier of photovoltaic solar panels and we have a team of installers plus two Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accredited electricians that we work with. We provide a full service: from advice, 16 panel installation

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Steve Gamston on his own roof where wiring, optimisers and fixing rails are in place awaiting the solar panels, below left

Chiltern Solar installation in progress to planning, project management and installation.” Chiltern Solar specialises in PV or photovoltaic cell panels, which convert light into electrical power. The electricity is in the form of a DC current which needs changing via an ‘invertor’ into an AC current and it can then power your lights and appliances. Any unused electricity is exported into the National Grid. The government actually pays you for the power you generate and on top of that assumes you will only use half of what you generate, so you get paid extra for the other half, which is, in theory, going to the grid. Of course the solar electricity you are using will also be saving you money, because it’s energy that won’t be included on your electricity bill, as you are generating it yourself. “Solar panel technology has come down in price dramatically,” says Steve, “the panels are 30% cheaper today than they were six months ago. So even with the lower subsidy, installing solar panels should still produce a return on your investment of between 6% and 11%. “A sizeable 16-panel system would cost in the region of £8,500 fully installed, together with the necessary MCS certification needed to qualify for your feed-in tariff contribution. “A system of this size should generate enough to secure feed-in tariff payments of £772 and bill savings of £242, giving an overall tax-free earning of £1,014 per annum and paying back your initial investment within eight

years. This is before you take inflation and future energy price rises into account.” Once you are on the scheme your feed-in tariff is guaranteed for 25 years. It’s inflation linked and tax free. As more people sign up, the feed-in tariff offer will continue to reduce. The next drop is on July 1st from 21p to 16p per KWh. Prices of solar installations may continue to fall too but it could be wise to get in while the going is good, especially with energy prices going up every year! It’s also good for the environment. “If a customer calls up,” says Steve, “we’ll discuss what they want to achieve and then visit their home to take some measurements and check their electrical set up, go into the loft and check the roof and further discus their requirements. I’ll then put together a detailed proposal and quotations based on a couple of different panel configurations. I also do a SAP calculation - an estimate of the performance they will get from the proposed system, both energywise and financially. We are part of the Renewable Energy Assurance Scheme and we do this as part of the code of practise so people have all the information they need to make an informed financial decision.” So are solar panels still a good investment just check out Steve and Julie’s roof! l Chiltern Solar Ltd, Chesham, Bucks Phone 01494 773400 Email: info@chilternsolar.co.uk Website: www.chilternsolar.co.uk

l Column: Hero Brown

The urban guide

Bucks Goat Centre

Animal Farm Children’s farm and adventure centre with llamas, birds, rabbits, donkeys, pigs, ponies, goats, ferrets, calves, chicks, lambs, Guinea pigs, alpaca...

www.muddystilettos.co.uk

Hero Brown has swapped the bright lights of the big city for fresh air and farmers markets. The ex-glossy magazine editor now blogs about life in the sticks at www.muddystilettos.co.uk and is here to share her urban take on country living with Vale Life Magazine

ver Easter I spent a wet but fabulous weekend in the Isle of Wight, squeezed into a 1954 Spartanette airstream caravan with a husband and three kids who rampaged like ferrets escaping from a sack. Vintage Vacations (www.vintagevacations. co.uk) runs a site with about 12 of these caravans, all gleaming hunks of silver metal in a circle, looking both strangely futuristic but also gloriously retro. It was Babycham on arrival, knitted toilet roll holders, and Adam Faith records and bunting on the walls. Loved it! My children were fascinated by the ‘olden days’ and sweetly asked if I was born before televisions were invented (Answer: most days it feels like it). It’s so British, this obsession with vintage and kitsch. And now that caravaning and camping have become trendy (thank you, recession) and with the Jubilee approaching, I seem to have my nostalgia radar well and truly

Cath Kidston

• Outdoor play area, nature trail & quiz • Farm Kitchen café with large picnic area • Birthday parties catered for • Ferret racing, tractor rides and animal handling (weather permitting) • Free car parking Fun for all ages - feed/pet animals, climbing frames, picnic! New Animal Boarding Service: We can look after your Chickens, rabbits & Guninea pigs. From only £2 per day for a chicken / £4 for first rabbit, call for details.

Airstream Caravan out. I popped into Cath Kidston in Marlow the other day and ignored the lovely homeware in favour of a super-kitsch pair of salt and pepper guinea pigs; I made a special trip over to Berkhamsted’s brilliant vintage clothes section at Home & Colonial (www.homeandcolonial. com) to find a new coat, my leopardprint fur bomber being on its last legs *sob*; I’ve just spent £60 on tickets for the bonkers but brilliant World Burlesque Games in Soho (http://londonburlesquefest.com). And already I have one eye on the Nancy Astor party at Cliveden on May 20th (www.nationaltrust.org. uk/cliveden) with jazz in the water garden, vintage cars, Punch & Judy and a whole lot of dressing up. Then it’s the biggie – Wayne Hemingway’s Vintage Festival an hour up the road in the grounds of beautiful Boughton House, Northamptonshire in July. Fancy going? I have the perfect accessory. A delux hamper from superb deli-café Jacobs & Field. Subscribe for free to www.muddystilettos.co.uk for your chance to win. Hey, consider it a gift from one oldie to another.

Subscribe for free to muddystilettos.co.uk for the latest insider information on the best things to do in Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire.

Admission Charges: Adults: £4.50 Children: £3.50 Concessions: £4, Under 2’s: Free Open every day: 9am - 5pm Bring a picnic or enjoy food and drink from our Farm Kitchen café. Telephone: 01296 612 983 Layby Farm, Old Risborough Road, HP22 5XJ Website: www.bucksgoatcentre.co.uk

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Vale Life : May/June 2012

Having their Askett business officially recognised by Den Dragon Theo Paphitis was a highspot of Claire and Jason Crockett’s year, well, they do make exceedingly good gates...

