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NEWS AND VIEWS<br />
Health News<br />
Menopause advice & remedies<br />
Eat to live, not live to eat<br />
School News<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong> School's school dogs<br />
Community News<br />
Chalfont St Peter village feature<br />
Scannappeal Christmas Concert<br />
Club & groups in your area<br />
Raising £5m for a community rebuild<br />
Complimentary copy, hand delivered to 10,000 homes and businesses in<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong>, Chesham, Little Chalfont, Chalfont St Giles and Chalfont St Peter.<br />
WINTER EDITION <strong>January</strong> / <strong>February</strong> <strong>2020</strong> <strong>Issue</strong> 6
CHALFONT ST PETER<br />
Howdens Chalfont St Peter are Trade<br />
only but don’t let that worry you.<br />
Call in to book your FREE KITCHEN SURVEY and we will put you<br />
in touch with a local builder to fit it for you if you don’t have one.<br />
Plus we will match any quote you may have already received in<br />
the <strong>January</strong> sales ‘LIKE FOR LIKE’<br />
We supply:<br />
Kitchens<br />
Appliances<br />
Doors<br />
Joinery<br />
Flooring<br />
Hardware<br />
Bathroom Cabinets<br />
VISIT US<br />
for inspiration<br />
We will beat<br />
any like for<br />
like quote<br />
guaranteed!<br />
T: 01494 690100 E: chalfontstpeter@howdens.com www.howdens.com<br />
You are responsible for carrying out your own checks before hiring any contractor to work for you. Builders & kitchen fitters are not employed by Howdens.<br />
All prices exclude VAT, terms and conditions apply, management reserve the right to withdraw offers at any time.
FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION<br />
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Call Origin on 01895 453993<br />
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info@originpools.co.uk www.originpools.co.uk PLAN DESIGN BUILD MAINTAIN
Features this issue<br />
6 12 20<br />
Community News and Information<br />
Chalk streams update 10<br />
Scannappeal Christmas Concert 13<br />
Community of Chafont St Peter 20 & 21<br />
CSP Community Centre rebuild project 22<br />
Young chefs display culinary skills 37<br />
Your local library guide 38<br />
What’s on in <strong>January</strong> and <strong>February</strong> 34 - 36<br />
Education News<br />
Learn a new skill 8<br />
Pupils at Dr Challoners’ Grammar School 26<br />
News from <strong>Amersham</strong> School 6 & 26<br />
Music and health go hand in hand 31<br />
Health & Fitness<br />
Eating well in <strong>2020</strong> 11<br />
Menopause advice and remedies 12 & 14<br />
Business, Legal and Financial News<br />
Castle Glass & Windows new showroom 10<br />
Divorce and pensions – what happens? 17<br />
Zombie funds 24<br />
Making a will 27<br />
Meet the Team<br />
Publisher, Editor & Sales<br />
Therese Cooklin - 07786 735711<br />
Hello & welcome!<br />
A very happy New Year to you all! I hope the<br />
Christmas festivities went well and you are all<br />
geared up for a successful and healthy <strong>2020</strong>.<br />
This is issue 6 which means its coming up to our<br />
first year anniversary and what better way to<br />
celebrate than to extend the distribution to 10,000<br />
homes and businesses.<br />
Chalfont St Peter is the village in which I live and<br />
I’m proud to be a part of it,. There is a lovely<br />
community feel as with all the other areas I cover.<br />
I give you a little history on the village (see p20,<br />
p21) and the local community centre is looking to<br />
be rebuilt and calling out for financial help from<br />
businesses and local residents (see p22).<br />
It is the new year and time to look at improving<br />
mind and body. If you are suffering from the<br />
menopause then our tips and advice on page 12<br />
and 14 may be of help to you.<br />
News from local schools, a successful fundraiser by<br />
Scannappeal and much much more. If you have any<br />
news and views you’d like to share or would like to<br />
advertise your business please do get in contact.<br />
Best wishes<br />
Therese<br />
Front Cover image: Daniel Atkinson Photography<br />
t: 07786 735711<br />
e: therese@amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
w: www.amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
Magazine Designer<br />
Mathew Peet, Digital Bear Design - 01949 839206<br />
Events and Features Co-ordinator<br />
Judith Morris - events@amerhsamtogether.co.uk<br />
Content is accurate to the best of our knowledge, however <strong>Amersham</strong> &<br />
Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong> part of Abstract Niche Ltd cannot be held liable for<br />
loss or damage, caused by errors or omissions. Inclusion of advertisers<br />
does not indicate our endorsement of their products or services.<br />
If you are a charity or non-profit organisation<br />
and want FREE publicity, join our campaign<br />
to bring communities together.<br />
Contact: marketing@communitytogether.co.uk<br />
Copy Deadlines<br />
Mar/Apr <strong>2020</strong><br />
Advertisers<br />
10th <strong>February</strong><br />
Community<br />
Editorial<br />
4th <strong>February</strong>
To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
5
COMMUNITY NEWS<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong><br />
School dogs<br />
Meet Ruby (pictured here) and Ella. They<br />
aren’t your normal students at <strong>Amersham</strong><br />
school, but are <strong>Amersham</strong> School’s dogs!<br />
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels to be precise<br />
and they are sisters age 9.<br />
You may wonder how a school can possibly<br />
accommodate two dogs and why?<br />
Headteacher, Sharon Jarrett believes the dogs<br />
play an important part in their school life.<br />
They teach children kindness to animals, and<br />
to be considerate and mindful when the dogs<br />
are around. Sharon allows those willing to walk<br />
the dogs before school the opportunity to do<br />
so, under her guidance. Its great for those that<br />
aren’t allowed pets at home to play a part in their<br />
upkeep. Also a great way to begin the day with<br />
some fresh air!<br />
Ruby and Ella have been used as therapy dogs,<br />
for those children who have learning difficulties,<br />
allowing children to read to the dogs and also<br />
supporting children who don’t like school so<br />
much. They are also used to distract children<br />
when they have been disruptive in class or have<br />
deep seated issues that are troubling them.<br />
All credit to Sharon who takes the dogs home<br />
with her every evening and the holiday. Certainly<br />
a headteacher who goes that extra mile for her<br />
students and the school. Thumbs up from us at<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong>!<br />
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6 THS Families Advert, Dec 19, Rev F.indd 1 <strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong> is part of Community 11/12/2019 <strong>Together</strong><br />
20:12
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7
WELLBEING<br />
Buckinghamshire<br />
Adult Learning<br />
Inspiring Learning,<br />
Changing Lives<br />
Have you always wanted to learn a new skill or<br />
craft? Do you want to improve your health and<br />
wellbeing this year?<br />
Buckinghamshire Adult Learning offers a wealth of<br />
courses ranging from one-day to one-year which<br />
cover beginner through to intermediate levels,<br />
offering daytime and evening flexibility.<br />
We have something to suit everyone, including:<br />
• Creative studies such as drawing and painting,<br />
stained glass or digital photography<br />
• Home improvements and textiles such as<br />
upcycling for your home or dressmaking<br />
• Health and fitness such as Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi<br />
• Psychology and Mental Health<br />
• Languages such as French, German, Italian,<br />
Spanish, Polish, Russian, Swedish and Chinese<br />
• Computing such as iPad basics or Excel improvers<br />
• English and maths<br />
The majority of the sessions take place at one<br />
of our Adult Learning Centres which are located<br />
