METROLAND Spring 2022

SPRING 2022
Living and loving life in Zones 8 & 9
Chesham | Amersham | Chalfont
METROLAND SPRING 2022 1

Celebrating
45 years of
Furniture Excellence
Live Luxuriously
From fully waterproof favourites to innovative contemporary designs,
indulge in carefree dining and relaxation with award-winning collections
designed to enhance your outdoor spaces.
7 Whielden Street,
Old Amersham,
Buckinghamshire,
HP7 0HT
01494 723517
Discover your perfect furniture at bridgman.co.uk, by heading to
our beautiful Old Amersham Showroom or by visiting Stand WA52
at RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
ENFIELD ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
2 METROLAND SPRING 2022
WALTON-ON-THAMES
WINCHESTER
WILMSLOW
OLD AMERSHAM

Welcome to Metroland
A very warm welcome to you! After 2 years being purely digital due to
the pandemic we are overjoyed to finally be in print.
Metroland Magazine is written by the community for the community
with our own unique design. Covering life in Chesham, Amersham
and Chalfont bringing you the best places to dine, days out, high
street businesses, charities and projects.
We are also a blog which brings news to you in-between our issues
plus our #shoplocal directory featuring fabulous local businesses.
Coming later in the year will be our Metroland Club APP where
businesses can promote their offers, and we will be sharing what is
on locally plus news.
We very much hope you will embrace our new printed magazine, but
you can also read digitally as before. We are printing on uncoated
paper so once finished you can pass on to a friend or family member,
pop into your recycling or keep as a treasured coffee table addition.
Do please join our socials as this is where we run competitions, who
doesn’t love one of those!
In case you are wondering who we are; I am Tina the Editor and
have lived in Chesham and latterly Amersham for over 50 years. I
have been part of Chesham Carnival, was one of the first ToyBank
elves and spent 3 years as Commercial Director of Chesham United
FC. I love to walk through our woodlands, love to dine in our fab
eateries and am partial to a gin or decent red. I have two grown up
children and am now a grandmother of two (I also spend a lot of time
wondering where the years have gone). My passion is local and all it
embraces. I am on a mission to boost our high streets and economy,
be as sustainable as possible and encourage all businesses to be as
accessible as possible!
Kathryn is our amazing designer and website curator. She is a
very hard-working mother of two gorgeous kiddies and is equally
passionate about Metroland and all it embraces. A formidable
published photographer and collector of awesome shoes! She is
also mad about musicals and theatre; and we often enjoy a day out
sampling fine food and taking in a show.
We both wish you a very happy Easter and hope you enjoy our
inaugural print issue of Metroland!
Love from the Editorial Team at METROLAND xx
Cover Image
Our Spring issue cover image
is by Jeanette (Jet) Lendon,
Creative Director of Jet Black
Squares. Her passion is
showing people of all ages
how to get the best photos
from their phone - she believes
that photography should be
available to everyone and not
just those who have a ‘fancy
camera’. She can often be seen
whizzing around the streets
of Hertfordshire on Basil, her
gorgeous Vespa scooter.
www.jetblacksquares.com
Chief Editor
Tina Reading
Art Director
Kathryn Pike
Advertising Enquiries
& Media Pack requests
advertising@metroland.life
The information in this magazine is intended to provide
readers with information which they may find useful and
of interest. We take all reasonable steps to keep this
information current and accurate, but errors can occur.
The information in this magazine is therefore provided
as is with no guarantee of accuracy, completeness
or timeliness. Reference to any specific commercial
product, process, or services by trade name, trademark,
manufacturer, or otherwise, does not constitute or imply
its endorsement or recommendation by METROLAND.
This publication may include links to third-party content,
advertising, or websites, provided to our readers for
the sake of convenience. By using these links, you
acknowledge and agree METROLAND is not responsible
for and does not endorse any advertising, products,
or resources available from such outside resources or
websites. METROLAND is a trading name of the The Foxy
Deer Limited. Registered in England and Wales: 13716924
METROLAND SPRING 2022 3

4 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Contents
6 ZONES 8 & 9
METROLAND prides itself on bringing
you quality local content and this
issue is no different. Read all the latest
news from charities, organisations and
councillors in the area.
42 WELLBEING
Cliveden house announces their OTO
spa residency and Kristine De Block talks
to us about herbal medicines.
77 STAGE & SCREEN
George Michael, Pub in the Park and a
sprinkling of magic!
82 FOOD & DRINK
We review Riwaz Beaconsfield and share a
selection of delectable spring recipes.
104 DAYS OUT
National Trust, Natural History Museum,
the ballet & local museums. We have
something for everyone whether
it's a midweek walk or an Easter Holiday
family outing.
118 TRAVEL
54 FASHION
JoJo Maman Bébé introduce their
community fund and we share our top
picks from FatFace and MandCo.
A cruise special with a fabulously iconic
Southern England road trip for good
measure.
62 HOME & GARDEN
Get your own Bridgerton inspired garden,
find out more about local interior and
exterior sofa retailer Bridgman and learn
some great spring cleaning tips.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 5

Galleria On The Green
A beautiful, varied gallery in Chalfont St Giles, where local
businesses and artists can sell their goods to local people.
Owner, Samantha Liebenberg, wants to reach out
to local people looking to buy gifts for loved ones
and invites them to visit this new retail space.
By buying local at Galleria on the Green the
community can support multiple businesses and
meet the makers themselves.
Meet a selection of Traders already
displaying at the Galleria On The Green:
Closer Crystals
Additionally, the point of this endeavor is to
provide a local community space where creatives
and small businesses have the opportunity to sell
their goods directly to customers. An indoor market
model means that everyone can take a stall to sell
their wares and the community benefits from an
ever changing space - always something new to
explore.
Traders can start with a single day in the store or
set up regular pitch dates to encourage repeat
business. They can also take advantage of the
Galleria’s ‘click and collect’ service.
Space is available to rent on a daily basis - ranging
from display stands and cabinets to wall space for
art and photographs.
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4.30pm
galleriaonthegreen@gmail.com
07736 830923
Our vast selection of crystals means you can create
your own tailor-made gifts.
Match a series of stones and prepare gifts that link
grandparents with their grandchildren, husbands
and wives, siblings and friends.
These ethically sourced, unique, natural stones are
simply stunning! With prices starting at £1.50 per
tumble stone, these stones are not only a gift for
life but also suit every budget.
Please get in touch to discuss your ideas and
needs.
closercrystals@gmail.com
Facebook & Instagram: @closercrystals
6 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Cornucopia Art
ZONES 8&9
Abstract artwork on canvas and ceramics, resin artwork
and mini art on coasters. Seasonal items available such
as Christmas baubles and wreaths. Easter decorations
and wreaths. Valentine’s and Mother’s Day gifts.
Commissions undertaken.
www.cornucopia.art
Instagram @cornucopia.art
jacki@cornucopia.art
07515 832054
Holly & Ivy Flowers
Local florist selling fresh and dried flower bouquets and
a small selection of plants. Plus seasonal door wreaths,
weddings and events flowers.
www.hollyandivyflowers.co.uk
info@hollyandivyflowers.co.uk
07902 846582
It’s Cupboard Love
I make handmade dog treats. I have a holistic approach
and very much believe in natural unprocessed ingredients
and the benefits they have. I use all human grade
ingredients. To get a quality product you must use quality
ingredients.
Having been a pastry chef for over 20 years I have used
my knowledge of baking and my love of dogs to create
some tasty biscuits and treats to help with their health
and well being.
I will be selling a range of different biscuits each that
helps to promotes better health.
www.itscupboardlove.co.uk
METROLAND SPRING 2022 7

Heritage Jewellery Co.
We will be showcasing a curated selection of vintage
and antique jewellery including rings, earrings, necklaces
and more. We stock handcrafted individual pieces from
the early 19th Century and Victorian eras through to the
stylish Art Deco and retro periods of the 20th Century.
Each a unique item, perfect for a special gift.
www.heritagejewelleryco.com
hello@HeritageJewelleryCo
0208 638 6387
Uniquely Portable Magic
A carefully collated selection of ever changing children's
books. Fiction and non-fiction for ages 0 to 15 years.
Usbourne and other publishers are available too.
Pop in to see what is currently in stock!
Libby-Lou
Libby-Lou are two sisters who started making cards and
pictures in lockdown. Pictures are made with stones
collected from beaches on family holidays, and the cards
are painted with fingers, pens, and various craft materials.
We really enjoy making a wide variety of cards and
especially love the challenge of making a bespoke card
for that special person or occasion. So please do ask us
for details of our range of personalised products.
www.libby-lou.co.uk
contact@libby-lou.co.uk
8 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Have A Mooch
Have a Mooch are a local (Chalfont St Peter)
online gift shop with an array of gifts for
everyone, from homeware to new baby gifts,
screen-free fun activities and games for all the family.
We also have vegan and cruelty free pampering with
gorgeous lip balms, nail polishes, Spacemasks and
aromatherapy balms.
www.haveamooch.co.uk
STUDIO FLOX
STUDIO FLOX is a bespoke upholstery & soft furnishings
studio in the heart of West London, promoting
sustainability and upskilling through our classes, furniture
upcycling & re upholstery.
We are showcasing our Designer samples & end of roll
cushion range at Galleria on the Green. This collaboration,
curated and designed by Slow Studio, aims to reduce
waste to landfill with the bonus of transforming your
interiors with on trend design and a fresh new colour
pallete.
FB @studiofl0x
Instagram @ingewatrobski
info@studioflox.co.uk
07597 440037
METROLAND SPRING 2022 9

Bodhi Tree Spa
Our selection of Home Spa products is small yet perfectly
formed with each complementing one another from our
Mind, Body & Soul Range.
Starting from as little as £10, there is something for
everyone.
• Hydrating Bath & Body Oil
• Aromatherapy Room & Pillow Mist
• Aromatherapy Bath Salt Soaks
• Aromatherapy Candle
• Wax Melts
All products have been consciously created to consider
the environmental impact and are sustainable as well as
toxin-free. The bottles are made from recyclable glass &
there is no extra aesthetic or unnecessary packaging.
www.bodhitreespa.co.uk
Wild Horses
An eclectic mix of vintage curios, collectables, antiques,
art & distinctive pieces.
Unique & decorative items sourced to order.
Holly Addison & Alex Dawson
wildhorsesenterprises@gmail.com
07572 025872
Shiny Pinn's Eco Cleans
Ambassador for Clean Living International. Award winning
biological cleaning products without harsh toxins.
Eco-friendly, cruelty free, vegan and 100% bio-degradable
in refillable aluminium bottles.
www.cleanlivingint.com/zoepinn
07899 724826
@shinypinnsecocleans
10 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Four Acre Field
by Douglas Silverstone
For as long as I can remember there has been an
overgrown field in Chesham between Cannon Mill
Ave and Hill Farm. Its steadily been growing new
blackthorn bushes and gradually forgotten. It's an
Oasis, a hidden gem known only to the local area.
The history maps have it Labelled as “Four Acre
Field” and I understand it was gifted to Waterside
school way back when it was built in the 1940’s.
It was an old school playing field that was also used
informally by the locals. In 2012 it was recognised
as a potential community orchard, but it wasn’t
until 2021 and the arrival of a new Headteacher
that the idea for a community garden took shape.
The School had an idea to use the field for both
the benefit of the school and the local community.
At one end of the field is a forest school and at the
other a community garden.
The idea behind the garden is to use it for the
local community to grow their own food. It will help
people learn from each other and be involved with
the food that we eat. But more than that, and
after a difficult few years, it will create a focus for
us to come together. In doing this we make the
community stronger and we all eat better too.
The garden is already involved in several projects
including a 'Grow It, Cook, It Eat' It project funded
by Buckinghamshire Public Health which aims to
get local food to those who need it most.
The Community Garden officially opened in
November 2021, and is open to all who want to
get involved. The idea is that we’ll hold regular
planting days and watch the crops grow through
out the years. The local community have already
donated 5 fruit trees and built all of the planters.
Local businesses have got behind the project
donating wood chip, compost and other gardening
paraphernalia. Locals have built sheds, and got
dirty and we even had the local beavers plant 30
trees.
We’ve just recieved the great news that Chesham
Community Board has given us significant funding
to build deer fencing and make other improvements
to build the site into a true community space.
The school also benefits by building closer links to
the community and using the garden for education
and junior gardening clubs. Together with the
forest school it enables the school children to get
in touch with and develop their interest in nature.
It has been a joy to see the garden develop and
grow over the last few months. To see children
get their hands dirty and observe experienced
gardeners pass on their knowledge to people who
have never heard of a medlar. It will be amazing to
see children climb trees and watch butterflies land
on rare orchids as families picnic on the harvest
they’ve grown. It may sound idyllic but this is the
waterside way, and with the help of locals, the
school and businesses its only a few months from
coming to fruition.
We are planning for community days throughout
the year and we really want people to get involved.
Search for “Four Acre Field” on facebook for details.
It will be a pleasure to have you involved so we can
all share the vegetable bounty.
For more information email
watersidegarden@yahoo.com
METROLAND SPRING 2022 11

Be More
Skilled
Adult Learning Courses from
Buckinghamshire College Group.
Buckinghamshire College Group are proud to
launch online Adult Learner Courses for those
who want to be inspired in new areas, become
more skilled and more valued. The courses are
for Adults at any time of their life, employers, the
voluntary sector and charities.
Adults have the flexibility to complete a course in
their own time giving the opportunity to gain a fully
accredited qualification (Level 2 Certificate) in many
different subject areas from the comfort of their
own home or workplace without disrupting their
day-to-day lifestyle.
The courses offered are easy to apply for and set
up, with no hidden fees or extra costs. They are
short courses (24 learner hours) that keep you up
to date with current working practices, legislation
and to reduce any skill gaps.
integrated chat and messaging system. There
is a help centre with step-by-step instructions on
getting the most from your course, how to upload
assignments and contact your tutor. A progress
bar will show the work you have completed and
how many tasks you still have to complete on your
course. All work is saved as you go. The length of
each online course is 24 learning hours.
The online courses cost £99.00. However, if you
earn less than £17,374 per year, or you are in receipt
of other state benefits and take home pay is less
than £345 a month or £552 if a joint claim with a
partner, there is no fee to pay. See website for full
details.
To find out more about the range of courses on
offer go to www.buckscollegegroup.ac.uk/more
and view the courses available in business and
management, childcare and education, computing
and digital skills and health and social care.
Enrolling on to a course is simple. Just click the
‘apply button’ and follow the instructions on the
application form and submit. We will then send
you an online enrolment link and payment form to
complete. Once this is received your online course
joining instructions, personal login and password
are sent to you and once logged in, you will have
access to your course work books and you can
start your course immediately.
Each course comes with its own online tutor
and assessor and you can contact them by the
12 METROLAND SPRING 2022

'Kick Back
The Chair'
With Easter holidays looming, many Year 10s and
Year 11s look towards a rapidly advancing milestone
in their education: GCSEs. With two years of staring
at screens, making sure they were on mute and
endless Google Classroom assignments ‘this is a
sorry sight’. This generation of students has faced
no end of struggle and strife. Cue34 want to try and
combat this with their new and inspiring ‘Kick Back
the Chair’ Workshops.
Cue34 Theatre Company is a new and emerging
not-for-profit theatre company set up by Catherine
Simons and Elizabeth Went to specialise in
producing work that enhances the cultural life of
Buckinghamshire for its residents. Cue34 aims to
produce thought-provoking new work inspired by
contemporary issues and breathe new life into the
old. They aim to provide a platform to create high
quality theatrical experiences that empower and
entertain the local community.
With a background in theatre and education Cue34
are also able to offer educational workshops
and additional opportunities to enhance their
projects and give young people the opportunity
to experience at a local level, working with
professional practitioners.
Catherine and Elizabeth are both trained theatre
professionals and met while participating in ‘The
Shed Theatre Company’ Christmas Community
show 2018 ‘Baubles Knows Best’. Both had
tremendous fun on this project and Cue34
encourages anyone who loves theatre to get
involved with ‘Shed’, Chesham. Elizabeth had just
moved from Guernsey back to the mainland with
her family and Catherine had returned from a year
aboard (Well, Wiltshire) and they were chatting over
a cup of tea about creating theatre, especially on a
local level. After a great number of conversations,
a trip to the Guernsey Literary Festival to produce,
direct and act in a piece of children’s immersive
theatre, the decision was made to set up Cue34
Theatre Company. The not-for-profit status was
extremely important to Catherine and Elizabeth
as the objective of the company is to provide
more high quality theatre within Buckinghamshire
and, thus, the profits going straight back into
the company would be the best way forward for
supporting this aim. Naturally, March 2020 rolled
around (can you guess what happened here)
conversations hopped online with a rehearsed
reading for Cue34’s debut play ‘In Tune’. ‘In Tune’
is a 4 hander play about loneliness in older age
centred around a U3A recorder group. Cue34
have secured some funding from the Amersham
Community Board and all profits from the ‘Kick Back
The Chair’ workshop will go towards funding the
play, facilitating a well-being workshop and touring
the production to create more access to high
quality theatre.
The ‘Kick Back The Chair’ workshops have a
‘vaulting ambition’ to explore the GCSE Set texts
of ‘Macbeth’ and ‘An Inspector Calls’ as they were
intended: as plays. Each workshop will consist of
an in-depth exploration of key scenes. Students
will engage creatively through exercises, games
and ensemble work, to dig deep into the text to
support their knowledge of the plays. As Inspector
Goole says, ‘We are responsible for each other’
and Cue34 wants to break down those 4th walls to
ensure the words of Shakespeare and Priestley are
brought to life. So the question here is ‘when shall
we three meet again?’. The Little Theatre, Chesham
13th April 10-1pm ‘Macbeth’ and 2-5pm ‘An Inspector
Calls’, perhaps? If you would like to know more
about the company or book your place on these
fantastic workshope email cue34education@gmail.
com
‘The cry is still, ‘’They come!’’ ’
METROLAND SPRING 2022 13

Life BC
(before Covid)
and PC
(Post Covid)
Reflections by
Cllr Mimi Harker OBE
We have been through an extraordinary two
years, nobody can deny that! I wanted to share
my experiences of how communities, voluntary
organisations and retail coped throughout. We
were forced to change the way we worked in
order to survive. Many of us became a lifeline to
our communities in order to survive the pandemic,
even while we were locked away from each other
in what became our ghost neighbourhoods and
towns! These random thoughts don’t even begin
to scratch the surface of all the amazing things that
happened and we’re going on at such an uncertain
time.
As time goes by, and we retrain our brains to get
back to the new normal, the horrors of the pandemic
start fading into a distant memory.
I shall never forget the knot in my stomach when
I realised that there wasn’t any food left in the
supermarkets, not even a broccoli leaf on the floor
underneath the empty baskets they would have
sat in.
I was shopping for 5 different sets of people in the
early days and the horror of returning back to them
with nothing that was on their shopping lists was
one of the most scary experiences I have ever lived
through. Like so many, I felt bewildered. I remember
on 17 March 2020, trying to buy food from all our
local shops and coming away empty handed, then
driving to Wycombe, confident that with so many
supermarkets check by jowl, there was bound to be
food for all! I won’t forget the panic in my stomach
when I realised that none of them had even the
most basic of basics - bread and milk. And my
genius idea of making my own bread turned to
dust as I realised that there was no flour, no yeast,
no sugar, no tins of food, no pasta, no toilet paper
(dare I mention that?) - nothing!
Businesses closed, traffic stopped, people were
forced to isolate, even the skies were silent.
Superheroes kept key services functioning -
supermarkets, hospitals, ambulance, fire, police,
local and national government, to name a few.
And the community came together in a way never
witnessed before to help, support, shop, and care
for the most vulnerable in our neighbourhoods. It
was amazing!
14 METROLAND SPRING 2022

What’s even more heartwarming is how so much
of this has continued. Hot meal deliveries - The
Big Community Takeaway - started as a treat for
keyworkers, exhausted after long shifts caring for
others, which then became an essential service
delivering hot meals to anyone who needed that
support, and then stepping in and delivering
lunches during school holidays to help vulnerable
families. This is still happening! Amazing!
Restore Hope - first with their Easter deliveries,
educational toy boxes to keep our young people
occupied whilst isolated, food deliveries for families
in need, then fresh food boxes and now, what
an incredible project they are running - their own
allotments, chickens, and regular help for those
who need it. And they continue to support the
community in this way!
A number of WhatsApp groups were set up in
neighbourhoods, usually one for each road - what
a godsend this proved to be and continues even
now!
And of course, technology! Who knew we would
all be meeting online, and using terms like “hybrid
working”? Who knew we would be working closely
with people we’ve never met, except for a small box
on the screen - it’s funny when someone meets you
finally and they say “oh! You’re tiny!” We’ve seen
the greatest engagement with online meetings
and it’s been extraordinary to think that someone
could be working for a company in our area, but
actually live hundreds of miles away! And what fun
to catch up with a childhood friend in America with
a glass of wine and an hour chatting - this certainly
brought so many of us together more closely than
ever before!
Retailers changed the way they worked. Cafes
and restaurants became delivery services and it
was amazing to see how so many adapted what
they were doing in order to survive. As for online
shopping locally… well! That has worked so well and
we are all grateful to those retailers, restaurants
and online businesses that brought some
semblance of normality and actual joy at eating
food someone else had cooked for you! What a
treat to get a takeaway! Even when on a couple
of occasions we would order at 4pm and not get
our food till after 9pm because everyone wanted
a treat. It was fine! We were happy to get what we
could! We were grateful!
For a moment, as we move back to the new normal,
let’s remember how nature saved us and say thank
you for the beautiful area we live in. The walks,
the weather, the birdsong everywhere - we were
bathed in nature and appreciated the beautiful
area we live in as never before. I learned to grow
tomatoes, courgettes, chillies and the enormous
joy I felt when I made food from the ingredients I’d
grown and nurtured, has fired me up to share that
joy with everyone!
It was awful, and my deepest condolences to
everyone affected who lost loved ones. But it
was also beautiful when we reconnected with our
families and friends on zoom meetings and coffee
mornings, when we supported the vulnerable and
when we learned how to enjoy our families and “me
time" without guilt. I hope we don’t forget what we
went through and some of the lessons we learned.
It still feels surreal. It still feels like something out of a
storybook that we never imagined would happen to
all of us. The whole world united - and even though
my health has not returned to what it was before
the pandemic post having caught the virus myself,
I still feel grateful for the lessons I’ve learned and
the friends I’ve made. For the warm memories of
phoning lonely people who wouldn’t have survived
without an army of people ringing round chatting
to them. To everyone who volunteered, thank you,
a heartfelt thank you. Everyone pulled together
and made it work.
Human beings are resilient and we have just
proved it! I hope you don’t mind me sharing
some of my most personal thoughts with you.
I hope some of it has resonated and I am truly
grateful for everything I have learned and the
amazing people I’ve made friends with - it has
made me a better
person. And it has
been a universal
lesson bringing us all
together across our
world.
Cllr Mimi Harker OBE
METROLAND SPRING 2022 15