ven those who have yet to send a ‘tweet’ will have heard of Theo Paphitis. The business guru made a name for himself on the TV series Dragons Den and is a popular tweeter. with some 240,000 followers! He likes to support entrepreneurs and small business owners and has launched Small Business Sunday (SBS), a two hour Twitter slot when small businesses tweet him about their firm. Each week he picks his favourites and rewards six winners with a plug on his website at: www.theopaphitissbs.com and retweets to his thousands of followers. Claire and Jason Crockett have been experimenting with social media to promote their family business creating bespoke, handcrafted, timber gates at their workshop in Askett, near Princes Risborough. “I couldn’t believe it,” says Claire. “We won after about three weeks of entering SBS. Theo does some research, he looks at your website, products and ethos. I think he likes those who are networking in a community-minded way, helping to promote others as well as yourself. “Suddenly my mobile went mad, as notifications flew in that we were being retweeted over and over. I knew we were winners and Theo’s been brilliant, giving us his backing, encouraging us to use his name to help promote Crocketts Gates and making supportive comments on twitter and Facebook. He organised a huge award ceremony for this year’s winners at Edgbaston Cricket ground and posed for a photograph with each of the 450 winners.” Theo is a shrewd judge of businesses and was no doubt impressed by Crocketts Gates’ beautiful, high quality, handmade timber gates in Scandanavian Redwood, Oak and Iroko, which not only look fabulous, but are traditionally made,

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Treated softwood gate

Claire, Theo and Jason at Edgbaston

sturdy and longlasting. “The gates are all framed, ledged and braced, glued and dowelled,” says Jason, “so they are durable, strong and last a long time.” “It’s about workmanship and service,” says Claire, “we make the gates and we fit them and we are 100% committed to good service. “We use premium grade timbers and traditional techniques; softwood gates are planed by hand and pressure treated; hardwood gates may be finished with oils for added protection and to bring out their natural beauty. “It’s important to us that we build a reputation for quality. We’d like to be known as one of the best in the industry, the John Lewis of gates! We want to build this into a business we can hand on to our daughters, so we make every effort to do the best job every time. I’s our reputation on the line.” Apparently the junior Crocketts are actually contemplating careers as a beautician and an

actress at the moment, but there’s plenty of time... “We get a lot of enquiries from recommendation or through the website,” says Jason. “We have little tags on the gates and it’s surprising the number of people who take our name from there. When an enquiry comes in, I’ll meet the customer, measure up and discuss their requirements. We may talk about positioning, what will work and what won’t if any planning permission is required, I can help with that too. I then draw up an estimate. “We have around thirty traditional gate designs from which customers can choose, or we can make a bespoke item from sketches or ideas, or from a picture of a gate they have seen and liked, all are made at our workshop, here in Askett. “We can supply the gates in two to three weeks, depending on how big they are - larger gates may need to go away to be pressure treated for added protection, while smaller ones can be treated here.”

Softwood driveway gate

Bespoke Oak gates

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Softwood

The workshop at Askett The Crockett family has lived in Askett for many years. In the 1930s Jason’s grandfather ran a dairy distribution firm from their yard on Aylesbury Road, collecting churns from the local farms and Jason’s father ran a fencing business on the site from 1969. Jason was born in Askett and grew up in the village. He met Claire a few yards up the road in The Black Horse pub (now Coco Tamarind) she lived next door and worked part-time as a barmaid. She had grown up in Monks Risborough and both attended St Teresa’s but never met! Claire has worked for the Nationwide and in the labs at Stoke Mandeville. She trained as a pre-school manager and ran Squirrels pre-school on Bedgrove. She met Jason when she was 19 and they married two years later. After school Jason went into the motor trade and worked in the bodyshop at Perry’s. He wasn’t enjoying it though and when the Millennium came he made the decision to retrain as a carpenter. “I used to go out fencing with my dad’s firm in the school holidays,” he says. “So I learnt to work with wood. I’ve always liked making things and taking a pride in what I do. The car trade was becoming too much like a conveyor belt! “I did a course at Aylesbury College and retrained as a carpenter. I got a job making gates with a firm at Buckland and four years later, in 2005, I set up in business with Claire at Askett. “We use imported timber, there’s not

Iroko hardwood gate

enough English Oak now, so it’s European Oak from France and Germany, Redwood from Scandanavia, and sometimes Canada, Iroko from West Africa, it’s all from FSC regulated forests, marked and coded so the source is known.” “We’ve done gates for a few well known faces,” says Claire, “such as Tony Blair’s home at Wotton Underwood. All the jobs are interesting though because you meet such a range of lovely people. We cater for some huge properties but the smaller jobs are just as important.” If you live locally you will have passed a Crocketts gate at some point. There’s a pair outside the cottage at Chequers, at The Bell in Princes Risborough, at Whiteleaf Golf Club and the pagoda smoking area at The Woolpack in Stoke Mandeville is a Crocketts construction. “We did an unusual job in Beaconsfield,” says Jason. “A lady had a staircase with little hearts carved into it and wanted gates made with hearts to match! Every job is different, it keeps things interesting.” For further information Crocketts has a website and can supply a colour brochure. You are also welcome to visit their workshop at Askett. l Crocketts Gates Limited, Crocketts Yard, Aylesbury Road, Askett, Buckinghamshire, HP27 9LY Tel No. 01844 342036 Email: claire@crockettsgates.co.uk Website: www.crockettsgates.co.uk Twitter: @crockettsgates

Crocketts softwood gates are made from Scandinavian Redwood, sourced responsibly from FSC registered forests. The timber is of the highest quality, known in the joinery trade as unsorted timber. The Scandinavian Redwood gates are always pressure treated – whether the client has chosen tongue and groove or featheredge boards. The pressure treatment adds a natural looking green hue to the timber which, when left to season, fades to a silver colour. Micro-porous stain can be applied to protect the gates from all weather conditions. All Crocketts Scandinavian Redwood gates are framed, ledged and braced – mortise and tenoned in the traditional way to ensure strength and durability. All designs created in softwood can be automated if required.

Hardwood Crocketts use two very different looking hardwoods for their gates, sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) registered forests. Iroko is an African hardwood used widely outdoors – even in boat building. Iroko creates gates of a golden brown hue that can be mistaken for Mahogany and Crocketts believe it to be more suitable for gate making than similar hardwoods such as Idigbo or Sapele. Crocketts Iroko gates are given a base coat of Teak Oil with UV filters that gives the gates a golden sheen. This treatment will need to be reapplied by the client when necessary or alternatively the Iroko can be left to silver over time. Crocketts oak gates are created using first grade, European air dried Oak that has been naturally seasoned for at least four years. Oak has been used for centuries by craftsmen to create structures that will stand the test of time. Oak gates are supplied in their natural state but can be treated with Tung Oil if requested. Oak over time seasons to a white/silver appearance but prior to this can appear dirty as tanning in the timber washes out - this is not detrimental to the strength of the gates. Oak also has a tendency to settle which can lead to the appearance of cracks (known as checking) which is part of the beauty.