across Buckinghamshire in Aylesbury Vale, the<br />
Chilterns, Wycombe and South Buckinghamshire<br />
or in local village halls or community centres.<br />
Our hourly rate per session is extremely<br />
competitive at £5.80 (rate from September<br />
2019 until the end of July <strong>2020</strong>).<br />
Each of our tutors is well qualified in their subject<br />
specialism and will plan the sessions to cater for<br />
your individual goals and needs. The tutor will<br />
know you by name and ensure that you have the<br />
opportunity to make progress with your skills.<br />
What our learners say,<br />
‘Absolutely fantastic! Excellent tutor -<br />
knowledgeable, conveyed information well, very<br />
personable and very skilled. Great lesson plan,<br />
lots covered and lots of practical application.’ -<br />
Learner on Drawing for Beginners course<br />
‘The classes are very beneficial - reducing stress,<br />
improving balance and a great sense of wellbeing.’<br />
- Learner on Tai Chi course<br />
Inspiring<br />
learning,<br />
changing<br />
lives.<br />
Become inspired in <strong>2020</strong> with<br />
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We run over 1,500 part-time<br />
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Arts & Crafts | Cookery | Computing |<br />
Digital Photography | English & Maths |<br />
ESOL | Foreign Languages | Floristry |<br />
Health, Fitness and Complementary<br />
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and Gardening | Work Skills<br />
Locations in<br />
– <strong>Amersham</strong><br />
– Aylesbury<br />
– Beaconsfield<br />
– Buckingham<br />
– Chesham<br />
– Gerrards Cross<br />
– High Wycombe<br />
– Iver<br />
– Marlow<br />
– Wendover<br />
– Winslow<br />
Call 01296 382 403 to enrol today<br />
www.adultlearningbcc.ac.uk<br />
Search for the full list of our courses at<br />
www.adultlearningbcc.ac.uk<br />
8 <strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong> is part of Community <strong>Together</strong>
Occupational Therapy for adults of all ages:<br />
Occupat<br />
Equipment<br />
Equipm<br />
Housing adaptations<br />
Housin<br />
Posture, seating and wheelchair assessments<br />
Postur<br />
Moving and Handling<br />
Movin<br />
Overcoming mental illness, fatigue and pain<br />
Overc<br />
We treat each client as an individual, and our<br />
priority is to provide a bespoke service to help you<br />
achieve your goals on your journey to recovery.<br />
Telephone: 07842 488319 / 07710 608959<br />
Website: www.phoenixrehab.co.uk<br />
Email: info@phoenixrehab.co.uk<br />
We tre<br />
priority isi<br />
achieve<br />
Telep<br />
W<br />
E<br />
We’re hiring<br />
LABORATORY TECHNICIAN – FULL TIME<br />
Tims Dairy is a local family business in Chalfont St Peter who have<br />
been producing yogurt for 70 years. Our friendly team is currently<br />
looking for several new members. Could this be you?<br />
For the Laboratory Technician<br />
and more vacancies please visit<br />
www.timsdairy.co.uk/careers<br />
“<br />
Great to work in a close-knit<br />
and inspiring environment with<br />
fantastic products”<br />
To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
9
COMMUNITY NEWS<br />
Chalk Streams in Crisis<br />
In 2019 local chalk streams were in crisis.<br />
A combination of climate change, and<br />
high demand for water resulted in 63%<br />
of the total length of chalk stream habitat<br />
in the Chilterns AONB running dry.<br />
Groundwater levels in parts of the<br />
Chilterns reached the lowest levels since<br />
records began.<br />
During September fish had to be relocated<br />
from the drying remains of the Rivers<br />
Misbourne and Ver to nearby lakes, the River<br />
Ver stopped flowing completely through St<br />
Albans and the R. Misbourne dried up by<br />
1.25km in the space of just three weeks.<br />
Chalk Streams are a globally scarce habitat -<br />
There are only around 260 in the world, and<br />
nine of these are in the Chilterns, including the<br />
R. Wye and R. Misbourne.<br />
People in this area have the highest water<br />
use in the UK (173 litres per person per<br />
New year move<br />
day – over 30 litres above national average).<br />
Both rivers and people get their water supply<br />
from groundwater (the chalk aquifer), so the<br />
more we use, the less is left for the rivers.<br />
Simple steps like fixing leaky taps and toilets<br />
and taking shorter showers all make a difference.<br />
Why not make water saving your new years<br />
resolution? See www.chilternsaonb.org/<br />
chalk-streams for more information and water<br />
saving tips.<br />
Castle Glass & Windows Ltd are a family<br />
run business and have been trading since<br />
2003. They pride themselves on providing<br />
a high standard of product and excellent<br />
workmanship. Most of their customers<br />
have been referred to them because of<br />
this attention to detail and the ability to<br />
give them the best service.<br />
They are pleased to announce the opening<br />
of a brand new 110 square metre showroom<br />
which is located at the entrance of Rowans<br />
Garden Centre, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont<br />
St Giles, HP8 4AB.<br />
Following two decades of trading without<br />
a showroom, you can now see all the<br />
products first hand that could transform<br />
your home in their new showroom on<br />
Gorelands Lane. Please check out the<br />
website for all the products they can offer and<br />
please get in touch if you need any advice.<br />
www.castleglasscompany.co.uk<br />
As a Fensa registered member, customers<br />
have an insurance backed guarantee which<br />
gives peace of mind.<br />
Please pop in and visit their showroom, where<br />
you will be very welcome.<br />
Tel: 01494 873399 or email:<br />
sales@castleglasscompany.co.uk<br />
10 <strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong> is part of Community <strong>Together</strong>
HEALTH NEWS<br />
We eat to live and<br />
not live to eat.<br />
Do you find yourself reaching for<br />
‘naughty’ food in the cupboard when<br />
you’re feeling down and depressed?<br />
Wouldn’t it be great if we could eat a balanced<br />
diet all the time, eat our five fruit and veg a<br />
day and regular meals with the right amount<br />
of protein, carbs and fats. But in reality with the<br />
pace of life that’s been set these days and huge<br />
stresses we face, it’s very difficult!<br />
There is no doubt I have a sensitive digestive<br />
system. Maybe it’s due to that trip to Mexico<br />
when I was 21 and suffered terrible salmonella<br />
poisoning. Or it could be the stress I put myself<br />
under. I’ve made the choice to cut out gluten<br />
from my diet because it doesn’t agree with me,<br />
I’ve had the test for coeliac and I am in the clear<br />
on that front.<br />
Watching what I eat all the time is depressing<br />
in itself however, so when I met Laura from LM<br />
nutrition I was delighted when she offered to give<br />
me a comprehensive consultation to address my<br />
eating habits and patterns.<br />
I had to fill out an extensive form. It took<br />
commitment and dedication, but it is worth it<br />
I assure you. She also made me keep a food<br />
diary. She kept it simple: just two days during the<br />
week eating normal food (including the naughty<br />
food) and one day at the weekend.<br />
She gleaned a lot from my eating habits from<br />
those 3 days. I did try and keep what I thought<br />
was a sensible and healthy diet. Well of course<br />
you would wouldn’t you, being assessed by an<br />
expert qualified nutritionist!<br />
But as I found out, my so-called healthy breakfast,<br />
consisting of gf porridge, lots of fruit including<br />
bananas and mixed berries, combined with apple<br />
juice plus coffee was actually so wrong for me.<br />
Stress levels, eating at irregular times, and lack of<br />
sleep were also affecting my gut.<br />
Laura said, “Blood-glucose refers to the amount<br />
of sugar circulating in the blood, and for sustained<br />
energy it’s really important to keep that amount<br />
as level as possible. Symptoms of imbalance<br />
include fatigue, headaches, irritability, food<br />