Making a difference
in your area
Community Boards are working with organisations and residents on a whole range
of local projects – and you are welcome to join in!
Cllr Mark Dormer
Chair of Amersham and Villages
Community Board
Cllr Patricia Birchley
Chair of Chesham and Villages
Community Board
Cllr Santokh Chhokar
Chair of Denham, Gerrards Cross and
The Chalfonts Community Board
Our Community Boards aim to bring people
together, create connections, and support and
fund a whole range of projects that improve local
areas across Metroland.
There are three Community Boards covering
the Metroland Life area: Amersham and Villages;
Chesham and Villages; and Denham, Gerrards
Cross and The Chalfonts.
Since they were set up in 2020, the boards have
made great strides in forging strong relationships
with local communities, engaging with local people
to understand what matters most to them, and
working together with them to deliver projects to
benefit their local communities.
Amersham & Villages
Chair: Cllr Mark Dormer
Coordinator: Lizzie Wright
amersham@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Website: buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-andsafety/improving-your-local-community/amershamcommunity-board/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmershamCB/
The board has worked with local organisations to
provide support to people in long-term financial
difficulty, a new Scout hut, and Christmas hampers
to families not able to afford a Christmas meal.
Current plans include: new bicycle racks;
investigating ways to increase habitats for
pollinators; various litter and recycling schemes;
installation of new defibrillators; projects to support
older people, those with dementia, and younger
adults with learning disabilities; and exploring ways
to make our roads safer.
16 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Chesham & Villages
Chair: Cllr Patricia Birchley
Coordinator: Caroline Green
cheshamandvillagescb@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Website: buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-andsafety/improving-your-local-community/cheshamcommunity-board
Facebook: Chesham and Villages Community
Board
Recent highlights include free ‘Live Well, Stay Well’
health checks; scoping works to reduce speeding;
a local singing group that reduces social isolation,
improves confidence and self-esteem; and funding
for BBF’s Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) training.
Currently the board is working on free NHS health
checks; environmental issues; improving the
economy in town and villages; and initiatives to
make roads safer by encouraging drivers to drive
at safe speeds.
Denham, Gerrards Cross and
The Chalfonts
Chair: Cllr Santokh Chhokar
Coordinator: Ani Sultan
denhamgxchalfonts@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
Website: buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-
safety/improving-your-local-community/denham-
gerrards-cross-chalfonts-community-board
Facebook: facebook.com denhamgxchalfontsCB
Support and funding has gone to projects
supporting the environment, including the Big
Biodiversity Battle in Chalfont St Peter; community
safety projects; installation of defibrillators;
wellbeing initiatives such as the community fridge
in Chalfont St Giles and upgrading of community
venues; and initiatives that help with economic
regeneration, such as the Chalfont St Giles &
Jordans Literary Festival.
Looking ahead, we hope to help fund dementia
cafes, playground equipment and cycle racks to
encourage less usage of cars in town centres.
Celebrating those who make a difference to
their community is important to the Community
Boards and the Proud of Bucks awards shine a
light on adults, young people and organisations
who have worked to improve their community.
We will report back on the Metroland winners in
the next issue!
METROLAND SPRING 2022 17

Scannappeal Anniversary
Celebration
2022 marks a year of celebrations for Scannappeal
as we celebrate 35 years of fundraising for NHS
hospitals in Buckinghamshire.
Scannappeal raises funds to purchase lifesaving
revolutionary medical equipment for
Buckinghamshire NHS hospitals including
Amersham, Stoke Mandeville, Wycombe and
Community hospitals. Since we began in 1987, we
have raised over £15m and funded equipment
in every major department in the hospitals we
support and 1 in 4 of the local population benefits
from equipment funded by Scannappeal.
35 years is a fantastic milestone to reach, but only
made possible thanks to the wonderful support
of the local community. Whilst we have many
milestones and memories to look back on over 35
years of fundraising success, we are asking the
local community to help create some new memories
and get involved with the charity. Come along and
join the celebrations.
Hospital Hike – Taking place on the 10-11 September
our new walking challenge uses footpaths and
bridleways around Bucks to pass each hospital site
we benefit.
Open Gardens – Visit our selection of privately
owned gardens that are not normally open to
the public. Just some of the gardens on offer are:
Bledlow Manor - 20 May, One Day Farm - 26 June
and Lords Wood including Art Gallery opening
- 1 July.
Summertime Swing – Join us on Sunday 17 July for
an afternoon of dancing and music courtesy of the
16-piece Stellar Big Band. Bring your picnic hampers
to our marquee in the beautiful surroundings of
The Lee Manor Park Grounds. This event promises
to be full of fun, music and laughter.
Secret Cinema – Register now to be the first to
hear about our exciting September outdoor film
screening and highly unique location in Bucks, this
is an event not to be missed!
35 events for our 35th year
Over the course of the year we have planned an
incredible 35 events for you to sign up and enjoy.
There will be something for everyone from quiz
nights to music and dancing events and the newly
launched, Hospital Hike.
For full events listing and further information please
visit: scannappeal.org.uk/events
35 Fundraising Pledges
We are looking to find 35 supporters to pledge their
support this year by organising an event or take
on a challenge in aid of our Robot Appeal. This £1
18 METROLAND SPRING 2022

million appeal will help deliver the very latest
innovation in robotic surgery and help patients
in Bucks in their fight against cancer.
Busy Kids in Bucks
Could you organise a cheese and wine evening,
run a coffee morning or set up a World Cup
sweepstake? Or maybe you could take on a
personal challenge by running, cycling or even
jumping out of a plane as your fundraising
pledge.
Getting involved is easy:
1. Decide on your event /challenge.
2. Set a date.
3. Contact us with you details and to
receive further support.
4. Enjoy your fundraising!
Give the gift of good health
Could you give an annual gift which could help
make a big difference to our life saving work.
• If 35 people pledge £3.50 per month
(£42.00 per year) we will raise £1470 per
year.
• If 350 people pledge £3.50 per month,
we will raise £14,700 per year.
• If 3,500 people pledge £3.50 per month,
we will raise £147,000 per year.
Please pledge your support today by signing
up to a regular donation of just £3.50 per
month, the price of a cup of coffee, and help us
purchase life saving medical equipment for our
NHS hospitals in Bucks.
We launched in Summer 2021 to offer something for
the Under 5s with a bit of a twist. A unique activity
group run by two local mums with over 20 years
teaching experience. We are passionate about play
and child development. We plan a huge variety of
activities for babies and children to explore in a fun
and engaging way. We have a designated baby
area (babies up to 6 months are free). Our beautiful
accessible venue has free flowing inside and outside
areas for your little ones to access in all weathers.
Through free play and exploration your children will
be socialising, developing their communication and
language and practising essential skills for their
early years development. No one session is ever
the same! We also offer bespoke themed parties for
under 5s.
We are a friendly group, our aim is to provide
somewhere for adults and their children to come
together, socialise and have fun with their little ones.
Free onsite parking, hot drinks and snacks for all.
Wednesday mornings 9.45-11.15am including school
holidays at Lee Common Parish Hall, Lee Clump Road,
Great Missenden, HP16 9NB
Please visit www.scannappeal.org.uk for further
information about the charity, our current
appeals, event listings and for ways to join in the
celebrations. Alternatively call 01494 734161 or
email: bht.info.scannappeal@nhs.net
Pre booking advised and essential in the school
holidays.
www.busykidsinbucks.co.uk
@Busykidsinbucks
Contact Emma on 07739 322833
METROLAND SPRING 2022 19

Wheels at
Work
Challenge!
Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research (SMSR),
based at the world-renowned National Spinal
Injuries Centre, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire,
invites businesses to take part in their Wheels
at Work initiative.
If you value the issues of disability and
inclusion, then SMSR can help highlight your
commitment to these by giving members
of your team the opportunity to spend a
sponsored day in a wheelchair to gain a
small insight into the lives of people living
with spinal cord injury, currently over 50,000
people in the UK alone.
The Charity will provide the wheelchairs at
a date to suit you, and work in partnership
with businesses taking part on a PR & Social
Media plan to ensure all participants receive
the recognition they deserve for supporting
Wheels at Work.
As our Ambassador Heidi Herkes says: “It’s so
great to know people are taking the time to
get a feel for what life is like in a wheelchair,
even for just one day. I really hope everyone
gets behind Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research
so the charity can raise vital funds and
awareness for their research”.
To find out how you can get involved, please
email charlotte.minoprio@smsr.org.uk or visit
www.lifeafterparalysis.com.
To donate visit lifeafterparalysis.com/donate/
donate/5/credit-card SM @lifeafterpara
Carnival '22
The Schools of Chesham Carnival is back!
Taking place on Saturday 11th June 2022, we
hope it will be bigger and better than ever.
Planning for the Carnival is now well underway
and we all very much hope that we can go ahead
after two years away.
Every year the Carnival is based on a
particular theme and this year the theme is
“Love our Planet”. We have a number of local
schools, community groups and local businesses
eagerly preparing their floats which are bound
to make a colourful procession through our High
Street.
Watch this space for more information regarding
the procession and events in Lowndes park on
the day.
If you would like to book a stall in the park
bookings are now open. We are pleased to confirm
that prices remain unchanged this year at
£25 for a charity pitch and £40 for a commercial
pitch. Here is a link to the online booking form:
www.cognitoforms.com/SchoolsOfCheshamCarnival/SchoolsOfCheshamCarnival2022StallBookingForm,
if you would like to join us once again
for this fantastic community event.
If you are unable to attend, but would like to
support the Carnival through sponsorship, a
prize for the Grand Draw, or even enter the procession,
then please do let us know by emailing:
Grand Draw - soccarnivalgranddraw@gmail.com
Procession - soccarnivalprocession@gmail.com
For Sponsorship, or any other enquiries please
contact soccarnivalstalls@gmail.com.
20 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Charity Insight
Chenies PTA
Chenies PTA is a charity who rely on donations
to raise funds to enhance the experience and
opportunities for children attending the school.
Like many schools we rely on the generosity
of family, friends and supporters from the local
community to raise much needed funds to
supplement the education budget and provide an
enriched learning experience for our children.
Chenies School is a small village school situated
in the heart of the picturesque village of Chenies,
nestled amongst the Chilterns and was originally
founded by the Duchess of Bedford in 1846.
The School building has retained much of its
original Victorian character and provides a unique
and special atmosphere for the children to learn
in. With approximately 100 pupils, who attend from
both Herts and Bucks, the majority travel from
Chesham, Amersham and Little Chalfont to attend
the school.
Chenies PTA, like other charities, has struggled to
raise funds since the pandemic began but is now
thankful to be able to host in-person events once
more.
Some of the events the children have enjoyed
recently include a Valentine’s disco, Encanto
screening at film club, Burger Bingo and a series
of tuck shops and cake sales. We are currently
planning our Easter fundraiser on 8th April which
will offer an Easter egg tombola, craft and biscuit
decorating stalls as well as an Easter trail and
games galore! The children are also very much
looking forward to taking part in this year's Schools
of Chesham Carnival on 11th June.
The pre-pandemic spirit is slowly returning and in
such a small school, community morale remains
high. Recently, thanks to generous donations and
rigorous fundraising the school has been able to
purchase an outdoor football table for the children
and schedule Anglo-Saxon and Mayan workshops
for pupils to experience.
With war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, trade
in turmoil is driving rocketing prices and charities
struggle yet again. Who knows what the future
holds but we’ll keep plodding on! If you’re interested
to donate, please email: pta@chenies.bucks.sch.uk
METROLAND SPRING 2022 21

Buckinghamshire Council's
Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair
Buckinghamshire Council’s first ever Jobs and
Apprenticeships Fair attracts 800 visitors.
The first ever Buckinghamshire Council Jobs and
Apprenticeships Fair took place on Saturday
(5 March) at The Elgiva Theatre in Chesham, with
nearly 800 people coming along to meet employers
showcasing their career opportunities.
The countywide event, which was sponsored by
the Chesham & Villages Community Board and
Chesham Town Council, saw dozens of jobs and
apprenticeships on offer from 35 businesses and
organisations including: Aldi, BBC, Greggs, Morgan
Sindall Group, National Grid, Pinewood Studios,
Thames Valley Police and The Army.
Jobs and apprenticeships on offer included chefs,
communications engineers and retail supervisors.
The organiser of the event was Joseph Baum,
who represents Chess Valley on Buckinghamshire
Council and Townsend on Chesham Town Council.
Praising the event, Joseph said:
"I want to thank everyone who made this event
happen - the 770 local people who walked into
The Elgiva in search of opportunities, the employers
who gave up their time and came to Chesham,
my colleagues on Buckinghamshire Council and
Chesham Town Council for their support, the
volunteers from the community who turned out to
help with tables, chairs and so much more. Jobs
22 METROLAND SPRING 2022

and apprenticeships can change people's lives and
I am so proud that we made it happen together."
The event was attended by job seekers of all ages
and backgrounds. Sophie, Connor and Caitlin
commented: "It was super helpful, really good. There
were lots of different careers and opportunities,
lots of people to talk to."
The trio said they would recommend the event to
others: "We would definitely say come to one of
these events, it opens up lots of opportunities and
it's so much easier to talk to people face to face
than just sending your CV online."
The exhibitors were also really pleased with how
the day went. Dan Burton from Pinewood Studios
said: "It's been absolutely brilliant, I haven't stopped
talking to people coming in. It's really useful to us as
a big employer in the area, speaking to people and
letting them know what opportunities are available."
The fair – which coincided with National Careers
Week – was organised by Buckinghamshire Council
with support from Chesham Town Council and
Chesham & Villages Community Board.
Additional partners for the fair include
Buckinghamshire Business First, Buckinghamshire
College Group, Buckinghamshire New University,
the Department for Work and Pensions,
Oasis Partnership, Chiltern Chamber of Commerce,
Screen Skills, All Spring Media and Buckinghamshire
Skills Hub.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 23

Introducing Chiltern & South
Bucks Policing Issues Forum
Which of us doesn’t complain from time to time
about crime levels and the state of policing?
Perhaps we bemoan the perceived lack of visibility
of officers on the street. Maybe we grumble
about bad behaviour and ‘low-level’ crime without
reporting it. Or engage in furious conversation
on social media, which may be a way of letting off
steam – or of stoking it up!
For many, frustration may be down partly to a
feeling of powerlessness. It’s common knowledge
that police funding was reduced and officer
numbers fell through the last decade. Central
Government funding has finally ticked up in the
past couple of years, but if one looks deeper, all the
growth in funding for Thames Valley Police (TVP) in
the past 10 years has come through Council Tax
contributions. And most of that is being spent on
national and Force wide priorities, rather than on
local police services.
But there is good news, too. Starting with the fact
that we are fortunate to live in an area of relatively
low crime (yes, really!).
We have a positive framework for local policing.
‘Strong Local Policing’ is one of the five core
elements of our Police and Crime Commissioner’s
Police and Criminal Justice Plan.
Our Neighbourhood Police has the support of many
other policing teams. And policing as a whole is part
of a yet bigger jigsaw, involving Buckinghamshire
Council and multiple agencies within the ‘Safer
Buckinghamshire Board’. The complex overall
jigsaw of policing and community services is not
easy to understand from the outside. Visible
policing is obviously important, but that is the tip
of an iceberg.
But the elephant in the room remains – resourcing
local policing and retaining the confidence of the
public within neighbourhoods. This works best
where there is a sense of partnership between
community and Police.
Within Chiltern and South Bucks, we are lucky
to have a model, unique within the TVP Force
area, to facilitate positive engagement between
residents and our Neighbourhood Policing teams.
The Chiltern and South Bucks Policing Issues
Forum is a volunteer-run platform, which welcomes
participation from all residents. A meeting every
four months brings together community and
Neighbourhood Police to discuss local concerns
and policing in a frank, open environment.
Residents’ concerns collected through an online
survey helps inform the setting of local policing
focus areas. These focus areas are then included
within officers’ workflow and reporting schedules,
so residents’ concerns ARE heard.
All residents can participate in the Forum, by
completing our surveys and attending meetings.
In addition to our normal business, we invite guest
speakers and subject experts. Simply coming along
to the meeting will enable residents to become
better informed about responses to local crime and
community concerns.
What else can residents do to contribute to the
resilience of our communities?
Simply reporting crime and bad behaviour is a start.
Venting your frustration on social media won’t do
it, as explained by Roy Evans, Sergeant of the
Chesham Neighbourhood team:
“Please do not think that a post concerning Anti-
Social Behaviour, speeding motorists, groups
congregating etc will get a police response.
For us to be able to do something, we need to
know about it. If you don’t tell us, don’t assume
someone else will. I would encourage the public
to report these issues at the time via telephone or
the online reporting system.”
24 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Your report could actually help Police in ways you
never imagined. Identifying a victim of Modern
Slavery may add to intelligence on organised
people smuggling; the theft of a bike may be
related to County Lines drug crime; criminals
involved in one form of rural crime will frequently be
involved in other forms of criminality. And so on...
There is also a lot of information to help keep
residents informed on matters of crime prevention,
keeping safe on the Internet, and personal safety.
For those willing to give more time, Neighbourhood
Watch and Community Speedwatch help combat
two of the top concerns in our surveys, Burglary
and Speeding. Or how about volunteering with the
Forum?
Some will always argue “well, I pay my taxes, why
should it be up to me to give up my time in this
way?” To these, we make two points:
First, we live in the real world - Neighbourhood
Policing, and Thames Valley Police as a whole, will
never enjoy a level of funding to satisfy all possible
needs. And if they were, think how much higher
your taxes would be!
Chiltern & South Bucks Policing Issues Forum’s
work can be seen at www.csb-forum.org, and
we can be contacted at contact@csb-forum.
org We will hold three surveys and meetings in
2022. These will inform setting of focus areas
for Neighbourhood Policing. We look forward
to residents’ participation and facilitating
continued constructive engagement between
our community and Neighbourhood Police.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 25

Design, manufacture and restoration of stained glass windows.
Bespoke spalashbacks.
Decorative household item product line. Workshops.
26 METROLAND SPRING 2022
suzanne@raffeini.com | 07833 622882
SuzanneRaffeiniGlassArtist raffeinisuzanne

Getting to know you...
Councillor Rachael Matthews:
Little Chalfont & Amersham Common Ward
Where did you grow up? I am Buckinghamshire
born and bred. I grew up in Bletchley, just around
the corner from Bletchley Park. I lived there until
I was 19 when I moved to the Chilterns, and I’ve
been living here ever since.
What were your best/worst subjects in
school? I really enjoyed History at school, and I
am still interested in history to this day. I often
listen to history podcasts in the car or on a dog
walk. I hated art as I was terrible at it.
What's your most embarrassing childhood
memory? It must be the perm I had when I was
around 14. In my head, I had a vision of a glorious
wavy style. I explained it to my hairdresser who
said she could do it for me. When the ‘big reveal’
came I looked in the mirror and it was the tightest
perm I had ever seen! My friends and I had a good
giggle and laughed it off. The perm eventually
dropped (a little) but I was careful not to repeat the
exercise.
Were you a good student? I left school at 16
and went straight into work. It wasn’t long though
before I decided I wanted to become a lawyer, so I
worked full time and studied my law degree in the
evenings. Completing a degree whilst working full
time is not for the faint hearted and took a large
amount of dedication. The hard work paid off as
a few years later I qualified as a solicitor. So yes, I
would say I was a good student (eventually).
What do you like doing in your spare time? I
love walking my Labradors through the beautiful
Chilterns countryside. I try to go to the gym
whenever I can and I really enjoy going to the
theatre, whether it is the West End, or our fabulous
Elgiva Theatre in Chesham. I also absolutely love
escape rooms – they are such fun!
What's your annoying habit? Refusing to give
up my Filofax. I know I should put everything in my
phone so I can instantly look to see when I am free.
However, I just prefer my paper diary where I can
write everything down, flick over the page and see
everything that is lined up for the following week.
I know it annoys people when I have to say that I
need to check my diary first.
What is your biggest pet peeve? Predictive
text. I’ll be busily tapping out a message on
my mobile but have a constant battle against
predictive text trying to change all the words into
ones of its choosing which transform a coherent
message into just a random collection of words
Who is your inspiration? For many reasons it
would be my father.
What is your favourite movie? This is an easy
one for me, as we watch this film every year on
Christmas Eve and have done so ever since I can
remember. My favourite film is 'It’s a Wonderful
Life'. It has a heart-warming message about being
grateful for what you have, which still resonates
today, almost 80 years after it was made. On top
of this James Stewart is also one of my favourite
actors.
What sports do you enjoy watching? Football
is my favourite sport to watch. Our entire family
are huge West Ham fans so that is a big part of our
life, and we never miss a match.
What is your favourite song? Another easy
question. It is 'Daydream Believer' by the Monkees.
Every time I hear that song it makes me smile.
What's your favourite place to eat? I will
normally be found in a little country pub somewhere
having a nice meal. You can’t beat it, in the winter
there’s usually a log fire to keep you warm and in
the summer a nice shady spot in a pub garden is
just perfect.
Something about you that not many people
know? My mother walked out on us when I was
a baby and my brothers, and I were raised by my
amazing father who gave up work to look after us.
This is one of the reasons why he is my inspiration.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 27