Vale Life : May/June 2012

eden @berryfields a new beginning

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To register your interest or for more information call 0845 601 7729 email newbuild@chg.org.uk or visit www.edenberryfields.co.uk *Represents a 35% share in a one bed property valued at £125,000. Property prices are correct at time of print and subject to change. Priority will be given to those who live or work in the Aylesbury Vale District Council area. A discounted monthly rent is payable on the portion of the property that is not purchased. A monthly service charge is also applicable. Terms and conditions apply. Images are of a typical Catalyst show home and are for illustration purposes only. Catalyst Housing is a charitable housing association.

Vale Life : May/June 2012

As Spring turns to Summer our thoughts turn to outdoor areas that would not only be more usable after a proper makeover but more stylish too... “

Warren

espite the wet weather, we are very busy at the moment,” says Warren of Haydon Hill Paving. “We are doing a lot of larger driveways and quite a bit of turfing. We offer a complete landscaping package, we can lay paving and lawn, create beds, walls and steps - it looks great when the different areas are co-ordinated. We don’t do planting but many customers see that as the fun part anyway! “We’ve had some nice comments from recent clients. I’ve put a couple on our website: Leverstock Green

Cricket Club were pleased with their new Centenary terrace and Hurst Estate Agents complimented us on our speedy work. Another rush job came up at The Crazy Bear in Stadhampton where a large patio area was needed in record time for a wedding! We did it, working through the Sunday before and dodging the Ferraris and Lamborghinis in the car park! “We work quickly but always ensure that the job is up to scratch. Paving and driveways look great and will last for many years if the groundwork is done properly. It’s

all about what lies beneath and it’s an area that some ‘cowboy’ firms scrimp on to cut costs. It’s important to excavate properly and use the right materials for the sub-base and membrane and to ensure you have adequate drainage. “We are now supplying Dekorgrip’s Resin Bonded decorative surfaces which have a stylish, slightly sparkly finish. They offer a choice of aggregates bound in a hard wearing and permeable resin for a flat, UV stable and good anti-slip surface for driveways, paths, courtyards and patios. We can also install other

New turf, drive and wall products from DekorGrip, such as ‘Rubber Crumb’ and ‘Rubber Mulch’ which are used in play areas and we’re an approved installer for The Grass Factory. Their artificial grass looks and feels very realistic but is virtually maintenance free! l Haydon Hill Paving, Goya House, 1 Goya Place, Haydon Hill, Aylesbury, HP19 8SJ Tel: 01296 336 641 Mob: 07853 698168 Website: www.haydonhillpaving.co.uk

Aylesbury’s No.1 Driveway and Patio Company TH ON CIA THE ASS O EC IAASTSI O OTFI O N O F BA LO V IN NTGR C T RRASC T O R S BLOCK P V ICNKG PA CO AO CN TO TH E OACSISAO A TO I OFN O F SS T ICOI N TTHHEE AASSSSOOCCI IAATTI IOONN OOFF T H E A BK L OPA C VKI NPA I NOGN TCROANCTTROARCST O R S PAVVI INNGG CCOONNTTRRAAC BCLTTOOC G VC BBLLOOCCKK PA RR SS

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17:33:15

Vale Life : May/June 2012

3/2/11 17:33:15

In the Garden with Naomi MacKay

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Wet and wild tips to avoid being Britain in Bloom campaign are gamely coming up with all kinds left high and dry this summer of strategies to keep their displays

Beat the drought

am having trouble keeping a straight face at the irony as I write this, but despite the fact that the rain is lashing against my patio doors, and a howling gale has flung the garden table into one of the borders, we are officially suffering a drought. And while it may be hard to believe at the moment, we will, no doubt, all be collecting whatever water we can in a few months’ time to keep our blooms from wilting and our veg plots from looking like

lush. In Stony Stratford, one volunteer is using an aquarium pump to siphon off her bath water into plastic bottles, while Bury members recommend reservoir hanging baskets, which keep a supply of water in the base. This cuts down the need to water from at least daily to twice a week. Water management will be a key theme in the University of Leeds garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this month. It will contain water-friendly features such as a sedum-roofed pagoda, permeable resin-bound paths that allow water to soak into the soil, and rain harvesting. Another increasingly popular idea is to build a rain garden. If you’re handy, you could build your own (or use a bath), The University of Leeds RHSChelsea Garden but kits are available (see deserts. After all, in March, www.raingardenkits.co.uk) to England and Wales only received create an above-ground pond 38% of expected rainfall. connected to a water butt. The Groups taking part in the RHS excess water then runs along a

 Choose drought-tolerant plants – your local garden centre can offer advice  Mulch with chippings to help plants to conserve water  Keep weeds at bay, as they compete with plants for water  Use water-retaining gel or compost in containers and baskets

A bath makes a great rain garden bamboo channel into a raised bed – which is perfect for growing veg. A win-win situation. l Naomi MacKay has been writing

about gardens for 16 years, and is spending much of the spring and summer working on the Royal Horticultural Society’s website, among other things. A journalist for more than 20 years, she also helps businesses to create or improve their websites. Naomi is offering a 10% discount to Vale Life readers who quote the code VLMAY. Call 07802 426594, email naomimackay@gmail.com, or log on to www.naomimackay.co.uk

If you haven’t already, try to catch one of England’s true beauties – a bluebell wood. This picture was taken last year at Ashridge Estate

Stanbridge Road, Haddenham, Bucks, HP17 8HN Tel: 01844 290395 www.haddenhamgardencentre.co.uk

The Gardener’s Retreat Coffee Shop

Our Plant area has doubled in size over the last year, offering a much wider range of plants •Hardy shrubs •Bedding & patio plants •Climbers & wall shrubs •Cottage garden plants •Herbs & vegetable plants •Fruit bushes & trees Come and speak to our experienced & friendly plant area staff who will be happy to advise you 36

Vale Life : May/June 2012

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Vale Life : May/June 2012

If it’s time to get rid of that tired old fireplace, a chic new stove will add warmth and style, for an instant update...

W Before

Rais wood burner at The Old Vicarage, Haddenham Old fireplace removed

e thrive on installing stoves within existing fireplaces,” says Laura Morgan of North Mill Stoves. “However we have recently extended that service to add a further dimension. “In the past we’ve engaged contractors to undertake building work, but we’ve now recruited Jason Martin, a registered GasSafe engineer, who is able to disconnect gas fires and make safe the supply, before carrying out any building works and stove fitting. “He has 27 years experience in the building and fireplace trade and is a proficient bricklayer, plasterer, decorator and thoroughly nice chap! We can now offer a complete in-house service and take care of any construction work and making good that the renovation of an existing fireplace may involve.” Vale Life caught up with Jason at The Old Vicarage in Haddenham where Roz and Mark Turner have been gradually been doing up their fabulous home. “North Mill put a stove in for us at our last house in Bishopstone,” says Roz. “They are nice people, very efficient and really friendly. We loved that wood burner, so when we moved to Haddenham we got them to install a new one in the sitting room here. They are so easy to use. It’s not like an open fire, which you have to clean out and relay every morning. You just close the door and leave it until you want to relight it. They give out so much warmth too.