cravings, anxiety, low mood and poor sleep –<br />
it can also affect gut health.”<br />
I know I am going to have to change a lot of<br />
things in my life, but with small steps and Laura’s<br />
guidance, I hope I can achieve better eating<br />
habits, a less stressful life and more laughs and<br />
enjoyment. If you know you need help with<br />
eating, then get in touch with Laura.<br />
Laura MacDonald DipION<br />
mBANT CNHC is a qualified<br />
Nutritional Therapist offering<br />
support for a wide range of<br />
health issues in Beaconsfield,<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong> and the surrounding<br />
areas.<br />
To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
11
HEALTH NEWS<br />
Menopause<br />
By Dr Riccardo Di Cuffa<br />
(Your Doctor)<br />
The menopause is the<br />
phase in a woman’s life<br />
cycle where her periods stop,<br />
and she becomes unable to<br />
have children.<br />
This starts with the body producing less<br />
oestrogen and eggs less regularly. For most<br />
people, this occurs between the ages of 45<br />
and 55. The symptoms can vary from woman to<br />
woman. While symptoms may seem worrying<br />
to some, there are effective ways to combat<br />
or reduce them so they do not have such a<br />
significant impact.<br />
“What is perimenopause?”<br />
Perimenopause is when the ovaries produce<br />
less oestrogen and patients can get a variety<br />
of symptoms including lower sex drive, breast<br />
tenderness, vaginal dryness, mood swings,<br />
fatigue and irregular periods. On average<br />
perimenopause symptoms last for four<br />
years before you start menopause, but some<br />
women can have symptoms for up to 10 years.<br />
On average perimenopause starts from the<br />
mid-forties onwards.<br />
“What is HRT, and is it safe?”<br />
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is the<br />
main therapy available for women going<br />
through the menopause. HRT can relieve many<br />
of the common symptoms of menopause as<br />
well as help prevent osteoporosis - a bone<br />
condition which women going through this<br />
phase are more at risk to. HRT is also protective<br />
to your heart if taken for less than 10 years and<br />
before the age of 60. There are many different<br />
forms and treatments, however HRT is not the<br />
right treatment for everyone as there can be<br />
strong side-effects and the benefits have to be<br />
balanced with increased risks of breast cancer,<br />
cardiovascular disease and DVT’s. For more<br />
information and to find out if you are eligible,<br />
consult your GP.<br />
“I’ve put on a lot of weight since starting the<br />
menopause and am often bloated, what can I<br />
do to help that?”<br />
The hormonal changes of menopause might<br />
make you more likely to gain weight around<br />
your abdomen than around your hips and<br />
thighs, but hormonal changes alone don’t<br />
necessarily cause menopause weight gain.<br />
Ageing, lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise,<br />
unhealthy eating and poor sleep, can all<br />
contribute to menopause weight gain.<br />
Muscle mass typically diminishes with age, while<br />
fat increases. Loss of muscle mass decreases the<br />
rate at which your body uses calories, which can<br />
make it more challenging to maintain a healthy<br />
weight. If you continue to eat as you always<br />
have and don’t increase your physical activity,<br />
you’re likely to gain weight.<br />
“Now that I’m going through the<br />
menopause, do I need to worry about<br />
contraception?”<br />
Technically if you are still having periods, even<br />
if irregular, you can still get pregnant. It is very<br />
unlikely that you will as the quality of eggs<br />
are low. I wouldn’t advise you take hormonal<br />
contraception as this may confuse matters further.<br />
Try barrier methods instead such as condoms.<br />
“How will I know when it’s over?”<br />
In the UK, the average age of the menopause<br />
is 51. If you are a woman over 50 and you have<br />
not had a period for 12 months, then it is over.<br />
Under 50, 24 months of no periods indicates<br />
menopause. You will also notice that the<br />
symptoms you have suffered have stopped or<br />
are improving.<br />
www.your-doctor.co.uk | 0330 088 <strong>2020</strong><br />
12<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong> is part of Community <strong>Together</strong>
Scannappeal<br />
Christmas Concert Fundraiser<br />
Scannappeal is a registered charity<br />
that raises funds for state of the art<br />
medical equipment for hospitals in<br />
Buckinghamshire. Since 1987 over<br />
£15m has been raised. Currently a local<br />
patient is diagnosed or treated with a<br />
piece of Scannappeal funded equipment<br />
every ten minutes.<br />
There were moving songs and readings from<br />
the Chiltern Music Academy Concert band,<br />
Susie Weisz (a Scannappeal trustee) and<br />
Greenacres Chiltern as well as a beautiful<br />
rendition of Hallelujah performed by the<br />
Blend Choir.<br />
The Christmas concert held on Tuesday<br />
3rd December at Saint Mary‘s Church in<br />
old <strong>Amersham</strong> was a beautiful event.<br />
Sue Deness, community champion from<br />
Tescos in <strong>Amersham</strong>, and Costa Coffee kindly<br />
provided refreshments for the event. At the<br />
time of publishing, £2700 had been raised<br />
towards Bucks MRI Appeal and the Breast<br />
Biopsy Appeal, a terrific amount, well done<br />
to all involved.<br />
For more Scannappeal events please see<br />
P34 or visit their website.<br />
To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
13
HEALTH NEWS<br />
Natural Help in the Menopause<br />
When a woman’s ovaries begin the<br />
winding down process towards menopause,<br />
her periods become irregular, she may<br />
become forgetful, mood swings can be<br />
unbearable, and hot flushes and night<br />
sweats may bring a great deal of discomfort.<br />
In addition, unexplained weight gain may be a<br />
source of much distress. In contrast a woman<br />
may pass through the menopause with hardly a<br />
symptom. It is a normal transitional stage of life,<br />
not in itself a serious medical condition.<br />
It was in the 1960s when oestrogen was first<br />
recommended as a “cure” for the menopause<br />
and medicalisation really began. However<br />
menopause does not bring a sudden deficiency<br />
of oestrogen, though production of its partner<br />
hormone progesterone does drop to nearly zero.<br />
Several natural remedies can<br />
help to ease the troublesome<br />
symptoms. Night sweats<br />
and hot flushes are by far the<br />
most common of the latter.<br />
If there are no other symptoms,<br />
a health food store is likely to<br />
recommend trying the herb<br />
sage, with products such<br />
as Menoforce tablets or<br />
Menosan tincture from the<br />
A Vogel brand.<br />
Mexican yam, on the other<br />
hand, is said to provide a<br />
substitute for progesterone.<br />
This can be used in tablet<br />
form, but also as cream<br />
which is rubbed into the skin.<br />
Other herbal remedies that<br />
may be helpful are dong kwai<br />
and some of those known as<br />
adaptogens, specifically<br />
Siberian ginseng and rhodiola,<br />
which, while often used as a<br />
general tonic, can be a support for mental function.<br />
The South American herb maca can also be tried<br />
as it appears to address hormonal imbalances.<br />
St John’s wort should help with mild depression.<br />
Nutritional supplements that may aid symptoms,<br />
in addition to magnesium and vitamin B6, are<br />
Omega 6 oils from evening primrose or Omega<br />
7 from sea buckthorn, which can be good for dry<br />
skin conditions, including vaginal dryness.<br />
As ever, it is worth noting that everyone is different,<br />
and if one remedy does not seem to work, a<br />
different one may just do the trick.<br />
For more generalised symptoms<br />
Menopause Support tablets<br />
from the same company are<br />
worth trying. They contains<br />
magnesium, soya extract,<br />
hibiscus and vervain. This<br />
combination may reduce<br />
feelings of tiredness and fatigue,<br />
as well as supporting the nervous<br />