Citizens Advice Bucks:
Universal Credit
Last month I signed up to Universal Credit for
the first time. I am looking for a new job but
I’m not sure if there’s anything more I need to
do to ensure I keep getting Universal Credit?
I am also worried about coping living on UC. I
struggle to get by as it and I am worried what
with all these price rises I’ll get into serious
debt. I’m already behind on some of my bills.
What can I do to avoid things getting worse?
Please try not to worry - there is support available
and you asking for advice is a great start and will
help to avoid things getting worse.
Firstly, depending on your situation, you might
be able to ask to have your Universal Credit paid
differently - these are called ‘alternative payment
arrangements’. This might be an option if you’re
in debt or rent arrears. To apply for an alternative
payment arrangement, call the Universal Credit
helpline on: 0800 328 5644 or you are of course
welcome to get in touch with us first so we can go
through this with you in more detail.
If you’re behind on some of your bills, the first step
is to make a list of how much you owe and add up
how much you need to pay each month. Knowing
your budget is such an important step in being on
top of your finances and we can often not think to
sit down and look at it.
Once you have written down all your outgoings/
what is owed you need to look at prioritising your
debts. We are happy to go through this with you
or you can check on our website. Some bills can
cause you more problems than others if you don’t
pay them. Rent or mortgage arrears, energy bills
and council tax are your priority debts as there can
be serious consequences if you don’t pay them.
We understand this is especially worrying with the
energy price rises but there is help available - if
you get in touch with us we can go through your
finances with you completely confidentially and
see whether we can get a grant to help you.
You can also get in touch with the organisations
you owe money to. Not everyone feels confident
to do this which is why we are happy to do this on
your behalf if you are not. The organisations might
be able to help by letting you pay smaller amounts
or even offering you a break from payments.
The government-backed Breathing Space scheme
could also give you extra time. If you’re eligible,
you could get 60 days where your creditors can’t
contact you, take action to make you pay, or add
interest and charges to your debt.
Everyone’s circumstances are different. If you
need more specific support or don’t feel able to
manage your situation alone, we are here.
28 METROLAND SPRING 2022

With regards to the other part of your question
when you apply for Universal Credit you’ll agree
a Claimant Commitment with your work coach.
This is a record of the responsibilities that
you have accepted to receive Universal Credit
payments. Your claimant commitment will be
updated each time you see your work coach.
When you agree to your Claimant Commitment
you will be put into one of four groups
(sometimes called “conditionality” groups).
These set out the tasks you’re expected to
complete to receive your full benefit payment.
You can check which group you’re in by logging
into your Universal Credit account online and
checking your Claimant Commitment. If you’re
not online, you will have been provided with a
paper copy of this.
This will tell you which group you’re in and what
tasks you'll have to do regularly to get Universal
Credit. These tasks could include writing your
CV, signing up for job alerts or applying for
vacancies.
In order to show how you have completed the
to-do list, you should keep a record of the tasks
you’ve completed and how long they took in
your Universal Credit online journal, or in a diary
if you’re not online.
We know Universal Credit can get a bit confusing
at times. We know that sometimes payments
are also wrongly stopped. We know that it can
be hard to make ends meet whilst living on UC.
Please remember that we are here to help you.
We are independent - the only people we work
for is you and we will always do all we can to
help.
Citizens Advice Bucks is a local charity
that provides free, impartial and
confidential advice on any problem you
might face. Expert advisers can help
with issues involving benefits, debt,
housing, employment, consumer rights,
immigration, discrimination and more!
Citizens Advice also offer support with
filing in forms, negotiating with third
parties and writing letters.
0808 278 7938
www.citizensadvicebucks.org.uk
METROLAND SPRING 2022 29

Samaritans Charity Cycle Ride
Saturday 25 June 2022
In association with High Wycombe Cycling Club
The Samaritans Cycle Ride is a spectacular sportive.
3 Routes for cyclists of all abilities taking you
through the Chilterns AONB.
Come and join us for a great day out.
Start/Finish : West Wycombe House, Bucks, HP14 3AP
80km route
40km
- £25 / £30 on the day
80km or 130km
- £35 / £40 on the day
ALL PROCEEDS
GO TO
CHILTERN
SAMARITANS
Includes:
• Marshalled/ Fully
signposted
• Free Burger
• Free Beer
• Chipped Timing
• Wonderful Feed
Stations
• E-Bikes Welcome
To register and for more info visit:
www.samaritanscycle.com
SamaritansCycle
Supported by:
SamaritansCycle
SamaritansCycle
30 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Calling all Rising Sports
Stars in Bucks
Up-and-coming athletes in Buckinghamshire
are being given the chance to become ‘Sporting
Champions’ and gain much-needed support as
part of a sports talent development scheme.
Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions Scheme,
has helped thousands of athletes to achieve
their sporting potential by providing free access
to Everyone Active’s 200+ leisure facilities across
the country, including Chilterns Lifestyle Centre,
Chalfont Leisure Centre, Chesham Leisure Centre,
Swan Pool and Leisure Centre and Aqua Vale
Swimming and Fitness Centre.
Aspiring athletes will be able to apply for the
scheme through the Everyone Active Sporting
Champions website from the beginning of April.
This year will see the official relaunch of the scheme,
welcoming on board several Elite athletes whose
identity will be revealed next month on the Sporting
Champions Instagram page (@easportingchamps).
The talented line-up includes Olympians and
Paralympians, whose experience and expertise will
help to mentor and support those accepted onto
the scheme.
Sporting Champions will also receive free unlimited
access to the Everyone on Demand app, providing
them with more than 500,000 at-home workouts
from leading fitness brands, including WithU, Flex
and Les Mills on Demand.
Olympic silver medalist Colin Jackson will continue
to support the scheme through his role as
an Ambassador, working alongside the newly
appointed Elite athletes to make sport more
accessible within local communities.
Alongside some of Team GB’s top talent, he will play
an integral part in providing both one-to-one and
group mentoring sessions throughout the year.
Colin said: “I’m proud to be involved in a scheme
that is so dedicated to supporting athletic talent
from grass roots up. I have watched the Sporting
Champions scheme grow and I’m so excited for
the relaunch of the scheme this year, where I’ll
be working alongside some truly talented Elite
athletes. I can’t wait to see what this year’s intake
go on to achieve.”
Over the past six years, the Sporting Champions
scheme has invested more than £1million into
athletes on the scheme.
Steve Salwa, Everyone Active’s contract manager,
said: “We are delighted to be able to support stars
from the Chilterns on their journey to success.
As a leisure provider working in partnership with
Buckinghamshire Council, we feel it is important to
cater for all sections of the community. The Sporting
Champions scheme has already supported a huge
number of athletes and I’m proud that we are
continuing this again in 2022."
Applicants should follow the Sporting Champions
Instagram page (@easportingchamps) for further
updates on how to apply. The online application
form will be open from Friday 1 April to Saturday 30
April.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 31

Be ready to WelcoMe
WelcoMe is the only disability-aware customer service solution for
frontlinestaff training and support of the needs of your customers and
visitors.
Revolutions don't come along too often but when
they do the quietest ones can easily pass us by
if we don’t take notice or if there isn't someone
around to draw it to our attention.
In 1996 Gavin Neate joined Guide Dogs for the
Blind. Three years later he qualified as a Guide
Dog Mobility Instructor and began an 18-year
career assessing and training his blind and visually
impaired clients with their new guide dogs.
The assessment process entailed observing his
clients from a distance and how they interacted
with the world around them and also how the
world interacted with them. It was through this
process that Gavin became increasingly aware
of the challenges facing his clients and indeed all
disabled people in their interactions with customer
service teams both as consumers but also in all
of their travel, transportation, health, and council
interactions.
In each interaction it seemed that his clients were
repeating the same information, “please don’t talk
to my dog”, “please introduce yourself”, “please
don't take my arm, I'll take yours”. Gavin found it
hard to understand why basic staff training either
wasn’t enough or that it was too hard to recall at
the moment it was required.
His frustrations eventually became too much and
Gavin decided that he would look for a way that
fundamentally improved the first point of contact
interaction between all disabled people in any
situation where awareness would be beneficial to
their relationships.
From the start of the century, it was apparent to
Gavin that advances in smart technology would
mean that each of his clients would become more
and more proficient at using their phones to access
email, social media, and any of the increasingly
useful applications designed to improve our lives.
It was this realisation that led him to the idea that
the phone itself could revolutionise the customer
service experience.
In 2015 Gavin left Guide Dogs and in 2018 his newly
formed company launched WelcoMe, the world's
first proximity aware staff training application
designed to help both disabled customers and
staff members alike.
The free app invites users to set up a basic profile
that prompts training and awareness in any
venues they visit who are using the platform. It
allows a disabled visitor to say they are coming and
automatically informs staff how best to interact
wth them upon arrival. More than this it allows the
disabled consumer to specify why they are visiting
and what they want to achieve. From shopping lists
to activities, staff have in their hands everything
they need to improve every interaction before their
disabled visitor even walks through the door.
Gavin Neate
WelcoMe
32 METROLAND SPRING 2022

WelcoMe was launched immediately prior to one
of the worst pandemics we have seen for some
time and it is now as we attempt to return to
normal that it has never been needed more.
Gavin realised that the anxiety the disabled were
feeling wasn't just preventing them from feeling
comfortable on arrival but also preventing them
from leaving home at all. He has dedicated his
life to building the awareness of WelcoMe and its
ability to improve face to face communication as
we endeavor to build back better than before.
Since its launch, WelcoMe has increased its
coverage to over 150 venues across the UK
and Ireland including, shopping centers, council
services, sports and leisure centers, health centers,
museums and libraries, with more joining every
week. More than this it is the disabled consumers
that request venues to join the platform through
the app itself.
communicate,” he says, “it empowers disabled
people to take control of their lives and positively
influence the world around them”. “Further to
that, when someone uses WelcoMe it enhances
the skills of the staff to the extent that whether
someone is using the app or not they will still
receive improved service.”
If you would like to find out more about WelcoMe
venues near you or own a business and want to
join this small but increasingly exciting revolution
then Gavin and his team would love to hear from
you.
Download WelcoMe on Android and iOS and
contact the WelcoMe team at hello@Wel-co.me
www.Wel-co.me for more information.
It is this revolution that Gavin is most proud
of, “WelcoMe doesn't just improve how we all
METROLAND SPRING 2022 33

Workaid: the charity shop
with a difference
Workaid, which was initially established in 1986,
are committed to tackling poverty by working to
provide practical solutions. We aim to empower
disadvantaged young people in East Africa with
tools and equipment to enable them to develop the
skills and knowledge to help them to find gainful
employment. We take unwanted and unused
tools, refurbish them and send them to self-help
organisations and vocational training projects.
For further information regarding our
charities history, our establishment and
our mission statement visit our website
www.workaid.org
The Workaid Shop
The Workaid Shop is a “charity shop with a
difference”, specialising in tools and hardware,
gardening equipment, lawn mowers, electrical
items, craft materials, patterns, wools and yarns,
fabrics and general haberdashery, sewing and
knitting machines.
Stock changes every week, depending on what’s
surplus to requirement for our projects or more
valuable to sell.
Our shop has been open since 2010 and last year
underwent a large expansion and had a very
successful re-opening. We open Thursdays, Fridays
and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.
Donations are accept at our workshop in Chesham
on Monday and Wednesdays and Fridays between
9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm.
Get Involved
We always welcome new volunteers to join our
enthusiastic and friendly team at the Workaid
workshop in Buckinghamshire and to become local
collectors around the country.
34 METROLAND SPRING 2022

There are lots of opportunities available both in
refurbishment and administration and full training
is provided for all.
Volunteering is a great way to make a positive
difference in your local community and to make
new friends.
Donate Tools
By donating your unwanted tools and equipment
you really can change lives as well as having a
positive impact on the environment.
Every year over 80 tonnes of tools are saved from
landfill, refurbished and sent to projects working
with some of the most vulnerable members of
society.
If you, or someone you know has an old
car they need to get rid of you can contact
https://giveacar.co.uk/charities/workaid/ nominating
Workaid as the beneficiary.
For a list of the latest tools we need visit
https://workaid.org/how-to-help/donate-tools/
Promote Workaid
Make Workaid your nominated charity.
Are you planning to run a marathon, do a sponsored
walk or take on an epic challenge? Why not make
Workaid your charity of choice and raise funds for
us? We guarantee that your efforts really will be
appreciated.
Make a donation
It is easy to make a one-off payment. You can:
• Text “WORK22” followed by your amount e.g.
“£10 to 70070
• Send cheques to Workaid, 71 Townsend Road,
Chesham, Bucks HP5 2AA
• Become a Workaid Friend and make regular
payments
£15 covers the cost of shipping a life-changing kit,
£25 refurbishes and ships a sewing machine, and
£40 buys a mechanic’s kit with metalworking tools.
www.workaid.org
www.facebook.com/Workaid
Workaid
71 Townsend Road, Chesham, Bucks HP5 2AA
METROLAND SPRING 2022 35

P R O F E S S I O N A L A N D D I S C R E E T
P R I V A T E I N V E S T I G A T I O N S
2 4 H O U R S A D A Y , 7 D A Y S A W E E K .
C O R P O R A T E
I N V E S T I G A T I O N S
D E B T O R
L O C A T I N G
R E L A T I O N S H I P
B R E A K D O W N
J U D I C U A L
S E R V I C E S
Looking for answers, closure, or
evidence? I am on your side.
Just #AskAlison
For more information:
Visit: www.missaminvestigations.co.uk
Email: enquiries@missaminvestigations.co.uk
Call: 07388925001
As seen in:
36 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Acts of Kindness
Two years ago when we were in the midst of covid,
we launched #shoplocal to help local businesses
and independants continue to trade and sell their
products even though the high street had closed
down.
At the same time, a young lady called Paige started
a local facebook group called Acts of Kindness.
The intention of the group was to be able to help
at least one person survive the pandemic by
members donating items they no longer wanted,
or helping with food or prescriptions etc.
During COVID the group grew extremely quickly
as community spirit rose and we became more
reliant upon each other, the acts of kindness were
overwhelming and the group went from strength
to strength. Here is a safe place to gift items you
no longer want/need, or ask for something specific
whether that be furniture or food (amongst others).
It is one of our favourite groups and we often post
items that need a new home OR if we are looking
for something we check here first. It has been
amazing to see the number of families this group
has helped during very difficult times.
Two years on and the group work closely with
many organisations such as Womens Aid, Stoke
Mandeville hospital, Citizens Advice, Chiltern
Foodbank and Helping Hands to name a few.
The aim is to stop items going to landfill. An item
that one person no longer needs can be donated
to someone who does. This exchange of items
helps hundreds of families day in day out.
Every couple of months Paige undertakes
community projects. In the summer there is the
summer activity box project and at Christmas they
do boxes of toys for families who may be struggling.
There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes
and Paige is now in the process of registering as
a charity. Formalising the initiative will mean that
they can do more for the community and continue
to ensure nobody, no matter the situation, has to
struggle or be on their own.
Paige recently won the best Adult Award in
Missenden Community Coard awards which is fine
recognition for all of her efforts both in front and
behind the scenes.
So what is next for Paige? She plans once
registered as a charity, are to widen the support
they offer expand on future community projects,
and eventually have a community centre where
other organisations as well as ours can help
support others.
Search "Acts of kindness Chiltern And Surrounding"
on Facebook to join the group.
Paige Hall
METROLAND SPRING 2022 37

Chesham Museum:
New Website and Outreach Programme
Arts Council England National Lottery Project
grant and Chesham and Villages Community
Board Support the museum’s project - ‘A Future
for Chesham’s Past’
Chesham Museum is delighted to announce that
their 'A Future for Chesham’s Past' project has
received £14,150 from Arts Council England and
£1,000 from the Chesham and Villages Community
Board. The project will connect local people with
their local history. With the help of the museum’s
volunteers the project will create a new website,
and a series of resources for people to explore
Chesham’s heritage.
The new website will enable people – wherever
they live – to discover the stories and objects that
connect us with the town’s past. The website will
feature objects from the museum’s collection and
recollections from local people. There will also be
bespoke resources for schools, families and adults,
to help them explore their local area. Details of
events and activities will be publicised on the new
site too.
The museum will also develop its social media
presence through an Instagram account, with
content created by local secondary school pupils.
Alongside the new website there will be a series
of outreach resources created through the project.
These include new handling boxes for schools,
linked to the National Curriculum, and developed in
conjunction with local teachers; an illustrated trail
for families; and an outreach exhibition, displayed
at venues around Chesham. Special events will be
linked to the exhibition.
Museum vice-chair, Karen Perkins, notes: “This
project provides an exciting opportunity for
Chesham Museum to showcase its future plans and
re-establish itself into the lives of our communities,
putting the heritage of the town at the heart of its
Covid recovery plans.”
The project runs throughout 2022 and the
museum is keen for local people to get
involved as volunteers. For more information
contact: info@cheshammuseum.org.uk
38 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Ready to dive in?
Amersham Swimming and Diving Club are looking new members
It’s 5:10 am on a frost-glistened winter’s morning.
A dozen or so bleary eyed young athletes from
Amersham Swimming and Diving Club, ladened
down with their backpacks start filtering into the
gleaming new Chilterns Lifestyle Centre. There’s
the familiar smell of chlorine occasionally broken
up by the aroma of steaming hot coffee emanating
from the thermos mugs of watching parents and
the coaches. The Elite squad here today will be
training hard to achieve National qualifying times.
Many of them aspiring to swim in the British or
National Championships and beyond, alongside
some of the country’s top swimmers, including
Olympic champions. These same ambitions can
be found amongst the diving section, who’s new
facilities are amongst the best in the South-East.
The club has come a long way since it’s formation
in 1964. In those days the club committee met
in the Griffin pub in Old Amersham. This was the
inspiration behind the club’s current logo. After a
few turbulent recent years for the club, things are
definitely on the up. Only a few years ago there
were concerns that the club would not have a
‘home’ pool when the construction of the Lifestyle
Centre was put in doubt. This was followed by the
pandemic lockdowns which led to the suspension
of pool based training and meant daily ‘Zoombased’
strength and conditioning training was
the only way of supporting the swimmers fitness.
Around the country, aquatics sports were hugely
impacted by the restrictions put in place to protect
people.
However, unlike some clubs in the UK, Amersham
Swimming and Diving Club has come through those
challenges and now, in it’s new surroundings, across
Swimming and Diving sections the club has nearly
500 members from learn to swim/dive through to
competition level and then Masters. It punches
way above its weight in terms of competition
success, recently achieving second placed club
at the Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire
County Championships ahead of larger clubs. And
currently, of the same Elite squad training in the
dark mornings, the club has 4 swimmers who have
qualified for British Championships taking place in
April.
The future is looking promising and the club are on
look out for new members across swimming and
diving. You can find them on all the social media
channels or for more information email the club on
ascnewmembers@amershamswimmingclub.co.uk
As for the early starts, well, at least the brightness
of an early sunrise from Spring onwards can help
with getting out of bed!
METROLAND SPRING 2022 39

STATIONERY
OFFICE SUPPLIES
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
ART & CRAFT MATERIALS
CHESHAM MERCHANDISE
AVAILABLE IN-STORE & ONLINE
www.jpschesham.com
01494 791112 | info@jpschesham.com
40 METROLAND SPRING 2022
7 Market Square
Chesham
HP5 1HG

LITTLE CHALFONT
CAFÉ 22
Where: St George’s Church Hall, White Lion
Road, Little Chalfont
When: Every Thursday morning
from 9.15 to 11.45.
Café 22
offers a regular meeting place for
people living with dementia and/or memory
loss, and for those caring for them in an
informal, friendly environment.
#LittleChalfontCafe22
The café offers a means for improving well-being
by providing a place to chat and ask questions, a
place to share experiences, a place to reminisce
but above all a place of interest and enjoyment.
We will have a group of trained volunteers at
each coffee morning and aim to offer a variety
of activities such as arts and crafts, games and
music.
There is no charge for attending Café 22, although
there will be opportunity for those attending to
make a voluntary contribution towards the costs
of providing the refreshments. We are geared up
for both cash and cashless donations!
Café 22 operates as a stand-alone entity with
its own Management Committee, but it is initially
supported by and bound by the governance
procedures of the Little Chalfont Community
Association. These include policies that cover
Safeguarding, Equality and Diversity and Privacy.
We have a retired medical doctor on our
Management Committee and are supported also
by a locally based Dementia Champion. Both will
act as a source of reference and advice to the
Management Committee and to attendees of
the cafe. Processes have also been put in place
to refer to an appropriate expert when needed.
We shall also provide written materials for clients
to take away such as pamphlets produced by the
Alzheimer’s Society.
Café 22 has undertaken appropriate
risk assessments to ensure compliance with all
necessary health and safety rules (including
first aid regulations), food hygiene rules and
COVID safety recommendations. In addition, all our
volunteer staff are suitably trained.
A register of café users will be maintained but,
like a hotel register this is document will be kept
securely; all registration details will be maintained
under GDPR rules.
The launch of this initiative has been backed by
the Community Association and the Little Chalfont
Parish Council, with funding support also provided
by The Grant Foundation and the Amersham and
Villages Community Board.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 41

