Wye Valley Life - December 2009 by Wye Valley Media

FOREST OF DEAN • HEREFORDSHIRE • POWYS • MONMOUTHSHIRE • SOUTH SHROPSHIRE

WYE VALLEY LIFE

DECEMBER 2009 ONLY £2.50

HOME FOR

Christmas With Sue & Bryan Sweet

ESSENTIAL

GIFT GUIDE To local shopping in

Hereford Hay Monmouth Leominster Ledbury Ludlow and more. . .

Festive Local Food

Restaurants • Recipes • Gourmet shopping

all near you DECEMBER 2009

PARTY PEOPLE including

HEREFORDSHIRE FOOD AWARDS RED CROSS FASHION SHOW HELP FOR HEROES Our social pages are full of your events

...is your life Winner

PIP DAVIES

Ploughs into 2010

A Glittering Black Tie Celebration Join us at The Celtic Manor Resort this New Year’s Eve and discover a magical world where a bewitching night-time experience awaits those who enter the enchanted garden. Encounter the larger than life flora and fauna in this colourful wonderland and enjoy a sumptuous five course dinner with wine, while graceful characters with mesmerizing talents entertain and delight, and music fills the night air. Prepare to be astounded by an enthralling evening of live entertainment that will leave you cheering for more!

£155 per person – including complimentary wine throughout dinner

For more details visit celtic-manor.com or call 01633 410252 Our New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner is open to adults aged 16 years and over.

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N Y W H E R E

My life WVM

Editor/Publisher Heidi Chamberlain-Jones Contributing Editor Wincey Willis Features Sharon Chilcott Claire Hamilton P.R. and Special Features Pippa Bullock Contributors Antony Watkins Ally Watkins Rose Norman Heart of England Fine Foods Tim Kidson Eddie Cleal Kim Raplh Kidwells Law Derek Keeble Studio Supervisor and Magazine Design James Chamberlain Advertising Design Hannah Watkins Photography John Teale Advertising Nicola Morgan Jolene Stallard Victoria Nicolson-James Marketing & Business Development Martin Brain Accounts Julie Wallace-Stock I.T. Administration Matthew Chamberlain-Jones

ISSN 1757 7462 Published 12 times a year by Wye Valley Media Ltd 4 The Sheepcote, Monks Orchard Farm, Lumber Lane, Lugwardine, Herefordshire, HR1 4AG Tel/Fax: 01432 850472 www.wyevalleymedia.co.uk Advertising: Tel: 01432 851115 sales@wyevalleylife.co.uk

Tell us your story We want to hear about inspirational people from the region with a unique and interesting story to tell.Whether about life changes, overcoming adversity, pursuing a passion.

MY LIFE Christmas

at the Wye Valley Media ofﬁce is literally like Santa’s workshop. Our photographic studio is piled so high with tempting products, that we almost decided that we had everything we needed from our own lists right here and didn’t want to return any of it. This, of course, means that we have pages and pages of festive goodies in our gift guide for you this issue, for everyone in the family from kids to grandparents and they can all be found at an independent retailer in a town near you.

This said, I have planned a couple of December shopping days when I am going to meet some special friends that only get together twice a year, and we’ll have a good catch up while wafting in and out of the shops of a local little town. It’s an ideal way to kill two birds with one stone and much more relaxing. For those of you that may also be planning some festive day-trips, we have put together a brilliant guide to some of the towns around the counties, and where some of the worthwhile shops and ideal lunch or coffee stops are once you get there. While this month’s stunning property feature shows how Ruth and Brian Sweet from Monmouth have created a very glamorous festive feel to their home, I must admit that I am a huge fan of handmade and often homemade things, and if I receive something that someone has made for me, it’s so special. I live in a cottage, so my ﬁreplace, doors and windows get crammed with rustic decorations that I assemble myself, and I use ‘rustic’ with great artistic license. Fortunately in this issue Kim Ralph from Monmouth is showing us how to make some really easy yet professional looking decorations that even children can do. And talking of handmade and children, we are very excited to introduce to you Carol Powell’s Herefordshire company Re-jigged, which makes completely fabulous and individual children’s clothes from unsaleable garments donated to St Michael’s Hospice. With part of her proﬁts going back to the Hospice, this is an amazing project that everyone can get involved in. While you may have your Christmas party already booked, New Year is often a later decision, so if you still need inspiration browse our food pages for some ideas on where the best night for you may be. I have to concede that Matt and I will be entertaining at home this year, and even Billy, our bulldog, is getting excited because he thinks that means that there will be lots of goodies around for him to steal. Little does he realise that last year’s escapades where he horrifyingly worked his way through a carrier bag full of luxury chocolates destined for gifts, and which left him bloated and hyperactive for three days, will not be repeated this year; we have found a very secure hiding place – on top of the wardrobe!

Socialise with us If you would like your social event to be featured, contact us at least four weeks beforehand.

01432 850472

editorial@wyevalleylife.co.uk

. . .OUR STOCKISTS

WYE VALLEY LIFE

LIFE IN THE MARCHES

NEW STOCKIST

Wishing all of you a wonderful festive season and thanks for joining us in another great year of reading. Don’t forget, a subscription to your favourite magazine could be the ideal gift solution this year.

You can now buy copies of your favourite monthly lifestyle magazine at

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Heidi Chamberlain-Jones Editor / Publisher

Wyevale Hereford Garden Centre

If you would like to become a stockist of of our magazines please contact John Brazier on 01432 850472 or distribution@wyevalleylife.co.uk The magazine will make every effort to return picture material but it is sent at the owner’s risk. All rights reserved. No part of the magazine may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, electronic, mechanical or photocopying without prior written permission of the publisher. The magazine cannot be held responsible for views or claims expressed by contributors or advertisers, which are not necessarily those of the publisher.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

CONTENTS Contents WVM

8 HOME SWEET HOME

Ruth and Bryan Sweet’s Monmouthshire home invites a festive family Christmas.

18 CHRISTMAS IN OUR TOWNS

A 20 page guided tour of the best shopping in your regional towns.

38 A CUT ABOVE

Carol Powell presents her new venture, Re-jigged, turning old clothes into new adorable fashion.

43 FASHION

It’s party time.

46 A HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS

How to make your own easy decorations.

49 THE BIG GIFT GUIDE

Pages and pages of ideas for all the family, locally.

60 BEAUTY AND WELL-BEING

Be your best this season.

64 OUT IN THE COUNTRY

Ploughing champion Pip Davies talks tractors and Wincey sees some winter wildlife.

70 BUSINESS

Legal and financial advice, plus help for your family business.

74 A REAL BLESSING

How a local man brings international help to the world.

78 ENTERTAINMENT

Your guide to what’s on in December.

82 FOOD

Local producers, Flavours winners photos, recipes, gourmet shopping, where to go festive feasting and food news.

98 HOROSCOPE

Your Christmas stars from Ally.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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Home life

DRIVING HOME

for christmas

Words by Sharon Chilcott photographs by John Teale

“There will be eleven of us for Christmas,” says Ruth. “We’ll have our two grandchildren, our daughters Corinne and Liz, Corinne’s partner Vidas, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and two friends. This house is just great for entertaining. There’s lots of space and a large TV room for the children, with a huge surround sound entertainment system.

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

We’ll light the fire in the lounge and eat just as it is getting dark, when we will be able to see the icicle lights and coloured lights in the garden. Christmas dinner will be served in the couple’s newly decorated dining room, where Ruth‘s brave but successful shocking pink colour scheme is complemented

by co-ordinating Christmas decorations and table settings. The colour scheme even cleverly harmonises with her dining service. Monmouthshire interior designer Andrea Scholl has had a hand in designing the soft furnishings in the house and decorating it for the festivities, using items from The Gift Shop

based at Andrea’s home in Raglan. Her touches are evident throughout this large and imposing house, where she has helped Ruth realise her vision. The couple moved into their new home in June 2008 and for Brian, who works in the semi-conductor industry, it was a home-coming.

Home life WVM

If ever a house lent itself to entertaining, it’s Ruth and Brian Sweet’s newly built mansion on the outskirts of Monmouth, where this Christmas they are planning a real family get-together.

Even though this is the couple’s twelfth property, and home has variously been in America, Ireland and England, Brian was born and brought up in Wales in the Newport area.

here” says Ruth. In the end, the couple exchanged and completed on the same day. “We exchanged contracts at 1pm and moved in at 3pm. It was that fast – typical of Brian. After twenty two months on the market, our buyer came out of nowhere.”

“We saw it when they struck ground here in 2006, but it took us twenty two months to sell our property in Oxfordshire before we could get

The four-bedroom property was built with many state of the art features. It is ‘wired for sound’ with a system operated from a control

room in the hallway. It also has a reed bed drainage system, as opposed to mains drainage, to minimise environmental impact on the countryside and community. Nevertheless, when the couple moved in, there were some immediate changes they found it necessary to make. There were also things, notably the cream carpet throughout, which they wouldn’t have chosen but for the moment are living with. ››

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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Home life

“We exchanged contracts at 1pm and moved in at 3pm.”

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

Home life WVM “There was not a wardrobe in the place so we started out by putting in fitted wardrobes as well as curtains and blinds. The gallery landing was intended to be an open plan office area, but we like it as an open space so we converted the garden store into a study. There was a sauna in the shower room downstairs but we have taken that out and put it in a chalet outside,” says Ruth. They also intend to put a hot tub in the garden, and to extend the roof of the chalet over it. The property already had its own self-contained two-bed flat above the triple garages and, as this is about to become home to the couple’s daughter Corinne and her family, the next task is to fit a kitchen in a fortnight! The cream carpet aside, Ruth has taken charge of the colour scheme for the fabrics and furnishings. “I have always chosen oranges and golds before,” she says. But this time she has been more adventurous, as well as using pink fabrics from Jones and Co in the dining room, incorporating beautiful turquoise shades in one of the guest rooms. The couple have made the garden into a stunning feature of the property, where Ruth, a former biology lecturer, has done all the planting and has included apple trees, conference pears and peaches. Many of the plants are from a local garden centre and nursery, where she says she received excellent advice. “The house was built in an old orchard, it was agricultural land so the soil is very good and easy to dig.” The couple also have a kitchen garden where they grow all their own vegetables. Both the main bedroom and one of the guest bedrooms have balconies overlooking the garden. Brian designed his light and bright new office with low windowsills so his work desk has a “disappearing edge” to the greenery of the garden.

“We had to take the sofa apart to get it in.”

The roomy house has been able to accommodate some very large items of furniture which the couple brought back with them from a previous home in Florida, from the imposing bed in the main bedroom to a large sofa in the TV room. It will seat seven or eight people in comfort,” says Brian. The TV room is clearly one of his favourite entertaining rooms. As well as the enormous television, there is a cannibalised kitchen unit which opens to disclose a bank of optics and a small fridge for mixers. There is no doubt this room will be well used over the festivities.

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Another Betty A recent visit to London and the Bloomsbury exhibition has seen me dabbling in an artistic bonanza of colour and design. Not quite Vanessa Bell, but extraordinarily like Clarice Cliff, I am indulging in claret red, greens and oranges like there is no tomorrow. Inspired by the now familiar government chant of five fruit and vegetables a day and mix your hues, this Christmas, design and food are merging into one. It occurs to me that the above huess are beautifully presented if accompanied by cream, and so it is with aesthetic consideration that I am adding cream to my cooking, by way of balance and form. Here is a recipe that is so delicious; I can hardly keep myself from overeating. George and the bathroom scales may prevent this from happening, but do I have to spend my entire life weighing up the consequences? NO, BETTY, YOU DO NOT! Consider this a Christmas must, with a twist on the usual baked ham. The result is colourful, delicious, and certainly worth photographing or painting to put onto the wall, but the best of all, it is to indulge the stomach. BAKED HAM WITH POMEGRANATE MOLASSES 1 large gammon ham, soaked overnight 400ml pomegranate juice

75ml lemon juice 100g sugar 1tsp cinnamon a few cloves TO MAKE THE MOLASSES Place the pomegranate juice, lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon in a saucepan, bring to boil and simmer until reduced to half its content. This makes a thick delicious syrup. Leave to cool. Cover the soaked ham with fresh cold water and add a few bay leaves and bring to a rolling boil. Drain and discard the water. Pat the ham dry and smother with butter and insert a few cloves. Cover with foil and place in the large meat tin in the lower part of the roasting oven for 25 minutes to the pound. After about an hour, remove and cover with half of the pomegranate molasses; re-cover with foil and place in the simmering oven for 20mins to the pound. When the ham is falling off the bone, cover with the remaining molasses and brown again in the roasting oven. This will be a few minutes. Do not let it burn. Allow cooling if liked, slice thinly and cover with spoonfuls of juice from the pan. Serve with green beans, carrots and luxury creamed mashed potato.

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Social life WVM 1

Red Cross Fashion Show Names and photographs by Michelle Gerrard Over 160 people attended the recent fashion Show by View, in aid of the British Red Cross. 5

The show, which featured exciting new ranges of Autumn and Winter wear, was delivered by 16 models in four sections - Dress to Impress, Dress Down, Little Black Dress and Dress It Up. Around £4,000 was raised. Sue Burleigh, fund-raiser for the British Red Cross said ‘We are extremely grateful to Becky Rumsey and her team from View, for putting on such an excellent show. Many thanks also to Karen and Rob Watkins for the use of their fabulous venue, to hair stylists from One St Peter’s Square, the Events Committee, helpers on the night and Translight and Music Pool. Money raised from this event will go toward vital Red Cross services in our local community.’ 1. Chris Watkins, Julie Morris, Rosemary Hudson 2. Karen Watkins, Sam Thomas and Jane Williams 3. Alex Cotter, Sheila Williams 4. Lucy, Lorraine, Louise and Sarah 5. Michael Carr, Malcom Ainslie and Martin Brain 6. Katy Price and Clare Peters 7. Sue Burleigh,Ali Baker, Melanie Evans, Gill Rivers, Thelma Whitney who are The Red Cross Events Committee 8. The models 9. Fashion finalé 10. Lisa Newall, Vicki Webb, Jo Laing, Wendy Prosser and Sam Laing DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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Celtic Christmas

Festivals

Revealing the history behind some of our Christmas traditions mummer’s plays These ancient knock-about dramas, performed around Christmas time, also feature the theme of death and resurrection. Typically St. George does combat with a Turkish knight who is killed then resurrected by a quack doctor.

green man The Oak King was originally the Wildman or spirit of vegetation, later called the Green Man. Stories like the Mediaeval ‘Sir Gawain and the Green knight’, in which the Green knight’s head is cut off, only to be restored again, are based on this idea of the death and regeneration of vegetation at this time of year.

death of the king Behind this solar festival lay the belief in the ritual death of the King. Like the vegetation itself, he had to die before being resurrected with the rising of the newborn sun. This concept also underlies the battle between the Oak King and the Holly King. At midwinter, the Oak King defeats the Holly, and at Midsummer, the Holly King wrests the crown back from the Oak and reigns through the waning of the year.

holly Holly was known as ‘tinne’ in old Irish, meaning ‘fire’. It was a holy tree, evergreen, tenacious, a symbol of immortality. At this season it could be taken into the home, both to perpetuate the powers of nature within it and to bring in elves and fairies at a time when their presence was believed to be beneficial. However, every last stick of greenery had to be removed by the festival of Imbolc (1st February) in case the elementals decided to remain in the house and cause mischief. Alongside the holly, all evergreen trees were considered sacred at this time. The idea of decorating an evergreen tree with candles comes from this belief.

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

the winter solstice The festival of Christmas harks back to the Celtic celebration of the Winter Solstice. This was typically held on 21st December, the shortest day of the year, when the sun appeared to have waned completely, following its slow descent in the sky since the summer Solstice. When the sun rose again on the following morning, this occasioned great rejoicing, for it symbolized the rebirth of the sun after its sojourn in death and darkness.

yule log Traditionally made of oak, the Yule Log was lit on Solstice Eve. A symbol of regeneration, it was kept burning until Twelfth Night. A slip of it was saved to provide kindling for the following year.

Celtic Christmas WVM

mistletoe Mistletoe was known as ‘All-heal’ and believed to carry the seed of life. The most sacred Winter Solstice ceremony of the druids was that of cutting down mistletoe that had alighted on an oak, as if falling from heaven. The ceremony marked the ritual fertilization of the earth by the god of the heavens who laid his seed, symbolized by the white mistletoe berries, on the branches of the oak.

holly and oak The oak and the holly when they are both full grown the holly fights the oak king on midsummer’s morn. The holly beats the oak king and reigns for half a year but the oak king rises up again when winter draws near. The oak king fights the holly on midwinter’s day the oak king beats the holly and bears the crown away.

father christmas The figure of Father Christmas with his red cloak (originally green) although owing much to the fourth-century bishop, Saint Nicholas, may also link with the Holly King. He represents the benevolent elderly man who, at the height of his reign, bestows gifts before departing.

candles The Celtic year began with winter, the time of death and darkness, but also the time of engendering new life. The midwinter solstice marked the rebirth of the light, with fires and candles lit in celebration. The connection between light and new life was carried into Celtic Christian times with the custom of leaving a candle in the window on Christmas Eve to help light the Virgin Mary on her way to birthing the Christ child.

triangular love stories This concept was also depicted as the fight between an ageing consort and a new young contender for the hand of the Spring Maiden. Triangular love-stories found in the Celtic myths, such as that of Tristan and Iseult, where a young woman is betrothed or married to an old king but is championed by a young warrior, are based on this seasonal ritual. This motif appears again in the love affair between King Arthur’s wife, Queen Guinevere, and the young knight, Lancelot. DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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Shopping in Hereford

Hereford

Christmas shopping in

Words and photographs by Heidi Chamberlain Jones

It feels like a real winter in Hereford this year, with chilly days and misty sunshine brushing the clock tower above the Butter Market and reflecting magically off the medieval windows of the Old House in High Town. As I am trotting through the square grasping my Christmas list, the festive windows are stunting my progress as I veer off for another impulse buy and justified stocking fillers. Hereford’s shops are themed for every trend and pocket, and a feeling that there is something to smile about. I always think that Hereford is just the right size, on the retail front. There are only so many shops one can look at in these bigger cities before it all starts to get repetitive. So stay locally and re-discover what our City has to offer, you’ll be wonderfully surprised. This year, to help guide you to the right places, we’ve mapped out some of our favourite independents that we know will help solve your Christmas dilemmas. We’ll start from that landmark meeting place, Marks and Spencer in High Town and signpost you from there. WIDEMARSH STREET As you walk out of Marks and Spencer, you will see Widemarsh Street directly in front of you. As well as hosting some excellent fashion shops, wine bar, snack and coffee shops, one of the street’s 18

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

newest additions is Coco’s Vintage Living. Run by sisters Maria and Andrea, this welcoming confection of vintage style accessories for the home will have you cooing endlessly as you gather glass tree decorations, little fabric hearts, linen and tableware and chic gifts galore. The shop is spread over two floors and new additions to the stock will keep you coming back time and again. A few doors up is Cookmate, a wonderful cook shop with everything for the amateur to the professional cook as well as the odd quirky gift, from flamboyant washing up gloves to a wonderful selection of tins for absolutely everything. Specialising in professional bakeware with many festive accessories, this is a place for quality kitchen equipment for the serious baker, with top of the range knives, pans

and plenty of fun items for foodie gift accessories like mugs, bottle stoppers, utensils et al. Walk from here into the precinct of Maylord Shopping Centre, through the ground floor with its seasonal stalls, and take the escalator to find Lamberts, specialists in swimwear and dancewear. Designer costumes for your winter sun holiday or cruise include built-in shapewear without compromising on design. Or of you need dancewear for you or your child, there is a whole range of clothing and footwear at this well-known stockist. A LITTLE DIVERSION Knowing where to nip off the beaten track is essential if you’re not to miss some of the City’s treats. Come out through Maylords from the other end and you will

find yourself in Commercial Street, just off the main Square with the Black and White House to your right. Spin to the left and at the end of this pedestrianised area and you’ll see Brand Names For Less. The title identifies the products exactly as they stock all sorts including luggage, electrical goods, toys, fashion accessories, the list is inexhaustible. Also pop into their new rug department for a vast selection of oriental rugs, ideal to spruce up a room for Christmas. Cut through the passageway by Macdonalds and you’ll reappear in Union Street. Generally better known for it’s takeaway outlets, it is also the home of Hereford City’s most modern bar and grill, Miro, giving the traditional steak-lover the best that Herefordshire can offer. Can’t choose between steak and fish? Then indulge in the best