system. Some people may<br />
find it more helpful to take this<br />
alongside a sage product.<br />
In the West, soya products<br />
became quite popular when it<br />
emerged that women in cultures<br />
where soya is a widely used food<br />
had fewer problems with the<br />
menopause. Try experimenting by including soya<br />
based milk substitutes, or tofu or tempeh in the diet.<br />
Red clover tablets or capsules are an alternative to<br />
soya. The benefits from soya and red clover may<br />
come from their mild oestrogenic action.<br />
CHESHAM’S<br />
INDEPENDENT<br />
SPECIALIST<br />
HEALTH STORE<br />
Shop here for refills for:<br />
• Porridge & jumbo oats & muesli<br />
• Basmati & short grain brown rice, & red lentils<br />
• Wholemeal fusilli and pennette<br />
• Sunflower & pumpkin seeds, almonds,<br />
brazil nuts, whole cashews & walnut pieces<br />
• Ecover washing-up & laundry liquid & fabric softener<br />
• Bio-D washing-up liquid & laundry liquid<br />
• Selected Faith In Nature shampoo,<br />
hair conditioner, body wash<br />
and hand wash<br />
• Salt of the Earth<br />
unscented de-odorant<br />
spray<br />
27 High Street Chesham HP5 1BG<br />
01494 771267<br />
www.healthright.co.uk<br />
14 <strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong> is part of Community <strong>Together</strong>
To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
15
16 <strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong> is part of Community <strong>Together</strong>
Divorce and pensions – what happens?<br />
In many financial settlements in divorces,<br />
the court has to consider how to deal<br />
with pensions along with other financial<br />
assets whether acquired before the<br />
marriage, during the marriage or after<br />
separation.<br />
First there are pension sharing orders where<br />
the pension is divided at the time of the<br />
divorce so that each of you receives a<br />
separate pension ‘pot’ and can build it up by<br />
adding to it in the future. Secondly, you can<br />
have an offsetting order where one spouse<br />
keeps their pension and the other takes a<br />
greater share of the other assets, such as<br />
the family home. A third and less common<br />
order is an earmarking order where once the<br />
pension benefits start to be drawn down, part<br />
of those benefits will be paid to your spouse.<br />
From April 2015 it has been possible to<br />
‘cash in’ your pension, whether by using it<br />
as a bank account for cash when you need<br />
it or by taking the entire amount. If you are<br />
separated or going through the divorce<br />
process, there is nothing stopping your<br />
spouse from taking advantage of the new<br />
rules and depleting what’s available in a<br />
pension by cashing it in. You may then<br />
struggle to recover a share of your spouse’s<br />
pension which could have far reaching<br />
consequences in retirement.<br />
Financial remedies in divorce can be difficult<br />
without expert help. There is ‘one size fits all’<br />
and it is important to look after yourself, your<br />
hard earned assets and, most importantly,<br />
your family.<br />
Never has it been more important to make<br />
sure that you are protected financially<br />
when going through a divorce. Speak to<br />
the experts. At Clarity Family Law Solicitors<br />
we do nothing but family law. We will give<br />
you clear advice and help you through the<br />
process so that you come out the other side<br />
in the best possible shape. Feel free to<br />
telephone us on 01753 880075 for a helpful<br />
and friendly initial chat and have a look at us<br />
at www.clarityfamilylaw.co.uk.<br />
Clarity Family Law Solicitors<br />
21-23 Station Road<br />
Gerrards Cross<br />
Buckinghamshire<br />
SL9 8ES.<br />
www.clarityfamilylaw.co.uk<br />
To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
17
COMMUNITY NEWS<br />
Is living in your<br />
own home getting<br />
a bit much?<br />
Living in your own home can become<br />
increasingly difficult as time goes by.<br />
Maintaining your home, the daily chores,<br />
the bills, cooking meals - it can become<br />
overwhelming, not to mention lonely.<br />
There are options available… read on to<br />
fi nd out more.<br />
Care visits<br />
These enable you to stay in your home,<br />
provide a bit of company and provide as<br />
much practical help as you are willing/<br />
able to pay for. Of course this service<br />
is scheduled, so you will only receive<br />
visits when timetabled and building a<br />
relationship with whomever you are letting<br />
into your home can be hard if you don’t<br />
always get the same carers.<br />
Sheltered Housing<br />
Flats are available to buy with wardens<br />
usually available weekdays during office<br />
hours, with pull-cords for emergency cover.<br />
Sometimes there are communal facilities,<br />
but social events are usually up to the<br />
residents to organise, so are dependent<br />
on who is living there at the time. When<br />
it’s time to move on, you have to hope the<br />
housing market is buoyant to release the<br />
money tied up in your property and there are<br />
usually sinking funds to pay into while you<br />
are resident too.<br />
Supported Housing<br />
An often unheard of option! They offer more<br />
support, social interaction and flexibility<br />
than sheltered housing but still assure your<br />
independence, giving you the best of both<br />
worlds!<br />
recommended to help you. Outside your<br />
own front door regular staff are on call as much<br />
as 24 hours a day (not all homes offer overnight<br />
cover) and there are alarm systems too.<br />
Home-cooked meals are served twice-daily<br />
in a communal dining room and there are<br />
small kitchenettes for preparing breakfast<br />
and snacks. Help is provided with cleaning<br />
and laundry so you have more time for you.<br />
Regular entertainment is organised in a<br />
communal lounge by both residents and staff<br />
and varies from games to singers to arts and<br />
crafts – there is no limit to the possibilities<br />
and participation is entirely optional.<br />
So you can have the benefit of your own<br />
home, but with flexibility, security, company<br />
and all of the household chores taken care<br />
of – guaranteed!<br />
Maybe it’s time to make a new start for an<br />
easier, more enjoyable future!<br />
It is also worth noting that these homes<br />
often also offer respite care or guest stay<br />
opportunities, so if you would like a little<br />
extra support whilst recovering from an<br />
operation, or would like some company<br />
while family members are away, these types<br />
of homes might be an excellent solution.<br />
Rooms can be offered furnished, so you<br />
just need a suitcase, then you can move in<br />
and relax!<br />
www.austenmead.org.uk<br />
Apartments are rented and fees are fully<br />
inclusive, so it’s easy to budget and you can<br />
leave with just a month’s notice. You can<br />
furnish and decorate them as you please<br />
and stay as long as you like! If you need<br />
extra help as time goes by carers can be<br />
18 <strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong> is part of Community <strong>Together</strong>
Chalfonts<br />
Making time for older people<br />
Chalfonts<br />
Making time for older people<br />
Affordable, independent,<br />
supported housing<br />
Austenmead House<br />
Supported housing for older people in Chalfont St Peter<br />
A Affordable, home from home feel independent,<br />
with companionship<br />
and on hand<br />
supported housing<br />
● en-suite apartment to furnish as you please<br />
Austenmead House<br />
● two home-cooked meals served daily<br />
●Supported house manager housing and alarm for system older people in Chalfont St Peter<br />
providing 24-hour security<br />
A home from home feel with companionship<br />
● a cosy communal lounge in which to<br />
and support on hand<br />
enjoy social occasions<br />
● en-suite beautiful, apartment well-maintained to furnish grounds as you please<br />
● two home-cooked meals served daily<br />
● house manager and alarm system<br />
For more information or to arrange a visit, please<br />