Made good and new slate hearth fitted “We’d done up the kitchen but being a through room it gets a bit chilly. There was a horrible fireplace, so it seemed a good idea to replace it with another stove. Now it’s been done, we’re really pleased. Jason has done a great job and it is just lovely having a wood burner in the kitchen. “I’ve installed a Scandanavian Rais Q-Tee 5kW wood burning stove for the Turners,” says Jason. “The fireplace was a right mess once the old fire came out, so I put new corners on, plastered and painted and it looks lovely now.” Jason has also been hard at work in

The end result Wendover where a 60s style gas fire and ceramic hearth tiles, below, were removed and the fireplace opened up. A new black granite hearth was laid and a Clearview Vision 8kW multi-fuel stove installed. “We have another new team member,” says Laura, “Richard, our chimney sweep, who is also my husband We can now carry out complete fireplace remodelling and chimney sweeping ‘in-house’. “If you would like further details of our range or services please see our website or phone for information.” l North Mill Stoves Limited, North Mill Road, Bledlow, Bucks, HP27 9QP. Tel: 01844 342400 Email: info@northmillstoves.co.uk Website: www.northmillstoves.co.uk

The end result at Wendover with Clearview multi-fuel stove fitted

Before

Old fire removed Made good and new granite hearth fitted

Jason inserts a lintel to support new opening

Vale Life : May/June 2012

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From fence panels and back door steps, to complete garden redesigns with paving, turfing, excavations, retaining walls and planting, driveways, patios, decking, water features, ponds...

Photo manipulation has given artists the scope to create new worlds and to shape illusory, fantastical objects and figures. For Jan Oliehoek it has brought the opportunity to sire a menagerie of mutant animals. Jan draws inspiration at random from whatever images he unearths on the Internet. He finds a

suitable photo, one that appeals either technically or aesthetically, and appropriates it for his art

– chopping, melding and grafting to create surreal, humorous new worlds and figures. The physiognomy of animals, in particular, appears well suited to the effects of digital hybridisation. But Jan

is more than just a master of manipulation; he works in the tradition of the great trompe-l’oeil

painters, deceiving the eye and inducing the double take. It’s not statement art – Jan isn’t passing comment on genetic engineering or cloning. Instead, he hopes simply to create beautiful images.

£ 14.95 | ce:number, € 19and works of 50 interna.95telephone | US$ 24.9 IS B N 9 along with bag colour 5 7 8-1-90812 in n and ational 6-4 detaphotographers 1-2the answer to 17,000 w ilPHOTOGRAPHY. e choice and d CRAZY From the o rds nt and ind the ividuaworlds nightmare Yang Yi to theFebrua ry following 2012 question to: l woof rk s rings tomagic editor@vale-life.co.uk life landscapes the mostof Barry UnderWho compiled Crazy Photograing imawood, Di Lu’s giant animalsKey Featu ges ofrom re s: f ththrough Winner to be drawn at random e rececities to the un* Covephy? anoramarampaging n t rs mnotified ore thaby of 2 and email n 1st cof likely hybrids frog plus hippopot5 0 by June 10th. internatio entury nal hoto information on amus of Jan Oliehoek, the images graphers * Offers aFindpmore uniq Crazy Photography ue survey at challenge our perceptions and make contempo of ra www.vivays-publishing.com ry photo us look at the world in a different aph Frog Hippo Croggy (overleaf, left) Zebra Frog (overleaf, right)

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FeARs

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Computer generated images (CGI) were initially developed for industrial production, and as such struggled to recreate the complex nuances of skin and hair. However, in recent years creative agencies and production studios like Taylor James have pushed CGI to new levels, generating imagery that perfectly mirrors – and manipulates – the human form. A pharmaceutical company commissioned the London-based studio to create a publicity campaign raising awareness of hereditary angioedema, a condition that causes sudden subcutane-

ous swellings. Taylor James adeptly captured the agony of the oedema with hands that clawed

beneath the skin. The disturbing, life-like images were created using Taylor James’ unique

RealWorld Rendering™ process to flawlessly integrate the photography and CGI. The campaign

was an unqualified success, earning Taylor James a platinum gong at the Creativity Awards in New York, a Clio Healthcare Gold Award and a National Addy Award. Another commission found

them manipulating flesh once again, with the ingenious depiction of a woman shedding her skin.

Created for Invega, the image masterfully blends photography with photo-realistic CGI to bring to life the model detaching from her redundant skin.

y, Diane R outex ork and co llaborated As a mem ber of the ten short film in Paris, in s and publishing , h her writi ng.

THe agony oF HerediTary angioedema invega Skin (overleaf)

162

Barry Underwood

dReAms

www.barryunderwood.com

American artist Barry Underwood projects us into a twilight world illuminated by surreal lights and shapes. His photographs lie somewhere between performance and static art, their spectral lights drawing the viewer into a fantasyland. The images are taken from the artist’s Scenes series, a collection of dioramas – or illuminated landscapes – created on-site in the far reaches of the natural world. They’re the product of a marriage;

a combination of traditional photography and stage setting. “I approach my photographic work

tr S od p uc ec to ial ry of fe

with a theatrical sensibility that permits me to intermingle issues that arise from contemporary painting, cinema and land art,” explains Barry. “The resulting images are surreal images, given that they result from this cross-pollination between traditional photography and theatre.” Lights installed in the landscape by the artist appear as intrusions and interventions since they contrast with the inherent atmospheric properties of natural light and thereby render the forms of the landscape abstract. For Barry, the Scenes series explores the themes of illusion, imagination, narrative and the inventive potential of the ordinary.

graphy * Provides website ad dresses fo each artist r

Job vacancies! Hard landscaper wanted, also labourers with skills: bricklaying, paving, plumbing, carpentry etc - contact Rodney on: 07732 329118

Contents : Body Scenery Fears Dreams

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Vale Life : May/June 2012

Business start-ups often struggle on in a back bedroom for fear of committing to a long and expensive office lease. At Chiltern House you rent by the month and can even share your space...