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of both worlds with their unrivalled ‘surf and turf’ with a petit 5oz fillet and crevette prawns smothered in garlic butter, the perfect end to late night shopping. Or call in for the lighter lunchtime menu and a latte to rest your weary feet. Christmas parties are also very popular here and there are even some excellent overnight rooms if you’re really planning to let your hair down. ST OWENS STREET Follow Union Street to its opposite end and the statuesque Shire Hall indicates that you have entered St Owens Street. The central monument pivots the local bus service where you can alight centrally and immediately see our famous independent wine merchants Tanners. World wines and their own specialist cellar ensure that they stock everything from Barolo to Barbera, champagnes to spirits, with

special offers and discounts for bulk purchases; so sensible for the festive season. Along a couple of notches is One St Peter’s Square, hair and beauty salon. Formerly long established as Keith St Peters, and still owned by Keith Whitney, this re-branding is the beginning of an exciting progression to this well-known and respected business. Your festive functions need you looking your best, and, using the latest in designer products, this is the place to have literally a top to toe makeover. Read more about them further into this issue. Off the Wall is a great fun gallery of gifts and art that really is ‘off the wall’. Quality novelty ornaments, prints, cards, and items to make you smile make this a good interlude for those hard to buy for people. ››

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Shopping in Hereford WVM

Hereford

Christmas shopping in

‹‹ Strolling along further, the very ‘Christmas Carol’style frontage of Andrew Lamputt Silversmith is a traditional, quality, family run silverware and jewellery specialist, who has relied on his reputation for decades. You will not be disappointed for a Christmas gift in here. From picture frames to beautiful collectables that can become family heirlooms, you’ll find modern ranges alongside antique pieces behind his famous window. Andrew also offers silver restoration, valuation and wedding services as well as engraving for a very personal message. Take yourself to the junction where Mill Street meets St Ethelbert Street and you can’t miss the vibrant windows of Arte, Hereford’s premier Mediterranean restaurant. This distinctive location offers an American diner menu theme of Berties, as more of a family venue, or flavours of Europe in the main dining area. Arte is ideal for supper or just a drink in the modern bar and is famous for its excellent Sunday lunches, using the same local meat suppliers as its sister restaurant Miro. If you haven’t planned your New Year celebrations, join the party and book your table now for Arte’s champagne reception followed by a spectacular six course extravaganza with live musical entertainment in their private function suite. The black tie event promises to be a mixed bag of fun and merriment to see in 2010 in style. From here divert into St Ethelbert Street until it

joins the regency buildings of Castle Street. On the edge of the park and overlooking the duckfilled pond is Castle House. Beyond its grand façade, this boutique hotel caters for either the casual coffee drinker or a more formal diner. Enjoy homemade soups or rustic sandwiches from the bistro menu, or more substantial dishes from the main restaurant. Special Christmas menus will be on offer throughout December and a spectacular seven course dinner with champagne reception will take you into the New Year on a gourmet high. AROUND THE CATHEDRAL Church Street As you step out of Castle House you will be taking in the promenade of Castle Street, right up to the Cathedral but a few hundred yards away. Make your way here, and don’t forget to make a note of when the wonderful Christmas Choral events are on and the Christmas Fair, before you turn right into Church Street. The epitomy of old Hereford, this cobbled street and ancient buildings, is just idyllic at this time of year. Packed with an abundance of small independent retailers including designer clothes for men and women, classical music, cheese shop, map shop, a gift and home shop, wonderful card and jewellery retailer and health food shop, let’s highlight some of our favourite reasons for leading you here.

Decades of experience have ensured that John Mckellar’s jewellery gallery in is always stocked with interesting creations that will ensure that your jewellery is not just a beautiful gift but a conversation piece. With a clear identity for artisan workmanship, John carefully selects designers who will perpetuate the gallery’s reputation for individuality and statement pieces. For the home White Hall Flooring has recently expanded from selling natural stone flooring to luxury bathrooms and tiles aswell. They have wonderful displays from wet rooms and showers to luxurious dream bathrooms, so make sure you pop in if you are planning to update your existing bathroom or design a whole new one. The Cook’s Haven, owned by Gillie Bulmer and Ali Baker, is a chef and domestic cook’s dream. The shop is packed to the rafters with just about everything from Le Creuset and Bridgewater to the latest must have kitchen gadgets and they are now the proud stockists of stylish Alessi accessories. Opposite here fragrant aromas will have you peeping through the windows of The Stewing Pot, and you’ll see happy diners either easing through lunch or a more leisurely supper in this award winning, modern British restaurant. Championing local produce, two courses at lunch are currently just £12.95, the ideal break for busy shoppers. ››

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

Escape on Church street has opened it’s brand new salon on Church Street, Hereford.

We are now stocking

The only stockists in Hereford!

Escape offers a top class unisex Hair and Beauty salon. Beauty Treatments inc s Waxing s Various Facials s Massages s Eyebrow & Lash tinting s Manicure’s & Pedicure’s s Coming soon - Reflexology

Plus many more Pop into the Salon for a free consultation. 9 Church St, Hereford 01432 266233

The Lingerie Shop Practical and glamorous collections including Triumph, Freya, Panache, Lejaby, Masquerade, Fantasie, Vanity Fair and more Also swimwear and nightwear Expert ﬁtting 36 Church Street, Hereford, HR1 2LR Tel. 01432 264340

Also stockists of: Cafetiere, Le Creuset, Nespresso, Cuisinart & Magimix

For more details Cooks Haven. 31 Church Street, Hereford

01432 356233 www.cookshaven.co.uk www.cookshaven.co.uk

Shopping in Hereford WVM

Hereford

Christmas shopping in

‹‹ For something more casual, take a break at Nutters tucked away in Capuchin Yard off Church Street. This delicious vegetarian and vegan café has a wide selection of well-priced homemade dishes and gorgeous cakes. Nutters offers a café style environment and on a fine day you can sit outside in the mews. Opposite this mews is Lulu Smith’s, a wonderful shop especially for ladies who love beautiful shoes and footwear for all occasions. Proprietor Susan Smith selects Longchamp bags, Santos handmade cowboy boots and stylish designer day and evening shoes and boots in the latest trends. Who can resist the attractions of beautiful and well-fitting lingerie? The Lingerie Shop will bring

temptation in many forms and from many labels. Pop down to pick up a beautiful Masquerade set, slide a pair of Wolford’s into your own stocking or ear-mark a new robe and silky nightwear. Be expertly fitted and send hubby armed with your size and range preference, then he can’t go wrong. Escape to Church Street, and why not? Following a relocation from The Mews, St Owens Street, Escape hair and beauty salon is a smart addition to this picturesque lane. Take time out to be pampered by a host of treatments with a first class service. Pop in for a free consultation and keep your eyes on this magazine for more news from Escape in 2010.

You’re now at a junction where East Street cuts across Church Street before the latter continues back into the main town square. Just to your right there are two places you mustn’t miss. Give this year’s gift a little twist of the individual with a designer piece of jewellery from Mike Gell’s Contemporary Jewellery gallery. Facing onto East Street, the window dazzles with quirky ideas for all tastes, from fun brooches to gem stone earrings and necklaces. A great supporter of the Alloy designers group, Mike loves to present all things unique from regional craftsmen that reflect his resistance to convention. Blue Lizard opposite is fantastic for your Christmas and New Year glow. Not only does it have a ››

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

COOKMATE

“Everything for the Christmas Cook ” Culinary gifts, professional cookware and bakeware Seasonal decorations and storageware Kitchen equipment and utensils for the serious chef

Advertise where it works in 2010....

Cookmate Kitchen Shop 43 Widemarsh Street, Hereford, HR4 9EA 01432 275 013 www.cookmate.co.uk

THE RUG CENTRE Bluecoat Street (opposite Kwik-fit)

Unique Amber & Silver Jewellery

• Truly unique designs • Tie pins & cufflinks available for men • One of the biggest selections of amber & silver jewellery in the UK

For the full range please visit our website:

www.henryka.co.uk For a free catalogue call:

01432 342 144 or email us:

sales@henryka.co.uk

www.henryka.co.uk

Iranian, Turkish, Afghan and Indian Handmade Rugs all

UP TO 50% OFF

Available to view at our showroom The biggest selection of rugs in the county Open 7 Days Bluecoat Street, Hereford (opposite Kwikfit), 0560 3438830 / 07970 852956. (also access through BRAND NAMES FOR LESS )

Shopping in Hereford WVM

Hereford

Christmas shopping in

‹‹ great tanning and beauty salon it offers the new and exciting CACI machine (for a non-surgical more affordable face lift), to make you look even more alive over the festive period. BROAD STREET Cut through the contrasting end of East Street, behind M&S and you will meet Broad Street. With short stay parking, this is another road that has some little gems. Known for its jewellers Broad Street is home to Pleasance and Harper, a family business that has been around for years and stocks a vast range of jewellery and world- renowned watches from Switzerland. It is also Hereford’s only stockist of the popular Pandora bracelets as well as beautiful diamond rings, gems, necklaces and a wish list to dream of. As you walk down the street away from the

town centre, you will find Hereford Framing Centre, which is run by sisters Gail and Avril. They have a wealth of experience and can advise on suitable mounts and frames for your favourite art and prints, plus everything is done on site ensuring a secure, speedy and efficient service. They also stock a wide range of prints and already framed pictures that could take your fancy as well as a range of specialist gifts. KING STREET With the Cathedral appearing once again, on the left, and the City Library and Museum on your right, the next street worth a visit is King Street. Just around the corner is Sarah Janes Joy of Flowers, a wonderful florist that has customers coming back for more and more, especially during the festive season when a bouquet or arrangement can say and mean so much. She

also stocks quirky gifts as well as limited edition Beatrix Potter toys. On the other side of the street you will find Pritchards Menswear. The sleek glass fronted shop windows and stylish displays show off their ranges of Paul Smith, Armani, Ralph Lauren to name a few, as well as shoes, belts and accessories by Gant, Hugo Boss and the brands that the county’s best dressed men should be wearing. Crossing over at the junction you will find Bill Child Formal Wear run by Tony and Carolyn Cook. Here you will be expertly kitted out for every kind of formal occasion from weddings and hunt balls to proms, the ideal outlet for your black tie party wear. As you come out of the shop you face directly down Bridge Street and will just see the stone walls of Hereford’s pretty Old Bridge, that marks the banks of the River Wye. This is where you

will find the brasserie and function suites of the Left Bank. Open for casual dining or Christmas parties, this venue offers unrivalled views of floodlit waters and the Castle Green and playing fields, from its three sweeping terraces adorned with Christmas sparkle. And that almost ends our seasonal excursion around the City, though we must mention a little secret new arrival soon to appear; Henryka is an online fine art and jewellery shop based in Hereford, but is soon to open its doors to the public at an exciting retail location. Check out their website on www.henryka. co.uk for your Christmas gifts and watch this space in this magazine for a lot more from Henryka in 2010.

Happy shopping.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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Herefordshire’s Fair Trade Shop Fabulous collection of Christmas gifts and decorations now available www.ethostrading.co.uk

• Gifts, toys and novelties • Interior accessories • Soft furnishings and rugs • • Beautiful jewellery • Exclusive knitwear • Scarves, bags and much more •

Little Tarrington Farm, Tarrington, Hereford | 01432 890423 Wednesday to Saturday 10-4pm Sunday 10-1pm Member of The British Association for Fair Trade Shops

“Our collection is full of small luxuries. Freshwater pearls, exquisite semi precious gemstones & silver. And our new ‘Juicy’ beads collection allows you to custom design your own bracelet. See you soon at our studio in Ledbury. ”

best worn chilled

Have you discovered Ledbury’s newest secret?

EMERALD & GREENE Inspired Past &Presents

Vintage & Vintage style clothing Handbags Accessories Mens Gifts Luxury Bath Products Candles & so much more

Juice Jewellery, Ledbury: Studio 1, Old Cottage Hospital Studios, The Homend, Ledbury HR8 1ED t: 0845 2240267 sales@juicejewellery.co.uk Shop online at www.juicejewellery.co.uk Tue-Fri 9.30-4.30, Sat 10.00-2.00

5 The Homend, Ledbury 01531 636492 www.emeraldandgreene.com

JJ01629_New Beads_133x93_AD 9.11.09

OptiON A

Home & Fashion Accessories

Specialists in quality bespoke picture framing

Limited edition prints featuring local artists Unusual cards and gift ideas Open Tuesday - Saturday

Wyebridge 2 Interiors 26 High Street • Ledbury tel: 01531 634102 email: info@presentsR4U.com

9-5pm Unit 1 Homend Trading Estate, Ledbury HR8 1AR

Advertise with style

(Next to Ledbury Train Station)

Contact 01432 851115

Tel: 01531 631411

sales@wyevalleylife.co.uk

Shopping in Ledbury WVM

Ledbury

Christmas shopping in

Ledbury’s chocolate box buildings add a Dickensian appeal to this border Herefordshire town at this time of year. Awash with gift shops, coffee houses, delicatessens, fashion shops, galleries, restaurants and florists, you’ll be hard pressed to come away empty handed from here this Christmas. Here are a few of our favourite gift stockists. Come into Ledbury from Hereford and you will pass the railway station and if you turn left you will find Ledbury Framing Shop tucked away, with beautiful cards, frames, local prints and the perfect place to have your pictures framed for that special gift. As you head into Ledbury, go over the traffic lights and into The Homend where, just up on the right hand side, is the newly converted Old Cottage Hospital which is where you will find Juice Jewellery. Ring the doorbell at reception, where Juice is accompanied by several other businesses in the building, and a real treat awaits you. Packed with beautiful jewellery, all designed by owner Jules Shadd, there is something for everyone from bracelets, necklaces, earrings and cufflinks all using silver, fresh water pearls and semi precious stones. Ranging from dainty delicate items to unique statement

pieces there is something to match every outfit and occasion at very affordable prices. A little further down on the opposite side of the road is J & P Antiques, which has a fabulous selection of vintage, modern and handmade jewellery. As one of the only Lalique stockists in the region, the distinctive and precious glass and crystal tableware glistens from the display cabinets along with art deco lamps and clocks, Halcyon Days enamel boxes and a plethora of specially selected classic and unique pieces for the appreciative antique acquirer. Well worth a visit for a truly spectacular present for someone special. Continue down the Homend until you come to the High Street with lots of shops and just by the pedestrian crossing you will happen upon Wyebridge 2, which is packed with beautiful gifts for all the family. Delicious interior accessories, Christmas decorations

and much more are spread over 2 floors, so your only dilemma will be not just what to buy but what to leave behind. Tucked away in picturesque Church Lane is award winning tea shop Mrs Muffins. Their excellent menu of sandwiches, cakes and light lunches alongside local juices and choice of beverages, makes this cosy and bustling destination the ideal quencher before you continue to browse the rest of the town. Ledbury’s newest shop is Emerald and Greene which is owned by Sarah Coffey and can be found on the Homend near the Market Place. It is packed with a wonderful collection of vintage clothing, handbags and gifts for the discerning.

Between Hereford and Ledbury, nestling in the pretty village of Putley, seek out Once Upon a Tree at Dragon Orchard. From their own orchards buy award winning ciders and juices and their fabulous Christmas gift shop treats you to gourmet hampers and goodies and also work from local artists. The A438 Hereford road holds further delights as tucked away in Little Tarrington the Fairtrade outlet of Ethos, will ensure that while you are making your Christmas purchases of ethically produced products, you will be helping to assist a developing world project or business. Owner Annie Samwells carefully selects fair trade gifts and interior accessories for men, women and children including Alpaca clothing, jewellery, wooden toys, bags and much more for the perfect festive feel-good gifts.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

POPPIES Brilliant Christmas gift ideas now in store Clothing Gifts Equestrian Garden 17 Broad Street & Station Yard, Worcester Rd,Leominster Tel. 01568 612277 www.hintonscountry.co.uk

Martins Models

Country Gifts

“This journal allowed my grandfather to finally capture his life story - and what a story for us to share!” “I completed the journal with my grandma - what a moving way to get to know her a priceless gift.” The family range of From You To Me Journals is perfect for giving to your nearest and dearest and is full of inspiring questions giving the recipient time and the opportunity to reflect on and record their own life, creating a moving family story that will be treasured forever by generations to come. Also in stock are the titles Christmas Present, Christmas Past, Cooking Up Memories and These Were The Days.

Poppies Country Gifts • 10 Corn Square • Leominster • HR6 8LR

LEOMINSTER GUN ROOM Sporting Gun Repair & Renovating Service Accessories and Clothing For all your shooting requirements contact

Mark Pierce

10 West Street, Leominster, Hereford HR6 8ES Tel: 01568 613782

The Lion Gallery

49 Etnam Street, Leominster Herefordshire HR6 8AE

Tel/fax 01568 615 652

Stand out from the crowd with advertising that really works.

Contemporary Craft and Fine Art from Herefordshire & the British Isles

The Clothes Exchange The Shop to Buy and Sell

your Quality Clothes

Open Monday - Saturday 10 - 5 Christmas Openings Sundays November 29th to December 20th 11am -4pm 15b Broad Street, Leominster, Herefordshire Tel. 01568 611898

Come and treat yourself to something ‘new’ for Christmas Beautiful, reasonably priced clothing from: s Frank Usher s Boden s Jaegar s Aquascutum Cashmere and silk, new handbags, scarves, fascinators in stock now

Burgess St, Leominster Tel: 01568 615191

01432 851115 e: sales@wyevalleylife.co.uk

Shopping in Leomister WVM

Leominster

Christmas shopping in

Leominster takes on a very festive feel in December, with a Victorian market at the beginning of the month and a lantern walk a few days before Christmas. Embrace the atmosphere of this lovely market town and take a look at our guide to some of the friendliest shops and watering holes to help you to do your Christmas shopping! It all begins before you have even entered the town. Start the day bright and early and join Paula, Tony and family for a warm welcome at the renovated Kings Head, Docklow, on the Worcester A44 just outside Leominster. This traditional pub serves lunches daily 12-2 and has now opened Monarchs, open at 07.15a.m. for a proper breakfast, pastries and real coffee. There is ample parking, lovely views, heated terrace and outdoor play area. Again just off the A44 towards Leominster discover The Lamb Inn at Stoke Prior. Ron and staff will make you very welcome with good pub food and a friendly atmosphere plus a good selection of ales and the play area outside will allow the kids to let off steam. The picturesque England’s Gate Inn, 16th Century pub in Bodenham, offers a warm welcome with a real fire, good pub food and real ales. The additional coachhouse is being converted at present and will provide outstanding accommodation for visitors with families in 2010. Meanwhile it is business as usual at the pub with steak nights, New Year Dinner and Dance and Christmas party menus

available. Head off to Leominster town centre and park for free in Etnam Street car park, then make your way to Poppies Country Gifts in Corn Square. Poppies has so many Christmas gift ideas. Have a look at the Me To You Journals for a family gift to be treasured for generations to come. Further along, Leominster Gun Room’s proprietor Mark Pierce has over 30 years experience in the gun trade and prides himself on his supply of shotguns, rifle and airguns, clothing and accessories as well as a full gunsmith service and repair. The ideal place to treat the country pursuit enthusiast this year. If you approach Leominster from the other end of town, park near the library and take a stroll into The Clothes Exchange, Burgess Street. Pick up a new or nearly new bargain here; a designer outfit at a fraction of the original cost, beautiful handbags, cashmere and silk, they even stock silk face-masks for winter nights to gently iron out the wrinkles on centrally heated or dehydrated skin. The Shabagh balti and tandoori restaurant in this street will certainly take the heat out

of having to cook supper after a day’s shopping or, of course, work. Their sleek restaurant offers an exotic Indian menu available for relaxed dining in or to take away. Stroll through Chapel Walk and into Broad Street where the Lion Gallery’s welcome wonder at the tempting artwork, jewellery, cards and the unusual, all chosen by owner Andrea. Their gifts with a twist will suit every pocket. Down from Lion Gallery is the flagship store of Broad Street, Hinton’s Country and Garden, with its well known façade. Their ranges of Sea Salt and Joules clothing add vibrant sunshine to a winter’s day and Christmas decorations and seasonal ware are in stock for something a little bit different. An Aladdin’s cave of wonderful toys, crafts and models for young and old can be found in West Street at Martins Models. Husband and wife team Martin and Annie have recently extended the store and it is one of the few real independent toyshops in the county offering quality brands like Playmobil, Sylvanian Families and Angelina Ballerina. For the dolls house enthusiast, this is the place to gather all your

collectibles, miniatures, furniture and accessories, as well as the stunning houses themselves. But for those who like big boys toys, look no further than Alexander and Duncan on Southern Avenue Industrial Estate. While this agricultural machinery merchant is well known as a John Deere dealer, the budding boy farmer will be thrilled to have a replica Gater from their child sized range to join dad on the farm with. Talking of getting around the farm, Bill Davies ATVs, just outside the town at Leysters, favours the Honda brand and trades in all size of vehicle for both new and nearly new sales. Long established in the service side too, repairs and attachments are no problem at this reliable dealer. Look out for Andy and Frances of Whyle House Lamb at your next Leominster and Hereford Farmers Market. Or, if it’s too cold to go out, try their mail order service now when a Christmas box of lamb can be despatched nationally by courier.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

martin urmston : handwood furniture 01584 856333 Chip Carved Jewellery Box in Cherry with Rosewood stringing detail and two lift out trays in Sycamore.