providing 24-hour security<br />
do get in touch<br />
● a cosy communal lounge in which to<br />
Tel: 01753 887267<br />
enjoy social occasions<br />
Email: info@austenmead.org.uk<br />
● beautiful, well-maintained grounds<br />
www.abbeyfield.com<br />
Room<br />
available<br />
Room<br />
available<br />
Austenmead House<br />
56 School Lane<br />
Chalfont St Peter<br />
SL9 9BB<br />
Registered in England and Wales, Charity No. 261970,<br />
Company No. 995212, RSH No. H1470
COMMUNITY NEWS<br />
The community of<br />
Chalfont St Peter<br />
Chalfont St Peter (CSP) has a thriving<br />
community with a population of about<br />
14,500 and is an active community with<br />
many clubs, societies and volunteer<br />
action groups.<br />
Its history goes back before William the<br />
Conqueror put his foot on these islands<br />
and was referred to in the Domesday<br />
Book of 1087 as Celfunde (chel-foon-day)<br />
highlighted by the name roadsigns which<br />
visitors see as they drive into the village.<br />
It is included in the official emblem CSP<br />
uses, known as the Celfunde shield.<br />
This shield emblem is the emblem of the<br />
Parish Council and the Community Library,<br />
and it also appears on village road signs<br />
and the Gold Hill Common beacon.<br />
In 1950, the committee adapted the defunct<br />
swimming pool changing rooms to form a<br />
tennis club pavilion. The pavilion was made<br />
of plasterboard and corrugated iron with no<br />
running water: it had to be fetched in a milk<br />
churn from a stand-pipe near the Fieldway<br />
footpath and then heated up using calor gas.<br />
Today the club has seen much modernisation,<br />
including toilet facilities and 4 tennis courts<br />
resurfaced with the latest Pro-Advantage<br />
Tiger Turf and 3 of them floodlit.<br />
John Dennis, President of CSP’s Tennis<br />
Club, aged 93, has seen CSP change over<br />
the years. He revealed in c1938 the village<br />
boasted many recreational activities and<br />
entertainment for the villagers.<br />
Activities included a roller-skating rink,<br />
cinema, and a swimming pool (which was<br />
popular if one did not mind the company of<br />
a frog or two.) It also had a traditional village<br />
cricket and football pitch, quite a thriving<br />
and active village by all accounts. After a<br />
time the pool was covered up and two black<br />
asphalt tennis courts, which were available<br />
for hire, were laid over the top and the courts<br />
were available for hire.<br />
20<br />
To further reflect the village’s sense of history,<br />
John Hatton, a Parish Councillor and long<br />
term resident, initiated a move to create<br />
bespoke heritage plaques, displayed in<br />
specific spots in the village.<br />
The initial series of 25 heritage plaques were<br />
produced in 2012 to commemorate the<br />
Queen’s Diamond jubilee, and they were<br />
installed to form the way points on a<br />
Celfunde Inheritance Heritage Walk. A map
© Paul Upward<br />
was created to guide people around the<br />
village and a further 16 plaques have now<br />
been created, thanks to funding provided<br />
by the The Celfunde Inheritance Heritage<br />
Group, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Village<br />
Appraisal Group and the Parish Council.<br />
As with all villages, businesses come and go.<br />
We admire the tenacity of local shops and<br />
businesses, such as Benns Flooring, who<br />
recently took over from First Flooring, Shaded<br />
Interiors and Century 21, for starting up in the<br />
village. Marie, owner of Fired Works, is also<br />
president of CSP Chamber of Commerce<br />
and a champion for local traders. She works<br />
tirelessly for the good of the village as do so<br />
many residents and business owners.<br />
Once a year the community get together for<br />
the popular Feast Day on Goldhill Common,<br />
a fun day and evening of activities, music<br />
and stalls with local businesses and schools<br />
taking part.<br />
The Community Centre, close to the<br />
Greyhound Inn, is the main hub for local<br />
groups, associations, clubs and activities.<br />
The centre urgently needs renovation and<br />
is currently trying to raise £70,000 to get<br />
planning passed. The project will require<br />
£5m for total rebuild. The community will get<br />
behind fundraising to see this modernisation<br />
take place. (See page 22 for more details.)<br />
Therese Cooklin<br />
Editor: Special thanks goes to Karen Dickson for the writing<br />
of this editorial
COMMUNITY NEWS<br />
Chalfont St Peter’s<br />
Community Centre<br />
need your help!<br />
Chalfont St Peter’s current community centre,<br />
established in 1948 as a Memorial Hall for<br />
those who had lost their lives at war, has<br />
now become too small for the community<br />
it serves. With more than 2 500 users every<br />
single week, a bigger, ‘greener’ and more<br />
modern centre is needed.<br />
97% of the village, in a Needs Assessment<br />
carried out in June 2017, supported the need<br />
for an improved centre. In order to move the<br />
plan forwards though, fund raising must begin<br />
in earnest! £70,000 needs to be raised for<br />
the next stage of the project, and while the<br />
trustees hope to get much of this from grants,<br />
a number of grants work along match funding<br />
principles and so seed money needs to be<br />
raised by residents themselves.<br />
A New Friends initiative has been launched<br />
at the centre, and supporters are urged to<br />
please sign up, either to make a donation<br />
(a single or regular monetary donation) or<br />
to keep abreast of fundraising events that<br />
are planned for the next 3 years.<br />
Volunteers are also needed to help with<br />
one-off fundraising events and ideas.<br />
Assistance would also be appreciated<br />
from residents with experience in community<br />
builds, grant applications and corporate<br />
fundraising, or landscaping and soft<br />
furnishings. Please make contact with Carol<br />
in the office at cbirkenshaw@cspcc.org.uk,<br />
or with the chairman, David Burbidge at<br />
david.burbidge.t21@btinternet.com, if you<br />
are willing to assist.<br />
Two Open Days are planned for the 22nd<br />
and 23rd of <strong>February</strong>, where trustees and<br />
committee members will be on hand<br />
to share the initial working concept of<br />
the building with a proposed site plan.<br />
Preliminary plans will also be on show, so<br />
please come along and share your thoughts<br />
and ideas.<br />
Trustees are hoping that FRIENDS OF<br />
THE CSP COMMUNITY CENTRE will<br />
help galvanise support for the centre.<br />
Please consider signing up to be a part<br />
of this network of people who are taking<br />
positive steps towards making positive<br />
change in their community. With your help,<br />
a modern, fit-for-purpose, ecologically<br />
sound community centre can be a reality<br />
for Chalfont St Peter!<br />
How you can help<br />
Donate: one-off or regularly<br />
Participate: join the Friends Initiative and volunteer your time and/or ideas<br />
Support: attend fund-raising activities<br />
More information: visit one of the two Open Days (planned for the 22nd and 23rd of<br />
<strong>February</strong> <strong>2020</strong>) to meet trustees and committee members and learn about the project<br />
Contact:<br />
Office: Carol at cbirkenshaw@cspcc.org.uk<br />
Chairman: David Burbidge at david.burbidge.t21@btinternet.com
CHALFONT COMMON<br />
WI ATTIC SALE<br />
Saturday 14 th March<br />
9.30am - Midday<br />
COMMUNITY CENTRE<br />
CHALFONT ST PETER<br />
Refreshments/free parking<br />
For more information or to<br />
book a table contact Marian:<br />
Email: marian@numberseven.plus.com<br />
Tel 01753 892300<br />
To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
23
BUSINESS NEWS<br />
Should savers plot their<br />
escape from zombie<br />
funds?<br />
Over many years there has been a huge<br />
reduction in the number of product<br />
providers within the financial services<br />
industry. One of the major drivers for this<br />
has been the offloading of existing policies<br />
by large insurance companies who have<br />