METROLAND
DAYS OUT
OTO spa residency at
Cliveden House
In the beautiful setting of The Cliveden Spa, guests
visiting the luxury country house hotel are now
able to enjoy overnight OTO spa retreats and spa
day experiences as part of an exclusive OTO Spa
Residency. A member of the Iconic Luxury Hotels’
collection, Cliveden House is a place of unparalleled
luxury in which to escape, renew and refresh.
Honouring over 350 years of illustrious history,
the Cliveden Spa is set within a secluded walled
garden, screened by mellow brick walls, where
guests experiencing the OTO retreats will discover
a tranquil oasis, offering a true sense of wellbeing
and relaxation.
OTO was born out of a personal desire to share the
wonder of CBD with as many people as possible,
through luxurious products and meaningful
experiences. Founded by husband and wife team,
Gemma Colao and James Bagley, who set up
California’s first legal online dispensary. Gemma
first discovered the power of CBD whilst working
in the fast-paced fashion industry as a way to
manage her own anxiety and hormonal acne. Upon
returning to the UK, Gemma and James teamed up
with a group of friends that include world-leading
scientists and designers to create OTO; their
aim is to redefine the UK’s CBD sector with their
sophisticated, simple and enjoyable products that
fit into your daily lives.
OTO has recently won awards including: ‘The best
CBD brand for Skincare’ and ‘The best CBD brand
for Sleep’. OTO’s team of world-leading scientists
and botanists have sourced the highest quality
essential oils, botanicals, scents and flavours
from around the world, blending them with an
unparalleled quantity of pure CBD isolate to create
a range of luxurious and extremely effective beauty
and wellness products, which easily fit into your
daily rituals.
CBD stands for Cannabidiol. It is one of the main
cannabinoids in the hemp plant. CBD is similar to
cannabinoids naturally produced in our own bodies.
They help to promote homeostasis – or balance –
in the body. They also help regulate physiological
functions like pain, inflammation, sleep, mood,
stress and anxiety. Our own cannabinoid levels
can deplete and as such our sleep may suffer or
we may feel higher levels of anxiety or pain. By
supplementing our natural cannabinoids with
plant-based CBD, it can help restore the balance.
Sleep is crucial to our health and happiness. Stress
and anxiety are a major cause of disease.
These stresses are shown in our skin and our
bodies, sometimes creating pain and inflammation,
and further exacerbating stress and anxiety. The
need for natural, powerful remedies like CBD has
42 METROLAND SPRING 2022

WELLBEING
never been greater. A growing body of evidence
is revealing how CBD can help with sleep, stress,
mood and certain skin conditions, as well as pain
management and inflammation.
The OTO spa offering at Cliveden House includes:
overnight spa experiences and a spa day package:
The OTO Sleep Experience includes: an overnight
stay with breakfast, 90-minute personalised OTO
CBD deep relaxation massage, the choice of a
60-minute private yoga or private sound healing
session, use of Cliveden spa facilities, access to the
376-acre National Trust Estate and a luxurious OTO
sleep selection set, including night face mask, pillow
mist and the balance CBD oil.
The OTO Invest in Yourself Experience also includes
an overnight stay with breakfast, a 90-minute
personalised OTO CBD re-energising massage. the
choice of a 60-minute private yoga or private sound
healing session, use of Cliveden spa facilities, access
to the 376-acre National Trust Estate and a curated
OTO gift to take home.
On selected dates throughout the residency, the
OTO Spa Day will be available for non-residents. As
well as the use of exclusive spa facilities at Cliveden
House, the spa day includes a 60-minute OTO
bespoke massage treatment, lunch or afternoon
tea in the Spa Kitchen, selected complimentary
refreshments and an OTO gift to take home. The
bespoke treatment range can re-energise and ease
muscle tension; help to refocus busy minds and they
are deeply restorative and an aid to sleep.
OTO Sleep Experience and the OTO Invest in
Yourself Experience start from £823 based on single
occupancy and £1056 based on double occupancy,
available Sunday-Thursday. OTO Spa Day costs
£305 per person and is available on selected dates.
For further information on staying at Cliveden House,
please contact: Reservations 01628 607107 or email
reservations@clivedenhouse.co.uk
www.clivedenhouse.co.uk.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 43

The Crafty Herbalist
Kristine De Block
Herbs have always played such
an important role in my life. I grew
up in the countryside, and from
a young age was taught about
botany, wildflowers, and traditional
herbal medicine by the women in
my family.
This heritage led me to study the
benefits of herbal medicine at
university level, and I qualified as a
Medical Herbalist with a BSc (Hons)
degree in 2008. I run a herbal clinic
with a fully stocked dispensary in
the Chilterns, where I consult with
patients, create bespoke herbal
prescriptions, and organise regular
learning experiences.
Every year I run a variety of
educational events, as I strongly
believe we should cherish our
ancestral roots and share our
knowledge of natural health. I
therefore teach a wide range
of herbal related topics, and
offer seasonal walks, talks and
workshops, as well as my yearly
in-depth herbal medicine course.
I hope there is something here for
you to enjoy!
Photograph 44 METROLAND by Amy SPRING Cassidy 2022

Introduction to Herbal Medicine Course
The confident use of herbal medicine at home
can have such a positive impact on our physical
and emotional wellbeing, as well as that of our
loved ones.
By embracing a more natural way of healing, and
truly connecting with your local environment,
you too can heal your body and mind.
With the help of our wonderful local herbal allies,
there is so much that can be achieved. The
knowledge is there for everyone.
That is why I created my Introduction to Herbal
Medicine course - which is actually so much
more than just an introduction, I should call it an
immersion!
This is a fun and interactive online course with
six live sessions, which will help you gain indepth,
practical knowledge of herbal medicine.
The course combines theory with practical
advice, and video footage will be walking you
through the seasons, herbal preparations and
much more. You will learn to make your own
herbal products, and how herbs can be used to
treat common health problems.
We start with the first session on Thursday 28th
April, make sure you join me before intake closes
on 20th April.
For more information and to book visit
www.thecraftyherbalist.org.uk/product
beginnerscourse2022/
Midsummer Herbal Walk
When: Tuesday 21st June, 10.15am to 12 noon
Where: Lowndes Park, Chesham
Join me for a guided herbal walk in Lowndes
Park to celebrate the joyous midsummer! You
will be shown how to identify local medicinal
plants and trees, discover fun herbal folklore
tales relating to this time of year, as well as get
a unique insight into how these herbs are used
in a modern herbal practice and dispensary.
Ten places only, so book soon!
Book online at www.thecraftyherbalist.org.uk/
product/midsummer22/
Autumn Walk & Workshop
I love teaching face to face, and nothing is more
fun than making remedies together! This will be
a four hour event, including a local walk and a
herbal remedy making workshop using seasonal
herbs foraged by me personally.
Details and location will be confirmed shortly, but
it will be in the Chesham area, on Wednesday
19th October.
Please register your interest below for early bird
access. I will have limited spaces for this event,
so it will be on a first come first served basis.
This would make a lovely add-on for those of you
who have taken my herbal course over the past
few years, but it will also be suitable for anyone
who is interested in herbal medicine generally.
Clinic Hours
Monday 9.45am to 2.00pm
Tuesday 9.45am to 3.00pm
Wednesday 9.45am to 4.00pm
Thursday 9.45am to 4.00pm
Other times by prior arrangement, childcare
permitting. Contact me as soon as possible if
you would like an appointment. I currently have
a waiting list of about two weeks, but I will fit you
in as soon as possible if your concern is urgent.
Repeat prescriptions can be requested if
medically appropriate, and safe, without
consultation.
I advise all patients to check in with me every
six months, to ensure prescribed herbs are still
suited to their personal situation.
www.thecraftyherbalist.org.uk
07821 774286
kristine@thecraftyherbalist.org.uk
METROLAND SPRING 2022 45

The Oasis Partnership -
Improving health and wellbeing throughout Buckinghamshire
The Oasis Partnership is a charity providing high
quality social and psychological support services
to improve people’s health and wellbeing. We
deliver socially inclusive, open access support
for the wider communities of Buckinghamshire,
through pioneering and innovative partnerships
and initiatives. Offering a range of services to
benefit many and diverse communities, we provide
support to people of all ages.
Our mission is to improve quality of life by reducing
disadvantage, isolation and loneliness and
increasing skills, confidence and wellbeing. We
take a holistic approach to people’s health and
wellbeing, and believe that social prescribing is
vital to connect people with community groups,
providing emotional as well as practical support.
Oasis services are available across
Buckinghamshire, with main project bases in
Chesham, High Wycombe and Aylesbury. Through
collaboration and new initiatives, we are expanding
our service provision by delivering training,
employability and education courses, as well as a
variety of groups, courses and sessions promoting
good mental and physical health and wellbeing.
We take a holistic approach, and will be providing
a social prescribing model as a key part of our
delivery, engaging people in our services whilst
connecting people with community groups,
providing emotional and practical support.
Routes to Work Our team deliver high quality
tailored employability programmes that equip
people with the support they need for a path to
sustainable employment. Individual and group
sessions are designed to upskill participants in
order for them to enter into the workplace or onto a
training or education course. Employability support
helps people to develop a CV, gain digital skills and
confidence in applying for jobs. We offer support
from claiming benefits through to starting a training
or education course or gaining employment.
Art Box We aim to build a supportive community
through arts, crafts and group work. Oasis Art Box
workshops are an opportunity to take a creative
break, reduce stress and be mindful. We are aiming
to offer Art Box sessions on a daily basis across our
sites as an opportunity for people to engage with
each other and get creative.
Outreach Working with various organisations
across Buckinghamshire, we provide specialist and
holistic support through outreach work to connect
and help vulnerable people. Our specialism is
substance misuse and we provide motivational and
harm reduction support to clients, helping them
to reduce their substance use, whilst aiming to
support them into treatment and further support
opportunities. We also run the Tech Launchpad in
High Wycombe and as part of the homelessness
hub in Aylesbury to help improve people’s digital
skills.
One Recovery Bucks Substance abuse expertise
is a key part of our work. We work in partnership
with Inclusion, part of Midlands Partnership NHS
Foundation Trust, and support them in delivering
One Recovery Bucks, the adult substance
misuse treatment service. Together we provide a
confidential, free, and easy-to-access service to
anyone living in Buckinghamshire impacted by their
own or someone else’s use of alcohol and drugs.
Jubilee Art Project We are keen to show off the
huge amount of creative talent in Chesham and
the Chilterns, and we are working with a range of
venues in Chesham to host creative activities and
exhibitions in the weeks running up to, and over,
the Platinum Jubilee weekend, a four-day Bank
Holiday weekend, from Thursday 2nd June to
Sunday 5th June.
Volunteering Our volunteering projects provide
people with opportunities to gain skills and
confidence, whilst having some fun. Volunteers
add huge value to our organisation and the
support of our volunteers really does make a
difference. We offer training and a wide variety
of volunteer opportunities across all our services.
46 METROLAND SPRING 2022

The Bagnall Project
Utilising our flagship building, The Bagnall
Project, Waterside, Chesham (offering 6,000
sq. ft over three floors, and with a range of
rooms for different purposes) enables us to
accelerate our mission to make a significant
positive difference to local communities. Our
well established Routes to Work service and
the Art Box project are part of our countywide
provision, and are available at the Bagnall, in
addition to the following new projects that we
are offering:
Tech Launchpad: This project is an opportunity
for people to develop skills and confidence
through boosting digital knowledge in our
supportive, collaborative environment.
We aim to develop a creative and digital space
for Chesham, supporting a range of ages,
to learn, understand and harness digital
technology. We are developing an innovative
model of practice which is shaped by the people
accessing this project. Think – Media, Music
Recording and Production, Filming, Coding,
Web Design, Photography, App Development,
Podcasts and much more.
as Digital Skills, Mental Health Awareness,
Employability and English will be available, and
we also plan to develop bespoke courses if
demand is great enough.
The Printworks: Next to The Bagnall Project,
this ambitious project aspires to restore the
derelict, iconic former printing press building
to create a vibrant cultural centre in the heart
of Chesham. We are hosting Chesham Amateur
Boxing Club sessions for juniors and adults,
and are working with with Amersham Men in
Sheds. Other plans include an art gallery and
exhibition space and Community Café.
Activities Studio: This state-of-the-art vaulted
room is a beautiful space for people to improve
their health and wellbeing, offering a variety
of physical activities and courses, including
Tai Chi, Men’s and Women’s Health and
Wellbeing circuit training, yoga, mindfulness
and meditation.
Training Kitchen: Through cookery teaching
classes and groups, we aim to increase
knowledge of healthy eating and encourage
social contact and cohesion in the wider
community.
Walking for Health and Wellbeing: Our weekly
walking groups provide an opportunity for
people to get out and about and engaged in
the beautiful Chiltern countryside.
The Classroom: Collaborating with adult
education and training providers such as Bucks
Adult Learning we facilitate opportunities
for people to develop their learning, skills
and knowledge, boost their education and
ultimately reach their potential. Courses such
To find out more and get involved,
call 0300 6662747 or email
info@oasispartnership.org
www.oasispartnership.org
Our supporters: With thanks to Joanna Hill,
Heart of Bucks, The Clare Foundation, The Tony
and Sheelagh Williams Charitable Foundation,
the LHC Community Benefit Fund and an
anonymous wealthy individual. Our 5-year
fundraising strategy is aimed at increasing
funds to develop and enhance all the projects
we plan to run onsite at Bagnall as well as
services across Buckinghamshire.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 47

Cycling in the UK’s Wet
Weather: How to Prepare for the
Mud and Puddles this Spring
048METROLAND SPRING 2022

One of the challenges that cyclists face when they
set off to tackle their usual commute to work or
local trail, is mud and puddles, especially during
the wet spring months. As the rain waters the soil
and prepares it for its spring renaissance, it lays a
muddy tapestry upon the beloved cycling routes.
While this creates tricky travel conditions and a
mess for commuters on their bikes, it can also bring
about a thrill for adventure bikers. Nevertheless,
those on their bikes need to be prepared for the
UK’s wet weather, so that they can protect their
bikes, their clothing and avoid winding up with mud
splatters everywhere!
Together with Ben Mercer from the electric
bike division at Leisure Lakes Bikes,
www.leisurelakesbikes.com/bikes/electric-bikes
we explore which is the wettest region in the UK
and how to prepare for wet weather conditions
before getting on your bike.
Rainy season in the UK?
Talking about the weather in the UK never goes
out of fashion. There is probably no other region in
the world with such temperamental weather that
can spark a conversation at any given time. When
it comes to biking, weather plays a massive role in
mapping out the routes and challenges for cyclists.
While there are certain patterns in terms of the
weather forecast throughout the years, the United
Kingdom has predominantly wet weather. In 2020
alone, there were 170.5 rain days, and the year with
the most rain days on record was 20 years earlier
in 2000, marking 178.6 rain days.
In late October 2021, we saw exceptional rainfall
totals, exceeding 400mm over some parts of
Cumbria.
But what really took the British islands by surprise
was the exceptionally wet May: “the fourth wettest
on record for the UK and wettest on record for
Wales”, according to Carbon Brief.
It seems that cyclists and other vehicle riders
in Wales have taken stock of the May rainfalls,
because Wales had the highest search interest
for “mudguards” of all the UK sub-regions over the
past year, according to Google Trends.
Muddy trails: what’s the challenge?
No rain, hail, or snow can stop avid mountain bikers
from tacking the biking routes. Muddy trails mean
fewer people on the trails but can also create
a significant challenge for both bikers and trail
maintainers.
Biking in the rain can be dangerous as the trails
become slippery when wet. Riding in really wet
conditions can also damage your brake pads;
drivetrain; and shock, fork, and bearing seals.
It also has a great impact on the cycling trails
and can cause severe trail damage and erosion.
Mountain bikers can widen singletrack paths when
they start riding around wet spots and cutting
corners. To foster trail sustainability, make sure you
don’t expand singletrack trails by riding around
them.
Keeping track of trail conditions can also help you
avoid damaging trails and your bike. The biking
community on social media has a lot of up-to-date
information you can check easily before setting off.
There are also a number of apps that can help you
keep track of the tracks!
Getting prepared for the mud
While cycling in the rain isn’t fully off-limits, you
need to be properly prepared for such conditions.
It’s okay to get your bike wet but you need to take
extra care of it before and during rides to maintain
its components and longevity. Here are seven
things to consider.
1. Install mudguards
Currently, searches for “mudguards for mountain
bikes” are rising by +200% and for good reason.
Ben Mercer of the UK mountain bike retailer Leisure
Lakes Bikes commented: “Every mountain biker,
whether experienced or an enthusiast, has their
personal biking style, and mudguards are either
a part of it or not. Mudguards provide bikers with
extra efficiency and protect both the rider and the
bike from getting muddy and dirty. Some mountain
bikes come with in-built mudguards while others
need installing at a later stage. While they’re a
personal choice, mudguards are extremely useful
in wet weather.”
METROLAND SPRING 2022 49

Mountain bike mudguards were introduced in the
1970s and have since become a staple in the sport.
They provide riders with better visibility and can
take the biking experience to the next level in wet
conditions. However, some bikers don’t favour the
look of their bikes with mudguards and prefer not
to install them.
2. Protect your head
When riding on a rainy day, it’s highly advisable to
wear a bike helmet, which will not only protect you
from the rain but also from injuries.
While a helmet with lots of vents will keep you cool
in the summer, it won’t keep the rain out. In that
case, you can add a cap under the helmet or get
one with an in-built peak. Both will deflect the rain
going into your eyes and will keep your head warm.
Additionally, you can get a waterproof helmet
cover, which will also do a great job.
3. Protect your eyes
Your visibility when mountain biking in the rain
is impaired. Dirt can easily reach your eyes, so
goggles can help you see better and navigate in
the environment. There are many different types
of rain eyewear you can choose from. It’s advisable
to look for goggles that have a high level of UV
protection and a good anti-mist coating.
4. Dress for wet and cold
A waterproof jacket is your best bet for the wet
weather. Look for a high collar and a long tail to
protect you from road dirt spray, and extra-long
sleeves to eliminate the gap between your cuffs
and gloves.
Your feet also need looking after. There is nothing
more unpleasant than riding with wet feet. That’s
why overshoes made from neoprene will keep your
feet mostly dry and help you avoid trench foot.
They also provide high visibility for other riders.
Similarly, you need a good pair of gloves to keep your
hands warm and dry, and provide you with good
flexibility. Usually, mountain bikers wear gloves with
bonded seams, which are completely waterproof
but can lack breathability. You can also opt for
palm cushions for comfort, reflective detailing for
50 METROLAND SPRING 2022

visibility, and touchscreen compatibility to help you
work with your GPS.
5. Lubricate your bike chain
Your bike chain is one of the most vulnerable bike
components in wet conditions. The rain can wash
away most of the lubricant, leaving the chain prone
to getting rusty in the long run.
Ideally, use a lubricant that’s specifically
manufactured for wet conditions for optimal bike
performance.
6. Get extra puncture protection
When it rains, road debris is more likely to be
exposed, causing punctures. It’s best to look for
tyres with extra puncture protection for the wet
months to avoid that.
Also, make sure you check your tyre pressure
before setting off using a track pump with an
accurate pressure gauge, and inspect your tyres
for any unusual bulges or foreign bodies.
Alternatively, you can use liquid sealants go inside
the tyre, inner tube, or tubular, or use puncture
resistant tape and strips that go between the tyre
and the inner tube. That way, you are adding an
additional layer of protection.
7. Bike aftercare
Riding in the rain can lead to extra wear and tear
for your bike. That’s why it’s important to clean your
bike thoroughly after your journey. Pay special
attention when cleaning the brakes, the wheels,
and the chain. After cleaning, dry your bike as
thoroughly as possible and lubricate the chain and
other components, such as the brake pivots and
pedals. This will get you ready for your next ride.
The UK is famous for its wet weather, but even the
most challenging conditions won't put a stop to
cyclists' endeavours. Setting off in the rain can still
be enjoyable as long as you’re properly prepared.
So, make sure you take the right precautions and
have a blast in the dirt!“
METROLAND SPRING 2022 51

Feel connected.
Feel part of a group,
a pair, a clan.
Give a gift that lasts, connecting you with
loved ones wherever you are in the world,
showing your love forever.
Our ethically sourced range of crystals can be
compiled into your very own tailor-made gift sets.
Select a series of stones and link grandparents with
grandchildren, husbands and wives, siblings and
friends. From tumbles to towers, from points to
geodes, from candles to carvings to keyrings, there
really is something for everyone!
Give us a call or send a WhatsApp to discuss your
personal order, and let us help you give a special
meaningful gift to remember.
52 METROLAND SPRING 2022
www.closercrystals.com
07736 830923 | fb.com/CloserCrystals