Gifts that last A gift of jewellery is a gift that will last generations. Visit Bensons this Christmas for classic and contemporary quality designs.

mail@handwoodfurniture.com www.handwoodfurniture.com

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  

 

01584 872676

www.bensonsofludlow.co.uk

  

The Buttercross, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1AW

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

               

Est 1860

ODENHAMS

Everything for your House and Garden including: D.I.Y GARDEN CENTRE LARGE & SMALL ELECTRICALS KITCHENS BATHROOMS LOCAL FREE DELIVERY TOOLS TIMBER

EMPOROS

PAINTING & DECORATING CURTAINS & BLINDS and much more......

Open 7 Days a week

Ludlow’s Own mini department store

Free Parking

MENS & LADIES FASHION INDOORS TO OUTDOORS 1 & 2 Broad Street, Ludlow, SY8 1NG 01584 872786

Ludlow Homecare Temeside, Ludford Bridge Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1PE 01584 874554/876042

27 Bull Ring, Ludlow, Shropshire Tel 01584 873392

Shopping in Ludlow WVM

Ludlow

Christmas shopping in

For the infrequent visitor to Ludlow, every trip will have you discovering something new in a street that you missed, or a mews that you didn’t have time to explore previously. For local residents Ludlow really comes into it’s own at Christmas, especially if you know where to look. For presents that are out of the ordinary try Emporos, a fabulous gift shop on the Bullring. This little myriad of rooms has a querky feel and won’t leave you short of inspiration. On to the Buttercross you will find Bensons of Ludlow, a fantastic family jeweller which does Ludlow proud. A first class service is always met along with the terrific products they sell from individual designed pieces of jewellery to a child’s watch. Bensons also offer a first class aftersales experience if you need alterations, adjustments or repairs. Opposite the Buttercross is F J

Bodenham on Broad Street. The Bodenham family have owned this since 1861. Quality is what this shop is from service to its collections of fabulous women’s and men’s clothing including ‘Not Your Daughters Jeans’ the tummy tuck jeans everyone is raving about. This shop is a real must, especially this December. Homecare on Temeside, Ludford Bridge is an absolutely fantastic home improvements business. Set just off the road it offers free parking and is open 7 days a week. Homecare’s ranges seem unlimited, with kitchen and bathroom displays, curtains and blinds, D.I.Y, a garden centre,

painting and decorating supplies, large and small electrical goods, timber, key cutting and a Calor Gas. If you need to get your home in shape for your Christmas visitors, this is the place to come. After all that Homecare also offer a free recycling service on certain electrical goods, so if a new toaster was on your Christmas list, there’s a solution for your old one. On Fishmore Road you will find Pearce Cycles who carry a fantastic range of cycles and accessories including. Road, Mountain, BMX and childrens bikes, with accessories ranging from Rockshox, Hope, Shimano, Sixsixone, Mavic just to name a

few. Check their website www. pearcecycles.co.uk. Pearce Cycles offers loads of free parking and is open Monday – Saturday 9am5.30pm. Your visit to Ludlow wouldn’t be complete without a treat at the charming country house venue of Fishmore Hall. This Georgian manor on the outskirts of the town is, of course, offering seasonal menus and caters for party gatherings, but what about a luxury and quintessentially English afternoon tea on Christmas Eve. Check out their website for details www.fishmorehall.co.uk

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

MONNOW marquees award winning marquee hire for all occasions

Mediterranean Jewellery - Glass - Gifts

Everything you need to plan your big day. Whether it’s a Wedding, Party, Corporate Event or Show Stand we’ve got it covered.

Gifts, Greeting Cards & Stationery 76 Monnow Street, Monmouth NP25 3EN Tel: 01600 716831

Unit A, Mansons Cross, Monmouth, NP25 5RA 01600 775577 or 07811-341383 info@monnowmarquees.co.uk www.monnowmarquees.co.uk

Visit Artico for an eclectic mix of ﬁre side accessoires, clocks, mirrors, jewellery and Christmas gifts for everyone at excellent prices

Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 5.30

14 - 16 Church St. Monmouth Tel:01600 719471

Monmouth

Shopping in Monmouth WVM

Christmas shopping in

Monmouth is another little gem in the Wye Valley packed to the rafters with wonderful shops with designer clothes, shoes, lingerie, delicatessens, restaurants and galleries. If you park at the bottom of the town, in either Waitrose or Sommerfield, and you walk out onto the main street you will see in front of you a long street stretching right up the hill to the pinnacle of the town. This is the perfect starting point, and Tidings is the place to head for if you are stuck for a card or craft supplies to make your own. If you cross the road and walk a little further you will encounter Envee, a shoe lovers paradise with a collection of beautiful shoes and handbags from Italy, ranging from glitzy strappy party pairs to stylish daywear boots. A little further along you reach Harts, a family run business selling lingerie, ladies hats and fascinators and ladies fashion. They are also stockists for top selling NYD jeans. Continue on and discover one of Monmouth’s newest shops, La Piazza. If you

love Murano glass then this is the shop for you. Beautiful gifts for you and your home as well as stunning masquerade ball masksmake this is an ideal stop for the festive season. Continue right up the hill now until you come to Church Street, which is full of great shops, gourmet butchers and award winning delicatessens. By this stage you might be ready for a spot of lunch or a well-deserved coffee. Luckily Bistro Prego is right here with a creative and exotic Mediterranean menu from light lunches to delicious suppers. A little further up on your left is White Swan Court, a courtyard with exclusive shops including Sigi with striking lingerie by brands such as Marie Jo and Chantelle, plus swimwear and glorious accessories and gifts. Award winning jewellers Atelier Gilmar, Philippe Brevet photographic

studio also dwell here, with Emma Webster Flowers located just through the passage in Priory Street. As you continue up Church Street you will find Artico, a gallery full of inspired gifts and fireside accessories at extremely reasonable prices. From clocks to garden furniture, picture frames and jewellery, Artico loves the unusual. Further along Church Street is ladies designer boutique Mono that will give you fashion that is a departure from the regular high street with brands such as Avoca and others. As you turn into St Mary’s Street there is family owned business Edwards of Monmouth, purveyors of quality home furnishings and staying in the home arena, continue down this street until you come to St James Street, and on the left hand

side you will find the distinctive showrooms of bespoke kitchen crafters Taylormade by Stanton. Call in here to buy accessories for your resident chef with cookware from the Nick Nairn’s range by Falcon, or the ultimate La Cornue accessories from the world renowned artisan made cooking ranges. Don’t miss a diversion over the bridge, as if you are heading to Chepstow, where there is another little gem hidden away on Mayhill Industrial Estate and that is ATC Floors and Doors. Not only do they sell flooring they also have a collection of beautiful gifts all handmade in Wales as well as quirky draw knobs and door furniture. Have yourselves a merry Monmouth Christmas.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

Bags of Happy Christmas

Cantilupe Road, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 7AN Tel: 01989 763698 www.crowsfeet.net info@crowsfeet.net

Shopping in Ross on Wye WVM

Ross on Wye

Christmas shopping in

Ross on Wye makes a real effort to welcome its shoppers in December. The Association of Ross Traders (A.R.T.) are working together to make this Christmas a really memorable occasion. Inspired by the new Christmas white LED lights being organised by the council this year, many retailers will work together to extend them down the streets on their shop fronts and once again utilise the brackets on most shops which house the Christmas trees. Ross could feasibly have a 10,000, 50,000 or even 100,000 white light show this Christmas. These will be switched on the same night as the town lights. On Sunday 6th December most of the independent shops will be open from 11:00am to 4:00pm. They will be offering ‘something special’ like mince pies, mulled wine, discount and special Christmas offers. Activities will centre around the Market House where there will be stalls selling local crafts, charity Christmas cards, crepes, preserves, sauces, chestnuts and other festive items. Special events

will include a road-show presented by the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offering craft activities for children. Children can get their face painted and several musical presentations are being organised including The Drybrook Brass Band, The Ross Choral Society and The Penyard Singers. A.R.T. have also organised a £1000 prize raffle, which will run through November and be drawn on December 6th. The FREE tickets can be obtained from over 40 different independent shops around Ross from now until 6th December when you spend a specified amount in the shop (look for the posters in the participating shops for details). The more you shop locally, the more chance you have of winning! Talking of which, let us tell you about some of the great places to call into while you’re there.

Crows Feet is the unusual building on the corner of Cantilupe Street, but inside is an amazing array of eclectic gifts, all individually sourced by husband and wife team Howard and Vicky. This could be your one stop shop as they sell beautiful artisan cards, jewellery, handbags, leather goods, ceramics, gloves, along with gifts for men, women and children. They go the extra mile to find something out of the ordinary and often source locally made gifts. As you come out of the shop, turn the corner and walk down the road you come to Station Street, where you will find the famous Fritz Fryer Antique Lighting, an enchanting emporium full of lighting for every room. Specialising in antique restoration, you will find also replica styles as well as originals and modern designs. Continue to Brookend Street and you will find Lizzie Bunting to your left, a shop full

of Cath Kidston, jewellery, retro pieces like dial up telephones, and plenty of vibrant country home accessories and kitchenware. Along the same street you will find Little Chic, a wonderful children’s clothing shop, including designer brands and the popular Joules for kids range. Little Chic has recently expanded and now also offers a wider range of traditional toys, ideal for Christmas. In its landmark location on the crossroads of Brookend Street you will find Rudhall Brook. Situated in the beautiful Old Mill building, they stock handmade settees, furniture, bespoke ranges and statement pieces for your home. Oh and don’t forget to visit Flavours of Herefordshire Gastro Pub winner The Mill Race at Walford for this years festive feasting.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

Hat to have it The shop specialising in bespoke fascinators by Emily Alice Perry and hats and accessories for all occasions ...

43 Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye 01497 821 806 www.hattohaveit.co.uk Chris Gibbons Family Butcher

NUMBER TWO

Purveyors of quality locally sourced meats and home-made sausages and pies ‘Bringing you supper the old fashioned way’

chattels .... and not only toys, but so many gift ideas

for him & her this

Christmas

Number Two Manchester House, Castle St, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford HR3 5DF Tel: 01497 820210

shoes@number two 6 Castle St, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford HR3 5DF Tel: 01497 821923

A lovely gift shop 3 & 4 Market Street, Hay on Wye | 01497 820195

Adela’s Dress Agency

Order now for Christmas 28 Castle Street, Hay-on-Wye 01497 820636

New and nearly new quality ladies’ clothing, shoes and accessories

Open Wed - Sat 10am to 4pm

1 Lion Street, Hay-on-Wye 01497 821199

Shopping in Hay WVM

Hay

Christmas shopping in

Hay is a lovely place to visit all year round but especially at Christmas. It’s timbered buildings and narrow streets take on added charm in the winter months, with the festive window displays creating a real story-book effect, quite apt for the book capital of England. If you’re shopping on a budget for your Christmas outfit try Adela’s on Lion Street. This is a ladies clothing agency which stocks new and newly new fashions, footwear and accessories. As well as purchasing from her, Adela welcomes your own items for sale, as long as they are currently fashionable and in excellent order. Your own way of recycling this year. For a truly magical experience and festive inspiration in abundance, visit Chattels in Market Street. The long established emporium of quality gifts and cards is well worth a browse. Stocking unique designer jewellery, leather bags, childrens clothing, Bridgewater china, V&A garden accessories, toys and much much more, the impulse buy will be irresistible. Now let’s think a little about the Christmas table. Chris Gibbons

has been a family butcher for over twenty years and is positioned on Castle Street. All of his meat is sourced locally from quality farms and, as well as a large selection of meats, Chris stocks delicious pies, preserves and accompaniments all made locally to their own recipe. People will never know that you didn’t make them yourself!

For the organic fanatic, Smallfarms Local & Organic Meats is a butcher purveying superb quality meat from their own organic farms and local producers. They butcher to your requirements making particular cuts easy to acquire, and after being in Broad Street for over a year now they are proud of their success in the town.

Hay Whole Foods is in the heart of town on Lion Street. This delicatessen style food store has everything for the gourmet foodie to storecupboard staples. As well as their outstanding cheese and deli counters and huge range of groceries, they have a takeaway bar selling soups, fresh salads, baked potatoes, sandwiches, coffees, teas and cold drinks. They also have a great selection of fine wines and champagnes and an excellent range of luxury chocolates.

Of course Hay is also embued with a wealth of fashion shops, all in all Hay an easy day trip to return from loaded with goodies. On Castle Street you must pop into Number Two and it’s sister store Shoes @ Number Two. The fashions in here take Hay to another level with collections from daring designer brands such as Oska, Clemente, Flax, Backstage, Yacco Maricard and Sophie’s Wild Woollens. Why not complete your look with something from Number Two’s fabulous range of

accessories from jazzy jewellery to beautiful chic bags. Over to Shoe’s @ Number Two, You will not be disappointed from the range of fashionable footwear on sale here from ranges from Fly, Art, Dr Martins and El Naturalista amongst other big brands. If you find the Literary Festival in May a little daunting, try The Guardian Hay Festival Winter Weekend. This smaller event from 4-6 December and is an annual mini-festival taking place just before Christmas at various venues around the town. It includes a wide range of author events, music, comedy and performance, as well as workshops for kids and a Christmas shopping happy hour with mulled wine and mince pies galore.Hay will also be hosting a Winter Food Festival on 28th November

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

Re-jigged ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

www.re-jigged.co.uk Sitting high amidst the glorious rolling countryside in north Herefordshire is a thriving traditional farm, but behind Lower Newtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rural demeanour is a hive of entrepreneurial activity. Husband and wife team Neil and Carol Powell have just launched Re-Jigged Ltd, an ethical childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clothing range that is the brain child of Carol. Already a successful dress designer she has been inspired to create a range of clothing made from the remnants of pre-loved adult garments, and Pippa Bullock met her to find out more.

Photographs by Richard Weaver Photography

WVM

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

Re-jigged WVM

What is Re-jigged?

Re- jigged is a children’s clothing company with a difference. Each garment is unique, handmade and exquisitely designed. Re-cut, re-jigged and re-made from unwanted, pre-loved and recycled adult clothes that have been cast aside. Each season we design a stylish but practical range of garments made from the remnants of salvaged fabrics from old clothes, it’s just fantastic to see the sleeve of a cashmere sweater re-emerge as a new fabulous rejigged tank top.

How did the idea for Re-jigged come about?

As a dress maker by trade I was often complimented on garments that I made for my own children and friend’s children. I’d made garments using the odd jumper I’d accidentally shrunk or a favourite shirt that I loved the

colour or pattern of and couldn’t bring myself to throw out, so the process and ideas grew organically from there.

What is your background? I have owned a fashion design business for the last ten years, in which time I built up a great reputation for creating bespoke garments, specialising in ladies tailoring, bridal gowns and bridesmaids dresses.

So how does it work?

Much of the clothing is given to me by charity shops. I am currently working in conjunction with St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford who is supplying me with items that have not been purchased and in return I make a £1 donation per garment sold. We also receive clothing donations from the general public all of the time. The word is out there

and I often come home to find bin-liners full of unwanted adult sweaters, skirts and tops. Even the local schools are getting in on the act and earning money from Re-jigged by collecting unwanted clothes from mums at the school gate. Everything is boil washed when it arrives, it then gets sorted, re-cut, re-jigged and re-made into its new incarnation.

Explain your designs.

Each season I design a growing range of garments for both boys and girls from ages 3 – 6 months up to 8-9 years. The garments are completely unique, they are bespoke, statement pieces created with style and functionality at the heart of their design. The clothing is meant to be worn, it is practical, functional and pre-shrunk and to the best of our ability colour-fast.

Each item is embellished with individual detailing giving the range a boutique appeal. Each item also sports the Re-jigged label sewn into the seam.

What inspires your garments?

When I launched the business and collected the first bags of donated clothing from St. Michaels Hospice in Hereford, I tipped everything onto the floor of my workshop to see what there was. Immediately I could see the amazing combinations of colours and patterns that would work together alongside the different textures and weaves, which, when embellished with buttons, ribbons and trimmings would look stunning and would create something new and utterly unique out of something old and forgotten.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

WVM

Re-jigged ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Why is Re-Jigged so important to you?

I don’t like to see waste so there is something extremely satisfying about bringing useless items back to life. Effectively those buying the clothes are helping to cut down on landfill waste and in turn helping the environment. I am also really proud that Re-jigged is a genuinely environmentally friendly business. We can and do support the local community and its charities. We are also creating work in a rural area that is traditionally considered to be high in unemployment. We are always looking for talented and creative individuals who can sew. Please contact us if you are one of them!

What is your vision?

I have a vision of creating a change. Of helping people think twice before throwing old damaged clothes way. People believe in the ethos of Rejigged and are enjoying seeing their waste going towards a good cause like St Michael’s Hospice. This in turn makes people want to become involved. People are excited about my ideas, which is fanastic. This is what drives me! I would love to see children get excited about sewing and making things like I did. If I can inspire them to create something new from old then I will ultimately be very satisfied.

Where can we buy Re-jigged clothing?

You can buy Re-jigged clothing online or sign up for newsletters and learn about ways in which you can get involved in future projects by visiting www.re-jigged.co.uk. Why not sign up and download a free pattern to make something for your own loved ones. Re-jigged will be attending school fayres, country shows and we also host children’s parties, a great way for parents to alleviate themselves of unwanted clothes, socialise and enjoy a touch of retail therapy at the Re-jigged boutique. For more information on hosting a Re-jigged party or becoming an agent contact Carol on 01544 318584 or email carol@re-jigged.co.uk We also have several local stockists: The Silver Pear in Ludlow, Chattels in Hay-on-Wye, Little Chic in Ross-on –Wye, Lily and Tom in Ledbury. For further information on our stockists and upcoming events please visit our website www.re-jigged.co.uk. Why not drop off your unwanted clothes direct to: Re-jigged Lower Newton Farm Weobley, Herefordshire HR4 8QY 01544 318584 Or CS Couriers Unit 2 Premier Business Park Westﬁelds Trading Estate Faraday Road Hereford 01432 340100 40

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

Partying in style into

2010

Have your party season planned out with some timeless pieces that you can mix and match and that will ensure that you will look and feel fabulous throughout December and into the New Year.

A timeless party outfit, this elegant and sophisticated dress by James Lakeland is a beautiful garment for supper parties and Christmas drinks alike. The Dressing Room Malvern 01684 567667

Funky and chunky jewellery will always liven up any outfit. White Hall Fabrics and Interiors Hereford 01432 870883 whitehallfabrics.co.uk

Fabulous electric blue throw is the perfect accessory to wear over your party frock. perilla.co.uk

These purple, healed suede cowboy boots are right on trend and are simply perfect for dressing up jeans for evenings out or worn with opaque tights. Lulu Smith Hereford 01432 273800

Beautiful shaping lingerie by Fantasie will help you feel gorgeous outside and in. The Lingerie Shop Hereford 01432 264340

This purple mock crocodile handbag by David Jones is a great accessory to dress up any outfit. Wyebridge 2 Ledbury 01531 634102 www.presentsr4u.co.uk

Fashion WVM

fashion 2

4 5

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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Creative advertising ideas

www.

perilla.co.uk

Advertise with Wye Valley Life and Life in The Marches Contact 01432 851115 e-mail sales@wyevalleylife.co.uk

tel: 01886 853615

Lamberts Dance

Swim l Leisure

Badder Fabrics of Hereford

Your One Stop Shop for elegant evening wear, Gents waistcoats and ties Patterns and fabrics for any occasion. Dupion, embroidered & beaded silks, tulles and duchess satins. 100% linens, 100% wools and a full range of haberdashery products Maylord Shopping Centre Hereford Tel: 01432 270188

Tel: 01432 379137 36a Aubrey Street, Hereford

(behind the Green Dragon Hotel)

Vollers corsets have been designing corsets since 1899 and many of their current styles are based on the original designs by Harry Voller, their founder. Now run by his grandson, Ian Voller and his wife, they produce fashion and traditional corsets, made from the ﬁnest fabrics, with steel bones in a huge choice of stunning styles and colours available including leather, satin, burlesque, gothic, bridal corsets and corset dresses. Sigi Monmouth www.sigiatmonmouth.co.uk 01600 711988

Wearing ﬁne hosiery can make you feel extra glamorous. These Charnos hold up’s with feather net back seam detail ooze luxury and style. So why not treat yourself to an early Christmas present and invest in a pair. Harts Monmouth 01600 712804

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

WVM

Social life 1

Pritchards Menswear beer evening

Names and photographs by Richard Weaver On October 15th Pritchards Menswear in Hereford hosted a beer evening in association with Hobsons Brewery, the whole evening gave shoppers the opportunity to preview the new autumn/winter collection 09-10 whilst enjoying a pint of Hobsons real ale, which is brewed locally at Cleobury Mortimer. 1. Steve Davies and Tess Macleod 2. Ian Gardiner, Murray Eversham, Chris Lathe, Gail Gibbons 3. Jesse Norman, Neil Clarke 4. Gerry Doverman, John Bentley-Leek 5. Sue Powell, Nick Vaughan 6. Nick Bolt, Peter Hands 7. Edward Pritchard, Peter Lewis 8. Garry Thomas, George Thomas, Mark Powles, Jon Bentley-Leek 9. Peter Lewis, Dr Adrian Eyre 10. Martin Churchward, Mark Ellis, Nick Bolt, Peter Hands 11. Murray Eversham, Mark Ellis, Chris Lathe, Ian Gardiner 12. Andrew Griffiths, Peter Lewis, Luke Chiswell 13. Bev Davies 11

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

Retail therapy WVM 1.