ichard Stewart-Liberty’s Great Grandfather founded London’s world-famous Liberty store and Richard was until the late 90s actively involved in running the business. He left the family firm in 1997 and now his move from retail to commercial property looks like a wise one, for Richard, who lives near Great Missenden, has invested in a couple of office buildings which he has converted and runs as multiple occupancy business centres, providing a range of serviced offices for local businesses. “I bought Chiltern House in Haddenham about ten years ago,” says Richard. “At the time I wasn’t too sure what I was going to do with it! It was quite run down, a wreck really. “A tenant was renting one of the upstairs rooms on a monthly basis, I started refurbishing, another tenant came along and it just built up from there. I’ve gradually divided the larger rooms into smaller units, which are more suitable for people starting up new businesses.” Chiltern House is a two-storey early 60s brick built office building at the front of a small trading estate, not far from Haddenham station on Thame Road. Refurbished by Richard in 2001, it now comprises 19 rooms varying from 156 to 511 square feet in size, all fully insulated, Cat5 cabled and individually alarm protected. There are toilets and kitchen facilities on both floors. “I feel I’m helping the economy by providing these seed units,” says Richard. “People become more productive when they move out of home, they can leave behind distractions such as: washing, pets and children! “There’s a a fascinating range of small Candice Sweers, Jane Smithson and Yvonne Marshall at HMC Plant Services

firms here. We have three salons: a beauty salon, a chiropractor and an osteopath, I’m quite happy if tenants wish to redecorate, as long as the room is returned to the original condition should they move out. “My first occupant, HMC Plant Services is still here. The firm uses heavy duty machinery to dig trenches and lay pipes for utility companies and has grown from two men in a small office to several staff in four rooms now.” Candice Sweers, from Weston Turville, has been working at Chiltern House for six years: “I started with a company on the ground floor as a PA and office manager,” she says, “but they moved to Southampton and I joined HMC Plant upstairs! You get to know everyone working here, it’s like being part of the same big firm. Everyone is friendly, and Richard the landlord is lovely too, very helpful.” Chiropractor Dr Elizabeth Carson, right, has been at Chiltern House since 2008. She works with Arsenal FC and elite athletes as well as a local clientelle. She specialises in sports injuries and will be looking after female volleyball players at the 2012 Olympics. “I love it here,” says Liz. “It’s a village location, but communications by road and rail are really good, the building is easy to access and there’s parking right outside. I’m on the ground floor, so it’s practical for clients with mobility problems and it’s discrete, which the higher profile sports people appreciate. The rent is much more reasonable than Aylesbury and Richard the landlord is really nice and very helpful.” “I’ve tried to keep things simple,” says Richard, “there’s just one payment a month for tenants, which includes almost everyMartyn Broughton of Amain Ltd and Tim Finch of Decorare share an office

Richard Stewart-Liberty Dr Elizabeth Carson

thing: rent, business rates, heating, electricity, security, water, cleaning, kitchen facilities, all you have to do is pay for your own phone and broadband. The wiring is there, we’ve got the best broadband connection you can get locally going into the building. “The location here is great, there’s free parking outside, it’s close to Haddenham and Thame Parkways station, there’s minimum costs, as there’s no reception or management to pay for, but it is totally secure and all offices are individually alarmed. A bonus is that Bucks Secretarial Services have an office on the ground floor offering business support and secretarial services.” “Rents are from £175 per month for a desk in a shared office and £360 for one of the smaller rooms, up to £900 for the biggest units, which are over 400 square feet. You only have to give a month’s notice too, so you won’t be tied into a long lease.” It is clear Richard enjoys his role as landlord and likes to offer a service rather than just collect the rent, in fact he has taken on a building in Watlington which is much older and more complex to run but enjoys that too: “I love the mix of people and excitement of the new businesses and ideas,” says Richard, “I’m proud of this place, I think it really hits the spot!” l Chiltern House, Thame Road, Haddenham, HP17 8BY. Tel: Tel: 01491 613311 Email: richard@chilternbusinesscentre.co.uk Website: www.chilternhouse.uk.com

Haddenham Osteopathic Clinic

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Text booking, satellite tracking, iphone apps, Facebook and Twitter, it’s all part of the service at this hi-tech, Aylesbury taxi firm...

asud Azram was only 22 when his father handed over charge of Aylesbury based

Falcon Taxis. An Aylesbury lad born and bred, Masud went to Quarrendon School and then to Aylesbury college to study Business and IT. “As a lad I’d help out with odd jobs like hoovering and cleaning the cars,” says Masud. “I was going to go to university and do a degree in IT but I was at Falcon so much, I eventually dropped college to work here full time.” “At Falcon Taxis we are committed to providing the best possible service to our customers and are continually investing and looking at innovative ways of improving our service. Customers can manage all their bookings online using our WebBooker portal, along with our SMS Text booking service or our iPhone App. “Our unique booking methods and taxi tracking tools, put taxis at your finger tips,” says Masud. “You can book a vehicle and then monitor it on a live interactive tracking map, which provides peace of mind. There is no need to worry where your vehicle is, as you can see it arriving in real time. “Our state of the art, data despatch system sends the closest and most suitable vehicle to the customer, helping us reduce the time taken to arrive and lowering our CO2 emissions. Our drivers and vehicles are equipped with PDAs with built-in satellite navigation to guarantee a reliable service.” Falcon Taxis boasts a fleet of safe, well maintained vehicles for all travel requirements. “You may choose from a 4-door saloon, or travel in style in one of our luxurious executive vehicles,” says Masud. “We have MPV’s, estates and minibuses with up to 16 seats. We can also provide wheelchair accessible vehicles or the 40

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Above: iphone app Right: Tracking the taxis iconic Black Cab at your request. “All our vehicles are maintained to exceptional standards, making your journey with us a comfortable one.” Falcon’s minibuses and MPV’s are sized from six to 16 seats and are suitable for a wide range of excursions from airport transfers to school trips, club outings, weddings, stag and hen parties, nights out and special occasions. “We provide a complete 24-7 airport transfer service,” says Masud. “It’s a full ‘meet and greet’ service for all customers at no extra charge and our drivers will be waiting for you at arrivals with a board clearly displaying your name. “We monitor flight times so there is no need for a customer to worry and advise us if their flight has been delayed. No matter what time of day you need picking up, we will be there on time to assist you.” Falcon Taxis provides account facilities for businesses of all sizes. At

the end of each month you receive a detailed invoice listing all your journeys, which can be broken down by department or user. You receive a dedicated WebBooking service allowing you to book jobs via your computer browser on the Falcon Taxis system. The service allows you to set up individual account users and departments, check the status of each booking made and track each vehicle in real time. Journeys can be booked in advance using the WebBooker and you can cancel jobs at any time. You are also able to obtain quotations for bookings and set favourite addresses for regular bookings. “A business can also have its own iPhone App for staff and customers,” says Masud. “We develop and brand it for a company and it offers staff and customers an interactive and convenient way of booking a taxi. If you are looking to provide an additional company benefit, we