decided that these clients no longer suit<br />
their business strategy.<br />
These polices are often purchased by<br />
specialist providers known as ‘consolidators’<br />
who in turn wish to squeeze the maximum<br />
profit from these policies for as long as<br />
possible. Tagged as ‘zombie funds’ they are<br />
left on the shelf until policyholders either<br />
transfer away, retire or die.<br />
Earlier this year, Phoenix Group announced<br />
plans to acquire the insurance business of<br />
Standard Life for £2.9bn, a move which has<br />
caused much surprise and concern in the<br />
industry.<br />
Standard Life follow many other household<br />
names including AXA, Scottish Amicable, NPI,<br />
Sun Alliance, Royal Life and Friends Provident<br />
in going down this particular road and will be<br />
joined by many of Legal & General’s and Old<br />
Mutual policy holders, who are being handed<br />
over to ReAssure.<br />
An assessment by a specialist financial<br />
website found billions of pounds languishing<br />
in poor performing funds.<br />
If you are affected by any of these changes,<br />
we have a variety of options, which can help<br />
you find a solution. This often includes<br />
transferring away from these consolidators<br />
to a more appropriate product, whilst at the<br />
same time conducting a financial review.<br />
Our Roadmap to Retirement programme can<br />
help bring financial assets together, so a<br />
clear, strategic retirement plan can be<br />
adopted. Within this plan let’s not allow it<br />
to be undermined by companies that you<br />
did not choose and ensure your future<br />
provider is fit for purpose.<br />
Why should this matter to you?<br />
• Our experience of dealing with<br />
consolidators is that levels of service<br />
seriously deteriorates.<br />
• There is no incentive for the consolidator to<br />
develop existing products to reflect<br />
legislative and market changes.<br />
• Investment performance can often be<br />
affected by fund manager departures.<br />
Philip Harper is an Independent Financial Planner<br />
phil@fmifa.com<br />
01494 817151<br />
Penn Barn, Elm Road, Penn, Bucks HP10 8LB<br />
www.fmifa.com<br />
24 <strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong> is part of Community <strong>Together</strong>
25<br />
YEARS<br />
Independent financial advice<br />
with a personal touch<br />
Wealth Management | Investments<br />
Retirement Planning & Pensions<br />
Mortgages & Equity Release | IHT Planning<br />
Contact us: 01494 817151<br />
info@fmifa.com www.fmifa.com<br />
Penn Barn, By the Pond, Elm Road<br />
Penn, Bucks HP10 8LB<br />
Financial Management is a trading title of Philip Harper LLP which is<br />
authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
SCHOOL NEWS<br />
Pupils flourish at<br />
Dr Challoner’s<br />
Grammar School<br />
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School is<br />
celebrating the publication of Ofsted’s<br />
report following an inspection in early<br />
November. In September 2019 Ofsted<br />
published a new framework covering<br />
Quality of Education, Behaviour &<br />
Attitudes, Personal Development,<br />
Sixth Form provision and Leadership &<br />
Management.<br />
A team of five inspectors spent two days looking<br />
at the school and judged it Outstanding in all<br />
of those categories. Inspectors included very<br />
detailed analysis of subjects in their review,<br />
but also focussed on students’ personal<br />
development, staff wellbeing and professional<br />
development. The report commends the<br />
curriculum, the expertise of the teaching staff and<br />
the exceptional range of enrichment experiences.<br />
Mr Atkinson, Headmaster, with his Year 7 Geography class<br />
The new framework has raised the bar for<br />
Outstanding schools, and Challoner’s is one of<br />
the very first secondary schools in the country to<br />
secure this judgement under the challenging new<br />
framework.<br />
Headmaster David Atkinson said: “Our whole<br />
school community is rightly proud of this report. It<br />
is a testament to many years of commitment from<br />
staff and students alike, and it is very rewarding to<br />
have that recognised by the inspectors.”<br />
Shaun Kennedy, Chair of Governors said: “This is<br />
a fantastic endorsement of the journey that we are<br />
on. Outcomes of this quality don’t come about by<br />
accident but as a result of the right people doing<br />
the right things in the right way. Very well done to<br />
all the staff at DCGS”.<br />
Youth Sport Trust<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong> School has been awarded the<br />
Youth Sport Trust Gold Quality Mark for<br />
its commitment to Physical Education and<br />
school sport.<br />
The Quality Mark is a nationally recognised<br />
badge of excellence for the quality of its PE<br />
and school sport. The PE facilities at <strong>Amersham</strong><br />
School comprise a spacious state of the art<br />
sports hall, dance studio, fitness suite and a<br />
variety of external pitches and courts.<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong> School prides themselves on<br />
providing high quality sporting and fitness<br />
opportunities for all students and staff.<br />
Extra-curricular opportunities are available<br />
before, during and after school with an aim to<br />
encourage participation and inclusion through<br />
sport. They also provide essential sporting and<br />
fitness opportunities in the local community<br />
by a dedicated school sports co-ordinator<br />
who facilitates a wide variety of multi skills<br />
festivals in the local community, and over 800<br />
school children participate at primary school<br />
level. Through participation of sports and<br />
games, students gain valuable leadership and<br />
teamwork skills alongside supporting mental<br />
health and physical fitness.<br />
The health and wellbeing benefits from exercise<br />
are embedded into the curriculum and Mrs<br />
Jarrett, Head Teacher, enthused “We are<br />
absolutely thrilled to have been awarded the<br />
Gold Quality Mark from the Youth Sport Trust,<br />
which recognises our commitment to delivering<br />
the best possible sporting experiences for our<br />
students.”<br />
Facilities are available<br />
for hire via<br />
schoollettings.org<br />
26 <strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong> is part of Community <strong>Together</strong>
New Year’s<br />
Resolutions<br />
- Making a Will<br />
Happy New Year everyone! If you’ve made your<br />
new year’s resolutions, I’ll wager, finally making<br />
those Wills you’ve always put off, does not<br />
feature, but now is as good a time as any to<br />
think about such things.<br />
Making a Will allows you to leave clear instructions<br />
about how your estate is to be distributed, choosing<br />
those who are to receive from you and those you<br />
want to administer that all for you (your executors).<br />
Most importantly, perhaps, you take control for your<br />
loved ones.<br />
According to one source, it has been suggested<br />
that more than half of parents in the UK with children<br />
under 18 have not made a Will. A Will can be used<br />
to nominate who should look after your children if<br />
the worst happens to you by appointing a guardian.<br />
If both parents die without having appointed a<br />
guardian, it may be left to the courts to decide with<br />
whom your child will spend their most formative<br />
years. At worst it may lead to family disputes at a<br />
time already fraught with emotional distress.<br />
A Will makes it much easier for your family or friends to<br />
sort everything out when you die. Without a Will, the<br />
process can be more time consuming and stressful.<br />
Finally, a Will can help reduce the amount of<br />
inheritance tax that might be payable on the value<br />
of the property and money you leave behind.<br />
Have a happy and successful <strong>2020</strong>.<br />
Janine Heil, Partner,<br />
Leigh Duncan Solicitors<br />
Janine qualified as a solicitor in 2004 and<br />
set up Leigh Duncan in 2016 with her<br />
husband Ingmar. She has been acting in<br />
the sale and purchase of property for over 15 years,<br />