Christmas

decorations 1. Fair Trade cream rocking horse £5.50 Ethos Little Tarrington 01432 890423 ethostrading.co.uk 2. Novelty Christmas bottle stoppers. £1.99 each Cookmate Hereford 01432 275013 cookmate.co.uk

4. 5. 3.

3. Christmas country fairy £2.95 Hop Pocket Bishops Frome 01531 640323 6.

4. Beaded lattice heart tree decoration £4.99 Coco’s Vintage Living Hereford 01432 340065 5. Novelty santa £5.00 Wyebridge 2 Interiors Ledbury 01531 634102 presentsR4U.com 6. Festive snowman tree decoration £3.99 La Piazza Monmouth 01600 716831 millemurano.co.uk

8. 7.

7. Straw reindeer £15.99 Oakchurch Staunton on Wye 01981 500125 oakchurch.net 8. Selection of glass baubles from £4.50 Whitehall Fabrics Hampton Bishop 01432 870883 whitehallfabrics.co.uk

10. 9.

9. Tin of 36 festive gift tags £9.50 Crows Feet Ross-on-Wye 01989 763698 crowsfeet.net 10. Willow Christmas wreath £23.00 Hintons 01568 612277 hintonscountry.co.uk

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

WVM

Homemade Christmas

Scandinavian

Inspiration For Kim Ralph, who owns Tidings card, gift and craft shop in Monmouth, Christmas is a time for creativity. Here she shares some Scandinavian-inspired ideas to create some simple seasonal sensations.

Have to hand scissors, a craft knife, glue, a hole punch and pinking shears

Hanging decoration This decoration would look stunning hanging in a window or from the handle of a dresser. Quick and easy to make, it uses paper and card and natural materials, including fresh bay leaves which give a lovely fragrance as they dry. You will need: • Small pine cone • A twig of small birch cones • About half a metre of ric rac braid • A couple of handfuls of fresh bay leaves • A metre of gingham ribbon • Natural coloured garden string • Glitter glue • A few sheets of coloured and/or patterned card • A4 sheet of cardboard • Florists’ wire • A heart shaped paper punch • Large and small star shaped punch or pre-cut stars, available from stationers and gift shops. Start with the pinecone, which will give visual and physical weight to the hanging decoration. Use florists’ wire to attach the length of gingham ribbon to the top of the pine cone and hide the join with a multiple bow of garden string, fixed together and attached with florists’ wire. Next thread a small stack of fresh bay leaves onto the ribbon. Use scissors to puncture a hole through the middle of the pile of leaves. Then poke the ribbon through the hole with the point of the scissors. Cut two different coloured heart shapes from pieces of card using a paper punch or with scissors or pinking shears. Punch a small hole at the top and bottom of each heart using a hole punch. Decorate the hearts by gluing on buttons or paper shapes such as small stars and snowflakes, which can be made using 46

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

paper punches or bought ready cut. Thread the hearts onto the ribbon and then add another layer of bay leaves. Now for the decoration’s crowning glory – a Christmas robin, which could also be used on its own as a tree hanging. Fold a piece of card in half and use a ramekin dish to draw a circle. Then use about a quarter of the ramekin dish to take a curve out of the top of the circle, leaving a shape a bit like a three quarter moon. This is the bird’s body. Draw a beak about half an inch from the top and cut out the shape. Punch out an eye with a hole punch and, with a craft knife, cut a half-inch slit half way across the bird’s body. Cut a 5-inch square of card and fold it into a concertina, small enough to fit through the slit you have made. Push the card half way through and draw it up to make a fan over the top of the bird’s body. Glue the fan together. Smear some glitter glue on the bird’s breast and then thread the ribbon from your hanging decoration through the centre of the bird’s body and glue the two halves of the bird together. Finish off your hanging decoration with a few birch cones, still on their twig, which you can tie on with a small length of ric rac.

Homemade Christmas WVM

Christmas lantern This is inspired by a traditional seasonal custom in Norway and Denmark, where children make similar lanterns in school and often parade through the streets with them. This project uses translucent vellum, which is flame retardant. The lantern could also be filled with gingerbread or sweets and given as a present. You will need • Small jam jar • Tea light candle • A4 sheet of cream coloured card • A sheet of vellum • Florists’ wire • Double sided sticky tape or sticky dots • Large scissors • Stapler • Small strands of fresh ivy.

and then hide the wire with a small strip of vellum. Fix it into place either side of the jar inside the vellum, again using sticky tape or sticky dots. Now make the outer lantern shape by folding an A4 piece of cream card in half lengthwise. With a large pair of scissors cut a series of evenly spaced horizontal lines in it, leaving about half an inch top and bottom. Open it out into a lantern shape and staple it to the vellum. You may need to trim the outer lantern to fit. Finish the lantern off by twisting two strands of fresh ivy into circles, fastened with florists’ wire, to fit the top and bottom of the lantern.

Cut a piece of vellum so that it fits around the jam jar, leaving a small seam. Trim this to the same height as the jam jar and fix it together with double sided sticky tape or sticky dots (it won’t stick with paper glue). Use florists’ wire to make a handle, twisting it round and over the top of the jam jar

Christmas cards and gift tags With a selection of paper punches and ink stamps it’s easy to make distinctive homemade cards and gift tags. Punches range in price from about £3 to £10, and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes including flowers, holly and hearts. Thoroughly versatile, you can even use them to turn last year’s Christmas cards into this year’s tags! Rubber backed ink stamps also come in a variety of designs. For a simple but effective gift tag, use a brown stationers’ tag and replace the string with ric rac. Choose an ink stamp and, once you have stamped the pattern on the card, decorate your design with glitter glue or self-adhesive diamantes. When using a rubber backed ink stamp always take the ink to the stamp, and that way you will get more even coverage. After use, clean the stamp off with a baby wipe. Ink stamps can also be used to make Christmas cards. Kim’s design uses a Christmas tree shape. Build up the colour using different shades of green ink before stamping the design onto a folded piece of card, which you have cut to size. Decorate the tree with self-adhesive diamantes and use another ink stamp for the greeting.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

WVM

Passionate people

Operation Christmas Child Words and Photographs by Wincey Willis

As you wrap your Christmas presents and eat yet another mince pie, spare a few minutes to imagine what it must be like for millions of people in other parts of the world who, in their wildest dreams could never envisage doing what you are doing now. Operation Christmas Child is a wonderful thing created by the Samaritans Purse. Every year over one million shoeboxes

Volunteers at work

She told me I would be very welcome as a volunteer.

and then by the person who checked it.

So I became a box checker in the Wye Valley Engineering factory on the Rotherwas Estate in Hereford. For the last three years Mr Elwyn Roberts has kindly allowed the team

There are three age groups for boys and girls, 2/4 5/9 10/14. Donors are given a list of suggested items. In some countries children aren’t allowed to go to school unless they have their own pencil and paper. We always try to make sure we put those into boxes that don’t have them. There is a stock of extra things to add to boxes if need be. A toothbrush and toothpaste was sighted by one child, as the best thing she had received! There are lots of hand knitted hats, scarves and gloves, which kind people have spent the rest of the year making for the children in the colder countries. A donation of £2.50 is recommended with each box, to cover the transport and packing costs of the boxes. To know more go to www.samaritans-purse.org.uk

Heather Gutowski and Cynthia Prior

full of carefully chosen gifts are sent to needy children in 13 countries throughout Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Africa. Collection Coordinator, Cynthia Prior has been involved for 18 years. Her daughter Fenella will accompany her when they deliver the shoeboxes to Belarus this year. The Area Manager Alan Wood gave me Heather Gutowski’s telephone number. She is in charge of the team based in Hereford who sort and pack the boxes ready for transport. They come from all over the whole of the Wye Valley area. 48

to use his factory as a sorting depot, he says: “ I think it is a wonderful thing that people make up these boxes to send to the children they will never meet, who are in dire need.” On first sight it is quite a cold bleak place to work but once you start I guarantee your spirits will be uplifted. Every time you open a box and see the care that has gone into choosing the contents, it makes you smile. One of the team leaders saw me adding kisses to a Christmas message that was in one box; she said the boxes were packed with two lots of love. Once by the person who put it together

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

Wincey checking boxes

Table top WVM

Festive table top ideas 2 1

1. Lovely festive wooden bowls are ideal for crisps, nuts and nibbles. Cookmate, Hereford 01432 275013 cookmate.co.uk 2. Use sparkly and glittery glassware and ornaments to bring texture and lighting to your Christmas decor. Cocoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vintage Living, Hereford 01432 340065 cocosvintageliving.com

Get into the spirit of Christmas and decorate your dining room table with festive paraphernalia, choose from stylish and chic to traditional or quirky.

3. Fun Father Christmas bottle stopper. Cooks Haven, Hereford 01432 356 233 cookshaven.co.uk 4. This fabulous dried fruit garland not only brings a festive look to your Christmas table top, it also radiates spiced fruit aromas. Poppies Country Gifts, Leominter 01568 614900 5. Beautiful and bewitching, these gorgeous Christmas decorations will provide a little of the spirit of the season within your home. La Piazza, Monmouth 01600 716831 millemurano.co.uk 6. Fabulous candelabrum will add some fun and atmosphere to the day for children and grown-ups alike. Wyebridge 2, Ledbury 01531 634102 presentsr4u.co.uk

7. A striking Art Deco table candelabra creates a dramatic centre piece. J & P Antiques, Ledbury 01531 630052 8. Carved wooden fruit ornaments make an attractive yet stylish table top feature. ATC Floor and Doors, Monmouth 01600 713036 atcďŹ&#x201A;oorsanddoors.co.uk DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

WVM

Mens gifts 1

1. Mazda MX5 Bengry Motors Leominster 01568 612337 bengrymotors.co.uk 2. Spade door knocker ATC Floors and Doors Monmouth 01600 713036 atcfloorsanddoors.co.uk 3. Shut the Box Chattels of Hay 01497 820195 4. Whisky Toddy Cooks Haven Hereford 01432 356233 cookshaven.co.uk 5. Mr Lazy mug Crows Feet Ross on Wye 01989 763698 crowsfeet.net 6. Pewter bottlestop Ethos Little Tarrington 01432 890423 ethostrading.co.uk 7. Leather door stop â&#x20AC;&#x201C; handmade in Wales Gallery Artico Monmouth 01600 719471 8. Sketch of a hare Hereford Framing Centre Hereford 01432 341608 9. Solid silver cufflinks with cubic zirconia stones Juice Jewellery Ledbury 0845 2240267 juicejewellery.co.uk 10. Murano glass cufflinks La Piazza Monmouth 01600 716831 millemurano.co.uk 11. Alpaca country socks Perilla perilla.co.uk 12. 3 Piece carving set Pinches Pantry Bishops Frome 01885 490757 pinchespantry.co.uk 13. Paul Smith accessories Pritchards Menswear Hereford 01432 272346 pritchards-menswear.co.uk 14. Jamie Oliver Over Worked mug White Hall Fabrics Hampton Bishop 01432 870883 whitehallfabrics.co.uk 15. Wine waiter gift set Wyebridge 2 Interiors Ledbury 01531 634102 presentsr4u.com 16. Lalique acrobat figurine J & P Antiques Ledbury 01531 630052 50

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

Womens gifts WVM

1. Sapphire and diamond rings Andrew Lamputt Hereford 01432 274961 andrewlamputt.co.uk 2. South sea pearls Bensons of Ludlow Ludlow 01584 872676 3.Betty Twyford enamel cleaning set Aga Twyford Hereford 01432 355924 twyford-cookers.co.uk 4. Perfume bottle Cocoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vintage Living Hereford 01432 340065 cocosvintageliving.com

5. Chocoholic mug Cookmate Hereford 01432 275013 cookmate.co.uk

6.Velvet scarf Crows Feet Ross on Wye 01989 763698 crowsfeet.net 7. Stackable gift box Emporus Ludlow 01584 873392 8. Pink Fairtrade bag Ethos Little Tarrington 01432 890423 ethostrading.co.uk

9. Silver and amethyst necklace Gallery Artico Monmouth 01600 719471 10. Handmade wave jewellery box Handwood Furniture 01584 856333 handwoodfurniture.com

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

Balloon Flights! Email rich.weaver@virgin.net EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY WEDDINGS PORTRAITURE COMMERCIAL DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY COURSES

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Womens gifts WVM 1

1. Charnos Grace in berry red and black embroidery Harts Monmouth 01600 712804 theunderweardrawer.co.uk

2.Lily of the Valley brooch Henryka Hereford 01432 342144 henryka.co.uk 3. Polka dot gardening set Hintons Country and Garden Broad Street Leominster 01568 612277 hintonscountry.co.uk

4. Hand painted Limoges boxes J & P Antiques Ledbury 01531 630052 5. Silver gilt jewellery set with pearls John Mckellar Hereford 01432 354460 6. Libby pearl bracelet with pretty rose clasp Juice Jewellery Ledbury 0845 2240267 juicejewellery.co.uk

7. Target necklace by Kokkino The Lion Gallery Leominster 01568 611898 liongallery.com 8. Oxidised silver and garnet brooch by Rebecca Lewis. Mike Gell Hereford 01432 278226

9. 18ct Gold, pink sapphire and diamond earrings by Mike Gell. Mike Gell Hereford 01432 278226 10. Hempleman handbag Perilla perilla.co.uk 9

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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Childrens gifts WVM 3

1. Lego City Police Station Martins Models Leominster 01568 613782

2. Mrs Tiggy Winkle from the Beatrix Potter Signature Collection Sarah Janes Joy of Flowers Hereford 01432 371221 3. Pirate apron set Pinches Pantry Bishops Frome 01885 490757 www.pinchespantry.co.uk

4. Cuddly bunny rabbit Cocoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vintage Living Hereford 01432 340065 5. Beano journal Crows Feet Ross on Wye 01989 763698 www.crowsfeet.net

6. Twist & Pout lip gloss Emporos Ludlow 01584 873392

7. Wiggly pens Ethos Little Tarrington 01432 890423 www.ethostrading.co.uk 8. Momiji message doll Hereford Framing Centre Hereford 01432 341608

9. Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flower press Hintons Leominster 01568 612277 www.hintonscountry.co.uk 10. Teddy bear with microwavable lavender tummy Poppies Country Gifts Leominster 01568 614900 11. Cosy hot water bottle White Hall Fabrics Hampton Bishop 01432 870883 www.whitehallfabrics.co.uk

12. Emma Bridgewater Dancing Mice boxed gift set Cooks Haven Hereford 01432 356233 www.cookshaven.co.uk DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

Storytelling

Claire Hamilton Claire is a magical and vibrant storyteller of Celtic and Arthurian Tales. She transports her listeners to a world of fairies, knights, gods, goddesses and heroes of ancient times. She spins spells with her Celtic harp and interweaves her stories with haunting melodies. Claire has a wide repertoire of stories and can be booked for after dinner entertainments, lunchtime and evening performances and parties.

For more information visit her website: www.hamiltonharps.co.uk

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Gifts WVM 1 2

3 5

1. Argyle tights F.J. Bodenhams Ludlow 01584 872786

2. Husqvarna sewing machine Badder Fabrics Hereford 01432 379137 3. Pandora beads Pleasance and Harper Hereford 01432 272248 pleasanceandharper.com 4. Chanel J12 watch Beards Cheltenham 01242 516238 beards.co.uk 5. Allessi juicer Cooks Haven Hereford 01432 356233 cookshaven.co.uk

6. Leather rabbit doorstop ATC Floors and Doors Monmouth 01600 713036 atcfloorsanddoors.co.uk 7. Murano glass heart keyring La Piazza Monmouth 01600 716831 millemurano.co.uk

8. Silk scarf Wyebridge 2 Interiors Ledbury 01531 634102 presentsr4u.com 9. Orange satin bag The Clothes Exchange Leominster 01568 615191 DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

WVM

Social life 1

Help For Heroes at Hampton Court

Names and photographs by Richard Weaver

A Christmas Fair for the charity Help for Heroes was held by kind permission of Mr. Graham Ferguson Lacey and his staff at Hampton Court. The Fair was organised by Ann Foley, Vivienne Richards and Angela Broderick together with a brilliant Committee. The stalls covered every walk of life and many were locally produced goodies, decorations and fashion. The Fair attracted the Lord Lieutenant, the Countess of Darnley together with local MP Bill Wiggin. They were amongst 1,000 people through the door on the day. The event raised nearly ÂŁ15,000 for Help for Heroes, whilst the Regimental Goat took ÂŁ400 on his own. 1. Zoey Steele and Jonas, Rai Fisher 2. Bridget McHarg, Elaine Ellis 3. Helen Cotterell, Bill Wiggin, Sarah deRohan 4. Bridgeta Rose and Alexandra James 5. Julie Thomas, Owen Wilson, Tanya Wilson, Sophie Thomas 6. Claire Davies, Steph Gardiner, Jo Burton 7. Emily Robb, Sophie Butler, Karen Cholerton 8. Julie Cohn, Margaret Reed 9. Debbie Brodie, Ott Bryan 10. Emma Mitchell, Charlotte Lloyd 11. Rachel Samual, baby Hazel 12. Jacquie Miller, Great Roberts, Jill Gallimore 13. Jan Baker, Liz Preece 11

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

Social life WVM 1

5 7 6

Help for Heroes Ball

Photographs by rdpphotography

A fund raising event was held at The Chase Hotel in Ross on Wye for the Help for Heroes Charity in memory of Rifleman Jamie Gunn, Corporal Daniel Nield, Lance Corporal Steven “Shirley” Sherwood and Lance Corporal Paul Upton. Two hundred guests enjoyed a memorable evening with live music from local band SwiTch, a disco by Tim Trott, a raffle and an auction with many prizes kindly donated by local businesses. They raised £6,000 and in total they have raised £11,500 for the worthwhile cause. A special thanks goes out to everyone that helped to make the evening so special. 1. Sarah Gordon and Sergeant Guy Bates 2. Event Organisers Jessica Teague, Jemma Heath, Jessica Sherwood and Charlotte Reynolds 3. Peter Upton and Sergeant Leon Upton 4. Tony and Tina Downes 5. Sergeant Leon Upton, Sergeant Stephen White and Lance Corporal Clint Vale 6. Andrew Gooding and Maria Oates 7. Haydn and Barbara Dix 8. Kerry Meek, Becci O’Shea, John Ursell, Bernadette Meek and Breda Meek 9. Alan Sherwood and Joni Sherwood 10. Ross and Rachael Clement 11. Sarah Whistance, Ash Newton, Kevin Whistance, Sally Whistance, Aaron Heath and Nicky Wilson 12. Sergeant Stephen White, Gary Jackson, Craig Wilson, Rifleman Chris Sharpe, Sergeant Leon Upton, Lance Corporal Clint Vale and Amanda Schisano DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

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St Peters Square

for hair&beauty One St Peter’s Sq is a new name for hair and beauty in Hereford, but with some well established and familiar faces at the helm. Hair

Formerly Keith St Peters Sq, it continues to be the venture of Proprietor Keith Whitney, who began his training in Hereford many decades ago before completing his time in Paris, Germany and Italy. Today the salon remains one of the City’s leading establishments in its field and has been enhanced on many levels, with further developments planned for the next decade. When interviewed, Keith said that over the years he had been very lucky to have the opportunity to travel and study the art of hairdressing all around the world. Being able to keep in touch with fashion, with the help of major manufacturers, has been a bonus and something that he intends to ensure is made available to his team in the future.