Left: Masud by Falcon minibus signwritten with details of his iphone app are able to build in discounted fares for staff using the system to book. “We also offer a complete UK Courier service ensuring that items are delivered quickly, safely and reliably. As with our taxis, courier jobs can be tracked online to provide complete peace of mind.” Falcon Taxis are committed to helping the environment and in using their computerised system, send the closest vehicle to the customer at all times. “This reduces the carbon emissions of our fleet by approximately 20%,” says Masud. “We offer account customers detailed emission information on invoices too, helping them to be aware of their carbon usage and we actively encourage them to receive emailed invoices rather than hard copies via the post. We are also continually looking at effective ways to reduce our own business waste and recycle more.” The company is not without a sense of fun though. See their Facebook page for a chance to win a meal at the Jeera Restaurant when you post a picture of your night out using a Falcon taxi... This is one local company that is cetainly going places! l Falcon Taxis, 2b Northern Road Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 9QU Tel: 01296 580000, 01296 437649, 01296 489894 Freephone (01296 area only) 0800 123 444 Thame/Haddenham: 01844 450000 Text booking: (0)7803 580000 Email: office@falcontaxis.co.uk Website: www.falcontaxis.co.uk

Award for community bus

et up by Risborough Area Community Action to provide scheduled daily ‘Hail and Ride’ services for Princes Risborough, Monks Risborough and Longwick, and services three days a week covering Speen, Bledlow and Bledlow Ridge, Risborough Area Community Bus (RACB) has been a resounding success. Now nearly two years old and run as a registered charity the services management and drivers are all volunteers and RACB is carrying around 500 passengers per week. The bus provides a vital transport link to Risborough town centre and calls at the station on request. Bus usage is particularly heavy on Thursdays when passengers go into Risborough for the market. Tickets cost £1 or £2 and most passes are accepted. The value of the bus service has been widely recognised and last year it won an Action For Market Towns

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01296 770546 Unit 1 The Lodge Yard, Kingswood Aylesbury Bucks, HP18 0QJ, info@autotorque.net

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

Telephone: 01844 353388 l Bosch Car Service Centre l MOTs including Class VII (3.5 tonnes) l Servicing, repairs, tyres, exhausts and air conditioning for cars and light commercials

Award. The purchase of the bus - a Bluebird Tuncana Minibus - was funded by Wycombe District Council, and the Seeda and Leader organisations. It recently received a further grant from North West Chilterns Forum. In addition to the regular services, RACB organises outings - there are visits to World’s End Garden Centre (May 12th), Bicester Village and Garden Centre (June 10th), and Waterperry Gardens (May 27th) planned for the coming months. The bus also supports local events and will be running services for the Princes Risborough Walking Festival, the Hounds For Heroes Fun Day at Speen (May 6th) and the Hearing Dogs Summer Celebration at Saunderton (June 17th). The bus is also available for hire by groups, clubs, families and friends - in the evenings and at weekends. For bookings and information call 07941 963097.

3B Hire & Servicing, Townsend Garage, Thame Road, Haddenham, Bucks HP17 8BY Tel: 01844 291430

For all your vehicle needs w car, van, mpv & minibus hire w vehicle servicing - all makes & models w car valeting w tyres, exhausts, batteries

l Diagnostics: we have the most up to date workshops and equipment in the area l High ceilings and long ramps enable us to service long wheelbase vans, campers and trucks

www.3bhire.co.uk Vale Life : May/June 2012

Vale Life : May/June 2012

From musicals to ballet, comedy to street dance, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre’s hot new programme of productions will ensure Summer sizzles even if the weather doesn’t.... South Pacific

Patricia Hodge and Nicholas Le Prevost in Dandy Dick The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Radio Show... Live!

Vale Life : May/June 2012

he landmark Lincoln Center production of South Pacific, direct from a sell-out season at London’s Barbican, will lead us singing and dancing into Aylesbury Waterside Theatre’s summer season and a host of shows and events that guarantee a spectacular Summer whatever the weather, it’s always fine inside! The award-winning musical (May 15th26th), starring Samantha Womack, Alex Ferns and Matthew Cammelle, is a real must-see spectacular, packed with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic hits including Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair and There is Nothin’ Like a Dame, to name but three. It’s one of the finest scores ever written, and definitely not to be missed. From musical theatre to mind-blowing acts of mentalism, TV illusionist Derren Brown makes his Aylesbury debut with his critically acclaimed Olivier Award-winning production, Svengali. It’s on for a week (May 28th - June 2nd), so don’t miss Derren’s mix of suggestion, psychology and showmanship as he seemingly predicts and controls human behaviour. For the ultimate girlie get-together with laughs galore, catch the brilliantly funny

musical comedy Girls Night (June 12th-16th). Following five lifelong friends on a hilarious karaoke night packed with diva anthems such as Dancing Queen, I Will Survive and It’s Raining Men, it stars real-life sisters Gillian (EastEnders) and Kim (Bad Girls) Taylforth and promises ‘fun, friendship and fantastic music’. The laughs continue with the first major revival for 40 years of Dandy Dick (July 17th-21st), starring Olivier Award-winner Patricia Hodge and Olivier Award-nominee Nicholas Le Prevost. The solid-gold cast tells the hilarious story of the Very Reverend Augustin Jedd who preaches against the evils of ‘the turf ’, but, following a visit from his tearaway sister and against his better judgment, risks all at the races. Mayhem ensues, with romantic intrigue, mistaken identity and a runaway horse. Making a brief touchdown in July is The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Radio Show... Live! (July 9th-10th), which reunites the legendary radio and TV cast for just two performances. The new stage production is a radio show like you never saw before, with surround sound, lots of laughter, robots, really wild sound effects and drinks with extremely silly names. Led by Simon Jones as Arthur Dent, the cast rocket through

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Summer at The Waterside Your at-a-glance guide to what’s on... South Pacific

Street dancers Flawless team up with The English National Ballet in Against Time

The Taylforth sisters in Girls Night highlights of the entire Hitchhiker’s Saga and are joined on stage by a series of VIP Guest Voices Of The Book. For dance-lovers eager to see something different, English National Ballet and Flawless’s Against Time (June 30th - July 1st) fuses street dance with classical ballet, with a bit of acrobatics tumbled in for good measure. For traditionalists, English Youth Ballet’s beautiful new production of Sleeping Beauty (August 24th-25th) showcases young talent on the big stage. Oxford Philomusica and Benjamin Grosvenor perform Grieg’s gloriously romantic Piano Concerto on June 10th. Bringing music from yesteryear back to life is Barry Steele’s spectacular multimedia tribute to The Big O, Roy Orbison and Friends (June 29th), while Abba fans get to dig out their platforms and spandex and belt out Waterloo and Dancing Queen to their heart’s content at Sing-a-long-a ABBA Tribute (July 28th). And for kids, Peppa Pig and her friends drop anchor at the Waterside with Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt (July 28th-29th), a fun-packed party full of songs, puppetry and pirate japes.