the last 10 of those have been based in Beaconsfield.<br />
If you have any questions, feel free to pop in and<br />
speak to Janine, Ingmar or any of the friendly team<br />
next time you are passing.<br />
WE WILL ALWAYS PUT YOU FIRST<br />
LEIGHDUNCAN.CO.UK<br />
Tel: 01494 578040<br />
Email: enquiries@leighduncan.co.uk<br />
To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
27
CHARITY<br />
Local pilates<br />
teacher raises<br />
£440<br />
Jemma from Perfect Balance Pilates<br />
held a Macmillan Cancer Research<br />
coffee morning in December for her<br />
clients, friends and neighbours.<br />
Not only is she a talented pilates teacher,<br />
she is also a dab hand at baking, even<br />
baking gluten free cakes for the editor!<br />
She put on a wonderful spread.<br />
Everyone enjoyed coffee, cake and good<br />
Christmas chatter. She said, ‘I am so<br />
thankful to all my clients and friends for<br />
their support, we have raised a fantastic<br />
amount of money for a great cause and I<br />
couldn’t be happier!’<br />
28 <strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong> is part of Community <strong>Together</strong>
WE WANT TO BUY YOUR PRESTIGE CAR, NOW!<br />
Kings Road Garage-1 Kings Road,Berkhamsted HP4 3BD<br />
Kings Road Garage is offering great deals on prestige cars.<br />
A Landrover and Jaguar specialist, it also has a variety of low mileage<br />
prestige marques just serviced and raring to go. For attractive partexchange<br />
or cash deals, call Nick or Kieren on 01442 863 851<br />
Visit: www.kingsroadgarage.co.uk or Tel: 01442 863 851<br />
To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
29
Music & health go<br />
hand-in-hand<br />
Did you also know that music and learning an<br />
instrument like the piano can really help adults<br />
improve their mental health and mindfulness?<br />
We all struggle to some degree, and music<br />
can help with issues like stress, anxiety, aid<br />
better sleep and increase motivation to name<br />
but a few.<br />
Reduce stress<br />
It has long been suggested that music can help<br />
reduce levels of stress. We all know that meditative<br />
music does exactly this; soothes the mind and<br />
induces relaxation. If listening to music can be an<br />
effective way to cope with stress, then learning to<br />
play the piano can be just as effective. Clearing your<br />
mind of all your daily worries and focusing on just<br />
the music, takes you out of this mindset and into<br />
a calm and more relaxed one. You not only have a<br />
clearer mind but have a greater sense of satisfaction<br />
having achieved something too. If you don’t believe<br />
us, give it a try!<br />
Improve sleep<br />
In a recent sleep study carried out on a group<br />
of adults, one group was asked to listen to 45<br />
minutes of music before bed for 3 weeks, the other<br />
group was given no aids at all. The study found<br />
that participants who had listened to music had<br />
significantly better sleep quality than those who had<br />
received no intervention. I know that at some point<br />
in everyone’s life, they will have suffered from some<br />
form of insomnia or sleep disorder. To think that<br />
relaxing classical music can be a safe, effective, and<br />
an affordable remedy to this issue is a real triumph!<br />
Whoever says, oh I had too much sleep thanks, I<br />
don’t need anymore! We have the answer people!<br />
Start the New Year with more music in your life.<br />
Take up a new hobby, learn to play the piano or go<br />
back to it -give it a go Nothing to lose, everything<br />
to gain!<br />
To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
31
<strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfont’s Brain Matter<br />
(answers on p37)<br />
CROSSWORD<br />
1 2 3 4 5 6<br />
Across<br />
1 Sign, emblem (6)<br />
4 Undulate (6)<br />
7 Dessert (6)<br />
9 Energetic movement, liveliness (8)<br />
11 Escape quickly (4)<br />
14 Believe to be true (7)<br />
15 Young woman (4)<br />
16 Get out (4)<br />
17 Cut off the sun’s light (7)<br />
18 Drizzle (4)<br />
21 Loan for the purchase of property (8)<br />
22 Compose, formulate (6)<br />
24 Vendor (6)<br />
25 Gives rise to, induces (6)<br />
Down<br />
1 Muffler (5)<br />
2 Unit of length (5)<br />
3 Belonging to us (3)<br />
4 Tried again (11)<br />
5 Pirate ship (9)<br />
6 Posing no difficulty (4)<br />
8 Central American capital city (3,8)<br />
10 Island in French Polynesia, capital<br />
Papeete (6)<br />
7 8<br />
11 12 13<br />
14<br />
9 10<br />
15 16<br />
21<br />
17<br />
24 25<br />
22 23<br />
18 19 20<br />
12 Rough shelter at the side of a house (4-2)<br />
13 Vital (9)<br />
19 Assumed name (5)<br />
20 Demands (5)<br />
21 Fail to hit (4)<br />
23 Epoch (3)<br />
SUDOKU<br />
Place a number from 1 to 9 into each empty square so every number<br />
appears once in each horizontal row, each vertical column and each box<br />
of nine squares.<br />
WARM UP<br />
CHALLENGING<br />
9 1 5 4<br />
5 9<br />
3 4 9 8<br />
8 4 6 9<br />
3 2<br />
5 1 7 6<br />
1 9 7 5<br />
2 8<br />
9 4 6<br />
1 3 2<br />
7 8<br />
6 7 1<br />
2 4 9 6<br />
3 5 8<br />
1 5<br />
8 5 9<br />
8 7 3 2<br />
8 4 6<br />
32 <strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong> is part of Community <strong>Together</strong>
To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
33
What’s on<br />
<strong>February</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />
<strong>February</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />
Sat 1, 10am-Sat 29, 5pm<br />
Snowdrop Season at Waterperry Gardens<br />
With more than 60 different snowdrop varieties<br />
carpeting the ornamental gardens over the<br />
season, enjoy a walk around the gardens to<br />
see these little heralds of spring in a magical<br />
setting. Waterperry Gardens, Near Wheatley,<br />
Oxfordshire, OX33 1JZ<br />
E: office@waterperrygardens.co.uk<br />
T: 01844 339 254<br />
W: www.waterperrygardens.co.uk/<br />
Sun 2, 11am-5pm<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong> Fair Organ Museum<br />
Admission is free. Donations are welcome.<br />
Tea, coffee and light refreshments are available<br />
for sale, together with a small range of souvenirs.<br />
Unit 1, 28 Plantation Road, <strong>Amersham</strong>, HP6 6HJ<br />
T: 01494 433 948 or 07763 774 279<br />
W: www.fairorganmuseum.org.uk/<br />
Sun 2, 10am-12.45pm<br />
Woodland Winter Meditation &<br />
Mindfulness Retreat<br />
Green Acres Chiltern, Potkiln Lane, Jordans,<br />
Chalfont St Peter, Beaconsfield, HP9 2XB<br />
To book: www.eventbrite.co.uk<br />
www.learntomeditate.org<br />
Sat 8, 10am-2pm<br />
Waddesdon Manor - Artisan Food Market<br />
Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Aylesbury,<br />
HP18 0JH<br />
T: 01296 820 414<br />
W: waddesdon.org.uk<br />
Fri 7, 8pm<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong> Festival of Music –<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong> Festival Chamber Orchestra<br />
Mozart – A Celebration<br />
St James’ Church, Oxford Road,<br />
Gerrards Cross, SL9 7DJ<br />
T: 0333 666 3366<br />
W: www.amershamfestival.org<br />
Griffiths Brothers Gin<br />
- Distillery Tours<br />
Come to Griffiths Brothers<br />
Distillery and have a guided<br />
tour round our distillery.<br />
• Sample some of our special<br />
cold-distilled spirits.<br />
• Learn about the history<br />
of gin and craft spirits.<br />
• Learn about the<br />
complicated and unique<br />
way we create our spirits.<br />
• Relax in the bar with a<br />
G&T of choice. 2 drinks<br />
included.<br />
• The bar will be open<br />
afterwards.<br />
Upcoming tours:<br />
Thursday <strong>January</strong> 2nd,<br />
9th, 16th, 30th <strong>2020</strong><br />
at 7.30pm<br />
Where:<br />
Unit 8 Penn Street Works, Penn Street,<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong>, HP7 0PX<br />
(As you come in to Penn Street Works the<br />
entrance is just left of the Hit & Miss. Drive in<br />
till you see a car park directly in front of you.<br />
Turn left and we are the first grey clad building<br />
on the left with two blue doors.)<br />
Contact:<br />
E: info@griffithsbrothers.com<br />
T: 01494 713 955<br />