Keith’s investment in the training of his staff has been the secret to his success. Coupled with the use and endorsement of professional products like Wella’s System Professional hair care range, the team creates stunning styling, colouring and conditioning for a vast range of confident clients across all age groups. One St Peter’s Sq is a 5 star salon, built on two floors and is recognized in the Good Salon Guide as well as a member of The Fellowship for British Hairdressing. The team enjoys its journey of creativity, sharing ideas and inspirations for new collections. Clients can also purchase their own professional styling products to take home, from brands such as TIGI ‘s Bed Head and Rockaholic collections, and the latest GHD styling tools, at the salon’s retail counters.

Beauty

Some time ago the business evolved a new dimension for its clients by adding beauty therapy to the nearby premises. Advocating premier products such as the full

portfolio of Guinot skin and body ranges, and the celebrity favourite New CID cosmetics, beauty and wellbeing is at the heart of all the salon treatments. Face and body care focuses on bringing devitalised skin back to life, with specific action for sensitive areas, lips, neck, hands and eyes. The latest techniques are employed to enhance the visible youthfulness of the skin, with even more treatment ranges planned for 2010. Luxury manicures and pampering pedicures with have you party perfect using Jessica and Creative nail products, plus will help keep your hands and nails in good condition during the harsh winter months. For quick fixes try professionally applied nail sets, overlays and sparkly nail gems. Once again many products are available to purchase and continue your regime at home. Tropical treatments Hot Stone massage is the perfect antidote to a busy Christmas schedule, leaving you relaxed and distressed after this world renowned therapy that is taking the country by storm. And a spray tanning treatment will have you looking like you have returned from a tropical holiday without the aging and harmful effects of the sun’s raise or those from a tanning bed. Using the ZenTan and Naturasun range of tanning products, the trained beauticians will have you streak free and glowing for your perfect little black dress. Perhaps One St Peter’s Sq isn’t just named after the address, but also because there is only one place to go to look beautiful this Christmas.

1 St Peters Square, Hereford HR1 2PG • Telephone: 01432 267607 • Email: kstp@btconnect.com

Social life WVM

The Smile Lounge shares some beauty secrets

The Smile Lounge opened in Beaufort Park Way Chepstow a year ago and to celebrate the anniversary it hosted an event on Thursday October 29th to showcase the latest in orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics. 2

Owner Ian Hutchinson is one of the UK’s leading orthodontists and is Clinical Director of the UK’s only postgraduate training course in Lingual braces. As well as offering a wide choice of state of the art orthodontic treatment, The Smile Lounge also offers the latest non invasive cosmetic procedures including wrinkle reduction and lip enhancement. “The event featured live demos and gave guests a chance to consult with experts on a wide range of procedures from children’s braces to Botox,” explained Mr Hutchinson.

Volunteer model Donna Newton was transformed after having teeth whitening, Sculptra, Restylane, Botox and had her make up done by top make up artist Kellie Mitchell. Drinks and canapés were served to over seventy guests through out the evening and there was a charity prize draw with all money raised going to local charity The Sparkle Appeal.

Photographs and names by Paul Groom 1. Botox demo 2. Guests 3. Ian Hutchinson, Faye Dicker (BBC Radio), Donna Newton 4. Lynne Bullock, Ian Hutchinson, Pippa Bullock 5. Make up demo 6. Martin Chapman, Jo Oakman, Faith Husband (The Sparkle Appeal) 7. Model and make up artist Kellie Mitchell 8. Sohail Rauf (Veneer specialist) and Ray Mattingley (Optident) 9. Ursula Kopitsis and Patricia Bird 10. Amy Westcott and John Bennett (Ormco UK)

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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A problem shared WVL

AskAntony

Each month Agony Uncle Antony addresses your problems

Scared to go outside I am finding life very stressful, for the last four months I have found it impossible to leave the house. I don’t know how this happened but I shake uncontrollably if I try to go out. My sister does my shopping and my husband doesn’t seem to notice that I am here all the time. J.H. Hereford The clue to your problem is within the last line of your question. Try to get a better dialogue with your husband, get talking and feel good with each other

An empty nest My twins have gone to university and the house is so quiet. I am finding it very difficult to cope. My husband plays golf when he is not working and I feel so lonely. I know they have already made friends in Newcastle and don’t intend to spend much time with me at Christmas. I can’t stop crying when I see happy families with their children. L.M. Leominster

If you have any questions on health and emotional issues, write in to: Ask Antony, 4 The Sheepcote, Monks Orchard Farm, Lumber Lane, Lugwardine, Herefordshire, HR1 4AG. or email: wellbeing@ wyevalleylife.co.uk Antony Watkins R.M.G.C.H. M.N.C.H. is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, Life Coach and Neurolinguistic Programmer. He can prepare personal hypnotic programmes on CD to help you with your problems. Simply email him at trancesleep@msn.com or visit antonywatkinshypnotherapy.com

again. Something has triggered an ‘alarm response’ within you and you are reinforcing it by staying in the house. There are many professional names that are used for this problem but at the end of the day it is best to desensitise yourself from it. This means that you need to relax, take it easy, resolve your situation with your husband and slowly go out one stage at a time. Start by going out into the garden, progress to the local shops; take someone with you who you can trust. Do it step by step and your confidence will soon return. If the problem gets progressively worse then professional help should be sort.

Life changing episodes come to us all in the end and this one is part of yours. We must try to embrace the changes that happen to us and go with them. This is where you can make a life of your own and do all of the things that you have wanted to do. Make a list of all the things that you have never had time for. This is your time now to make new friends and maybe even travel. You could even learn how to play golf and shock your husband! You never know, you

might even become a better golfer than him. Try it for three months and see how you feel.You need to move on now for everyone’s sake including your own, there is whole world out there to play with. Remember that when your children do come back they will want to know what exciting things you have been doing.You will be surprised how quickly the time will pass while they are away.

Alone at Christmas I am so lonely, my wife died eight months ago and I can’t seem to adjust. I am dreading Christmas. My family live in Scotland and they all go abroad for the holidays. I am retired and I lost touch with my work colleagues as my wife and I did everything together. I feel as though my life is pointless. M.N. Ludlow This is a very common situation and it can only be resolved by starting a new cycle in your life. You must let go of the old you and make a fresh motivated beginning. This means that you need to get out and meet new people and form new interests. Sit down and think of all of the things that you have wanted to do but have never had time to do them. This could be about joining clubs or even travelling. I know many people who have travelled on coach trips and cruises with people that they have never met and they have found some wonderful relationships, some even becoming permanent. This time should be about you experiencing the world and everything that it has to offer. At present you are still thinking about the past, soon you will form new ideas and have new people in your life. It’s all out there; it is just a matter of going for it.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

WVM

Passionate people

Achieving distinctive furrows Sam Whistance on 1959 Massey Ferguson

Words and photographs by Wincey Willis

When I decided to write about ploughing matches I asked around for the names of people I should talk to. One name came up more than any other. I was told if I wanted to know anything about ploughing he would be the person to speak to. So I made an appointment and headed out to Weobley, to the farm owned by Goodwin, known to all as Pip Davies.

Pip entered his first ploughing match when he was sixteen in 1964 and has been winning trophies practically every year since. He judges competitions all over the country. He explains: “My first competition was in Young Farmers and I don’t think I had a prize. It was on an old grey Ferguson and a little old Ransom Robin plough, borrowed off our neighbour”. I asked if he had done a lot of practising beforehand. “No, it was more the case my Dad ploughed and my brother ploughed so I had to plough and I have been ploughing ever since.” Pip is very fond of the ‘conventional ploughing’ “It is the vintage tractors that keep the ploughing matches going. Everybody that’s had something to do with the land likes to have a tractor and a plough, its part of our heritage. They keep them 64

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

meticulously tidy. You look after your plough like you look after your wife!” “I am afraid that the number of young people is going down hill for the conventional ploughing, these days they use reversibles. The simple reason is a young boy can sit on a tractor hauling potatoes and earn more money. Conventional ploughing takes a lot more time and a lot more skill. It’s not a cheap exercise ploughing, my competition plough I might use him six times in the year.” I pointed out it is a ‘him’. He laughed, “ I call him all sorts of names”. For Pip a big part of it all is the social event. “You meet people all over the country that

you haven’t seen from one year to the next. We all talk the same language”. I asked about the national competitions. “It’s nice to win a trophy, but I have never represented Great Britain. I have been second four times, as I said it’s meeting people that is the marvellous thing about it.” He explained the difference in competing in other parts of the country. “You have different soil, you never get two fields the same. We are lucky here; we’ve got soil that ploughs well, if you go onto the Fens it’s all sandy loamy stuff, you can’t get the shape furrow that you would like.” The farthest he has travelled is to north Berwick. His message to young people today is: “Don’t give up, it’s much easier to go and loose and then when you improve and you win it’s much more exciting.

Passionate people WVM

Pip Davies

Tape measure in action

Mike Green at work The thing is that once you have the young ladies watching, you don’t concentrate. If you want to win leave that ‘till later, and you don’t plough very well if you have been out all night”! All the matches are only possible due to the generosity of land- owners. Pip points out: “There is a problem now because everyone wants to plant autumn corn so all the matches are in September. Years ago they would be spread out right through ‘till November. Ploughing matches aren’t just about ploughing. There is the ladies section with cakes and jams, crop competitions and sheep dog trials.” As far as judging is concerned Pip says diplomatically:

Being completely ignorant about the finesse of ploughing, I thought that allowing a ploughing match on your land; would be a great way to get your fields ploughed by a lot of free labour. It was quickly explained to me that the use of land for competitions is a very valuable contribution towards the continuation of a traditional country skills and the training of young people. Make no mistake; ploughing matches are taken very seriously, not only on a local level but nationally and internationally. The tractors were impressive, ranging from an enormous brand new ‘John Deere’ said to be worth £56,000, to a small but equally spectacular

the judges were looking for. “This class is for complete novices, first time competitors. We want to encourage youngsters to get involved. They are allowed to have assistance from us. The youngest in this class is about sixteen. The main thing we are looking for is for all the land to be ploughed. The opening must be well cut, uniform and straight; furrows must also be level. There are ten categories on the score sheet, each having a score out of twenty. Accuracy is very important, we would rather see him plough more ground than less, we don’t like to see stubble, it must all be buried. We walk the plot checking for uniformity and firmness, it’s quite important because that aids the seedbed for the cultivation

“You look after your tractor like you look after your wife.” “There are some you have more confidence in than others”. When we met he had recently returned from judging the 59th British National Ploughing Championships in Cambridgeshire. Take note, if you have Pip judging you, the one thing he is most particular about is distinctive furrows. The venue for this year’s Herefordshire Young Farmers ploughing competition was the farm owned by the Morgan family at Leadon. The competitors ranged in age from around 16 to 26 years old.

in its own way, ‘conventional’ vintage Mark1 Massey Ferguson 65, 1959 model, which 17 year old Sam Whistance and his father spent one year restoring. Last year he came third and this year he came second. When you realise how much some of these machines cost it is understandable why many farmers lease them; it’s a lot of capital to be standing around for a good part of the year doing nothing. Tony Patrick, a farmer from Tenbury Wells, has been ploughing since he was thirteen and judging for at last ten to fifteen years. Each person must plough a marked out area, he explained what

work for the next crop.” Fifteen-year-old Mike Green from Lower Eggleton was competing for the first time. His family do contract work, so he gets practice in when he can. Tony thought he had done very well for the first attempt, modest Mike was very surprised when he was awarded 2nd place. Judge Andrew Cowell from Brimfield says: “I have been judging for fifteen years since I finished ploughing. The quality of commercial ploughing has really gone up but what is really noticeable here, is the quality of the ploughing in the vintage classes, that has really improved.” DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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Passionate people Another piece of equipment played a vital part in this event. The humble tape measure was put to very good use, first to measure out the plot to work out exactly how they had to tackle the whole thing and then as the competitors got to the end of a furrow, they were at great pains to measure the depth they had ploughed. They could then adjust the equipment accordingly to ensure they were achieving what was required in their particular class. I was disappointed not to see any female competitors but I was advised by spectator Charlotte Gibb, a tutor in livestock, from Herefordshire College of Technology at Holme Lacy Campus, that she has encountered them at other competitions. (I understand that in the much larger competitions open to all ages there is even a Ladies Class.) Charlotte used to be in the Ladies Ploughing Club when she was in university at Wye College, London. She explained: “I love coming to ploughing matches, it’s such a huge skill, we were just discussing what they need to be able to do.” Sue McGuffie from Stoke Lacy is as enthusiastic; she has three boys, “One boy farming and two more boys coming”.

“...it’s an up horn and down corn year...” Judge Des Samuel from Bargains Farm, Little Marcle near Ledbury was also giving his time to encourage the next generation of farmers. We chatted about the competitors and farming in general and he explained it was an, ‘Up horn down corn year’. For those like me who didn’t know, it means stock prices are up and cereal prices are down. I came away knowing that reversible ploughs produce all the furrows going one way. This results in an area without ridges. The older ‘conventionals’ only plough right handed, so to produce no ridges you would need to go round and round. The gap produced at the point where opposing furrows meet is called a rean and a cop is the start where the furrows fold together. Unlike the professional ploughing matches there is no prize money involved, only cups, certificates and kudos. When next I see a plough at work, I will not only admire the skill of the birds diving behind and dodging the blades to catch a worm, I will also acknowledge that there is so much more to it than just steering, and in the modern tractors listening to the radio. I left before the end of the competition; imagine being stuck behind all those tractors on the way home! 66

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4Sue McGuffie

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6John Deere

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Judges Tony Patrick and Andrew Cowell

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Social life

Brampton Bryan Hall hosts Perpetual Trust Supporters

Photographs by Gordon Taylor Edward and Victoria Harley welcomed over 100 guests into their home at Brampton Bryan Hall to thank them for their support of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust. All those attending were either regular donors through a new giving programme or had pledged a bequest to the Cathedral. The party also celebrated the 700th anniversary of a Harley marrying the Brampton heiress and moving to Brampton Bryan Castle, the ruins of which are in the gardens of the Hall. The Brampton familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s links with the area extend beyond the Doomsday Book. 1. The Bishop of Ludlow, Alistair Macgowan, May Manning, Diana Barnes and Colin Manning. 2. Lisa Weaver and Tom Morgan. 3. Lawrence Banks, Mark Taylor and Mark Bevan. 4. Lotty James,Victoria Harley and Lady Bengough. 5. Simon Arbuthnott, Marion and Richard Tanner. 6. Judy Jacobs. 7. Christopher James, Chairman of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust, presenting a gift to Victoria and Edward Harley in thanks for their hospitality, with the Dean of Hereford looking on. 8. Viscountess Windsor. 9. June Chase and Betty Philpott. 10. Susan Dalton, Peter Southall and Katharine Wedgbury. 11. Anne and James Collins. 68

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

Wildlife WVM

Wincey’s

Wildlife

Our most beloved bird Photographs by John Harding BTO and Jill Pakenham

aeroplane. A particularly gruesome one was discovered in the skull of a hanged man whose body had been left hanging in chains to decompose. They construct their nests very quickly, a gardener from Basingstoke reported that he had hung up his coat at breakfast time and when he went to retrieve it at lunchtime he discovered an almost complete nest in his coat pocket!

The Robin is Britain’s national bird; it was officially declared so in December 1960 in The Times. The Anglo-Saxon name for the Robin was Ruddock but by the Middle Ages they became known as Redbreasts. Robin Redbreast was the accepted name until the 1950’s when just plain Robin gained official acceptance by the British Ornithologists’ Union. It first appeared on a Christmas card in the 1860’s when it was pictured delivering an envelope. In those days the postmen wore red tunics and were known as redbreasts. This led to the Robin being depicted on millions of cards to this day. Robins are the easiest birds to tame and become very trusting. ‘Your’ Robin will quickly succumb to the temptation of a wriggling mealworm. Start by putting a few in a small bowl on the windowsill. Once the Robin discovers them he or she will be a frequent visitor. Each day move the bowl and mealworms nearer to the door. Then leave the bowl empty until the Robin appears and slowly open the door and pour some mealworms into the bowl when the Robin is close enough to see what you are doing.

Patience is now required as you start to hold a bowl full of mealworms on your outstretched hand. This enables the Robin to see them wriggling. Drop one or two onto the ground at your feet to encourage close encounter. Slowly lower your hand nearer to whatever perch the Robin has chosen.You will notice that Robins prefer to sit on a low perches and survey their territory, swooping down to catch whatever unsuspecting creature ambles by. It won’t be long before you will have him eating the mealworms from your hand. The oldest Robin on record for the UK, was 8 years and 4 months, it lived in Blackpool. It’s a German Robin that holds the European longevity record of 13 years and 3 months.You may think that you have the same Robin coming

to your garden all the time but records show some can travel huge distances. One Robin was recorded to have flown from Shetland to Southern Spain, a journey off 2,600 Km. Now that’s what I call getting away for the winter. Robins can be heard singing all through the winter months. This is a way of ensuring they hold onto their territory ready for the breeding season. Robins have been known to build nests in most peculiar places, one of the most bizarre was a nest built in the engine of a Second World War

To encourage Robins to take up residence the British Trust for Ornithology recommends the following: Put up an open fronted nest box. Plant berry producing shrubs. Provide plenty of cover in your garden to assist safe breeding. Make sure they have a regular supply of clean water and wash your birdbath frequently. (It will be your Robin that you see bathing as the light is fading.) Feed regularly with mealworms, peanut granules and pinhead oats. For lots more information about these wonderful birds contact the BTO on 01842 750050 www.bto.org DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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Legal advice

legal advice This month’s advice is supplied by Kidwells Law in Hereford, a Lexcel accredited practice

Q A

Bullying and harassment With the recent news of the Communication Workers Union accusing the Royal Mail of bullying and harassing it’s members, it seems an opportune moment to deal with the issues in this month’s legal advice, and here we deal with what they are and how to spot if it is going on in your workplace. What is bullying and harassment? These terms are often confused by many people, and deﬁnitions often include bullying as a form of harassment. Harassment, in general terms is unwanted conduct affecting the dignity of men and women in the workplace. Such conduct may be related to age, sex, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, nationality or any personal characteristic of the individual. It may be an isolated incident or an ongoing series. The important fact is that the actions or comments are viewed as demeaning and unacceptable to the recipient. How they were meant is immaterial. Bullying on the other hand is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient. Bullying or harassment may be by an individual or involve groups of people. It may be

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

clear to all to see or it may be hidden below the surface. Whatever form it takes, it is unwarranted and unwelcome to the individual recipient. Examples of bullying/ harassing behaviour include: • Spreading malicious rumours, insulting someone by word or behaviour (particularly on the grounds of age, race, sex, disability, sexual orientation and religion or belief) • Copying memos that are critical about someone to others outside the management structure • Ridiculing or demeaning someone; picking on them or setting them up to fail Exclusion or victimisation • Unfair treatment • Overzealous supervision or other misuse of power • Unwelcome sexual advances – touching, standing too close, the display of offensive materials, asking for sexual favours, making decisions on the basis of sexual advances being accepted or rejected • Making threats or comments about job security without foundation • Deliberately undermining a competent worker by overloading and constant criticism • Preventing individuals progressing by intentionally blocking promotion or training opportunities.

Remember, bullying and harassment are not necessarily face to face issues, they can also occur in writing, emails, phonecalls, and automatic supervision methods such as computer recording of downtime from work or the number of calls handled if these are not applied to all workers. Employers should look out for any employees who appear anxious and humiliated, as that is the objective of most form of bullying and harassment. Feelings of anger and frustration at being unable to cope may also be triggered. Some people may try to retaliate in some way. Others may become frightened and de-motivated. Stress, loss of self-conﬁdence and self-esteem caused by harassment or bullying can lead to job insecurity, illness, absence from work, and even resignation. Almost always job performance is affected and relations in the workplace suffer. To talk further about any concerns you may have of bullying or harassment in your workplace please feel free to speak to our Head of Employment, Mr Paul Grifﬁn. Kidwells Law, Phoenix Chambers, 17 King Street, Hereford HR4 9BX Telephone: 01432 278179.

Finance WVL

Derek Keeble of St. James’s Place Partnership in Hereford gives advice about inheritance tax

Inheritance Tax

still a reality for millions Raising the threshold of IHT liability was a flagship policy for Tory leader David Cameron when he first announced it two years ago, but the intervening financial crisis has meant that it could now be delayed for up to five years should they win the election. (Source: The Independent 27 July 2009)

When looking at how much Inheritance Tax you currently need to pay, the assets remaining on death are added up, the nil rate band (currently £325,000) is then subtracted and any balance left taxed at 40%. If your spouse or civil partner dies before you without fully using their nil rate band the unused proportion can be carried forward to use on the second death. Labour’s ongoing plans for IHT after the next election are currently unclear, but Conservative policy proposals promised to scrap the levy on estates worth less than £1m when they came to power. However, this could now be put back towards the end of the first parliament.