The Waterside’s Second Space continues to host the monthly AW Comedy Club (June 1st, July 6th and July 27th), boasting some of the finest up-and-coming comedians from the UK comedy circuit, including Edinburgh previews. As part of the Tringe Festival, it also has Tringe Festival Presents Jenny Eclair and Richard Herring (July 14th). Music in Quiet Places (June 6th) takes a break from its Vale village tour for a performance at Second Space, featuring works by Vivaldi, Mozart, Gluck, Zipoli, Telemann and Dell’Abaco, performed by musicians from The Orchestra of Stowe Opera and conductor Robert Secret. Also at Second Space, for one night only, Nicholas Parsons: A Laugh a Minute (May 18th) is a show full of humour, comedy and acutely observed characterisations. Waterside’s programme of LiveScreen events, broadcasting theatre, musicals, opera and dance from around the world, continues. Highlights include the encore screening of the National Theatre’s Frankenstein (June 14th and July 19th) and Bolshoi Ballet Live with Raymonda (June 24th). l Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1UG Telephone Booking: 0844 871 7607 Website: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury

May 15th-26th

Nicolas Parsons: A Laugh a Minute

May 18th

South Pacific Theatre Workshop

May 19th

Creative Learning: South Pacific Arts & Craft Workshop

May 26th

Derren Brown Svengali

May 28th-June 2nd

Comedy Club

June 1st

Music in Quiet Places

June 6th

Oxford Philomusica and Benjamin Grosvenor

June 10th

Girls Night

June 12th-16th

LiveScreen: NT Frankenstein

June 14th

LiveScreen: Bolshoi Ballet Raymonda

June 24th

Roy Orbison and Friends

June 29th

Flawless & ENB Against Time

June 30th-July 1st

Creative Learning: Flawless & English National Ballet Dance Workshop

July 1st

Comedy Club

July 6th

The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy Radio Show... Live!

July 9th-10th

Tringe Festival Presents Jenny Eclair & Richard Herring

July 14th

LiveScreen: NT Frankenstein

July 19th

Dandy Dick

July 17th-21st

Comedy Club Edinburgh Preview

July 27th

Sing-a-long-a ABBA

July 28th

Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt Sleeping Beauty

July 28th-29th August 24th-25th

The English Youth Ballet perform Sleeping Beauty

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Luxury Coach Holidays

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

Please phone for your Free Copy of our current Day Trip Programme May Day Trips: Sat 5 Canterbury & Ashford Designer Outlet: £19 Sat 5 Spalding Spring Flower Parade: £29 Sun 6 Weymouth: £19 Sat 12 Malvern Spring Flower Show: £32 Buckingham Palace Diamond Jubilee Celebration Aug 1st, Sept 7th & 28th: £39 Chelsea Flower Show Only £71 May 24th & 25th Hampton Court Flower Show July 5th & 6th: £50

Orient Express Day Trip with Edwardian Afternoon Tea & Champagne Aug 16th: £239 Neil Diamond & Rat Pack Tribute Weekend 3 Days HB Live Show Best Western Charnwood Hotel Fri Sept 21st: £159 SPECIAL OFFER! The Cumberland Hotel, Seafront Eastbourne 5 Days - HB + Phil entertaining! Excursions included Monday May 28th: £209

Royal Ascot - Ladies Day June 21st: £55

See our 2012 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 44

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Join the Jubilee celebrations in Aylesbury town centre...

012 is an exciting year for Aylesbury town centre and this June half term is no exception as local princesses and knights are invited to Market Square on Thursday, June 7, for some right royal fun! Aylesbury town centre is joining in with the national celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee with Princesses and Knights – a free family event organised by the Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership. Bring your dressed up princess or knight to enjoy a wide range of free activities across the town between 11am and 3pm. Come to Market Square to take the bouncy castle by storm and try your hand at the inflatable gladiator jousting. Market Square will also be hosting Jubilee inspired arts and crafts from tiaras to shields and there will be free face painting and a chance to get your own sword at the free balloon modelling. Why not see if you can find all the treasure hidden in Friars Square Shopping Centre and complete the treasure trail - there’s prizes to be won! Explore the streets of Aylesbury and uncover hidden secrets from the past, with a free guided heritage tour. Discover where the Great Train Robbery trial took place, the old Workhouse and find out where Oliver Cromwell

Balloon modelling

A bouncy castle and inflatable jousting are just two of the fun activities on offer Free face painting!

stayed after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. The Bucks County Museum is celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee with their exhibition The Two Jubilee Queens. Learn about the two jubilee Queens, Queen Victoria and our present monarch Queen Elizabeth, right, and see photos and objects from their visits to Buckinghamshire. Whilst you enjoy the free events, why not recharge your batteries at one of the many cafés, restaurants or bistro pubs in Aylesbury town centre, or browse the range of independent and national shops. The Princesses and Knights event is just one of the free events that take place every Thursday of the school holidays organised by the Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership. The events take place every school holiday.

The Easter Treasure Hunt and Inflatable Fun Day proved popular during the Easter holidays, and the mobile high ropes course at Half Term Fun in February had crowds ‘hanging around’ all day. During the Summer holidays the countryside will be coming to town with an animal farm; Caped Crusaders will be at the Superhero event; you’ll feel the need for speed on an eight lane Scalextric track and magic shows will entertain and amaze with tricks and illusions. The Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership is made up of town centre businesses, councils, Thames Valley Police and Chiltern Railways. The free events programme is designed to draw people in to enjoy Aylesbury town centre and support local businesses.