Based at the White Hill Centre in Chesham, Voices
and Choices is a voluntary organisation working
in Buckinghamshire. Their aim is to develop the
capacity and skills of adults who, irrespective of
their circumstances, require assistance to improve
their quality of life and their choices over where
they live and the services they receive.
The key focus of their work is to support people to
remain in their own homes while receiving the help
and services they require to do so. The service is
delivered by managing a group of volunteers who
provide a service directly to people in their own
homes.
Thinking about Volunteering? One Volunteer’s
Story
Liz, one of our team of volunteers who help local
people with a range of issues at home, agreed to
answer a few questions..
Quickfire Questions…
What would you say to someone considering
volunteering with Voices and Choices?
I would say that it is a worthwhile experience, if you
have spare time, give it a go, you will find that you
will get as much out of it as the clients do.
In what ways do you think our clients/people
have benefitted from your time and experience?
I think our clients would feel that there is someone
who will listen to them without judging and have
the time to help with small things. For example
putting up and taking down Christmas trees or
replacing batteries when someone doesn’t have
the dexterity to do it themselves. It’s the small
things that are appreciated. Taking an interest in
what they do really matters to them.
To find out more about volunteering at Voices and
Choices visit out website voicesandchoices.org.uk
or telephone 01494 784566
Theatre or cinema? Cinema
Beach holiday or city break? Beach holiday
Gym or walk? Walk
Dog or cat lover? Dog and cat lover, have had
both!
Book or Kindle? Book, nothing better than holding
a book in your hand, the smell of a real book too.
I couldn’t get through the weekend without?
Probably speaking to one of my three adult children.
Liz, Voices & Choices
Volunteer
METROLAND SPRING 2022 53

FatFace
SS22
www.fatface.com
Paulina Broderie Blouse £39.50
Short sleeve Perranporth Polo £29.50
Indigo Half Neck £65
Camber Leaf Swimmer £39.50
Cleo Foraged Floral Dress £49.50
Hannah Cardi £49.50
54 METROLAND SPRING 2022

FASHION
top
Delphine Floral Jersey Dress £49.50
FF Logo Front Back £25 | Funtely Half Neck £60
middle
Tulip Floral Embroidered Top £39.50 | Carrie Dungaree £65
Ruby Puffer £69 | Emmy Pointelle Jumper £48
right
Southbourne Stripe Henley £39.50 | Co-ord Jogger £36
METROLAND SPRING 2022 55

GET YOUR
15% OFF
QUOTE
MET22
Valid in our
Amersham
store only.
www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk
Offer expires 30/06/2022 and is only valid in our Amersham
store. See website for full offer details.
We believe in
putting people
and the planet
above profit.
56 METROLAND SPRING 2022

JoJo Maman Bébé
Community Grants
JoJo Maman Bébé, the UK’s leading young family
brand, is acting to support community projects
across the UK and Ireland with their Helping Hands
initiative. The fund has up to £120,000 secured at
this stage, to donate between £5,000 - £10,000 to
numerous organisations over the next 12 months.
Registered charities and not-forprofit
organisations may apply at
www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/communitygrants. The
first round of the simple application process closed
on 7th March 2022 but the round will be repeated
in 6 months. The shortlist will be selected by the
JoJo board of directors and the winners decided
in a public vote via the Official JoJo Maman Bébé
Facebook Community.
Being part of the local community is the foundation
stone of JoJo’s success. Having stores on parent
friendly high streets rather than in out-of-town
retail parks, has allowed the company teams to
get to know resident families, supporting them
through pregnancy right up to school age. Since
the business launch in 1993, little models have
been chosen from friends, family, and customers’
children representing true diversity. The booming
omnichannel customer base will often turn to their
knowledgeable JoJo store or the Welsh Customer
Service team for product and childcare support.
As Laura Tenison, JoJo’s Founder and CEO states;
“Our Store and Customer Service teams are often
turned to as a source of help and advice for
pregnant women and new parents. We try to offer
a helping hand at your time of need, and over the
past couple of years we know many people have
felt isolated. With our new Community Grants
initiative, we will support local projects by giving
them financial support in order that they may
continue and expand their great work.”
She adds: “I’ve been a grass roots charity fundraiser
myself and know how hard it is. £10,000 can go a
long way in a well-run project and we are excited
to read the applications and learn about your
amazing local community support not-for-profits
and favourite charities.”
This is great money for great causes, at a time
when they need help the most.
Over the past few years JoJo has donated or raised
over £1M for charity and environmental projects
with a wide-ranging number of beneficiaries, both
in the UK and overseas. However, this year the
brand wishes to give back directly to organisations
supported by those customers who have made
this possible.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 57

Brace the April Showers in
Style this Spring with Polarn O. Pyret
Spring is here and the great outdoors await,
tempting little ones with forest walks, muddy
puddles, den building and trips to the park.
Providing children aged 0-12 years with the ultimate
gear for great adventures, Polarn O. Pyret is thrilled
to unveil its Spring / Summer Outerwear collection,
perfect for tackling those April showers!
Packed full of seasonal colours, floral prints and
new technical features, the wet weather experts
have yet again proven they’re top of their game
when it comes to designing stylish, high-quality
outerwear.
This season sees the arrival of a brand-new jacket
with a genius magnetic zip. Available in two colours
(navy and purple), the soft and smooth shell jacket
features an innovative magnetic zip clasp, making
it super easy for children to dress themselves.
One thing's for certain, it will save a few precious
seconds when trying to get the kids out of the
house!
New for Spring is an updated version of the
bestselling recycled polyester waterproof fleece.
Customers can now choose the longline version,
which is longer in the fit and has an integrated
elastic at the waist, giving it a truly stylish look.
It looks fabulous teamed up with leggings and
provides the perfect layer of lightweight, waterproof
warmth as we transition into Spring. This item is
available in a plain purple or striking animal print.
With anti-pill and fast-drying fabric, it’s also super
easy to care for and continues to look great after
multiple washes.
Also launching is the brand-new anti-pill Soft Kid's
Fleece - a cosy must have for every young explorer!
It's available in three coloured block versions and
two plain colours, with a handy full-zip featuring a
reflective pull.
The ultimate jacket for walking, exploring, going on
the school run and everything in between is the
Lightweight Shell Kid's Jacket, now available in two
amazing prints including fun woodland creatures
or a blue floral ditsy design. Not forgetting the truly
vibrant 100% waterproof raincoat, covered in bold
purple, orange and green flowers, it’s just fabulous!
The perfect coat for jumping in muddy puddles,
promising to keep little ones warm and dry even in
the heaviest of downpours.
In addition to all the newness, customers can look
forward to new colours in PO.P classics including
the Waterproof Shell Jacket, Water Resistant Puffer
Jacket, Waterproof Shell Trousers, Pramsuits and
Overalls. To top off your look, don't miss the brand's
range of striped beanies, snoods, gloves, mittens
and thermals - there's something for everyone.
Best of all, once your little ones have outgrown their
PO.P outerwear, the brand promises to exchange
all pre-loved outerwear stock for vouchers so they
can quickly recycle the garments into the PO.P
Second-hand scheme.
Commenting on the new SS22 outerwear, Mats
Nilsson, Polarn O. Pyret's UK Managing Director
said:
"Our outerwear is something we truly pride
ourselves on and we know parents trust. As the
world becomes more environmentally aware,
we've noticed parents are looking to buy less, and
prioritising styles that offer versatility and longevity.
Our bestselling outerwear has been created using
sustainable materials and designed to ensure
unbeatable performance. Garments can withstand
all weather, giving children the clothing, they need
to continue outdoor play.”
www.polarnopyret.co.uk
58 METROLAND SPRING 2022

METROLAND
FASHION
METROLAND SPRING 2022 59

CHILDREN’S CLOTHING
Beautiful handmade clothing Sewn with love
O A K L E A F D E S I G N S . C O . U K
K A T H R Y N @ O A K L E A F D E S I G N S . C O . U K
oakleafdesignsuk
60 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Dress £22.99, Waistcoat, shirt and tie £24.99, Trousers £14.99
Dress £22.99
Both Dresses £28.99 Dress £26.99
M&Co
www.mandco.com
METROLAND SPRING 2022 61

Feng Shui Every Room
Of Your Home
With Feng Shui Queen: Marites Allen
Celebrity Feng Shui Expert Marites Allen has been advocating Feng
Shui for over two decades. She frequently appears on global radio
and TV including ITV THIS MORNING.
Instagram@maritesallen, www.maritesallen.com
62 METROLAND SPRING 2022

HOME & GARDEN
Creating ‘ZEN’ or finding the right balance, to make
any room better, within the home has never been
more important - as many are still continuing to
work at home with children present. Celebrity Feng
Shui expert, Marites Allen, has chatted to us at
METROLAND, about how to Feng Shui every room
of your home and how this is important in creating
a more positive environment for all who live, work,
or are present for a better wellness as individuals
but also to in turn have better relationships with
our family, or perhaps have better wealth and
success in work and our careers. We learn more
from the Feng Shui Queen herself below and what
the techniques are for Feng Shui and the home!
keys or coins spilled across counter tops or tables.
Simply organise or get racks for the shoes, or trays
or dishes for the smaller items. By doing this you
create more space and it hence, helps Chi to come
and flow through your spaces.
Here are my tips for each of these rooms as
examples on how to start Feng Shui for wellbeing:
METROLAND: What is Feng Shui and how does it
contribute to the home by practicing it within the
home?
Marites: The literal translation of Feng Shui is
wind and water, and if you combine these two
elements it creates a magical harmony that is well
balanced. Feng Shui itself is a science that dates
back over 4000 years and utilises the five basic
elements of the environment. These elements are
fire, earth, wood, water and metal. Each of these
elements either attracts a positive or negative
energy. Good energy is called Chi and if people
are surrounded by Chi it means that good fortune
is present, therefore the goal to practicing Feng
Shui at home is to create Chi or more harmony. Of
course with more harmony this means more health
and happiness. To practice Feng Shui principles
in the home you can keep up and stay physically
and mentally healthy. If you think about it rationally,
in terms of interior design, and space planning, if
you plan or hang something that bothers you or
each time you look at it you don’t feel right, in turn
it might make you feel down or ill.
METROLAND: What or where should people start
with to Feng Shui rooms or areas of the home? Are
there any specifics?
Marites: I think the easiest thing we can all do
is de-clutter in any room. The importance of decluttering
is to ‘unblock’ or let good energies flow
in any room or pathway of the house. One thing
I always point out is that when you enter many
homes you see a pile of shoes on the floor or see
KITCHEN: The key to the kitchen is to have good or
excellent lighting. If you already have this naturally,
great, but if you don’t you can position lights or
place some more lights within it. Even lighting
candles for example on the table when you all
gather to eat in the area can create this.
HIDE THE KNIVES IN THE DRAWERS, NO
BUTCHER BLOCKS OR HANGING KNIVES: You
want to store knives out of sight like literally put
them in a drawer. Get rid of those butcher blocks
where you have those knives in clear sight those
are like poison arrows waiting to stab you.
Feng shui is all about symbolism and knives just
represent discomfort.
HIDE TRASH CANS: You want to hide all of your
trash cans. Try to put them in a cabinet because
trash cans equal clutter and we are trying to get
rid of all that clutter guys. The best way to do this
is probably to have a trash can in a cabinet under
your sink because clearly your sink is where you're
throwing all of your trash and debris. You can just
open up the cabinet, pull out your trash can and
throw all the trash in the bin.
BEDROOM: The bedroom is a place of rest, and
therefore two of the best colours to use are blue
METROLAND SPRING 2022 63

have the opportunity to incorporate a plant in the
room, you absolutely want to use a living plant
over an artificial one. To make any layout of your
bedroom feel more luxurious you can put out some
Himalayan salts on the bedside table. Take a look
at the kind you can plug as they not only bring in
the good energy but also give the room a more
sophisticated and luxurious feel.
OFFICE SPACE or OFFICE: The first and easiest
technique is to declutter - by removing all the loose
papers, paper clips or anything that will get in the
way of your workspace. File your papers, and leave
loose items in a tray, and pens neatly stored in a pen
holder. The second things to take note of are the
unsightly cords from your computer, home phone
or printer. Cords represent competition and give off
way too much energy than is needed in your home
office. The office should be a place where you like
sitting down zoned in and completely productive.
So remember, no messy cords anywhere!
and green - because psychologically, when we look
at these two colours, it creates electronic waves in
our brains to feel more settled, and healed or calm.
If the bedroom is for an elderly person - lighter
tones of blue and green are also best to keep them
feeling comforted and soothed. For couples who
want to reignite love, have a better marriage, or
possibly wanting to have a baby pink and red are
the best colours for a room, or for its interiors, as it
is a colour that is related to all things feminine and
powerful or fertile.
How your desk is positioned is also important
because you never want to face a wall - this is an
absolute no-no. Always try to position yourself with
direct visual eye line to the entrance or door.
That means when someone opens the door you
visually see them. This basically symbolises that
you don't want someone to sneak up on you. You
are the master of your domain so you should have
full control of who comes in and who comes out.
Mirrors are a really great way to help the energy
flow, especially if they reflect something really
beautiful, but they should not reflect the bed. By
reflecting they bed it means that you're inviting like
a stranger into your bedroom and it's an absolute
no-no. If you're coupled up or you're married it
almost symbolises that someone's cheating or you
by having an affair, which I mean, who wants that,
right?
When decorating for the bedroom you want to
use a lot of really natural organic elements. If you
64 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Illuminating Eclectic Elegance
We are loving these flamboyant lamps and unique shades from Joe Browns!
Shop online at www.joebrowns.co.uk/homeware-home/lighting-lamps
Beautiful Black Shaped Table Lamp, £129
Glorious Gold Crane Table Lamp, £129
Fantastic Foo Dog Table Lamp, £129
Brilliant Bulldog Table Lamp, £119
Elegant Shaped Light Shade, £70
Fabulous Floral Lamp Shade, from £45.00
METROLAND SPRING 2022 65

Spring Cleaning Tips
With the start of spring, households up and down
the country are gearing up for their big ‘Spring
Clean’. While spending a weekend deep cleaning
your home is a great way to start the season,
regular upkeep is key for preventing germs from
building up.
Here are some top germ-busting tips and tricks
to help you keep your family protected and your
home looking spick and span and free from germs.
1. Keep the moths away
Spring and Summer are the key times moths are
active. If left untreated, an infestation can lead
to hundreds of pounds worth of damage to your
belongings. Zen’sect by Vapona is an effective
moth proofer for your wardrobe. With soft scents
of lavender these tiny bags provide long lasting
protection and eliminate clothing damage caused
by moths, larvae and eggs.
If you fancy trying a DIY remedy, try filling a few
fabric bags with dried lavender and placing them in
drawers and wardrobes throughout the home. Not
only will these methods help prevent infestations,
but they will also keep your clothes smelling lovely
and fresh.
2. Think outside the box
Cleaning outdoor areas are just as important as the
indoors. When the warmer weather and longer days
arrive, we’re always tempted to head outdoors and
spend more time in the garden. However, did you
know that the average garden table has as many
germs as a bin lid and 4,500 times more harmful
bacteria? Experts recommend cleaning your table
before and after each use with a good disinfectant
such as Jeyes Fluid Multi-Purpose Disinfectant
which is safe to use on children’s play equipment
and garden furniture and kills 99.9% of germs.
3. Keep those floors and surfaces
sparkling clean
While cleaning the home, it’s important to pay
as much attention to the floors as we do to the
surfaces. As we move through our homes, we
carry all sorts of nasties from the outside world on
the soles of our shoes - the average shoe sole is
covered with 421,000 bacteria with 90 per cent of
those bacteria transferred directly onto your clean
tile floor on the first contact. These germs can live
on surfaces for extended periods of time.
The next time you give your floors or surfaces
a good clean, be sure to add a bleach such as
Parazone to your floor cleaner when mopping to
disinfect. This can also be diluted with water for a
sterile solution for surfaces. We would recommend
mopping your floors once a week and cleaning
surfaces such as kitchen counters, tabletops and
bathroom surfaces daily to ensure they are clean
from nasties.
4. An eco-friendly loo with Bloo
Conscious about the environment but still want
to make sure your loo is sparkling? Bring a bit of
the outdoors home with Bloo ProNature. This ecofriendly
rim-block is a quick and effective way to
keep the loo clean and fresh, and is available in two
refreshing fragrance variations, Mint Eucalyptus
and Grapefruit.
Make sure your toilet remains sparkling and germfree
with a ‘Regime Clean’ approach. This includes
three steps: daily use of Bloo’s rim block, weekly
use of toilet cleaning gel and frequent use of toilet
wipes. Wrap it up by cleaning the toilet brush by
soaking it in a diluted mixture of bleach and water.
66 METROLAND SPRING 2022

5. Bust through limescale in no time
During the winter months, those who live in hard
water areas will see an increased build-up of
limescale in their homes. Set your appliances
up for spring by busting through the limescale
with Oust All Purpose Descaler. From kettles
to showerheads, you can get your appliances
sparkling clean in just 10 minutes, making descaling
quick and cost-effective. Keep on top of this
every three months and you’ll have sparkling
clean and longer-lasting appliances all year
round. If based in a hard water area, you should
aim to descale your appliances every 3 months
while soft water areas should expect to descale
every 6 months.
6. DIY it
Although they’re not typically as effective as
traditional cleaning products, there are numerous
DIY methods out there that you can incorporate
into your cleaning regime. For example, lemons
are great to apply to many areas of the home. The
acidic properties in lemon juice can be used to rub
into non-porous surfaces such as glass, plastics,
metals and varnished wood as a way of sterilising
them. White wine vinegar and baking soda are also
great natural cleaning solutions.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 67

Bridgman
Luxury
Furniture
Old Amersham’s Home
For Inspired Living
Pioneered by 3 generations of expert furnituremakers,
Bridgman has been creating awardwinning
luxury furniture that goes beyond simple
functionality and style since 1977. Their collections
are expertly designed to transform how we spend
time relaxing, entertaining and enjoying the finer
things in life at home and in the garden. From the
creation of their very first piece of furniture, three
core values have been at the heart of every new
design - quality, comfort and style. This year, as
they celebrate their 45th anniversary, these values
continue to guide them into the future.
Building on this unique ethos and 45-year heritage,
three exciting new collections join Bridgman’s
unparalleled all-weather rattan, resin and aluminium
outdoor ranges for 2022.
The limited-edition Ascot Modular Collection brings
the comfort, detail and style of interior design
into the outdoors to create the ultimate alfresco
lounging experience. With the look and feel of an
indoor living room set, each modular sofa is fully
upholstered in revolutionary fade-resistant, fully
waterproof and highly stain-resistant fabric so that
you can entertain without worrying about sudden
downpours or accidental spillages. Each modular
sofa can be effortlessly reconfigured to suit any
outdoor space, while the matching adjustable
table can be set to a dining or coffee table height
depending on your needs.
Also launching this year are the contemporary
Monaco and Cannes Collections, arriving in March
and late summer respectively. Inspired by luxury
yachts, these stunning collections are expertly
crafted using UV-resistant premium polyethylene
rope, beautifully handwoven to create a minimalist
look and paired with elegant waterproof cushions
for sublime modern outdoor living.
Bridgman has developed and refined their
exclusive fully waterproof cushions, the only ones
of their kind, over six years to ensure resistance to
stains, spillages and the erratic English weather.
Each cushion has been tested against red wine,
coffee and even pure bleach stains and can
remain outside all year round, come rain or shine.
Both uniquely practical and sumptuously soft, the
68 METROLAND SPRING 2022

cushions are filled with a supportive foam that
ensures unmatched comfort you simply won’t find
anywhere else.
For your home, Bridgman’s luxury dining and living
collections are here to help you relax in a space
you’ll love for years to come. Bring a touch of
glamour to your next dinner party with the Casual
Dining Collection, a range of meticulously crafted
indoor and outdoor dining tables and chairs made
using the very finest materials. Or, design your
dream sofa suite with Bridgman’s new Premium
Sofa Collections, upholstered in your choice of
52 premium fabrics, with sustainable and stainresistant
material options available. Whether you
want to relax with a good book or enjoy time with
your loved ones, discover the perfect sofa, armchair
and footstool to make your life more luxurious.
Explore a selection of Bridgman’s premium
indoor and outdoor collections at their beautiful
Old Amersham Showroom, tastefully and
thoughtfully arranged to inspire effortless
entertaining and serene relaxation for years to
come.
Visit us on Whielden Street, call 01494 723517 or
head to bridgman.co.uk to discover your new home
and garden furniture.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 69

Upcycling Project:
Terrarium Lamp
Last year Jeyes Fluid, the British heritage brand
that’s been proudly keeping the nation’s gardens
clean for over 140 years, launched its Creative
Spaces initiative in June, by partnering up with
Melanie Lissack, the award winning interior stylist,
writer and influencer. Together, they are helping to
inspire Brits on how people can easily repurpose
tired furniture, leftover materials in the home and
upcycle them to transform their gardens.
To help give you inspiration, here is how to use an
old mason jar to create an Insta-worthy terrarium
lamp:
Tools and materials needed:
• Bucket
• Jeyes Fluid
• Sponge, cloth or stiff brush
• 1 gallon mason jar
• Terrarium kit
• Terrarium plants
• Garden gloves
• Drill
• Lamp wiring kit for glass jar
• Lampshade in a colour of your choice
Method
Creating the lamp base
1. To clean your mason jar - use a measuring jug,
pour 5000 ml of water and 250ml of Jeyes Fluid
into a bucket.
2. Jeyes heritage tin has been replaced, so look
out for its new recyclable plastic bottle with
an updated formula as part of its commitment
to help pave the way for a more sustainable
future.
3. Wear some rubber gloves for protection. Dip a
cloth, sponge or stiff brush inside the solution
and use it on the inside and outside of the
mason jar. Then rinse the jar and allow it to
completely dry.
4. Use the terrarium kit to fill your mason jar. Start
with small stones and pebbles for the base for
water drainage purposes.
5. Grab a small handful of moss and place it on
top of the pebbles.
6. Layer three or four spoonfuls of soil on top of
the moss to give your succulents a base to put
their roots into.
7. Create a shallow hole in the soil where you will
place your succulent.
8. Place your succulent in the hole you made and
cover the exposed roots with the soil.
9. Add some pebbles to cover the soil, and then
anything else you want in order to personalise
your terrarium.
10. Use the plastic tweezers in the kit to arrange
your decorations and plants.
*The kit comes with a plastic spray bottle which we
recommend using once a month on the terrarium
to keep it fresh.
70 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Creating the lamp
1. Drill a hole in the centre of the metal lid of the
mason jar ready to attach the lampshade.
2. Follow the instructions that accompany the
lamp kit to construct it.
3. (We used the jar lamp wiring kit for table lamps
KIT29 as the plug already comes wired which
makes it easier for amateur DIY-ers). For support
you can also find guides on YouTube.
*Ensure you do not have the kit plugged in
when doing this step and keep away from water.
4. Add the bulb
5. Add a lampshade design of your choice
For more Creative Spaces ideas, please visit
www.jeyesfluid.co.uk/creative-spaces/
METROLAND SPRING 2022 71