To receive a free guide covering Wealth Management, Retirement Planning or Inheritance Tax Planning, produced by St. James’s Place Wealth Management, contact Derek Keeble of the St. James’s Place Partnership at HMB Catley Staite Wealth Management, 46 Bridge Street, Hereford HR4 9DG. 01432 354 390 or email derek.keeble@sjpp.co.uk.

Not long ago, it was the sole concern of the very wealthy, but the rise in property prices over the last ten years has meant it now affects millions more people throughout the UK than was once the case.

IHT planning is therefore vital so that people can ease their potential liability. Yet few people are still prepared to grab the bull by the horns. By not preparing for IHT, you are essentially asking your children and grandchildren to sit down one day and write a very large cheque to Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

pension plans are broadly exempt from IHT although a liability to periodic and exit charges can arise in a limited number of circumstances. • Adequate retirement income with spouse or civil partner and dependant’s pensions may release capital for lifetime gifting.

There are three straightforward steps you can take to alleviate this potential future burden:

Yet you can defuse the ticking time bomb of IHT by following the three-point plan. You can’t take your wealth with you, but you can at least make sure that the government does not take a greater share of it than is absolutely necessary.

1. Ensure you write a Will, and that it is written and planned correctly to save the maximum amount of tax. 2. Transfer assets through the careful use of lifetime gifts. 3. Create a tax-efficient fund to enable the beneficiaries of an estate to meet the tax liability without disturbing the family wealth. Under current IHT legislation, pensions can play a considerable role in estate planning. This stems from two factors: • Death benefits under modern

Managing wealth is a complicated business and to adopt the best strategies, there is no substitute for obtaining the professional advice of a specialist wealth management expert dedicated to helping you realise your long-term aims and providing support over the years as priorities change.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

AL LY ON

Diesel With A Difference. New Mazda CX-7. Available with typical 0% APR* over 3 years with 50% minimum deposit required. The new Mazda CX-7 soars above its rivals. More than your average SUV, it’s an innovative Sports Crossover that offers a unique fusion of luxury styling and sports car handling. With its 2.2 litre turbocharged diesel engine, the car glides effortlessly from A to B. But even with all this power, it still meets stringent EURO Stage V emissions standards, so you can enjoy the drive with a clear conscience.

Spread your wings in the new Mazda CX-7 – call us on 01568 612337 to book your priority test drive†. To take a test drive contact us at:

Bengry Motors Ltd Southern Avenue, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0QF. 01568 612337. The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the new Mazda CX-7: Urban 31.0 (9.1), www.bengrymotors.co.uk Extra Urban 42.8 (6.6), Combined 37.7 (7.5). C0 emissions (g/km) 199.

ALTITUDE WITH ATTITUDE.

Retail sales only. Subject to availability at participating dealers only on vehicles registered between 1 October 2009 and 31 December 2009. *0% finance available on Mazda Conditional Sale on Mazda CX-7. Offer not available in conjunction with the Government Scrappage Scheme. Finance subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Applicant must be 18 or over. Guarantees/Indemnities may be required. Mazda Financial Services RH1 1SR. Model shown: Mazda CX-7 2.2D Sport Tech. OTR price £25,785. Model shown includes metallic paint at an additional cost of £450. On the road price includes VAT, number plates, delivery, 12 months’ road licence, 1st registration fee, 3 year or 60,000 mile warranty and 3 years’ European Roadside Assistance. Details correct at time of going to print. †Test drives subject to applicant status and availability.

Business WVM

The Family Business Success series with Tim Kidson

How to make the changes actually happen! You have involved all the senior people in our family business to clarify direction using the Bull’s Eye process. You have been open and honest with each other in order to analyse your strengths and weaknesses. You have used this information to produce a Key Change Project. For family businesses 90% of the Key Change Projects are to do with changing the culture. Much of what worked for mum and dad will not work in this knowledge world, and it won’t work with the new generation either. Now the exciting bit, after all the discussion and debate, is to MAKE IT HAPPEN. The most powerful way to make things happen is to start having regular monthly meetings of the senior team and using an Action Plan. Next month: How to get CLOSER to your colleagues

At each monthly meeting you need to discuss, debate and ultimately agree: 1) WHAT are we going to do? 2) WHO is going to do it? 3) WHEN will the task be complete? In other words we are starting to make each and every senior person not only responsible for the area of the business that they look after, but they are now accountable as well. And this is where the discipline kicks in because after a very short period of time you will see which people do what they say they will do, in a timely manner, and those people who, for whatever reason, do not do what they agree to do.

TKA are experts in helping family businesses to develop and sustain a competitive advantage www.timkidson.com 01432 354136

If you allow slipshod or poor work to go unchallenged it will ALWAYS give the business, and invariably the family, more problems down the line. In thirty years I have never yet found an exception to this rule. It is important to remember that EVERYONE serves the business, including dad. Dads have usually earned the right to take more time out or choose the bits they like doing, but nobody has the right to stand in the way of best business practice designed to develop and sustain competitive advantage in the market place. The Action Plan meetings need to be put in everyone’s diary for twelve months in advance so that everyone in the team can make sure they attend. Always choose the same time and day each month to suit the business. Meetings need proper chairing so that they start and finish on time. The agenda needs to cover all the jugular areas facing all businesses everywhere such as sales, finance, people issues, contemporary marketing, IT and so on. Never allow any meeting to get bogged down on any issue, but take that issue out of the main meeting and resolve it elsewhere.

The outcomes from each meeting are the action points for each person round the table; these need to be logged, preferably using your IT systems, because they are the starting point for the next meeting. This is the format for the Action Plan resulting directly from the work to Clarify Direction for your family business. It becomes the living, breathing, live part of your business plan because it is reviewed by the senior team every month, and because action is taken. The cycle of Bull’s Eye (September article), SWOT (October article), Key Change Project (November article) and Action Plan continues for as long as the organisation is trading. So best get used to it!

Family business people need 1) The skills to do the job which comes through training. 2) The knowledge to deal with changing circumstances that comes from experience. 3) Attitude, which is a drive or a passion to make the business successful.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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Passionate people

Taking love to the other side of the world Words by Wincey Willis Photographs by David Darg

Chen Qi (8 years old)

At the moment David and Naomi Darg have a home in Virginia in the USA, but when they are in Britain Hereford is their base, at David’s parent’s home. They met when they were both working in Peru in a camp for displaced people after an earthquake had struck the region. They married in March 2008 and by May they were living in the aftermath of the Chinese earthquake. They have a nomadic life always heading into disaster areas. Sometimes David must travel alone due to the danger in certain parts of the world and he was one of the few volunteers who were allowed into Burma after the cyclone. David is the Director of International Disaster Relief for Operation Blessing; they call him their Swiss army knife. He has so many skills necessary to lead their projects around the world. I suspect that many people are unaware that the European headquarters of an international humanitarian organisation, with ongoing programmes in twentythree different countries around the world, is based in Wye Street, Hereford. I caught up with David Darg, former Cathedral School pupil and Oxford graduate, on a brief visit to his parents. He explained, “We do development style programmes, fresh water projects, care for vulnerable children, medical programmes and things like that. On the other side we do a lot of disaster relief and crisis response. My official position is director of the entire international disaster relief programme. My job is to coordinate a response when and where there is a disaster. We can’t deal with everything but 74

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

last year we responded to thirtythree different disasters in sixteen different countries”. The nature of his work means he spends a great deal of time travelling. He spent a year in China where he was leading the team assisting in the aftermath of the horrendous earthquake that killed 90,000 people in Sichuan province on 12th May 2008. It is difficult to imagine what it must have been like to live through such a disaster. “We already had an office in Beijing for ten years and three satellite offices, one of which is in Chengdu, very close to the disaster, so we were on the scene within forty-eight hours responding with emergency relief; water, shelter, food kits, that type

of thing. After that it developed into more of a recovery programme”. They have limited funds and from experience David knows that it is best to choose a specific project and leave the people with something that will last for generations. His team concentrated their efforts on Yao Jin, a remote village in Beichuan County. It was a community of 250 people, six died in the earthquake. All that remained was rubble; everything the people owned was destroyed. The fiftyfive homes and all the agricultural buildings and livestock were gone. Already an impoverished area, the people were without hope. David explains, “After the initial relief we then move onto a recovery programme. We provide materials to handle the water and sanitation needs. We had particular cooperation from this village, we

were amazed at their resilience and despite being in shock they really wanted to help themselves”. An old couple said, “All that remained was rubble; everything the people owned was destroyed. What can we do, we haven’t got another forty years”. David was very impressed with the efforts of the Chinese government but the size of the disaster was so great they could not deal with everything. They offered interest free loans for five years to rebuild homes but this was useless to these old people and even the younger ones would be in debt for the rest of their lives. What Operation Blessing did was wipe the slate clean. I asked if they encountered

Passionate people WVM jealousy from other villages. “ Yes we did, it’s a difficult situation for us because as an organisation we have to make the decision to focus our efforts. If we try and spread ourselves thinly and help as many people as possible, we are not going to make an impact on their lives. At some point you have to say these are the ones who have shown the best cooperation. It all boils down to cash; we can only spend what we have. For the total project including the village and a

have played a major part in their life together. I asked if women were treated differently in China and did Naomi need to defer to David for the authority to do anything? “Interestingly it was the women in the village who did the bulk of the manual labour. The work ethos is so tough, they are used to hard work on the terraced fields. The men did a lot of the skilled work. The women unloaded the

On day one we met Chen Qi an eight year old boy, he took me by the hand and led me to his house. He was going through the rubble looking for his toys. He inspired us with his attitude, always smiling”. “The houses are finished now, the families have moved in. We had a big ceremony on March 12th, ten months to the day after the earthquake hit. We are now in the final phase of livelihood restoration, now we need to kick-

necessary to put things right. I asked David what he did for fun, “When I do get some time off, which is very rare, I am a fish basically, get me around water, surfing, scuba, I love it. There are no such things as working hours; you work yourself to the bone especially in the emergency phase, we just don’t sleep. On most projects we get very little sleep, there is so much to do. I thrive on it. I get to go to amazing

‹ David and Naomi wearing their celebration garlands.

couple of schools we had a million US dollars”. David does whatever is needed when he is there. Logistics are his main task. “The project was huge, the first thing we had to do was clear tens of thousands of tons of rubble. The government put very strict guidelines on how the new buildings were constructed; they had to be quake proof. The language was a huge problem; we had translators there all the time. I also had to keep our donors advised about what we were doing, via video, photography, website and blogs”. Living in extremely basic conditions in an area prone to after shocks, life was not easy. It was made more comfortable as David’s wife Naomi was a volunteer working alongside. Earthquakes

millions of bricks we needed by hand, mixed cement and carried the heavy buckets. The grannies blew me away they were so strong lifting giant logs. Naomi spent a lot of time with the women; she went around the site giving out hand cream for their really calloused hands. It was freezing cold and their hands cracked. To this day there are thousands of other people still living in temporary shelters.” I wanted to know what happened with the children. “China has a one child policy and during the earthquake lots of schools collapsed and the children were killed. This was an added misery for thousands of families; they lost their only chance to carry on the next generation. After the first child many women had had hysterectomies. The children who survived also helped with the work.

start their economy. On May 12th one year to the day we gave them thousands of ducklings. We had planned to give them pigs but swine flu prevented that. We will be building a piggery and giving them pigs when we can and we’ll be bringing in veterinary teachers to help them do things better”. The headquarters of the whole organisation is on the east coast of America in Virginia. Operation Blessing may be a Christian charity but it does not preach. They are not missionaries; they do hands on practical work bringing comfort and relief, wherever there is a need that they can fulfil. There are around one thousand people working for the organisation around the world. Teams are sent into areas with dire need and they provide funds and work with the local people to do whatever is

places around the world, parts that you wouldn’t ordinarily go. I live a very dynamic exciting life. On a rare day in China when we hiked up into the mountains we came across a temple where no other foreigner had ever been before, their jaws dropped to the floor! I get to watch moments in history. There is a great sense of fulfilment; we are there to help and demonstrate love to the people and show them that people care for them around the world”. He left the next morning to fly to Italy to help with the reconstruction of a community centre and library, in the disaster area after the earthquake in L’Aquila. For more information contact Operation Blessing, PO Box 700 Hereford HR1 9EW Tel: 0800 432 0700 DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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Social life 1

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WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

HomeStart goes back to the 80’s Trustees, staff, volunteers and friends of Home-Start travelled back in time to the 1980s for a fun-filled fancy dress disco held at the SBS Stadium, home of Ludlow Town Football Club. “Home-Start South Shropshire and Bridgnorth Districts” supports young South Shropshire families living with difficulties such as post- natal depression, rural isolation, bereavement, multiple birth and parents of children with physical or mental health illnesses. Guests dressed up as everything from punks to Ghostbusters and everyone dug deep to buy raffle tickets on the evening. The raffle was run by Nicola Edwards of Barclays Bank, who match- funded all raffle proceeds as part of their employee £ for £ scheme. Local businesses sponsored the event by donating a huge range of fabulous prizes which helped to raise much needed funds. Photos by Sally Sparrow 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Mark Siviter, Sally Sparrow and Cathy Saunders (event organisers), Nicola Edwards, Paul Saunders (kneeling, Best dressed male) Cathy Saunders (Homestart Ludlow Organiser), Nicola Edwards Ghostbusters, Roger Preece, Andrew Robey, Jo Robey (best dressed female), John Roberts and kneeling Mary Ann Preece and Maria Roberts Guests Pat and Kerry Warrington Volunteer Alison Williamson with husband Richard Sheila Longson (Bridgnorth Home-Start Organiser), Caroline Lloyd, Jess Brown and Cenev Clayton Andy Dalby and Catherine Whittington Sponsor Andy Dalby, Home-Start Rural Organiser Sally Sparrow, Paul Saunders and Paul Sparrow. Front: Cathy Saunders

Inspirational Writing Course in the heart of the glorious Wye Valley

Saturday 30th January 2010 What makes a plot work? How can I write lively and realistic dialogue? What keeps readers turning the pages? Good writing combines skill and inspiration, and knowing the tricks and tips of the craft is crucial. Tutors CJ Emerson and Claire Hamilton are experienced writing coaches and published authors of both fiction and non-fiction. CJ Emerson runs a successful online tuition course and Claire Hamilton is a former tutor at the Forest of Dean College.

Whether you are a complete novice or have some experience, our tutors can help hone your talents. Workshops are held in a wonderful Writers’ Retreat perched

above Redbrook near Monmouth. Courses focus on shaping creative writing in an encouraging and nurturing environment. Sessions include characterization, dialogue, plotting, pace and marketing.

Joining us will be guest speaker Andrew Taylor, best selling crime writer and twice winner of the Historical Dagger award. His novel ‘The American Boy’ was nominated by Richard and Judy and his Roth Trilogy was dramatized on ITV as ‘Fallen Angel’.

Cost: Cost £60 for the day, to include coffee, lunch and tea. For more information and to book a place visit: www.clairehamilton.com or www.writingforge.co.uk

Photographs by Sam Perry

where history and hospitality meet

Come visit our Wedding Fayre on Sunday 31st January Eardisland. Nr Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 9DN Telephone: 01544 388222 email:edward@burtoncourt.com

WVM

What’s On

WHAT’S ON DECEMBER 2009

Music

3rd December 7.30pm Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band Borough Theatre, Abergavenny An opportunity to see a true British jazz legend. Tickets £17, concessions £15. Box Office 01873 850805. www.boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk 3rd December 7.30pm Kit and the Widow The Blake Theatre, Monmouth This dynamic cabaret duo present the very sharpest of musical revue in a benefit concert organised by Merlin Music Society. Tickets: £20, student £10. Box Office: 01600 719401 www.theblaketheatre.org 3rd December 8pm Andy Fairweather Low 2009 Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon Andy Fairweather Low’s pedigree is the stuff rock dreams are made of. Tickets: £17.00. Box Office: 01874 611622. www.theatrbrycheiniog.co.uk 4th December 7.30pm Deck the Halls 2 – Christmas Songs and Carols HMTC Theatre, 148 Whitecross Road, Hereford Enjoy an evening of Christmas songs and carols, with some audience participation. Tickets: £5. Details: www.hmtc.org.uk or phone 01684 562155. 4th December 7.30pm The Leaves of Life Lion Ballroom Arts Centre, Leominster The Mellstock Band in a costume performance featuring seasonal songs and tunes on early and modern instruments, with tales and poems by Thomas Hardy, William Barnes, John Clare and Charles Dickens. Part of the Arts Alive season. Tickets: £10, child £5. Tel: 01568 611588. More details from www.artsalive.co.uk 5th December 7.30pm Voices at the Door St Leonards Church,Yarpole Coope, Boyes and Simpson present the story of carols, with tales of squabbling choirs, composers, collectors and controversy in a programme of superb unaccompanied harmonies and fascinating historical detail. Part of the Arts Alive season. Tickets: Adult £8, child £5, family £22. Tel: 01568 780874. More details from www.artsalive.co.uk 5th December 1.15-2 pm Christmas Sparkle Hereford Cathedral A lunchtime organ recital of favourite Advent and Christmas music given by Peter Dyke, assistant organist of Hereford Cathedral, Donations in support of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust. 11th December 7.30pm The Spirit of Christmas Past Clee St Margaret Village Hall Border Marches early music ensemble Fleur de Lys present an evocative and festive programme of beautiful medieval music and song mixed with traditional folk carols, local Wassails, fascinating yuletide anecdotes and mumming. Tickets: £7. Tel: 01584 823604. Further performance 12th December 7.30pm, Lingen Village Hall. Tickets: Adult £5, child £3, family £18. Tel: 01544 262896. Part of the Arts Alive season. More details from www.artsalive.co.uk

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

12th December 7.30pm Ludlow Choral Society Christmas Concert St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow Seasonal celebrations. Tickets: £12, £10 and £6 from 01584 873788 or tickets@ludlowchoral.org.uk. 12th December 7.30pm Handel’s Messiah Hereford Cathedral Hereford Choral Society commemorates the 250th anniversary of Handel’s death with its annual performance of Messiah, an eagerly awaited part of Hereford’s celebrations of Christmas. Tickets prices vary from £10 to £20. www.herefordchoralsociety.org. 19th December 7.30pm Buddy Holly and the Cricketers: Holly at Christmas Wyeside, Builth Wells This special Christmas show from Britain’s longestrunning Buddy Holly act is guaranteed to have everyone singing along to the music and dancing in the aisles. Tickets: £13 in advance / £15 on the day. Box office: 01982 552 555. www.wyeside.co.uk

Pantomime and Children’s Theatre 1st – 5th December Horrible Histories - World War 1 Theatr Hafren, Newtown A world premiere of Horrible Histories, using actors and amazing 3D special effects. This astounding show - Frightful First World War - is guaranteed to thrill. Tickets: £10, children £8. Box Office: 01686 625007. www.theatrhafren.com

12th December 7.30pm Beauty and the Beast Clun Memorial Hall, Clun This ultimate love story is told through Fairgame Theatre’s characteristic physical style. Part of the Arts Alive season. Tickets:Adult £6, child £3, family £18. Tel: 01588 640254. www.artsalive.co.uk 19th December 1pm and 4pm Mother Goose Borough Theatre, Abergavenny This captivating pantomime presented by The Derek Grant Organisation offers plenty of fun, laughter, music and surprises for the whole family. Suitable for ages 3+. Tickets: £8.50, concessions £7.50, family ticket £29. Box Office: 01873 850805. www.boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk 21st December 2.30pm Beauty and the Beast Ludlow Assembly Rooms Image Musical Theatre presents an interactive show. Some children in the audience will be invited to take part and everyone will join in the songs. Audience rehearsal 2.30pm – 3pm, 20 minute interval, show 3.20pm – 4.20pm. Suitable for age 4+. Tickets: £6 (a free adult ticket with every 8 tickets purchased). Box Office: 01584 878141. www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk. 22nd December 7pm The Ffitch Repertory Players in The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin Borough Theatre, Abergavenny Miracle Theatre Company presents a show within a show and a fantastic alternative to mainstream pantomime for the whole family. Suitable for ages 8+. Tickets: £7.50, concessions £5. Box Office 01873 850805. www.boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk

What’s On WVM 29th and 30th December 7.30pm romeo and Juliet Ludlow Assembly Rooms One wedding, a funeral and a less than efficient postal system combine to create comic mayhem and tragic consequences. Shakespeare’s romantic love story gets the full Oddsocks treatment! Suitable for all ages. Tickets: £15, concessions £14, under 18s £7. Box Office: 01584 878141. www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk.