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Restore your glow and get feet fit for the Gemstone Midnight Walk with a pampering session at Aylesbury College’s Treat Boutique, all in aid of the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity

P Jorgie Porter and Rosemary Conley CBE Inset: Lynda Bellingham The cast of Legally Blonde

ink fluffy bunny ears may not be your usual Saturday night accessory but on July 14th, the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity is calling on the Vale’s womenfolk to pop a pair on, lace up your trainers and join them for the Gemstone Midnight Walk. And this year, as well as the familiar six-mile route they’re hoping walkers will go the extra mile and sign up for the half-marathon trek (13 miles). Registration for the walk - which last year saw 571 ladies pound the streets of Aylesbury - costs £15 and includes a Midnight Walk 2012 T-shirt, refreshments and goodies, a medal and of course a well-deserved breakfast when you’ve finished. Celebrities including Dancing on Ice stars Rosemary Conley CBE, Mark Hanretty, Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter, local lass Lynda Bellingham, the cast of Legally Blonde and Eastenders actress Gillian Wright have lent their support by donning the pink bunny ears, which has so far raised more than £120,000. Ex-Aylesbury High School girl Lynda Bellingham says: “This is a fantastic event for ladies in my hometown - I’m loving the pink this year. I wish everyone the very best of luck, whether you are doing six miles or 13 miles, and hope the event raises much-needed funds for the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity – such an important charity for so many local families affected by life-limiting illness.” Health and fitness guru Rosemary Conley CBE, who is backing the event for a second year, has some training tips: “By starting to train now and walking every day for 20 minutes, not only will it prepare you, but you will also be burning 100 calories for every mile you walk. Gradually build up your distances Last year’s Midnight walkers prepare to set off

Vale Life : May/June 2012

prior to the event. The wonderful bonus is the camaraderie on the night - you can walk twice as far as you think. Enjoy it everyone.” On July 14th, local Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Club (RCDFC) franchisee Joanna Beardsmore-Dilks will guide walkers through a fun warm-up, while DJ Phil Gomm will get the crowd revved up with some classic hits. “This is our third Midnight Walk and is the biggest fundraising event of the year for the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity, so we really want to see as many walkers taking part as possible, from familiar faces to new ones,” says FNHC Development and Events Manager Karen Shardlow. “The atmosphere is truly electric, and everyone has lots of fun.” Money raised helps support a complete care package for local families affected by life-limiting illness, including a 12-bed in-patient unit and day hospice, based at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Florrie’s Children’s Hospice at Home team, which last year made 779 home visits across the Vale, a Lymphoedema Clinic, which helped care for 2,641 patients last year, who were experiencing swelling in the limbs often associated with treatment of breast cancer, and a specialist community nursing team, which visited 2,282 patients in their own homes in 2011. The charity has also announced plans to fund a 24/7 service for patients across Aylesbury Vale. Local firms backing the walk include Mix 96FM, The Bucks Herald, Aqua Vale, Up & Running, Premier Windows, Aylesbury College, Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust, Spar Meadow Way, Nuffield Health, Fresh, the Game Club and Friars Square. l Gemstone Midnight Walk (call 01296 429975, or visit www.gemstonewalk.co.uk)

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Perfect summer pampering

hat better way to prepare for the Gemstone Midnight Walk than a mini pedicure or facial at Aylesbury College’s Treat Boutique. Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity (FNHC) has teamed up with the college to offer a lovely day of pampering, relaxation and beauty on May 12th (10am-4pm). It’s FREE to enter, and the first 100 people will receive a free glass of fizz and fantastic goodie bags, including money-off vouchers.

On the day, why not take your pick of luxurious hair and beauty treatments courtesy of Aylesbury College – you can even pre-book a £5 hair or beauty taster session prior to the day to beat the rush. Treats on offer include hair straightening, curling, blowdry and set, mini facials, file and polish on hands or feet and eyebrow waxing – all carried out by talented students and their tutors. The first 100 guests also get to have a tour round the Intuition

salon, and receive a £10 money-off voucher to use at a later date, maybe as a pick-me-up after the Gemstone Midnight Walk? As well as treatments, there will also be fashion and craft stalls selling jewellery, handbags, accessories, handmade crafts and baby clothes. Treat Boutique is a chance to give yourself a summer boost with firstclass hair and beauty treatments and in turn help raise funds for the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity by making a simple donation on the day. “We are very much looking forward to welcoming guests to our Treat Boutique for a bit of pampering,” says the College’s Anita Stubbings, “and hope to raise valuable funds for the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity on the day.” l Pre-book your £5 taster session for

either a hair, or beauty treatment, by calling 01296 429975.

Aylesbury College’s Intuition salon

Vale Life : May/June 2012

The funbubulous Roald Dahl Festival celebrates 10 years with a phizz-whizzing parade and The Roald Dahl Games...

he bungswoggling Roald Dahl Festival is returning to Aylesbury town centre on Saturday, July 7th, promising a totally whoppsywhiffling day of fantastic family activities and entertainment to celebrate the work of the world-renowned author, who lived in Great Missenden. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this year’s festival will be the biggest yet, and is themed on 10 of Roald Dahl’s books, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Twits. This scrumdiddlyumptious day will be packed full of exciting hands-on arts and crafts activities, storytelling, live music, street performance and dance. Don’t miss the fantabulous carnival parade, which kicks off celebrations at 11am, featuring amazing larger-than-life puppets and original artwork created by more than 500 local children and young people.

Vale Life : May/June 2012

There will also be music and street theatre, including top Samba bands, bringing the rhythms of South America and Africa to the streets of Aylesbury. As part of this year’s festival and to celebrate the London Olympics, The Roald Dahl Games will take place in nearby Vale Park, with Dahlingly different family fun races, taster sessions and friendly competitions, all rounded off with the Grand Final of the Gloriumptious Games, run by the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre. Have a wonkaful day! l The Roald Dahl Festival 2012 Website: www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/dahl Tel: 01296 585301

Vale Life : May/June 2012

Everyone’s invited The popular programme of free, friendly, community bike rides returns to Aylesbury Vale for 2012 and it’s bigger than ever. There are free group bike rides on quiet routes and trails from May onwards, led by British Cycling trained Ride Leaders who offer encouragement and support. It’s a great way for families and friends to get together, keep fit and explore the local area. There are four different levels of difficulty for the rides, so there is something for everyone, and children and young people can get some great gifts for joining one, two, or three rides. You can register now it’s free and everyone’s invited! For more information visit: www.goskyride.com/Aylesbury

Vale Life : May/June 2012

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Sunday 2nd September 2012 Wendover to Tring...

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