Get the Bridgerton
garden look with Dobbies
Visit Dobbies in Beaconsfield or online www.dobbies.com
Find out how to recreate the showstopping
gardens seen on the hit show.
Netflix’s hotly anticipated regency drama
is back for a second season and not your
average garden centre, Dobbies, is here
to show you how you can recreate the
gorgeous outdoor spaces seen on the show.
Perfectly manicured lawns, extravagant
water features and breathtaking flower
displays come together on screen to create
the ultimate Regencycore aesthetic, with
some of the UK’s most notable estates,
including Hatfield House, Castle Howard and
Windsor Great Park, acting as a backdrop to
the drama.
Set to be a popular trend for summer 2022,
we caught up with Dobbies’ Horticultural
Director, Marcus Eyles, to find out how you
can get the Bridgerton garden look and
create an outdoor space worthy of Lady
Whistledown herself.
72 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Tidy up for a refined garden
Many of Bridgerton’s scenes see the characters
walking through grand country estates full of
ornamental topiary and impressive borders
that might seem challenging to recreate on a
smaller scale. However, Marcus advises
that well-groomed shrubs and colourful
borders will give you a similar effect.
Marcus said: “A great way to get the Regency
look as seen on the show is with creative topiary,
which is the art of trimming trees and shrubs into
shapely sculptures. This is a fantastic way to
make a statement and give your garden a grand
look and feel, however, it can take some time to
perfect your sculpting skills. An easy alternative
is to neaten up your shrubs and give them a
good trim to ensure clean lines. This will give
your garden structure and is a good way to give
your beds and borders a tidy look without too much
hassle.”
Inject Bridgerton inspired colour
The grounds we see on Bridgerton are full of
wonderful colour, and Marcus says that spring is
the perfect time to brighten up your garden with
vibrant flowers, inspired by the show.
Marcus said: “Planting is one of the most enjoyable
spring gardening jobs and you can achieve some
fantastic Bridgerton colour with summer flowering
bulbs like Dahlias, Bagonias, Lilies and Gladioli.
Cottage garden plants are a wonderful way to
get the Regency look too, with hardy annuals like
Nigella, Centaura and Calendula bringing a burst of
colour when grouped together.
“Roses will also give your garden a romantic look and
help mirror the spaces seen on the show. We have
extended our own-brand Rose offering for 2022,
and the new orange Rose ‘Heart Warming’ is a great
choice for Regencycore aesthetics and is ideal for
mixed borders with medium-sized perennials. This
Rose blooms continually throughout the season,
giving bud after bud of healthy new flowers – just
make sure when planting, you mulch well and use
peat-free compost.”
Add height and drama
Climbing plants like Wisteria adorn the grand homes
in Bridgerton, giving the buildings a decadent air.
To get the look, a statement pergola with climbing
greenery will add a touch of grandeur to your
garden, and give you the perfect space to enjoy a
spot of high tea in summer months – and what
could be more Bridgerton than that?
Marcus said: “Climbing plants such as Clematis
montana and Sweet Peas work well with most
structures and will create a striking effect in any
space. With the option to have these plants
growing up against a pergola, wall, or fence, they
will add drama and height to your garden, and you
can personalise the look by choosing flowers in a
colour that complements the rest of your garden.
“If you don’t have the space for a pergola, you can
achieve height by grouping together potted plants
of different sizes and colours on a raised display.
Refresh your pots with early spring bedding plants
like Pansies, Violas, Bellis and Primoses for instant
colour that will add vibrancy and interest to your
garden.”
Complete the look
To complete your Bridgerton inspired garden,
Dobbies’ Contemporary Country range for SS22
has a wide range of gorgeous furniture inspired
by the rolling green hills of the country that fit the
Regency theme perfectly. From whimsical bistro
sets with intricate detail, to romantic garden set
ups that wouldn’t look out of place on the show,
look no further for the perfect finishing touches.
To browse Dobbies’ full Contemporary Country
range, and for more gardening tips and inspiration,
visit www.dobbies.com.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 73

Getting Ready for baby
with Ickle Bubba
Pushchair or stroller?
When it comes to pushchair shopping, there’s a lot
of choice. And that’s before you include car seats,
carrycots and the rest. The Ickle Bubba range is
carefully curated to provide options for different
lifestyles and budgets. And their travel bundles
wrap all those essentials up in one quick, easy and
affordable purchase.
Travel system, or stroller? That’s often the burning
question for parents to be. A travel system is ideal
for newborn babies - they refer to pushchairs that
can attach a car seat and carrycot. A stroller can
be suitable from birth too but tend to be used at
toddler stage as they are lighter and more compact.
With spring getaways on our mind, we put Ickle
Bubba’s latest stroller to the test. Weighing in at
under 8kg, the Gravity Stroller delivers a lightweight,
compact pushchair with a magic auto-fold function.
If using from birth the stroller reclines flat and the
quilted seat liner nestles baby in utmost comfort
and style, whilst toddlers up to 25kg will love the
upright position and nimble ride. Available as a
2-piece at £239, the Gravity Stroller includes a
British essential - the raincover but the Gravity Max
at £259 delivers even more – a luxury soft quilted
seat liner with footmuff and a handy cup holder.
Read on to find out our verdict on this lightweight
stroller.
For those looking for the ultimate travel system
and one that fits their style, Ickle Bubba’s awardwinning
Stomp V3 is the essential package for
day to day travelling as baby grows from infant to
toddler. Carefully designed with equal consideration
for both functionality and style, the Stomp V3
2-in-1 pushchair not only looks great but performs
effortlessly around pedestrians, restricted spaces
and paths.
One of the biggest concerns for any expectant
parent, is whether they’ll be able to hold onto
a sense of themselves once their bundle of joy
arrives. Do you have to say goodbye to nights out
and binging Love Is Blind, and say hello to baby
groups and Cocomelon? Well, the truth is: no, you
don’t. You just find a way to do parenting that suits
you and your life.
74 METROLAND SPRING 2022

However, one big way to keep your personality
front and centre is by personalising your pushchair
style. At Ickle Bubba, you can really make a
pushchair your own, especially the Stomp V3. From
choosing the hood and seat fabrics, to the chassis
colour and even the style of leatherette details,
you can personalise every inch of your new travel
companion. Starting from just £449, the Stomp V3
is available in a range of affordable bundles with
options to suit all budgets.
Sweet Dreams, Sweeter Savings
From getting out and about with baby to building
your dream nursery, Ickle Bubba allow parents to
dream big for less, with their affordable nursery
range. Proving that style doesn’t need to be
compromised when shopping on a budget, Ickle
Bubba’s nursery interiors are priced from just £9.
A one-stop shop for building baby’s nursery, Ickle
Bubba is not only committed to creating great
quality baby products at affordable prices, it is
also committed to making positive differences
that improve the lives of its customers and its
people. February this year saw the brand celebrate
12 months of being a climate positive workforce,
having offset 625 tonnes of CO2e by planting over
8500 trees.
RRP’s:
Coleby Classic Scandi Cot Bed from £269
Coleby Classic Scandi Cot Bed, Under Drawer and
Cot Top Changer from £399
Coleby Scandi Open Changer £89
Rustic Safari Nursery Interiors from £9
Stockist: www.icklebubba.com
Starting with their printed fabric bunting and
cellular blankets; parents can create an Instagram
worthy scheme with coordinating items for under
£100. Simply mix and match individual pieces from
their choice of five stunning collections or shop
the whole look. Offering statement prints with
the Rainbow Dreams and Rustic Safari collection,
the Mono Mountains range is the perfect gender
neutral choice. For something a little softer,
Bunnychino injects natural tones with cute rabbits
motifs and the Cosmic Aura collection brings starry
nights to baby’s first room.
Taking the stress out of ticking off the ‘newborn
baby essentials list’, Ickle Bubba’s soft furnishings
can be paired with the brand new Coleby Scandi
furniture collection, as part of their latest offer.
Saving 10% when purchasing a Furniture Starter
Set, parents can ensure baby’s slumber is sorted
by combining their cot bed, mattress and bedding
in one purchase.
Achieving the ultra-cool Scandi look without
the Scandinavian price tag, parents can inject
minimalist design into baby’s first room from
just £89 with the Coleby Scandi furniture range.
Available in Scandi White or Scandi Grey, this bold,
modern style showcases a distinct two-tone look
that combines a clean white base colour with soft
wood-effect accents. Pieces include the Open
Changer, Classic Cot Bed, Under Drawer and Cot
Top Changer.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 75

FAMILY LAW SOLICITORS
Every family is different and at CWD we offer tailor made advice
appropriate to your own unique situation, in a clear and sympathetic
way. We are able to offer practical solutions, based on many years of
experience in this area.
We provide a full range of family law services including: divorce,
financial matters, private children law, breakdown of non-married
relationships, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements.
For a free 30 minute
telephone consultation
please call 0203 301 1113.
Email: enquiries@cwd-law.com
www.cwd-law.com
Boughton Business Park, Bell Lane, Amersham HP6 6FA
76 METROLAND SPRING 2022

STAGE & SCREEN
GM Live @ The Elgiva
The Ultimate Tribute
to George Michael
Carlton entertainments presents GM Live - The
Ultimate Tribute to George Michael. This joyous
new show celebrates the music of one of the
most iconic and best singer songwriters of all
time, the incredible George Michael.
This ultimate tribute concert features full live
band and is a heartfelt and authentic tribute
that takes audiences on a musical journey of
George's greatest hits and high energy Wham
tracks. The show is based on George's 25 Live
tour and audiences are treated to stunning
musical arrangements and exciting versions
of songs such as Fastlove, Faith, Careless
Whisper, Outside and Freedom.
Join us for an unmissable evening as we pay
homage to one of the most loved artists of our
generation.
‘Always celebrating the music of
George Michael’
www.gmlive.co.uk
ww.facebook.com/gmlivetribute
The Elgiva Theatre – Saturday 7th May 2022
Doors open 7.00pm for 7.30pm show
Box Office No: 01494 582 900
www.elgiva.com/george-michael-live/
METROLAND SPRING 2022 77

Pub in the Park, the UKs biggest celebration of
food and music, has revealed the full line-up of
incredible music acts set to take to the stage this
Summer.
The ultimate food and music festival will visit nine
locations on its 2022 tour, including new towns,
Wimbledon and Brighton, making it the largest
touring festival of its kind in the UK.
The new music acts completing the line-up across
the tour include 80s rock legends the Happy
Mondays, feel-good pop-rock band The Feeling,
British rapper and songwriter Professor Green,
incredible soul icon Beverly Knight, fashionista,
TV presenter and now DJ Gok Wan, British reggae
sensation Aswad, West London funk group The
Brand New Heavies and more!
The new acts will be joining an already announced
stellar line-up including returning fan favourites
from the likes of Craig David TS5, Kaiser Chiefs,
Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Faithless (DJ set), Basement
Jaxx (DJ set) and Gabrielle, plus artists never
before seen at Pub in the Park Including Rag ‘N’
Bone Man, Supergrass, McFly, Natalie Imbruglia,
Human League*.
The star-studded line-up of hosts includes the
man himself, Tom Kerridge, James Martin, Simon
Rimmer, The Hairy Bikers, Matt Tebbutt, Grace
Dent, Andi Oliver, Ravneet Gill and cooking royalty,
Michel Roux Jr*.
The first mouth-watering pubs and restaurants
have been announced too including; Kerridge’s
very own The Hand & Flowers and The Coach, Made
in Oldstead by the incredible Tommy Banks, Great
British Bake Off winner Candice Brown’s The Green
Man, Atul Kochhar Restaurants, the legendary
Andrew Pern’s The Star Inn, from the Great British
Menu, Stephen Terry’s The Hardwick, The Mariners
by the incredible Paul Ainsworth, award winning
Hoppers, serving Sri Lankan and South Indian
inspired dishes, Joshua Moroney and Mursal Saiq’s
- celebrating the best in British Afghan fusion BBQ,
and more!
Tom Kerridge will once again be bringing together
his band of incredible chef pals - expect to see
some of the hottest new talent in the food world,
your TV favourites and some highly acclaimed
Michelin-starred names. At each location, there’ll
be award-winning pubs and restaurants serving
78 METROLAND SPRING 2022

tasting dishes showing their signature style – from
local favourites to revered eateries from farther
afield – giving you the chance to savour food you
might not otherwise get to sink your teeth into.
Every event will feature plenty of festival fun - with
chef demonstrations, the finest produce, top quality
shopping and a kid’s area to keep the little ones
entertained.
Tom Kerridge said “We’re so excited to add more
incredible music to our top notch line-up this year.
We can’t wait to be bringing good times to the towns
we love and seeing everyone get down and party!”
• Higginson Park, Marlow, 12th – 15th May 2022
• Wimbledon Park, London (subject to license) 27th
– 29th May 2022
• St Nicholas Park, Warwick, 10th – 12th June 2022
• Royal Victoria Park, Bath, 17th – 19th June 2022
• Dulwich Park, London (subject to license), 24th –
26th June 2022
• Dunorlan Park, Tunbridge Wells, 8th – 10th July
2022
• Chiswick House and Gardens, London, 2nd – 4th
September 2022 (subject to license)
• Verulamium Park, St Albans, 9th – 11th September
2022, (Subject to Scheduled Monument
Consent)
• Preston Park, Brighton, 16th-18th September
Tickets now on sale at www.pubintheparkuk.com
*Music acts and chefs vary by location, visit the
website for full details.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 79

Magical Mischief
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of
Harry Potter offers visitors the ultimate chance to
get up close to authentic sets, discover the magic
behind spellbinding special effects and explore the
behind-the-scenes secrets of the Harry Potter film
series. The Studio Tour has been well received with
95% of the 44,000+ reviews on TripAdvisor rating it
as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’.
Highlights include walking through the Great Hall
where so many famous scenes were shot, strolling
down Diagon Alley, boarding the original Hogwarts
Express locomotive at Platform 9 3/4 and exploring
Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
Tickets must be pre-booked at
www.wbstudiotour.co.uk or by calling the Studio
Tour’s Visitor Services Team on 0345 084 0900.
Magical Mischief
Until Sunday 1st May 2022
Brand new for 2022, Warner Bros. Studio Tour
London is set to reveal the filmmaking trickery
behind the Harry Potter film series as it shines a
spotlight on magical pranks and mishaps in the
new feature, Magical Mischief.
Visitors to the Studio Tour will learn how their
favourite mischievous moments from the films
were brought to the screen in this exciting feature.
Entering the Great Hall, fans will recognise the set
dressed for a Weasley prank on the peaceful O.W.L.s
exam, complete with the swinging pendulum under
the watchful eye of Dolores Umbridge. From the
fan-favourite scene in Harry Potter and the Order
of the Phoenix, the infamous pink two-piece
costume of Dolores Umbridge will be centre stage
and visitors should look above to see the playful
Weasley twins’ costumes on their broomsticks
suspended from the Great Hall ceiling.
80 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Demonstrations throughout the Studio Tour during
this feature include how clever camera trickery
created the disappearing effect of the invisibility
cloak and visitors will also be able to get hands on
to make their own origami howler, just like the one
Mrs Weasley delivered to her son in Harry Potter
and the Chamber of Secrets.
The Studio Tour will be highlighting the magical
mishaps that happen throughout the films
including how the SFX Team created the infamous
fireplace letter scene at 4 Privet Drive during the
filming of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
and Fred and George Weasley’s accidental beards
and burned costumes after they put their names
into the Goblet of Fire, created by the Creature
Effects Team. Eagle-eyed visitors will spot a number
of pesky Cornish Pixies on the loose around the
Studio Tour and are invited to find them all and
collect stamps as part of their Magical Mischief
activity passport.
Dark Arts
Fri 23rd September – Sun 6th November
The Studio Tour’s popular Dark Arts feature will
return for Hallowe’en in 2022 with the Great Hall
ceiling decorated with over 100 floating pumpkins
as well as a spooky feast of lollipops and red apples
dressed along the tables. Visitors are invited to
follow the Dark Mark trail, try their wand combat
moves against Death Eaters in a live duel as they
storm the Studio Tour, all before walking down a
darker Platform 93/4 and a spookier Diagon Alley.
Hogwarts in the Snow
Sat 12th November – Sun 15th January 2023
2022 will conclude with the return of the Yule Ball
for Hogwarts in the Snow, running from Saturday
12th November – Sunday 15th January 2023. The
festive makeover will see the Great Hall transformed
with the icy silvers of the iconic Yule Ball scenes.
The Gryffindor common room will be dressed for
the season and a blanket of filmmaking snow will
cover the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley and the
magnificent Hogwarts castle model.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 81

February saw the opening of twice
Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar's
new restaurant Riwaz – meaning
‘tradition’ in the historic market town
of Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire.
Since the restaurant’s conception
in April 2021, it’s been Atul Kochhar's
dream to champion the traditional
cuisines of India with a menu inspired
by history and cultural stories and
practices.
82 METROLAND SPRING 2022

FOOD & DRINK
Atul Kochhar commented: “Now that our Industry
has re-opened, it's a prime time to explore new
opportunities, and it's in the Chiltern Hills' pretty
town of Beaconsfield that we're opening this new
gourmet destination. Our intention is to make
Riwaz the place to go for an exhilarating Indian
meal that is adventurous and yet remains true to
tradition. At Riwaz, we will follow tradition but also
remember that traditions get upgraded with time.
The team can't wait for the doors to fly open in
Buckinghamshire.”
Kochhar’s inspiration for Riwaz comes from his
experiences growing up in different parts of India
- Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil
Nadu, West Bengali and Orissa among many other
regions. He continues: “I moved to the UK with
my well grafted traditions of various parts of India.
After almost three decades here, my traditions
have embraced ingredients, habits, practices and
of course, traditions of the land as well. So, my
cooking will be a nod to British Indian traditions –
and I am proud of it.
“Riwaz celebrates the rustic beauty and charm
that I remember from a young age and that are
typical of many Indian regions. There are dishes I
am especially excited to prepare for the first time –
like Hare Masale Ki Machhi (a Parsi fish dish of john
dory with spinach crisps and Neelgiri korma); Rogan
Boti (from northern India, a plate of Lake District
lamb rump with classic Rogan gravy); and Hiran Ka
Keema Salli (using local ingredients, an iconic meal
of New Forest Muntjac keema masala with crisp
potatoes).”
With a menu featuring dishes created and cooked
by Kochhar’s grandmother, Riwaz will initially open
from Wednesday to Sunday on the former Zizzi site
in Beaconsfield. Lunch will showcase a set lunch
menu and the Jugalbandi for two to share (£35pp),
which includes a spiced potato appetiser of Dilli Ki
Aloo Kachloo Chaat and Malai Chandi Tikka grilled
supreme of chicken.
The evening A La Carte menu (average £60 per
head) offers time-honoured starters (such as Chowk
Ki Bhalla Papri Chaat - yoghurt with crisp poori and
lentil dumplings with date, served with tamarind,
yoghurt and mint chutneys) and characteristic
main courses (such as Kali Mirch Aur Adraki Jungli
Murg - guinea fowl curry with ginger and black
pepper), along with classic vegetables, rice, breads
and accompaniments.
In addition to the Jugalbandi, a 7-course Tasting
Menu (£65 pp) will be available in the evening
(Sunday to Thursday). Highlights include Jalpari of
Tandoor seared Scottish scallops with lentil salad
and spiced broccoli puree, and Malai Chandi Tikka
grilled chicken in a cream marinade with silver leaf
and bull’s blood leaf salad.
The Riwaz bar will offer a great selection of wines,
cocktails and customary Indian drinks and there
is additional seating outdoors for al fresco dining.
Riwaz @home takeaway experience will commence
after opening.
Riwaz is a new restaurant by Atul Kochhar, which sits
alongside a restaurant group that already includes
the recently launched Masalchi in Wembley Park,
London; Vassu in Marlow; the recently refurbished
Sindhu at the Compleat Angler Hotel also in Marlow;
Hawkyns at The Crown Inn, Amersham; and Indian
Essence in Petts Wood, Kent.
The flagship Riwaz Beaconsfield is located on the
former Zizzi site at 41 Aylesbury End, Beaconsfield
HP9 1LU. Free street parking is available in the
high street.
Facebook: @riwazbyatulkochhar
Instagram: @riwazbucks
Opening hours
Wednesday - Sunday: 12pm – 2:15pm | 5pm - 10pm
Sunday: 12pm – 3pm | 6pm -10pm
Tel: 01494 728 126
www.riwazrestaurants.co.uk
info@riwazrestaurants.co.uk
bucks@riwazrestaurants.co.uk
METROLAND SPRING 2022 83