DAnce 5th December 7.30pm The nutcracker Wyeside, Builth Wells Combining Tchaikovsky’s best loved musical score with magical choreography, 50 exquisitely hand-crafted costumes and three spectacular sets, Ballet Theatre UK’s seasonal production of The Nutcracker will spell-bind audiences with a sparkling evening of fantasy, illusion and fairy-tale. Tickets: £12 in advance/£14 on the day/£6 18s & under Box Office: 01982 552 555. www.wyeside.co.uk

THeATre 5th December 8pm Gulliver The Market Theatre, Market Street, Ledbury The play enters the wonderful world of Gulliver’s Travels, with its tiny Lilliputians, giants and mad scientists. This play, by Hijinx Theatre Company is suitable for ages 12+. Tickets: £10, Students £4. Box Office: 01531 636147. www.themarkettheatre.com. 17th, 18th, 19th December 7.30pm Terry Pratchett’s Weird sisters The Conquest, Bromyard Terry Pratchett’s celebrated coven of witches get meddling in royal politics in a plot not unlike Macbeth – but not exactly like it either, with maybe a bit of Hamlet thrown in. Presented by Conquest Senior Youth Theatre. Tickets: Thursday 17th all seats £5, Friday 18th and Saturday 19th £8/£7/£5. Box Office: 01885 488575. www.conquest-theatre.co.uk. 26th December 12 noon to 2pm The Mumming Play The Boot Inn, Orleton Leominster Morris perform the traditional Mumming Play. See the rare North Herefordshire Dragon, St George, Turkey Snipe, The Doctor, Jack Doubt the Fool and all the other characters in this tale of death and resurrection. Free – hat will be passed around. Details 01568 720428

FAirs, FesTiVALs AnD cHrisTMAs MArKeTs 4th–6th December Hay Winter Weekend of Literature Hay on Wye – various venues The tenth Winter Festival provides the chance to enjoy the fireside and mulled

wine intimacy of Advent in Hay. Hang out with friends; laugh fit to burst, enjoy the finest stories, ideas, food and company. More details from www.hayfestival.com 5th December Kington Festive Food Fair – Food from the Borders Kington Marketplace Plenty of festive cheer with food stalls, demonstrations, Christmas craft-making, Father Christmas and Christmas carols. Free entry. Details from Pamela Peek 01544 231202. 5th December Bishops castle christmas Lights Festival and street Party In conjunction with the festival, St John The Baptist Church opens its doors to crafts from the area. www.bcchristmaslights.co.uk. 5th December 9am – 5pm Welshpool Winter Festival Welshpool, various venues Events include, in the Town Hall, a Craft Fair, Charity & Community Stalls, Business Stands and a Food Court plus a Christmas Street Market in Broad Street and High Street and entertainment from a variety of artistes. For more details contact the Town Clerk’s Office on 01938 553142

12th December Leominster Victorian street Market Corn Square and Broad Street, Leominster This event grows more successful each year – wide range of stalls in Corn Square, in conjunction with the Farmers Market and through into Broad Street. Free ‘Park and Ride.’ 12th December 9am – 5pm. Hereford craft Market High Town, Hereford 30 local makers with unique, affordable arts and crafts for sale. Free entry. www.creativeherefordshire.co.uk. 19th December 11am -2pm Advent Fair and carols for shoppers Hereford Cathedral environs More than 30 stalls of local crafts, produce and seasonal gifts. Mince pies, hot coffee and much more available. Carols for Shoppers 12 noon.

ouT AnD ABouT 19th December noah’s Ark Trust Lantern Walk to remember Queenswood Country Park and Arboretum

Join the Noah’s Ark Trust for a Christmas lantern walk around the arboretum and raise money to support bereaved children and young people and their families in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. For more information, to register and book your lantern phone 01432 264555 or visit www.noahsarktrust.co.uk 6th December 9.30am spirit of Monmouth santa Fun run Start and finish on Monnow Bridge, Monmouth Join in a 2.1 k fun run through the heart of Monmouth. Participants are encouraged to wear Christmas-themed fancy dress, with spot prizes for the best outfits. Open to all ages - children and families especially welcome, and local company & pub team entries encouraged - trophy available to first team back. All finishers get a medal and a goody bag. Trophies are also available for 1st finishers in a variety of categories. Organised by Spirit of Monmouth running club, this year’s event is run is in aid of Ty Hafan, Childrend’s Hospice. Entry fee: Adults £8, children £4 in advance (£10 and £5 respectively if enter on the day). Print off an entry form from www.spiritofmonmouth.co.uk, or pick up a form from Monmouth School Sports Club.

eXHiBiTions 4th December – 17th January ursula Bayer Ludlow Assembly Rooms Gallery Ursula’s exhibition Fragment 3 Female Power is the third show in the Fragment cycle. It deals with the essence of human life - Birth, Love and Death. More details: www.ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk. 5th – 24th December christmas exhibition – 20 years on…3 Old Chapel Gallery, East Street, Pembridge The third pre-Christmas exhibition celebrating the 20th year of Old Chapel Gallery. Free entry. For details: www.oldchapelgallery.co.uk.

WINNERS

02/10/09 Mrs M B Carroll, Hereford 09/10/09 Mr K C Hughes, Swainshill, Herefordshire 16/10/09 Mr A A Pritchard, Bodenham, Herefordshire 23/10/09 Mr A Marlow, Hereford 30/10/09 Mrs M Bufton, Knighton, Powys

What’s on MONTV? Find out today at

www.mon-tv.com MONTV Local TV for Monmouthshire and the Wye Valley, on the internet! DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

Royal visit marks opening of Global RadioData Communications Ltd

3 4

Photographs by Jo Canton Smith The Directors and employees of Global RadioData Communications Ltd (GRC) were both delighted and honoured to welcome Princess Anne on the 26th October to officially open the company’s new premises on The Wyevale Business Park in Hereford. She arrived at 11am in the morning and spent an hour and half touring the premises, meeting and talking to employees and learning about the products and services GRC provides. HRH the Princess Royal proved to be very well informed and interested in everything she was shown.GRC Ltd is a company which specialises in providing innovative, bespoke and cutting edge solutions enabling effective, reliable communications in demanding environments.

1. Being welcomed to the Technical Building by Mick Maloney Operations Manager. 2. With, from left to right Colin Hermon (Ops Director) Iain Pope (Founder shareholder and director), Gareth Pope (founder Shareholder and Director ) Roger Davis (Chairman) HRH Howard Ham (Chief Executive Officer). 3. Watching Anthony (new design engineer), at work. 4. Martin Hudson, (Principal Design Authority), being presented to HRH. Neil Hendry in back ground 5. Demonstration in electrical testing area to HRH right chief technical officer Neil Hendry and engineer Craig Kearney. 6. Mark Cartwright (Technical Services team leader) with HRH and Iain Pope in the background. 7. The ladies from Gordon Lutton’s office next door. 8. HRH unveiling of plaque to commemorate the opening of the new buildings. 9. Watching Jan Taylor at work in the production area

4 3

Christmas shopping to raise money for Martha Trust White Hall Fabrics in Hampton Bishop held a two day Christmas shopping event with proceeds going to Martha Trust. Shoppers enjoyed mince pies, nibbles and wine as they filled their baskets.

1. Claire and Bryan Fretwell 2. Jaqui Grocott and Louise Jones 3. Jan Harvey, Sarah Hobby and Julie Cohen 4. Nina Drewe and Pearl Williams 5. Pat Griffiths, Anne Sheppard and Dot Thomas 6. Pauline Butler and Frances Copping 7. Pippa Burns and Jan Harvey 8. Sandra Harling and Helen Ashworth

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All the fun of the Advent Fair

If you’re looking for original, ethically traded and traditionally crafted gifts for the whole family this Christmas, then the Steiner Academy Advent Fair is the ideal event for you.

The Fair will take place at the Shirehall on Saturday 5 December and will be opened by the Snow Queen at 10 a.m. This year, over 30 exhibitors will be bringing tempting gifts and goodies to suit all budgets: hand-crafted felt dolls and fairy folk are perfect pocket money stocking ﬁllers, while traditionally made wooden toys, wall hangings and beautifully embroidered children’s clothing make ideal family heirlooms. With its emphasis on rural and traditional crafts, the Steiner Academy Advent Fair has once again attracted a number of wellloved local artists and artisans including Rowan McOnegal (stained glass), David England (sculpture), John Fishenden (wood carving) and Frances Keenan (willow weaving).

As well as all the wonderful goodies on sale the Fair is well known for its delicious food and fantastic home-made seasonal produce. You can pop into the Star Café and sample some of the wonderful array of delicious organic cakes, gingerbread and chocolate brownies, or the Steiner Diner for more leisurely wholesome hot lunches. As usual, the parents and friends of the Steiner Academy Hereford are busy behind the scenes preparing this wonderful event. They have organised an extensive programme of activities to keep the little ones entertained, and, of course, the Snow Queen will be in residence at her Ice Palace with stories and gifts. For further information please contact the Steiner Academy Hereford on 01981 540221 or visit www.SteineracAdemyHereford.eu

and

Christmas Market Saturday 5 December 10am – 4pm

Shirehall, Hereford www.SteinerAcademyHereford.eu 01981 540221 In aid of the Steiner Academy Hereford, Charity number 510956

Opening by the Snow Queen Craft stalls and children’s activities

Delicious food and drink served all day

Book Now for the…

Bank Holiday Monday 28th December Gates Open 9.55am First Race 12.25pm Last Race 3.50pm Join us for the Coral Welsh National, Wales’ richest and most prestigious race. Put on your Christmas jumper and come to see our jumpers… …As the world’s best steeplechasers go head to head at the Home of Welsh Horse Racing. Supporting the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal

Call NOW to pre-book the best day out you’ll have this Christmas!

www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk

01291 622260

WVM

T’is the Rural life

season… Words by Sharon Chilcott Photographs by John Teale

Forest of Dean farmer David Martyn organises his life by the seasons. The shooting season (he runs a small syndicate) leads into lambing, no sooner is that over than a clutch of day-old goslings arrive to be reared, then it’s sheep tupping time and then it’s the season for all the family to gather round the goose plucking sheds!

In former days they would have assembled for the same task in the back kitchen of his parent’s farmhouse near Lydney. Breeding geese for the Christmas table is a family farming tradition, which goes back to the 1920’s. David has regular customers who have been coming to him and his parents for their Christmas goose for 20 or 30 years, and albeit the core farm enterprise is now sheep, he cannot break with history or disappoint his loyal foodie following. Although he cut his goose numbers back to 50 last year, which he sold from the farm gate, this year he is back up to 100 to fulfil an order from a local butcher. 82

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

David says that in the early days the family would breed some of the goslings themselves and buy some to make up numbers. These days, he explains, they are all bought in: “We buy the goslings from Norfolk at one day old and they arrive the first week in May. After two or three weeks we get them out on the grass and it is amazing how much grass they eat as goslings. We also feed them a barley mix, using home- grown barley. They are free range, but we bring them in at night to keep them safe from foxes.”

“It is amazing how much grass they eat as goslings” Geese have a reputation for being a little ill tempered at times, but David says he doesn’t have too many problems. Rounding them up to put them in is usually easy: “At dusk they are waiting to come in for their food. We used to keep a gander and a couple of geese and as a small child I was always scared of them,” he reminisces.

family and friends, anyone who is available. We pluck every goose by hand and we aim to do about 60 in a day, so this year it will take about a day and a half. They are plucked using a traditional method my father has used all his life, which uses scalding hot water. I’ve been involved since my early years and now my son,

farm, and points to a time when it was a truly mixed enterprise. “My grandfather came here in 1902 and in those days everybody did a bit of everything – cows, sheep, pigs, poultry. This place was infested with rabbits and I used to earn pocket money by catching them and selling them in town.”

an enthusiastic advocate for the taste of the meat, which he says is “lush”. He adds “It’s a rich meat, with a taste slightly stronger than Aylesbury duck”. He knows this taste well as he also rears 50 Aylesbury ducklings in the summer; mainly for the family’s own use. He also rears chicken

“We pluck every goose by hand” Then he remembers and adds “Next week they are coming to routine test a sample of 50 for Avian Flu, so I am not looking forward to handling them for that as you have to hold them upside down and they scratch all up your arms!” The geese are killed about ten days before Christmas, with a team of about nine or ten people working together to complete the job as quickly as possible. “Plucking the geese is a family affair. It involves my children, our

William, who is 13, helps out and he is very professional at plucking. The dressing is done by my mum, Christine, my wife Sally and a couple of friends. The geese are dressed warm and then stored in a cold room.” The skills have been handed down through the generations. Says David’s mother Christine: “I learnt all I know about poultry from my father-in-law, who in turn learnt it from his father.” Her husband Ken grew up on the

Ken went on to run a dairy herd, but the family gave that up in 1988. David says rearing geese works in well with what is now the main enterprise on the 220 acre farm, where he breeds 350 commercial ewes and 100 pedigree texels, and also grows some arable crops, mainly to feed to his animals. “The sheep and geese graze together and within a week or so of lambing the goslings come in so it works well for us.” David’s geese reach a dressed weight of between 13lb and 18lb and he is

for Christmas, but again just for himself and family and friends. So, with the taste coming so highly recommended, and after all the family’s hard work, do the Martyns themselves sit down to roast goose for Christmas? Well, even though Christine’s father was Irish, for whom goose was the traditional Christmas fare, it all depends on how many turn up for dinner. But there are always a couple of geese in the freezer, and they often come out for other celebrations like birthdays and New Year.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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Food festival awards 1

Flavours Winners 2009 On an autumn evening in October, finalists gathered at the Hereford Racecourse for 2009’s Flavours of Herefordshire Food Awards. Glamorous guests enjoyed a veritable feast and awaited the results in nervous anticipation, which this year were awarded by celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo. Names and photographs by Richard Weaver Photography www.richardweaverphotography.co.uk 1. Mike Davies, Katie Johnson, Sir Ben Gill. 2. Brian Davies, Win Philips, Scott Davies, Roselyn Davies, Earnest Philips 3. Liz Thomas, Deb Baker, Jo Lewis, Pat Lewis, Alex Thomas. 4. Jon and Leanne Rex 5. Sir Ben Gill, Gill Hands, Gino D’ Campo, Jane Lewis, Peter Hands. 6. Retailer of the Year: Winner - Pengethley Farm Shop 9 7. Small Food Producer of the Year: Highly Commended – Court Farm and Leisure 8. Large Food Producer of the Year: Winner – Tyrrells Potato Chips. 9. Drinks Producer of the Year: Highly Commended – Once Upon A Tree. 10. Tea Room within a Visitor Attraction: Winner – Courtyard Centre for the Arts (Café Bar) 84

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

Food festival awards WVM 11

11. Young Chef of the Year: Rachel Williams 12. Pub of the Year: Commended – The Crown Inn 13. Gastro Pub of the Year: Winner – The Mill Race 14. Restaurant of the Year: Highly Commended – The Stewing Pot. 15. Restaurant of the Year: Commended – The Bridge House at Wilton. 16. Restaurant of the Year: Winner – Wilton Court Hotel 17. Award For Global Excellence – Oliver’s Cider and Perry. 18. The winners. 19. The finalists 20 Gino and Catering Staff

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

s a m t s i r Ch g n i p p o h S at Dragon Orchard

Leave the hustle & bustle of big-city shopping behind Taste & buy our award winning ciders, perry, apple juice & preserves Local foodie hampers & gifts Mulled cider & mince pies Orchard walks Work by local artists Plenty of parking

Christmas Gift Ideas... Gift packaged bottle of our extra special Blenheim Orange Dessert Cider, or Champagne Method Ribston Lawn Perry. Sponsor A Tree in our beautiful orchard or ask for details of our Cropsharers Scheme. Choose from our range of Hampers, stuffed full of locally produced goodies.

If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make it to the Orchard, find your local stockist on our website: www.onceuponatree.co.uk A417 Malvern Hereford

TRUMPET CROSSROADS

A438

DRAGON Putley ORCHARD

Dragon Orchard, Putley, Ledbury, HR8 2RG

Tel 01531 670263 www.onceuponatree.co.uk From A438 Hereford

Ledbury - Ledbury road, take turning sign posted to Pool End, A417 then immediately left J2

A449 Ross-on-Wye

Find Us:

M50

towards Putley Green. Dragon Orchard is about 3/4 mile on right hand side opposite turning. Ring bell on garage for service.

DRAGON ORCHARD CHRISTMAS SHOP Open every day 10am - 3pm from Saturday 7th November to Sunday 20th December

To advertise in the next Wedding Supplement contact Nicola Morgan on 01432 851115 email sales@wyevalleylife.co.uk

recipe Fillet of Ballingham beef, beetroot rosti, curly kale, roasted shallots, port reduction 4 x 175g fillets 4 x large shallots (peeled, cut in half lengthways) 1 x large potato 8 x leaves of curly kale 2 x sweet potatoes 250gx cooked beetroot 2 sprigs thyme 2 tblsp port ¼ pt beef stock Salt and Pepper 50g butter (melted) 25g butter

1. Peel the potato and place it whole in a saucepan of salted water, bring to boil, simmer for 5 minutes, cool under running water, then grate on the large side of a grater. Also grate the beetroot, mix together with the melted butter and season to taste. Squeeze into metal rings and place in fridge to firm for 10 minutes. 2. Peel the sweet potatoes, cut into thick finger length batons, wash the curly kale and pull out the middle stem by holding the leaf edges together and pulling the stalk up.

3. In a heavy based frying pan heat a little oil, then place the sweet potatoes in, leaving about 2-3 minutes on each side to get a nice colour. When coloured on all sides remove from pan and place into a baking tray, than place the shallot in the pan cut side down until golden, then add one sprig of thyme and the butter, take off the heat and add to the sweet potatoes. 4. Re-heat the frying pan, then place the beetroot rostis into the rings and leave to colour for about four minutes, then turn when

By Claire Nicholls, Head Chef of Castle House Hotel in Hereford

coloured on both sides, add to sweet potatoes and shallots. Place in oven at 180ºC for 20 minutes. 5. Season the fillets and lightly oil. When frying pan is hot, place fillets in the oil and leave for approx 4 minutes each side for medium/rare. In a small saucepan heat a little butter add the curly kale and sauté lightly for five minutes. The perfect recipe after days of finishing off the turkey, chicken or goose!

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

Nutter’s Nutters is a warm, cosy cafe with friendly staff selling a great selection of whole foods, all cooked on the premises. We have soup under £4 and main meals all under £6. We also have a fantastic selection of cakes, tasty scones and a selection of fresh salads prepared daily. Menu options include favourites such as quiche, veggie burgers, Moroccan vegetable pie, homity pie, toasted cashew nut and carrot kiev and much more. We also have a good selection of vegan and gluten free foods Open Monday to Saturday 9-5 (closed bank holidays)

eford. HR1 2LR

Come in for a hot chocolate and a big piece of cake or one of our delicious main meals with a choice of our fresh salads

Mrs Muffins Tea Shop At Mrs Muffins we offer scrumptious Award Winning food set in a beautiful 17th Century oak beamed building with a secluded pretty courtyard garden. We serve food All Day from our Herefordshire breakfast, morning coffee and lunches through to afternoon tea. All complimented by a range of local wines and beers. Our homemade cakes and Herefordshire clotted cream teas are a real treat.

Hi g Fla hly vo C ur om so m f H en er de ef or d Te ds hi aro re o 20 m 09

You can find us on the cobbled lane behind the Market House Mon-Sat 10.00-4.30pm Sun (April-October) 11.00-4.30pm

Mrs Muffins, 1 Church Lane, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 1DL 01531 633579 www.mrsmuffins.co.uk

Shabagh

Tandoori & Balti Restaurant

Established 1994

LICENSED Bookings now being taken for Christmas Take-away and home delivery service available – 10% discount on own collection

FREE CAR PARK Capuchin Yard, Church Street, Hereford. HR1 2LR Tel: 01432 277447

the at

WILTON

ROSS-ON-WYE HEREFORDSHIRE TEL: 01989 562655

16 Burgess Street, Leominster Telephone 01568 614 500

Put your business on a plate Dine out on our success Our Renowned Lunches 2 courses £12.50 every day!