W: www.griffithsbrothers.com<br />
Bookings: event.bookitbee.com<br />
34 <strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong> is part of Community <strong>Together</strong>
T: 01949 839 206<br />
M: 07891 214 416<br />
E: mat@digitalbear.co.uk<br />
W: www.digitalbear.co.uk<br />
cial Media • Logos • Magazines • Leaflets • Business Cards • B<br />
Logos • Magazines • Leaflets • Business Cards • Brochures •<br />
gos • Magazines • Leaflets • Business Cards • Brochures • Adverts • Socia<br />
agazines • Leaflets • Business Cards • Brochures • Adverts • Social Media • Log<br />
aflets • Business Cards • Brochures • Adverts • Social Media • Logos • Magazines • Le<br />
siness Cards • Brochures • Adverts • Social Media • Logos • Magazines • Leaflets • Busines<br />
Cards • Brochures • Adverts • Social Media • Logos • Magazines • Leaflets • Business Cards • Bro<br />
digital.bear.design<br />
DigitalBearDesign<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Call 07419 903638<br />
<br />
To advertise please call 07786 735 711 or email marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
35
Fri 14, 7.30pm-11.30pm<br />
Valentine’s at Waddesdon<br />
Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Aylesbury,<br />
HP18 0JH<br />
T: 01296 820 414<br />
W: waddesdon.org.uk<br />
Mon 24-Fri 10 April<br />
Magnolia House Spring Open Garden –<br />
in aid of Scannappeal<br />
£5.00 including refreshments. Groups<br />
by appointment. Magnolia House, Grange Drive,<br />
Wooburn Green, HP10 0QD<br />
E: sales@lanford.co.uk<br />
T: Alan Ford 01628 525 818<br />
Wed 26, 7.30pm for 8pm<br />
The History of Pinewood Studios -<br />
A talk by Mike Payne.<br />
No booking necessary. Guests and new members<br />
welcome. On-site parking is normally available<br />
and there is good disabled access.<br />
Kings Chapel, Kings Arms Hotel, 30 High Street,<br />
Old <strong>Amersham</strong>, HP7 0DJ<br />
E: info@amershamsociety.org.<br />
W: www.amershamsociety.org<br />
Fri 28, 7.30pm-midnight<br />
Stargazing at Waddesdon Manor<br />
Join Wycombe Astronomical Society (WAS) for<br />
an evening of stargazing. Includes a delicious<br />
two course dinner with wine served in the Manor<br />
Restaurant followed by a lecture in the Powerhouse<br />
and stargazing on the Parterre. Waddesdon Manor,<br />
Waddesdon, Aylesbury, HP18 0JH<br />
T: 01296 820 414<br />
W: waddesdon.org.uk<br />
Fri 28, 7.30pm for 8pm<br />
Scannappeal Quiz <strong>2020</strong><br />
Hazlemere Golf Club, Penn Road,<br />
Hazlemere, HP15 7LR<br />
£116 for a table of 8, including supper<br />
T: 01494 734 161<br />
W: www.scannappeal.org.uk/events<br />
Sat 29, 10.15am-6.15pm<br />
Come & Sing - William Walton: Belzhazzar’s Feast<br />
The Beaconsfield School, Wattleton Road,<br />
Beaconsfield, HP9 1SJ<br />
T: 01494 673 450<br />
Sat 29<br />
Dash in the Dark – Black Park Country Park<br />
Run a 10k trail race after dark in the stunning<br />
Black Park Country Park.<br />
Black Park, Black Park Road, Slough, SL3 6AR<br />
E: countryparks@buckscc.gov.uk<br />
T: 01753 511 060<br />
W: www.eventbrite.co.uk<br />
The information published is correct to the best of<br />
our knowledge, but please check with organisers<br />
before making plans. To add your event, contact<br />
events@communitytogether.co.uk<br />
36 <strong>Amersham</strong> & Chalfonts <strong>Together</strong> is part of Community <strong>Together</strong>
COMMUNITY NEWS<br />
Young chefs<br />
display their<br />
culinary skills in<br />
Rotary Competition<br />
Hosted by Pipers Corner School the<br />
Rotary Young Chefs Competition was<br />
hotly contested by students from Chesham<br />
Grammar, The Misbourne School and<br />
Pipers Corner School.<br />
Displaying their Certificates presented by<br />
Barbara Cursley President of Rotary in <strong>Amersham</strong><br />
are Simon Harvey, Eliza Mancinelli (third place)<br />
Joe Hallesy (second place) and Keira Bonilla<br />
Palmer (first place).<br />
The second stage of the competition will be<br />
held at Rotary District level in <strong>February</strong>. If you<br />
would like to know more about the activities<br />
of Rotary then please call Barbara Cursley at<br />
01494 729369.<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong> Neighbours‛<br />
Coffee Morning<br />
Meet new<br />
neighbours:<br />
coffee on Saturdays<br />
10am-12pm<br />
Contact rotateamersham@gmail.com<br />
CROSSWORD<br />
S Y M B O L R I P P L E<br />
C E U E R A<br />
A F T E R S A I S<br />
R R A C T I V I T Y<br />
F L E E N T A A<br />
E S U S P E C T H<br />
L A S S A M E X I T<br />
N E C L I P S E T<br />
T N V T R A I N<br />
M O R T G A G E L E<br />
I I D D E V I S E<br />
S A O R A D<br />
9 1 5 4<br />
5 9<br />
3 4 9 8<br />
8 4 6 9<br />
3 2<br />
5 1 7 6<br />
1 9 7 5<br />
PUZZLE SOLUTIONS<br />
2 8<br />
8 7 3 2<br />
SUDOKU WARM UP<br />
9 7 1 8 6 3 5 2 4<br />
6 2 8 5 4 9 1 3 7<br />
5 3 4 7 2 1 9 8 6<br />
7 8 3 4 5 6 2 9 1<br />
1 9 6 3 8 2 4 7 5<br />
4 5 2 1 9 7 8 6 3<br />
2 1 9 6 3 4 7 5 8<br />
3 4 5 2 7 8 6 1 9<br />
To S advertise E L L E Rplease C A call U S07786 E S 735 711 or email 8 6marketing@amershamtogether.co.uk<br />
7 9 1 5 3 4 2<br />
9 4 6<br />
1 3 2<br />
7 8<br />
6 7 1<br />
2 4 9 6<br />
3 5 8<br />
1 5<br />
8 5 9<br />
8 4 6<br />
SUDOKU CHALLENGING<br />
9 4 6 5 7 1 2 8 3<br />
8 5 1 9 3 2 6 7 4<br />
7 3 2 6 4 8 5 1 9<br />
6 9 4 7 8 3 1 5 2<br />
5 2 8 4 1 9 3 6 7<br />
1 7 3 2 6 5 4 9 8<br />
4 8 9 1 2 6 7 3 5<br />
3 6 7 8 5 4 9 2 1<br />
2 1 5 3 9 7 8 4 6<br />
37
Your Local Libraries<br />
Opening times<br />
Library<br />
Mon<br />
Tue<br />
Wed<br />
Thurs<br />
Fri<br />
Sat<br />
Sun<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong><br />
Temporary<br />
Closed<br />
9am-5pm<br />
9am-5pm<br />
9am-5pm<br />
9am-4.30pm<br />
10am-4pm<br />
Closed<br />
Chalfont<br />
St Giles*<br />
Closed<br />
10am-5pm<br />
10am-5pm<br />
10am-5pm<br />
10am-5pm<br />
10am-4pm<br />
Closed<br />
Chalfont<br />
St Peter*<br />
Closed<br />
10am-5pm<br />
10am-5pm<br />
Closed<br />
10am-5pm<br />
10am-4pm<br />
Closed<br />
Chesham<br />
9.30am-7pm<br />
9.30am-5pm<br />
9.30am-1pm<br />
9.30am5pm<br />
Closed<br />
10am-4pm<br />
Closed<br />
Little Chalfont*<br />
Closed<br />
10am-5pm<br />
10am-5pm<br />
10am-1pm<br />
10am-5pm<br />
10am-3pm<br />
Closed<br />
* Community Library - These are either completely self-managed community libraries supported by Buckinghamshire County Council<br />
or partnerships where community volunteers and Buckinghamshire County Council jointly manage and deliver the library service.<br />
<strong>Amersham</strong> Library<br />
Temporary address: King George V House, King George V Road, <strong>Amersham</strong>, HP6 5AW<br />
T: 01296 382415<br />
E: lib-ame@buckscc.gov.uk<br />
For information about the temporary library arrangements, visit:<br />
W: www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/libraries/find-a-library/amersham/<br />
Chalfont St Peter<br />
Regular activities:<br />
Fridays 2pm-2.30pm: Bounce and Rhyme for toddles and their mums/dads/carers<br />
Contact the library for information on:<br />
Monday Movie film nights<br />
Family History - FREE help and advice sessions with a professional genealogist<br />
Chess - test your chess skills against our young master on a Saturday morning<br />
Honesty loans - magazines and jigsaws<br />
Sponsorship and volunteering<br />
The CSP Community Library, High Street, Chalfont St Peter, SL9 9QA<br />
W: www.csp-communitylibrary.co.uk<br />
For all libraries:<br />
Automated Telephone Renewals: 0303 123 0035<br />
General Library Enquiries: 01296 382 415<br />
We welcome Text Relay call prefix 18001<br />
E: library@buckscc.gov.uk<br />
W: www.buckscc.gov.uk/libraries
NO JOINING FEE<br />
JANUARY!<br />
Join the multi award - winning<br />
Stoke Park as a Gym and Health<br />
Member, or a Gym, Health and<br />
Tennis Member before the 31st<br />
<strong>January</strong> <strong>2020</strong> and we will waive<br />
the joining fee!<br />
For more information and to take<br />
advantage of this special offer<br />
please contact our Membership<br />
team on 01753 717179 or email<br />
membership@stokepark.com<br />
www.stokepark.com