METROLAND REVIEWS
Riwaz Beaconsfield
by Tina Reading
There is a new kid in town and it’s name is Riwaz!
The new chain of restaurants by Atul Kocchar is
just opening with sites in Beaconsfield, Windsor
and Wembley Park. On a unusually warm February
Saturday we went for a spot of lunch (had to be
lunch as important rugby match on later that day)
to the old town Beaconsfield.
As you enter you are greeted with a light and
spacious area, lots of natural light flooding in with
subtle décor of greenpaint, plants and stunning
Indian wallpaper. Plenty of sumptious seating and
an aroma that would arouse even the dullest of
noses.
I thought we would opt for the 2 or 3 course lunch
menu (both for under £20) but we were in for a
treat – the Tasting Menu! You can have these
with or without accompanying selected alcohol (we
declined and stuck with an Cobra beer and water).
Taster Menu £65pp/£120pp with pairing wines.
Jal Piri - 8/10
I love scallops – they are my favourite thing to eat
and these are just so fab! Who would imagine a
tandoori scallop but it works and very well. I loved
the lentil salad and broccoli puree.
Hare Masale Ki Machhi - 9/10
The only way we could tackle the feast before us
was to do this bite by bite, dish by dish! The scores
are combined from the two of us!
Rampure Daal Palak Kebab - 9/10
Delicious bite size lentil cake starter. Slightly spicy
but amazing taste and moorish. In India these are
eaten as much as we would a tray of chips!
This is worth the trip alone! If you eat one thing
here, make it this! Beautiful John Dory cooked to
perfection with lovely crunchy spinach. The smell
from this dish alone is a foreword to the treat that
follows. It is absolutely stunning and scrummy!
84 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Malia Chandi Tikka - 9/10
I however opted for the vegetarian alternative
Cauliflower and Pots which was yummy and
beautifully spiced scoring a 9/10 from me. Both
dishes served with ample rice and naan.
All I can say about this is if you think you know
chicken then you have to try this! Simply one of
the best chicken dishes ever experienced. The
bull’s blood leaf salad was the perfect side to this
decadent, succulent foul.
Peach Granita - 10/10 and 4/10
This is Ying Yang! I thought it was the most perfect
palate cleanser and light and fresh. Diner no 2
said far too sweet for their taste and would have
preferred a melon version. But 10/10 from me and I
don’t have a sweet tooth!
Textures of Chocolate - 10/10
Champein Aur Rogan Boti - 10/10
I don’t really eat chocolate – never been my thing
but this trio of cocoa goodness is absolutely
delightful. A combo of chocolate soil, white
chocolate, chocolate mousse and berries was the
perfect end to a perfect meal.
How would I sum up Riwaz? Great knowledgable
and friendly staff, stunning décor and memorable
food.
This was cooked to perfection with the lamb coming
both as rump and steak. Apparently the best lamb
ever eaten!
Is it worth a visit? Absolutely and I would book
ASAP as the day we were there it was very busy
and that was only week 2 of opening!!
METROLAND SPRING 2022 85

Stylish Summer Socialising
Beautiful boats, brimming glasses of bubbly & bespoke
‘Big Green Egg’ BBQs - Two unforgettable immersive ‘Feast
Over Flame’ pop-ups in Marlow and Henley.
MARLOW: Private boat ride to secret
riverbank location (1st – 29th May)
A fabulous family feast that will never be
forgotten! Kids and adults alike will all love this
lavish lunch-time treat messing about by the river.
After arriving in Central Marlow, each party of
guests will be collected by private river taxi and
taken on a beautiful boat-ride down stream to a
stunning riverbank location. Alighting at a pretty
little jetty, your host will show you to your bespoke
‘Big Green Egg’ BBQ table (your BBQ is built into
the bespoke table!) at the edge of the pristine
riverbank.
Following a 5 course gourmet lunch, cooked by
your host for you on your own Big Green Egg BBQ
set into your table (menu includes asparagus,
scallops, steak, king prawn and s’mores), you are
then invited to adjourn to a riverside firepit to
enjoy s’mores and hot chocolate and the heavenly
river views.
A fully stocked bar, with cocktails and handselected
wine list, will also be available. At the end
of what will be a unforgettable afternoon, your
private river taxi will return to transport you in style
back to Central Marlow.
Lunch sittings, with child-menus available, are
available to book on Sunday 1st May, Bank Holiday
Monday 2nd May, and every Saturday / Sunday in
May, until Sunday 29th May.
Tables are available to book for 6-8 guests,
with Adult menus priced at £75 per adult and
a Children’s Menu at £35 per child. Ticket price
includes all food, welcome drink, river taxi, s’mores,
hot chocolate and your private BBQ table.
86 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Visit www.tickettailor.com/events/feastevents to
book. (NB - Evening tables (Adult menu only) also
available every weekend throughout May but
availability now limited on many dates.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2m29uVQcoI
HENLEY: The ultimate Henley Royal Regatta
experience (29th June – 3rd July)
This is the way to enjoy Henley Royal Regatta in
serious style. An 11am – 11pm experience which
includes fabulous views of the rowing from the
exclusive Feast Over Flame riverbank terrace, live
music, DJ, all day bar, cocktails, outdoor lounge
area, a covered marquee and exquisite food.
Tickets range from £95 (for the Sunday which
has an earlier finish time) to £165 (Weds – Sat) per
head and are sold in tables of 6-8 adult guests.
The Weds – Sat ticket price includes a glass of
champagne on arrival, nibbles, fabulous four
course menu, private table, wine / water with lunch,
all day live music and an evening gourmet burger.
The Feast Over Flame enclosure is centrally
located for incredible Regatta views on the
Berkshire riverbank between the Steward’s
Enclosure and Mahiki. To book, please visit
www.tickettailor.com/events/feastevents
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSLcuVY7v_A
ABOUT FEAST
What Neal & Sarah Dove (the founders of Feast)
don’t know about hosting incredible immersive
dining experiences probably isn’t worth knowing.
Founders of The Secret Feast (magical fairytale
pop-up dining experiences in Beaconsfield & at the
magnificent Wormsley Estate), they also run Feast
Event Catering (exceptional catering for Private &
Corporate Events) and founded Feast Over Flame,
their popular summer pop-ups, post lockdown in
2021.
They have a well-deserved reputation for exquisite
presentation, exceptional food and intuitive
service, all creatively set and delivered in a variety
of memorable private locations.
Neal has previously worked at The Lanesborough,
The Compleat Angler and as the Executive Sous
Chef at Cliveden, hence his focus on 5 star food
and service. Only the highest quality ingredients
are used, and Neal’s attention to detail means the
stunning presentation is as outstanding as the
food quality.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 87

METROLAND REVIEWS
Harry's Bar & Kitchen at
Horwood House
by Kathryn Pike
88 METROLAND SPRING 2022

We love dining out and so I was very excited when
we received an invitation to visit the recently
refurbished Horwood House and dine at their new
restaurant, Harry’s Bar & Kitchen. As a result of our
editor’s packed diary, my husband David was the
lucky person to join me.
Horwood House was built in 1911 in a refined
Jacobean style that gives it the feel of a traditional
country manor. The farm upon which it was built
dates from the 16th Century and the house served
as the country home for the Denny family who had
made their fortune in pork farming – and whose
name has been given to a signature dish on the
menu.
than half-an-hour’s drive away. Horwood House is
a fantastic base to explore some of our greatest
history and take part in iconic events.
Arriving via the long drive lined with lime trees, we
were struck by the beautiful house and the quiet
tranquillity of the setting.
Harry’s Bar & Kitchen is named for the estate’s head
gardener, father to the famous TV gardener Percy
Thrower. Harry’s offers bistro dining in a relaxed
garden environment that combines the tradition of
the original house with a modern feel.
We started with two dishes from Harry’s refreshing
menu. The signature dish is The Denny, a croquette
of pork and apricot with apricot ketchup and
garden apple relish. Recommended by our server,
and clearly a Horwood House favourite, it was a
melt-in-the-mouth experience that would work well
as either a starter or a light lunch. We also tried
the Salt & Pepper Squid, which was accompanied
by tangy plum tomato salsa and a salad. The squid
was perfectly cooked and was a refreshing start to
our lunch.
The original house now has Grade II listed status
and was extended significantly with additional
buildings. Following major renovations Horwoord
reopened on 17th May with a spa and a second
new restaurant opening in Autumn 2021. Horwood
House is in the heart of the Buckinghamshire
countryside and despite its rural location, is
surrounded by attractions, with Waddesdon Manor,
Bletchley Park and the Silverstone Circuit all less
At this point, we must say a huge thank you to the
team who cooked and served our lunch. Working
in the kitchen was executive chef Mehdi and
pastry chef Theodora, whilst our server was Ellie.
A local resident, Ellie was friendly and professional,
clearly proud to work at Horwood and was very
knowledgeable about both the menu and the
METROLAND SPRING 2022 89

history of the house itself. She also commented on
my shoes which is always lovely to hear!
We followed with the sirloin steak and the confit
duck. My steak was served traditionally with fries,
mushrooms and tomatoes. Cooked to perfection,
it was tender and tasty. I must mention the chips,
which were the best combination of fluffy and crispy,
and seasoned to absolute perfection. David’s
confit duck was served with a chorizo and lentil
cassoulet and wilted stem broccoli. The restaurant
has a seasonally-led menu that puts the spotlight
on locally sourced, quality ingredients, including
fresh vegetables from the hotel’s own kitchen
garden. This shines through in the quality of the
food and the pride of the kitchen which is evident
in everything they do.
Dessert was another joy. The hubby chose the
apple and forest fruit crumble with vanilla ice
cream. The ice cream was another locally sourced
ingredient and complemented the crumble very
well. The crumble itself was gluten free, made from
pecans, and provided a perfect crunch to go with
the soft fruit beneath.
I selected the banana and lemongrass tart, and
it is here that my words fail me slightly. I have
spent the last 24 hours trying to find the words to
describe this wonderful dessert. A traditional tart
base with creamy banana lemongrass gel, it was
complemented by the macha-flavoured chocolate
truffles, coated in coconut. It provided a lovely
palette-cleansing end to lunch without being too
acidic or sharp. Despite being comfortably full
after an amazing meal I was very tempted to order
another!
90 METROLAND SPRING 2022

After a highly enjoyable lunch, we had the
opportunity to visit the gardens. Set in 38 acres,
the venue provides a relaxing destination for a
weekend away or an inspirational location for your
next team event. With an outdoor wedding area
and a picturesque lily pond, it also offers a beautiful
location for your big day with photo opportunities
galore in the heart of the Buckinghamshire
countryside.
H Spa opened in the Autumn of 2021 and boasts
a state-of-the-art gym, 15m swimming pool and
studio as well as an extensive offering of spa
packages and treatments.
Coming soon to Horwood House is the 1911
restaurant, named for the year that the main
house was built. With a stylised 1920s feel, a
unique menu and it's the kitchen as part of the
dining room, the 1911 will add an element of theatre,
making the experience one to remember.
Horwood House and H Spa is only 45 minutes
from the heart of Metroland, offering the perfect
destination for weddings, corporate events, a
pampered weekend away or even, as we did, a
leisurely lunch.
Visit their website www.horwoodhouse.co.uk or call
01296 722100 to book.
091
METROLAND SPRING 2022 91

Masala Fried Red Mullet,
Potato & Watercress Salad
This recipe were developed by Dorset based chef, Suze Morrison who runs Gourmet Glow, a platform
for anything foodie, recipes, services, hints and tips. Watercress is central to many of her creations,
not only for its aromatic compounds, but also for its nutritional value.
www.instagram.com/gourmetglow
Ingredients
4 Red Mullet Fillets (Or Mackerel, salmon,
sardines etc)
1 Onion, finely sliced
800g Baby Potatoes, skin on
4 tbsp Oil
Pinch salt
2 tsp Nigella Seeds
200g Watercress
20g Basmati Rice
Lemon to serve
Masala Spice Blend:
1 tsp Turmeric
2tsp Chilli Powder
1 tsp Cracked Black Pepper
1 tsp Salt
Raita:
300g Full Fat Greek Yogurt
½ Cucumber, seeds removed, julienne
1 Clove Garlic, minced
½ tsp Cumin Seeds
½ tsp Nigella Seeds
1 tsp Oil
Pinch Salt
Method
1. Begin with the roasted rice. Add the rice to a dry
frying pan and heat to the highest heat. Toast,
shaking the pan until it turns golden brown and
smells nutty. Remove, allow to cool then grind
to a coarse crumb in a blender. Set aside in a jar
(this keeps for ages and adds great crunch to
salads)
2. For the raita, mix the yogurt, cucumber, garlic
and salt in a bowl. Heat the oil in a pan and add
the cumin and nigella. Fry until beginning to pop
then pour the whole lot into the yogurt bowl.
Stir in and allow to rest.
3. Add the potatoes to a pan, cover with cold
water and cook until just tender. Remove, drain
and allow to steam until completely dry. If you
have time transfer them to the fridge on a wire
rack to get really dry.
4. Rub the spice mix over your fish fillets. Set aside
while you cook the potatoes & onion.
5. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the
onion until crisp and golden. Drain on kitchen
paper, sprinkle with a little salt and set aside.
6. Add the potatoes to the hot oniony oil and
press down with a fork to lightly crush. You want
to retain some shape but give lots of crumbly
edges to go super crispy. Fry for 2-3 minutes
until a crust forms, sprinkle with the salt &
nigella and flip.
7. Continue to cook until all the edges are crisp
(you may need to cook in batches) and set
aside.
8. Heat a splash more oil in the pan and add the
fish fillets skin side down. Have the heat on
medium high to prevent the edges from curling
up. If they do, the heat is too high, and the skin
may scorch. Cook for 2 minutes, flip and cook 1
minute more.
9. Remove from the heat and allow to rest while
you assemble the salad.
10. Lay the watercress on a platter and tumble over
the potatoes. Spoon over the raita, top with
the fried fish and finally the crispy onions and 2
tbsp roasted rice. Serve with lemon wedges for
squeezing.
92 METROLAND SPRING 2022

METROLAND SPRING 2022 93

Butterflied Leg of Lamb
with Tangy Cumberland Sauce
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
1kg leg of lamb, butterflied
(weight after removing bones –
the butcher will do this for you)
olive oil
salt and freshly milled black
pepper
1 jar Tracklements Tangy
Cumberland Sauce
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/
gas mark 4
2. Put the lamb in a large
roasting dish and rub all over
with a generous amount of oil,
salt and pepper (to taste)
3. Put it in the oven for 30-
40 mins depending on how
pink you like your lamb (and
how thinly the leg has been
butterflied)
4. Remove the lamb from the
oven, drain any liquid from
the base of the roasting dish.
Brush the Tracklements
Tangy Cumberland Sauce
all over the lamb (top and
bottom) and leave it fat side
up in the roasting tin and cook
for a further 20 mins, then
remove from oven
5. Leave to rest for 10-15 mins
and serve with creamy
mustardy mash and spring
greens
94 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Broccoli with Oriental Salad
The perfect salad for a summers evening
~ Sesame Burgundy Broccoli with Oriental
Salad and Honey, Ginger and Soy Dressing
from Burgundy Broccoli
45mins, Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 heads Burgundy Broccoli
2 tbsp sesame seeds, lightly toasted
1 tbsp honey
1 inch-long piece ginger, peeled and finely
grated
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
5 spring onions, sliced thinly
1 tbsp olive or rapeseed oil
Chinese leaves or other lettuce, thinly
shredded
1 lime, juiced and zested
1 small sprig of coriander
Method:
1. Mix together the sesame oil, soy sauce,
honey, zest and juice of the lime and
rapeseed or olive oil until it emulsifies.
2. Add half of the sesame seeds and allow to
marinade.
3. Cut the Burgundy Broccoli into large
wedges and place on a heated griddle pan
or frying pan
4. Char gently until the broccoli is gently
cooked (this should take no more than
2mins)
5. Place the washed and shredded Chinese
leaves onto the plate
6. Put the griddled broccoli in a bowl with the
carrot slices and the spring onions
7. Pour half the dressing over the top and
place on top of the Chinese leaves
8. Sprinkle with the remaining sesame seeds
and pour over any remaining dressing
9. Serve warm or cold
METROLAND SPRING 2022 95

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96 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Vegan Chocolate Mousse
Made simple with the
Microplane® Professional Series Ribbon Grater
Rustle up this smooth, super-chocolatey mousse
in minutes and pop it in the fridge ready to serve
for lunch and dinner, with friends and family. The
secret ingredient here is the Tonka Bean. The aroma
is reminiscent of vanilla, cherry and almond. Not
surprisingly, it’s regularly used by top chefs to replace
natural vanilla to give a slightly caramel flavour.
You might assume that chocolate is a no-go for
followers of a plant-based diet, but there’s a wealth of
options out there to satisfy even the sweetest tooth.
Dark chocolate - which has a higher concentration of
cocoa solids - is often made without milk and there are
now plenty of “mylk” bars which use milk alternatives
such as coconut milk or soya to create a milder,
creamier taste. We’re using both in this recipe.
Ingredients (serves 6):
400g silk tofu
200g vegan chocolate (at least 72% cocoa)
A grating of Tonka Bean
Pinch of salt
1 tbsp icing sugar
(but you can use more if you like it sweet!)
Good quality white and dark vegan chocolate
to garnish
Method:
1. Break up the chocolate and melt in a bain
marie or microwave - whichever you prefer.
2. Set aside to cool slightly
3. Using a hand blender, mix together the
silk tofu with the salt, a light grating of
Tonka Bean (to taste) and the icing sugar
4. Add the cooled chocolate slowly
5. Mix thoroughly
6. Fill 6 small bowls (about the size of a
ramekin) and chill for 2-3 hours
7. Garnish liberally with shavings of
chocolate
METROLAND MAGAZINE SUMMER / AUTUMN 2021
METROLAND SPRING 2022097

Double
Chocolate
Beetroot
Cake
Beetroot is not just for the main course.
The ingredients in this recipe work
beautifully together to create a rich and
indulgent sponge, with a luxurious butter
and cream cheese filling.
Here’s a tried and tested recipe using
a stand mixer to create the perfect
mix with the turn of a switch.
Since 1955, KitchenAid have championed the
power of colour to fuel creativity. The latest
addition, NEW BEETROOT - a lush magenta
with a satin finish - is an attention-grabbing,
luxuriant shade reflecting the vibrancy found
in making the most of everyday moments and
putting an unexpected twist on the familiar.
Visit kitchenaid.co.uk for details.
98 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes (not including cool time)
Servings: 10-12 (or a hungry 6!)
Special Equipment
KitchenAid Stand Mixer with flex edge paddle
attachment
KitchenAid Artisan K400 Blender
Saucepan
Mixing bowl
Measuring jug
Three 9” cake tins
Cooling racks
Spatula
Ingredients
For the cake:
288g beetroots, peeled, cubed
4g instant espresso coffee
18g beetroot powder
21g cocoa powder
236ml water
120g sour cream or whole fat yogurt
4 large, free range eggs
2 tsps vanilla extract
60ml olive oil
600g golden caster sugar
408g plain flour
2 tsps baking soda
1 tsp salt
113g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa solids)
For the frosting:
226g unsalted butter, room temperature
452g cream cheese, room temperature
2 tsps vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
1-2 tsps beetroot powder (NB the more added the
pinker the frosting)
875g icing sugar
For decoration:
Fresh cherries (as many, or as few, as you wish)
Method:
1. Make the beet puree. Place prepared beets
in a pan adding enough water to cover them
by an inch. Bring to the boil then reduce to
medium/high heat and cook for 20 mins, or
until a fork cleanly goes through. Use a slotted
spoon to remove the cooked beets from the
water and place them into the jar of the Artisan
K400 Blender. Add 60ml of the beet liquid
from the pot into the blender jar (reserving the
remaining liquid in the pot). Blend on Speed 2
until beets are a smooth puree. Remove the
puree from the blender and set aside.
METROLAND
FOOD & DRINK
2. Preheat the oven to 350ºF/176ºC. Lightly
grease three 9” cake tins and dust with cocoa
powder.
3. Bring the water and 250ml of the beet liquid
to a boil. (Discard the remaining beet liquid.)
Remove from heat. In a separate bowl whisk
together the cocoa, espresso, and beet
powders then pour the boiling water over the
powders, whisking to fully dissolve. Then, add
250ml of the beet puree and the sour cream/
yogurt and whisk again until combined. Set
aside.
4. Put the eggs, vanilla extract and the olive oil
into the measuring jug. Do not mix. Set aside.
5. Attach the flex edge paddle attachment to
the KitchenAid Stand Mixer and add the sugar,
flour, baking soda, and salt into the mixing
bowl. Turn to Speed 2 and allow it to mix for 30
seconds. Reduce speed to Stir and slowly pour
the wet beet mixture into the dry mixture, then
slowly add the egg/olive oil mixture one egg
at a time. Once all wet ingredients are added,
increase to Speed 2 for 10 seconds. Remove
bowl from the mixer and set aside.
6. Melt the chocolate using a double-boiler
method (making sure not to have the bowl
touching the water), or microwave in ten
second intervals. Hand whisk the melted
chocolate into the batter.
7. Pour a third of the batter into each of the
prepared cake pans and bake in the preheated
oven for 30 mins or until a toothpick comes
out clean. Remove cakes from the oven and
allow to sit on a cooling rack for 10 mins before
removing to completely cool.
8. While the cakes are cooling, make the frosting.
Fit the flex edge beater back onto the Stand
Mixer and add butter, cream cheese, vanilla
extract and salt to the mixing bowl. Cream
the ingredients together on Speed 6 until
completely combined and nicely whipped,
about 3-4 mins. Reduce to Stir, add in the beet
powder and ⅓ of the powdered sugar then
increase to Speed 4 to incorporate; repeat two
more times to mix in all of the powdered sugar,
then allow to whip on Speed 4 for 60 seconds.
9. When the cakes have completely cooled, place
one layer of cake on a plate or cake stand and
use the spatula to gently spread an even layer
of frosting over the top, then another cake,
frosting, and last layer of cake. Top the cake
with a final layer of frosting, a light dusting of
beet powder and cherries. Chill completely to
set the frosting before serving.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 99