Christmas Bookings now being taken

    Restaurant with Rooms

www.bridge-house-hotel.com Email: info@bridge-house-hotel.com

À La Carte Menu every evening as usual Bookings Essential

Advertise with WYE VALLEY LIFE and Life in THE M AR C HE S 0 14 32 851 11 5 sales@wyevalleylife.co.uk

Market place WVM

marketplace

1 Williams and Dunkerton

Lorraine Williams and Susie Dunkerton have their hearts set on the production of fine chocolates to gladden the taste buds of all who try them. The finest well balanced dark chocolate is used to make the molded exteriors, encasing their own recipe fillings; cider brandy, caramel, raspberry, amaretto and praline are amongst the flavours beautifully packaged for Christmas. They also produce a range of bars, chocolate thins, milk chocolate shapes and truffles. Shop at Dunkertons Cider Mill in Herefordshire open 10-4pm Tuesday-Saturday. Contact 01544 399161or visit website www.williamsanddunkerton.co.uk

2 Fruit Blush

Two years ago the idea of starting a business was decided around the dinner table after sharing a meal and some of their home made liqueurs with friends. Rosemary and Ian Mills have made liqueurs for several years out of a variety of garden and hedgerow fruits but that evening they decided to take it a step further and Fruit Blush was born. The Mills produce quality fruit liqueurs on their small holding on the Wales Shropshire border. They are made using the traditional method of steeping the whole fruit in the spirit and adding just the right amount of sugar to produce their unique taste. They produce three gin varieties, blackcurrant, damson and raspberry and two vodka varieties, lemon and pink grapefruit. All are elegantly presented in 375ml, 100ml and 50ml bottles and range from 20 % - 28% Alc Vol. For more information contact Fruit Blush 01691 829012 or visit www.fruitblush.co.uk

3. The Tanners Half Dozen

The Tanner half dozen is brought to you by the Independent Merchant of the 3Year 2009, awarded by Decanter World Wine Awards. Available via mail order or from Tanners in Hereford, the half dozen specially selected wines make a great festive gift. For more information visit www.tanners-wines.co.uk.

4 Snoggable Garlic

Owned and run by Belinda Welsman and produced in Shropshire, Snoggable Garlic boasts a wide range of irresistible flavoured garlic without the offensive aftershock. They offer a collection of taste sensations, from their simple range consisting of plain garlic, which is divine when served with fresh bread to their snoggable paprika garlic and snoggable hot chili garlic. For more information on where you can get hold of their fabulous fayre visit www.snoggablegarlic.com.

5 Swan Chocolates

Swan’s finest handmade chocolates are based at Orchard Farm, Comberton just outside of Ludlow. They pride themselves on their locally sourced high quality ingredients and natural fruit flavourings which are finely blended to form delicious ganache, truffle and praline fillings to complement the finest Belgian Chocolate. The unique fresh taste of their handmade chocolates is designed for the discerning palate, and check out their new range of champagne truffles made in conjunction with Shrewsbury supplier Champagne UK. For more information visit www.swan-chocolate.co.uk.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

WVM

Wine Our resident wine expert Mark Webb, of Quercus Wine Tasting Events, suggests. . .

Something different for Christmas

As with many things associated with Christmas it is extremely easy to plug into the same old rituals; tartan socks for dad, sherry for gran and smellies for mum (by now her paranoia must be palpable) and not forgetting the obscure, to me anyway, ‘banging chunes’ from rappers such as Snoppy Snoppy Dog Dog or P Diddley for the nephew. So to get you in the mood for a more open-minded experience, this year I’m going to suggest some slightly alternative wine ideas to help you celebrate the coming season. I’m sure in most people’s Christmas calendar there is usually at least one point at which a sparkling wine would be appropriate. How about instead of opting for the usual cava or Australian equivalent trying a sparkling red? These lively reds can be a bit of a handful but I feel given the right treatment they can add seasonal jollity to a drinks party. First of all make sure the wine is properly chilled, a good two hours at least is recommended. Secondly serve a little food with it; paprika spiced chorizo, mature cheese or red meat based canapés would compliment this characterful wine perfectly. At this time of year there is much written about the best wines to go with turkey. Many oaked Chardonnays, Burgundian or Rhône reds are recommended but what about the other seasonal dishes; gammon or ham joints, game pies and cold cuts are all Christmas favourites too? For gammon or ham dishes serving white Burgundy is a refined choice, for a fuller alternative turn to Australian Chardonnays or even Marsanne if a richer white is your preference. The wonderful thing about game pie is its fantastic ‘throw whatever you’ve got into the pot’ spontaneity. Can you imagine Clarissa Dickson-Wright carefully prescribing 454g rabbit to 725g venison? No, me neither; and so should your attitude be to the wine match. Put your deerstalker on and go hunting on the wine shelves! Madiran from the west of Toulouse is full of spice and flavour. South African Shiraz or Pinotage is great too. Argentine Malbec, Portuguese red, Puglian red, the list goes on. Cold cuts, however, need to be treated with a little more sensitivity. In my experience it is one of the few occasions that can largely be covered by one wine. Beaujolais has an enlivening acidity, plenty of red berry fruit flavours but does not overwhelm with chewy tannins. In short it brightens up cold meat and injects an appropriate seasonal fruitiness but does not obscure its essential delicacy with lump hammer tannins. Happy Christmas everyone 90

WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK DECEMBER 2009

Cooking times Cooking temperature is either 200°C / 400°F or gas mark 6. A fan oven is much quicker so keep an eye on your goose. The cooking times vary slightly according to the type of oven you cook the bird in. Preparing your goose Line two tins with foil and cut two triangular pieces for the legs. Having two tins makes it easier when turning the goose. Take the goose and untie the string around the parsons nose area and fill the cavity of the goose with chopped green top of leeks and some cooking apples, add thyme or rosemary and seasoning.

Recipe WVM

Recipe Christmas Goose By Judy Goodman of Goodman’s Geese, Great Witley, Worcestershire

Prick the fat gland under the wing of the goose and around the back of the goose by the parsons nose. If you wish you can add stuffing of your choice and put it into the cavity of the goose. Melt some goose fat in a saucepan, cool and pour over the legs before you place the foil on top. Into the oven After the first hour, turn the goose so the back is upwards. Un-wrap the back of the goose to let it brown. Pour over surplus goose fat, this is when you can put the goose into the second tin and then you have the spare fat for roasting your parsnips and potatoes. Remember to keep the legs covered and place back into the oven. Just lightly place a piece of foil on top of the back. Depending on the size of the goose, you will need approximately ¾ - 1 hour more cooking time. Turn the goose back again on to the rack and do not add extra goose fat to the tin. Cover with a little flour and salt to crisp the skin of the breast - do keep the legs covered - this takes approx. 30-45 minutes depending on the size of the goose and how hot your oven is. Lift the goose onto a carving dish to rest for approx. 20 minutes before carving, keep the goose covered. Place your stuffing balls, roast potatoes, roast parsnips and put some sage, green bay leaves and rosemary around the edge of the dish to make it look extra special.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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Food forum WVM

Eddie Cleal of Rococo Catering in Whitney on Wye takes a fresh look at fresh look at festive food.

www.rococo-catering.com

Food

for thought

Are you game this Christmas? More and more often people are breaking away from tradition and are looking for a slight variation from the theme. So I thought I would try and give a few different ideas for the Christmas dinner.

the sediment and caramelised juice from the bottom of the pan. Add a little extra chicken stock and reduce down for five minutes. To thicken either use an equal amount of flour and butter and whisk in or use a corn flour solution. Make sure that the sauce is cooked, as you do not want the raw taste of flour. If too thick add some water from vegetables you may be cooking or more wine. Serve with bread sauce, cranberry sauce, goose fat roasted potatoes, sprouts with bacon and chestnut, and honey roasted carrots and parsnip. Enhance your shop bought cranberry sauce by gently heating and adding some orange zest and a splash of port. When cold this will thicken again.

We are truly into the game season; often game is inexpensive compared to free range and organic produce. Being that game runs freely and is not farmed, it is more often than not, as free range and organic as you can get. Venison saddle is the venison version of fillet beef but a lot cheaper than beef. It is tender and has little fat and should be treated in the same way as fillet beef with little cooking.

Venison with redcurrant and juniper sauce Allow 200g of meat per person. Marinate the meat overnight; make sure it is covered, in red wine with thyme, bay leaf, crushed juniper berries, orange zest, (juice can cook the meat due to the acidity) and crushed garlic clove. Take out of marinade and pat dry then sear all around in a hot frying pan, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cook it, just colour it. Place in oven at 200Â°C for approximately 20mins. Over cooking it will make it dry. Wrap in foil and allow to rest for ten minutes. Cut in 1cm slices and serve.

Redcurrant and juniper sauce Reduce one litre of quality chicken stock by half, top up with some of the marinade and a few crushed juniper berries and two tablespoons of redcurrant jelly. Continue reducing to

approximately 250ml. Serve with braised red cabbage with raisins and orange, creamy mash with pureed chestnuts and gratin leek.

Mixed game bird Instead of one bird try serving a number of small game birds, such as woodpigeon, pheasant, grouse or partridge. They take less time to cook than one big bird plus this adds more interest to the table. Like any game meat, there is little fat so over cooking makes it dry. Serving game birds a little pink is ideal.

Easier vegetables When cooking veg such as sprouts, carrots etc, these can be done in advance. Have a large bowl of cold water ready preferably with a lot of ice in. Partially cook your carrots etc in salted boiling water, strain out of the water and place veg immediately into the chilled water to stop the cooking process. When cooled, drain refrigerate in plastic storage container with kitchen roll at the bottom to soak up any water. When ready to cook dinner, have a pan of boiling salted water ready and carefully place the veg in the water. They should be ready in two minutes!

Pre heat oven to 230c make sure birds are seasoned inside and out and rubbed with a little soft butter on the skins. Cook for 15 to 20mins, allowing a little extra for the larger birds. Take out of the oven, cover the tray in foil and allow to rest for ten minutes before serving. For a quick pan gravy keep the juices from the birds in the tray and place over a moderate heat on the stove, add two glasses of red wine and with a wooden spoon scrape all

Have a very happy and delicious Christmas.

Send your kitchen queries to: Food For Thought, Wye Valley Media, 4 The Sheepcote, Monks Orchard Farm, Lumber Lane, Lugwardine, Herefordshire, HR1 4AG. Email editorial@wyevalleylife.co.uk DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

t a s t e

t e s t

Christmas Puddings

To help you to decide your dessert dilemas, our blind tasting panel assessed a selection of supermarket Christmas puddings from their luxury ranges Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Cognac laced Christmas pudding

3/5

A good all rounder, this is a fruity pudding with a decent hit of Cognac. The dessert is smartly packaged and microwaves in just 40 seconds making it a great option for those who would rather spend time entertaining then slaving by the stove. 3/5

Marks and Spencer Connoisseur, matured Christmas pudding

5/5

Alongside being very beautifully packaged, the tasting team thought that this pudding was divine. It is rich and tasty with a sublime nutty, fruity texture; you could be misled for believing that this was a homemade creation. A great choice of dessert that is sure to impress the guests. 5/5

Aldi, luxury Panettone Christmas pudding

2/5

Food to drive for

Asda, Extra Special mature Christmas pudding

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3/5

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With a spongy texture, this is a great option for those who prefer their puddings a little less richly embellished with fruit. The combination of ingredients served in a light brown panettone crumb is a pleasant change. 2/5

5/5

Matured over six months, this rich looking pudding is deceptively spongy. Despite being a little over sweet, Asda’s dessert is a serious contender in the Christmas pudding ratings. 3/5

Tesco’s Finest, matured Christmas pudding

Extremely rich, as you take your first bite you cannot fail to pick up on the deep orange flavour of the Courvoisier which hits you immediately, whilst strong, woody undertones of the aged pudding make this a mature dessert for the seasoned Christmas pudding eater. 1/5

Co-Operative, Christmas pudding

This pudding was a unanimous favourite, with a taste comment of “just like Chritsmas”. You cannot fail to be impressed by its fruity yet not over-rich texture smooth, whilst still delivering the satisfying depth that you expect of a Christmas pudding. A winning dessert all round. 5/5

recipe

Recipe WVM

Fig and Walnut Cake By Victoria O’Neil from Cooking with Class, Canon Pyon

Serves 6-8 An unbelievably quick cake to make, very sweet and so perfect served in slivers with coffee when a dessert really isn’t called for. Ingredients 4 egg whites 120g (4oz) dark brown sugar 120g (4oz) walnuts 175g (6oz) ready to eat dried figs Salt Vanilla essence Serve with créme fraiche Method Roughly chop the walnuts and finely slice the figs. Beat the egg whites and brown sugar together using an electric mixer. It will form a thick meringue. Add a pinch of salt and a little vanilla. When the mixture is thick fold in the nuts and figs. Line the base of a 20cm (8”) spring form tin with Bakewell paper. Grease the sides with butter. Pour in the mixture and bake for 30-40 minutes at 180OC (350OF, gas 4) for 30-40minutes until set. In an Aga bake on the lowest shelf of the roasting oven. Serve with crème fraiche to counter the sweetness and an Espresso coffee for ultimate perfection.

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

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HEFF WVM

Homemade

hampers

If you struggle with buying Christmas presents and keep falling into the trap of socks, bubble bath or vouchers, why not consider making your own hamper of regional food and drink for a foodie friend or a family member? Not only does it show that you’ve put thought and effort into their present and also helps to support local businesses. Take delight in filling a Christmas hamper for loved ones with all of their favourite food and drink. For a festive toast you cannot go wrong with a bottle of fizz, why not try Lulham Sparkling Wine from Lulham Court Vineyard, Hereford. For something more unusual try sparkling Elderflower or Christmas wine from Monkhide Country Wines in Canon Pyon, who also produce a range of flavoured liqueurs including maple whisky, cherry brandy and sloe gin. Award winning Chase Distillery, Hereford, produce potato vodka and have just launched an exclusive range of apple vodka. Jo Hilditch’s British Cassis of Lyonshall, is a fantastic addition to sparkling wine or champagne, which is available in a gift bottle.

HEFF

Try varieties of chutney from Country Flavours in Hereford who produce ﬁg and date chutney and farmhouse ale chutney, or choose a chutney gift pack from Three Counties Gourmet in Ledbury. A Christmas hamper wouldn’t be the same without Christmas cake so contact Four Anjels, just over the border in Moreton in Marsh or Frank’s Luxury Biscuits, Hereford.

HEART of ENGLAND FINE FOODS By Jon May For more information about HEART of ENGLAND ﬁne foods visit www.heff.co.uk or call 01746 785185.

However, if time is against you, you could always opt for a readymade hamper. Broadﬁeld Court, Bodenham offer a selection in their gift shop to tempt you. Then be sure to treat yourself to some festive ice cream which

is probably best enjoyed by you and not left in a hamper under the tree to melt! Indulge in Christmas pudding and ﬁg and brandy varieties from Shepherds Ice Cream in Peterchurch or Christmas brandy and rum ice cream from Just Rachel Quality Desserts in Ledbury, as a reward for all of your hard work! If all of your time has been absorbed by trawling the shops for gifts and you’re yet to order your bird for Christmas dinner, then make sure to look across the border into Worcestershire and contact Goodman’s Geese in Great Witley, who produce geese and turkeys. They also produce their own goose fat which is perfect for roast potatoes. Other additions to your

Christmas dinner could include cranberry sauce with claret from Country Flavours to go with your roast turkey. Remember to visit your local farm shop or independent retailer to see what regional food and drink they are stocking. Contact details of all the producers mentioned and retailers near you can be found at www.heff.co.uk

DECEMBER 2009 WYEVALLEYMEDIA.CO.UK

WVM

Horoscopes

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 - Dec 21)

Ally`s Astro

Ally Watkins has been practicing for over 20 years. She has many regular clients, some quite famous. For more details of her services go to www.ally-watkins.com Results cannot be guaranteed. Guidance or advice is simply offered for consideration.

ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr 20)

Learn the art of blind faith, you are still facing a lot of uncertainty and have too much to do to think clearly about the consequences. The winter solstice on the 21st of December is when you should put the past behind you and embrace a fresh start. Some things just need time, let nature take its course. With even more changes yet to come embrace the circumstances you are in; you work best under pressure. Find out more? 0906 602 4996

LEO (Jul 24 – Aug 23)

With Mars in Leo and Aquarius dominating, with strong planetary influences, this is a bit like the clash of the titans. Don’t be surprised if there are explosive arguments and hostility, you could find your headstrong nature forcing you to walk away from people that have meant a lot to you. Pride is your gift and curse at this time of your life. Try not to forget that Christmas is a time for forgiveness. It is far easier than regret. Find out more? 0906 602 5000

Sagittarius - Centaur Stone - Topaz Herb - Dandelion Colour - Dark blue and purple The Ruling planet of Sagittarius is Jupiter; it is a mutable masculine fire sign. Positive attributes are enthusiasm, open mindedness, versatility, adaptability, frankness, good judgement and a general love of freedom. Negative attributes are boisterousness, restlessness, carelessness, exaggeration, extremism, irresponsibility and tactlessness Motto: The grass is always greener.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 - Jan 20)

Famous Sagittarians: Billy Connelly, Bruce Lee, Jimi Hendrix, Tina Turner, Winston Churchill and Noel Coward Mercury and Venus join with the sun in Sagittarius, a fiery combination that cannot only bring plenty of festive cheer and determination to enjoy oneself whatever the cost. The darker side to this is that too much of a good thing is not very good for the health or the bank balance. Try and rein it in at least a couple of days this month. There is still next year to deal with at some point. Find out more? 0906 602 5004

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 - Feb 19)

Pluto remains pretty fixed giving you long-term vision whilst the sun and Mercury make an appearance. The overall effect should be very positive. Your charm alone should get you to where you want to go. With these planetary influences you should have a very positive mental attitude to life. Expect to be socially in demand, friends new and old will all want you to be at their gatherings. Find out more? 0906 602 5005

Aquarius is still ruling the planet stakes with Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron fixed in place.Your idealistic tendencies are causing chaos with those around who are against change. On a personal level try not to be drawn into unpleasant arguments. Keeping the faith goes with your instincts, stick to your guns and see your life changing plans through. All who know you and care will benefit eventually. Find out more? 0906 602 5006

TAURUS (Apr 21 - May 21)

GEMINI (May 22 – Jun 21)

The more people you have around you this year the better. There is a need to feel that no matter what happens in a certain aspect of your life, you are still loved by everyone who knows you.Your mind is less on Christmas and more on the emotional uncertainty you feel about next year. Sometimes there is little you can do to stop change. Live in the moment, relax, you have won many battles in the past, this is just another you have to fight. Find out more? 0906 602 4997

VIRGO (Aug 24 - Sep 23)

If not for your sake for those you love, learn to face up to what you have become afraid of. The truth sets us all free. Worrying about outcomes leaves us stuck in a time warp with no real progress. There is a lot more love and understanding than you think. Expect a journey, you may find yourself doing the visiting this Christmas. A blast from the past could leave you emotional but relieved to see friendly faces. Find out more? 0906 602 5001

Times are changing and with it there is an air of uncertainty for you in the future.You may have to learn humility; this could come in the form of demotion in some way. All positions are expendable; a change can be a positive thing. Take care of your health and be aware of other’s feelings. If you do not show grace, support could be difficult to obtain. Let go of your fears and embrace the future positively. Find out more? 0906 602 4998

LIBRA (Sep 23 - Oct 23)

There has been much hard work of late and as usual during festivities most people down tools and go off to play. The kindly Libran could find that they end up tidying everybody else’s loose ends. It’s time for you to go and have some fun; cleaning up the mess is done better as a team. Librans have the ability to surprise everybody and really let their hair down. Find out more? 0906 602 5002

PISCES (Feb 20 - Mar 20)

This is a time to concentrate on family and loved ones. All negative thoughts and feelings about your past or work should be put to one side. Some times in life you have to turn your back on what you cannot fix and concentrate only on what you can improve, even when it hurts to do so. When you can no longer help, recognise it is time to let go. Find out more? 0906 602 5007

CANCER (Jun 22 - Jul 23)

There is the growing possibility of an additional friendship taking up a lot of your time. Christmas will give you something positive on which to focus; a certain family member needs cheering up, as they have been feeling a little vulnerable of late.You have feelings of anger and frustration but we cannot change the world to our way of thinking; it may be time for you to try and change from within. Try talking to new people for a change. Find out more? 0906 602 4999

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

Exhaustion could be a big factor in the next few weeks; saying yes to more responsibility comes with the nature of the Scorpion. The more leisure time you get this month the better it is for you. So for a change try and delegate to enthusiastic individuals around you, who may be trying to make their mark. There is one relationship that will need extra care to get back on an even footing. Find out more? 0906 602 5003

Astrology calls - For a more definitive reading contact the Astro Line number associated with your star sign. Calls cost 60p per minute from BT landlines, calls from other networks may cost more. Audio is provided by Clare Petulengro and updated weekly. This service is provided by SP Pronto Media, Wye Valley Media Ltd is not associated with this service. For Customer Service call 0800 140 9049. ICSTIS Registered. YO8 4NH. Readings are for entertainment purposes only

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