Canelé with Apple Compote
and Chantilly Cream
Chef Laurie Gear
The Artichoke, Amersham
Canelé is a small classic French pastry from the region of
Bordeaux. Usually eaten warm served with a good cup of
coffee. For this recipe I have replaced the traditional dark rum
for Somerset apple brandy, pairing the oven warm canelés with
a sharp apple compote and sweet Chantilly cream. You will
need to purchase special moulds for this pastry, easily found
online and I suggest you opt for the individual metal non-stick
ones or if the budget allows the heavy copper ones.
Makes 6
Ingredients
1 fresh vanilla pod
500ml whole milk
50g butter
4 eggs
250g icing sugar
4 tbsp Somerset apple brandy (or dark
rum)
100 g plain flour, sifted.
Soft butter for greasing your moulds.
Apple compote
4 Braeburn apples cored peeled cut
into 3 cm pieces.
2 tbsp apple juice
Juice and zest half lemon
Chantilly cream
300ml double cream
15g icing sugar
1\2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp Somerset apple brandy
100 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Method
1. Split the vanilla pod and scrape out the seeds,
place both into the milk, bring to the boil, turn
off the heat, add butter stir until melted and
then cool.
2. In a bowl beat 2 whole eggs, 2 yolks, icing sugar,
apple brandy or rum, and flour - then beat in the
strained milk butter vanilla mixture.
3. When smooth chill in fridge for 1 hour.
4. Preheat oven to 200c Gas Mark 6.
5. Brush moulds with softened butter and give a
four-minute blast in the oven.
6. Pour the chilled mix into moulds leaving a small
gap rim top.
7. Bake for 15 minutes Turn oven down to 190 c
Gas Mark 5.
8. Bake for a further 30 minutes.
9. Cool for 5 minutes before turning out
10. Serve warm with a dollop of Chantilly cream and
apple compote.
Apple Compote
1. In a heavy base medium pan bring apples and
apple juice to a simmer with the lid on.
2. Cook 10 to 12 minutes till broken down.
3. Add lemon juice and zest.
Chantilly Cream
1. Whip cream sugar and vanilla to soft peaks
2. Gently fold in Somerset Apple brandy as the
mood takes you.
About Artichoke
Situated in the heart of the beautiful old town of
Amersham, the team at Michelin Star restaurant
Artichoke prides itself on innovative and refined
modern European cuisine, featuring the best of
the season’s ingredients – including many foraged
from the surrounding area.
www.artichokerestaurant.co.uk
METROLAND SPRING 2022 101

Uncover the secrets of
Bombay Sapphire gin on the site
of a former paper mill in the
Hampshire countryside.
Book your visit today:
bombaysapphire.com/distillery
102 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Bombay
Sapphire
Distillery
Tour
Located in a leafy conservation area on Hampshire’s
River Test and within a day-trip’s distance of London,
the home of Bombay Sapphire gin has welcomed a
35% increase in footfall compared to last year, as the
trend for Spirit Tourism increases and more people
plan visits to the beautiful UK countryside.
Every distillery experience begins with a visit
to the Turbine Bar, where guests add their own
personalised twist to the much-loved gin & tonic.
Selecting an iconic balloon glass and filling it with
ice, guests use dispenser systems to self-serve
their choice of Bombay gin, finishing by selecting a
garnish to match their personal taste preferences.
Next, guests are taken into the cinema room to
be immersed in all things Bombay Sapphire in
preparation for Discovery Experience, which is a
guided tour of the distillery. Visitors can also choose
to book a Gin Cocktail Masterclass experience
to expand their cocktail making skills. Led by a
specially trained Gin Expert who can teach guests
the tricks of the trade, this is the perfect way for
cocktail aficionados to flex their creative prowess,
as the trend for recreating premium cocktails at
home continues to prosper.
Guests can then head to the distillery bar to sample
the cocktail menu, featuring new expressions
Bombay Bramble, Bombay Sapphire Sunset and
Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru.
www.bombaysapphire.com/distillery/toursexperiences/
103
METROLAND SPRING 2022 103

What's on at Waddesdon
April - May 2022
Alice’s Wonderlands
Until 30 Oct, Wed–Sun, opening times vary
House, Grounds and Coach House Gallery
2022 marks the centenary of “the all-powerful” Alice de Rothschild’s death. To celebrate her life,
collections and legacy, Waddesdon will be hosting an exciting programme of exhibitions and
displays that shine a spotlight on her key role in its history.
Easter Holidays - Adventures in Nature trail
Wed 13 – Sun 24 Apr (inc Mon 18 & Tue 19), 10am-4pm
Embark on an adventure in nature at Waddesdon this Easter holiday. Take part in a familyfriendly
trail around the grounds and enjoy different nature-themed activities along the way.
Complete the trail and claim an Easter egg at the end!
£3 per trail (inc chocolate egg), plus normal Grounds admission applies. One trail per child
Limited capacity, booking essential, www.waddesdon.org.uk/whats-on/
104 METROLAND SPRING 2022
© Waddesdon Manor, National Trust. Photographer Trevor Ray Hart

DAYS OUT
Sunday Lunch
Every Sun from 3 Apr in the Manor Restaurant
Make a visit to Waddesdon extra special with a
comforting Sunday lunch in the historic Manor
Restaurant. Created in-house by Waddesdon’s talented
team of chefs, it makes for the perfect weekend treat.
© Pascale Cumberbatch
Adult £32.50, Child £12.75; plus normal Grounds
admission applies £10 deposit per person required.
Book online
Producers’ Market
Sat 9 & Sun 10 Apr, 10am-5pm (Also running Sat
16 & Sun 17 Jul, Sat 24 & Sun 25 Sept)
Introducing the Producers’ Market, a brand new
seasonal event for 2022. Set within the picturesque
grounds at Waddesdon, discover some of the finest
arts and crafts makers, and food and drink producers
in the local area.
©Adam Hollier
Free with Grounds admission
© Waddesdon, A Rothschild House & Gardens
Rothschild Wine Dinner
Sat 30 Apr, 7pm
Led by experts from Waddesdon’s wine team, enjoy an
informal tasting of Rothschild wines in the atmospheric
cellars, followed by a sumptuous four-course dinner
paired with carefully selected wines.
£99 per person (over-18s only)
© Pascale Cumberbatch
Afternoon Tea
Manor Restaurant
Treat yourself and the family to a sumptuous afternoon
tea, with a selection of savoury treats and sweet
fancies. Make it extra special by adding a glass of
sparkling wine.
Adult £28.50, Child £16.50; plus normal Grounds
admission applies. £10 deposit per person required.
Book online
METROLAND SPRING 2022 105

© Waddesdon,
A Rothschild House
& Gardens.
Photo Chris Lacey
Takeaway Picnics
Until Sun 18 Sept 2022
Enjoy a ready-made picnic in the wonderful gardens
at Waddesdon. Featuring a selection of sweet and
savoury treats that are freshly made in-house daily.
Picnic for two £29.95, plus normal Grounds admission
applies
£10 deposit per person required. Book online
Eythrope Walled Garden Tour
Every Wed from 18 May – 19 Oct, 10.15am & 1.15pm
© Waddesdon,
A Rothschild House
& Gardens.
Photo Paul Hewes
Discover the four-acre walled garden, glasshouses and
orchard at Eythrope, the private Rothschild garden.
Visits are by guided tour only and include a light meal
with savoury and sweet elements inspired by the
produce from Eythrope.
Adult £50. Includes a meal in the Manor Restaurant,
free Grounds admission and shuttle bus
An Italian Feast with Frescobaldi
Sat 28 May, 7pm
Marchesi Frescobaldi are one of Italy’s most celebrated
wine dynasties, and their global ambassador will be
hosting a magical evening at Waddesdon. Wine-lovers
can sample a glass of Frescobaldi sparkling wine in the
atmospheric cellars, followed by a delightful five-course
dinner served with carefully-selected wines.
£99.50 per person (over-18s only)
May Half-Term
Colourscape
Sat 28 May – Sun 5 Jun (inc Mon 30 & Tue 31),
10.30am-4.30pm
This May half-term, an immersive experience of
colour, light, space and music lands on Waddesdon’s
lawns. Returning to Waddesdon for its eighth year,
Colourscape is for visitors of all ages and promises an
extraordinary experience you will not forget.
© Waddesdon, A Rothschild House & Gardens.
Photo Peter Greenway
Adult £6, Child £4; plus normal Grounds admission
applies. Advance booking recommended, book online
106 METROLAND SPRING 2022

© Waddesdon Manor, National Trust. Photographer Chris Lacey
May Half-Term: Birds and Beasts trail
Sat 28 May – Sun 5 Jun (inc Mon 30 & Tue 31), 10am-4pm
Enjoy fresh air and family fun this May half-term. Discover the animals of Waddesdon with a
new outdoor Birds and Beasts trail, adventure in the Woodland Playground and then refuel
with a delicious family picnic.
£3.50 per trail (inc souvenir), plus normal Grounds admission applies. One trail per child
Gainsborough:
The Pink Boy Conserved
© Yes Events Ltd
Display opening in May
Thomas Gainsborough’s Pink Boy, one of the most
popular paintings at Waddesdon, is being cleaned.
A special display will reveal it anew, freed from a
discoloured varnish, alongside three other Waddesdon
Gainsboroughs that depict boys in so-called ‘Vandyke’
dress.
The Pink Boy is a more youthful counterpart of the
famous Blue Boy, currently on show at the National
Gallery.
Free with House and Grounds admission
For more information and to book visit
www.waddesdon.org.uk/whats-on
METROLAND SPRING 2022 107

The Teapot
Prince
Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire
16 & 17 June 2022
Royal Pavilion, Brighton
19–21 June 2022
A contemporary reimagining of the lost 18thcentury
French Ballet des Porcelaines - The
Teapot Prince - will be performed at Waddesdon
Manor and the Royal Pavilion this summer,
bringing to life a story of magic, desire and exotic
entanglement.
Created by Meredith Martin, professor of art
history at New York University, and Phil Chan,
choreographer and co-founder of Final Bow for
Yellowface, The Teapot Prince is based on an
Orientalist fairy tale about a sorcerer who lives on
a ‘Blue Island’ and transforms anyone who dares
to trespass into porcelain cups, vases and other
wares. When the sorcerer turns the eponymous
prince into a teapot, his lover, the princess comes
to his rescue by stealing the sorcerer’s wand and
turning him into a pagod (a Chinese figurine with
a nodding head). With the spell broken, teacups,
bowls and vases are transmogrified back into
human form and the celebrations can begin.
Written by the extravagantly named and titled
Anne Claude de Tubières-Grimoard de Pestels
de Lévis, comte de Caylus, marquis d'Esternay,
baron de Bransac (1692–1765), a French antiquarian,
proto-archaeologist and man of letters, the Ballet
des Porcelaines was first staged in 1739 at a château
on the outskirts of Paris and is contemporaneous
with the similarly themed story of Beauty and
the Beast (1740). Although it was rarely, if ever,
performed after 1741, the ballet influenced later,
more famous works such as Sleeping Beauty and
The Nutcracker.
The original Ballet des Porcelaines can be seen as
an allegory for the aggressive European desire to
know and steal the secrets of Chinese porcelain
manufacture. In the new version, the narrative is
flipped. The main protagonists are now Chinese,
and the Sorcerer is a mad European porcelain
collector, modelled on Augustus II the Strong (1670-
1733), King of Poland, elector of Saxony and founder
of Meissen, the first European manufactory to
succeed in making true porcelain.
With the fairy-tale backdrop of Waddesdon
Manor, a French Renaissance-style château in
108 METROLAND SPRING 2022 METROLAND MAGAZINE WINTER 2021

ural Buckinghamshire, The Teapot Prince will be
performed in the beautiful setting of the Parterre
- a French-inspired formal garden.
Waddesdon was selected as one of the host
venues for the trans-American and European tour
of The Teapot Prince due to its famous collection,
which includes masterpieces created by the royal
French porcelain manufactory of Sèvres, echoing
Martin and Chan’s desire to stage the ballet in
museum galleries, gardens, historic houses, and
university theatres that are in close proximity to
world-renowned porcelain collections and historic
manufactories - and in so doing, linking the 18thcentury
fairy tale to the present day.
Brighton’s Royal Pavilion was created as the
seaside retreat of the Prince Regent later George
IV. It is a unique fantasy palace, its outside in the
Indian Moghul style its interior is predominantly
Chinese in design and includes some of the most
sumptuous Chinoiserie creations of the late 18th
and early 19th century. Most grand of all is the
Music Room with its painted walls dominated by
pagodas and dragons and its grand chandeliers
and painted glass skylights. A perfect location for
the staging of The Teapot Prince where the room
itself will provide the most perfect of stage sets.
Choreographed by Phil Chan, the production
features Georgina Pazcoguin (New York City
Ballet’s first female Asian-American soloist) and
her colleague, Daniel Applebaum (NYCB soloist),
who will dance the lead roles of the Princess and
Prince. Tyler Hanes (Broadway actor, singer, dancer,
choreographer) will play the Sorcerer.
To accompany the dancers, a specially created
baroque-contemporary musical score (by the
ballet’s original composer, Nicolas Racot de Grandval
(1676-1753), and the contemporary composer Sugar
Vendil) will be performed live and features the
sounds of porcelain clinking and shattering.
For the Waddesdon performance, there will also be
a series of associated events, including baroque
movement and rococo porcelain for children, and
an afternoon of conversations between academics
and creatives at Oxford.
For the six Brighton performances the Music Room
will be turned once again into a performance space
and will include one special gala performance. The
performances will be accompanied by talks and
discussions that help make the link between the
ballet, the enlightenment obsession with Chinese
decorative arts and how this can be seen manifest
in the Royal Pavilion.
Meredith Martin and Phil Chan said “We are
delighted that The Teapot Prince will have its
European debut at Waddesdon and in Brighton this
summer – a pair of locations that have close ties to
world-renowned porcelain collections and historic
manufactories. We have aimed in our production
to honour the ballet’s legacy while reimagining
it for the multiracial society we find ourselves in.
We really hope UK audiences enjoy what we have
created.”
Mia Jackson, Curator of Decorative Arts at
Waddesdon says: “The Teapot Price coming to
Waddesdon launches an exciting European Tour,
and links it with its first performances at a French
Château. This particular château is full of porcelain
and so provides the perfect setting for this smash
hit.”
Hedley Swain, Chief Executive of Royal Pavilion and
Museums Trust said “We are completely delighted
to be bringing The Teapot Prince to Brighton
and the Royal Pavilion. The Music Room provides
a perfect setting, and this is part of a process
whereby we want tp once again see the Royal
Pavilion at the centre of Brighton creativity where
the very best artists from around the world can be
seen in this unique venue.”
Following the performances at Waddesdon Manor
and the Royal Pavilion, the show will transfer to Italy
with the tour culminating in Paris, at the Sèvres
Museum.
Tickets for The Teapot Prince will be available
online soon – for the Waddesdon performances,
visit www.waddesdon.org.uk and for the
Brighton Pavilion performances, visit
www.brightonmuseums.org.uk/royalpavilion
The Waddesdon performance and mini colloquium
in Oxford are made possible with support from The
Oxford Research Centre for the Humanities, the
British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies and
The Rothschild Foundation.
METROLAND SPRING 2022 109

Dippy returns (for a visit)!
Dippy, the Nation’s Favourite Dinosaur, Returns to the Natural
History Museum
The nation’s favourite dinosaur is being welcomed
home to the Natural History Museum, London
for a limited time from May. The free temporary
installation, Dippy Returns: the nation’s favourite
dinosaur, will give people the chance to visit the
26m long dino-star returned to its original home
where it was first put on display in 1905.
Dippy’s much hailed return follows the recently
concluded nationwide tour, which visited all four
nations of the UK and was seen by over two million
Dippy fans, bringing economic benefits to many of
the regions visited. Now the awe-inspiring dinosaur
will share its memories of nature throughout the
UK and how different communities are connecting
with it.
While travelling the UK, Dippy was witness to
the changing state of the nation’s wildlife and
the habitats that need our protection. The new
installation at the Natural History Museum, London,
will feature visitors’ reflections from when they met
the Jurassic giant and how such meetings inspired
them to re-connect with the precious nature on
their doorsteps. At a time when UK biodiversity is
in sharp decline, Dippy has given people a muchneeded
reminder of the joy local landscapes can
provide and their importance to a healthy planet.
Dr Doug Gurr, Museum Director, said, ‘We are
thrilled to welcome Dippy back to London and
the Natural History Museum. Dippy has been a
treasured part of the collection since 1905 and in
110 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Sherri-Louise Rowe, Project Manager for Dippy Returns: The nation’s favourite dinosaur shows off a 3D
printed replica of Dippy’s skull to excited visitors and Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London
that time has inspired countless people to think
about nature.
‘Biodiversity is under threat all over the UK and
we hope this new installation reflecting on what
Dippy saw whilst on tour will encourage people to
be excited about the natural world and therefore
work to protect it for the benefit of both people and
planet.’
Dippy has moved around a lot over the last century,
and not just on the UK tour. It has been displayed in
many different parts of the Museum including the
Reptiles gallery, Hintze Hall and even a brief stint in
the basement to protect the specimen during World
War II. This time, Dippy will be in our Waterhouse
gallery, where it was previously displayed in the
seventies.
Clare Matterson, Executive Director of
Engagement, said, ‘We can’t wait to open the
doors on this new installation. We know that Dippy
has been missed by both visitors and staff at the
Museum so it feels fantastic to have the beloved
diplodocus cast back for this very special free
temporary installation.
‘The installation will be free to visit but you must
book tickets and we suggest that people register
their interest now so that they can be the first to
do so when tickets are made available. Dippy will
be as thrilled to see you as you will be to see the
nation’s favourite dinosaur.’
Visitors can once again enjoy visiting what is now
one of the most well-traveled diplodocus casts
in the world when Dippy Returns: The nation’s
favourite dinosaur opens at the Natural History
Museum, London on 27 May 2022 until December
2022.
Register to be the first to book tickets at
www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/dippy-returns.html
METROLAND SPRING 2022 111

Spring gardens with
the National Trust in
Buckinghamshire,
Berkshire and
Oxfordshire
It’s an annual delight to see the signs of spring
appearing in our walled and formal gardens,
orchards and parklands. These bright patches of
colour after the grey of winter are guaranteed to
raise our spirits.
The colour in the gardens from the bulbs at the start
of the season moves upwards into tree blossom,
magnolia and wisteria before migrating onto the
woodland floor for beautiful bluebells.
Pushing up through sometimes still frozen soil, you
can see the delicate structure of the flowers more
easily with less foliage to obscure them. And it’s a
wonderful lift to the senses when you catch the
fragrance of blossom top notes in the fresh clean
air of a chilly day to a chorus of chattering birds.
The colours of the flowers appear brighter against
the pared-back backdrop of early spring and we
can be grateful for their efforts in a way that we
take for granted in summer.
Here are some places in our region to appreciate
the sights, sounds and scents of a country garden
in the spring.
112 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Stowe (near Buckingham)
will be used to recreate the Victorian splendour
guests would have enjoyed in Baron Ferdinand’s
time.
Around the grounds, each area will have its own
colour scheme; the Parterre will be a striking Tulip
and Fritillaria display with a colour mix of yellow,
white, orange and red. In the Aviary Gardens there
will be a display of dazzling purple Alliums.
Over the past few years, 338,200 bulbs have been
planted in the gardens at Stowe with the help of
community organisations, visitors and volunteers.
In the Lamport Garden and the Queen Caroline
Monument the aconites are already coming out
and will soon be bright with cyclamen. The pretty
little purple flower of the cyclamen has upswept
petals and variably patterned leaves and the
yellow aconites stand out against them.
On the outskirts of the garden, Oxford Avenue has
cowslips galore. These are quite rare flowers which
enjoy the undisturbed ground around Stowe. The
deep yellow flowers are produced in clusters and
can have 10-30 bulbs on a single stem. A further
2,000 cowslips have been planted by the Rotunda.
Meanwhile, in the wider grounds, Daffodil Valley, Tay
Bridge and the Tulip Patch are not to be missed,
as a carpet of yellow starts to bloom. Visitors will
see lots of different varieties of daffodil as they
begin to open up to the sun. These areas will be
even more remarkable this year after local school
children joined forces with Waddesdon gardeners
to plant an additional 85,000 bulbs in autumn 2021.
Gardens Manager, Suzie Hanson, said: ‘We’re
excited to welcome back visitors this spring and
we hope they are wowed by the glorious spring
displays.’
Waddesdon’s grounds are open Wed–Sun, 10am
to 4pm. For more information and to book tickets,
visit: www.waddesdon.org.uk
Hughenden (near High Wycombe)
200,000 bulbs have been planted in a swathe from
Gurnet’s Walk and Octagon Lake to Sleeping Wood
and the Rotunda. It’s set to form one of the few
Snakeshead fritillary meadows in Britain. Look out
for the chequered, bell-like flowers nodding on their
long stems around April-May.
In May we’re hoping for a carpet of bright bluebells
on Bellgate Drive. Staff and volunteers have
planted 126,000 bulbs of the sweet-smelling flower
and this should create a strong honey-like scent in
the gardens. We’re looking forward to seeing the
bluebells develop into a thick carpet of blue as they
establish over the years.
(Stowe is closed 4-7 April and reopens on the 8th.)
Waddesdon (near Aylesbury)
At Waddesdon this spring, see the garden begin to
wake from its winter sleep, as Scillas, Camassia and
Cyclamen begin to flower and colour starts to creep
into the spring bedding display. Over 34,000 bulbs
Spring flowers start early at Hughenden, with
naturalised snowdrops and primroses dotted
around the North Lawn and Pleasure Grounds,
with views of the Manna ash in late May with its
clouds of fragrant white flowers.
On the Terrace, the whites and yellows of daffodils
and tulips begin the spring display backed by
the elegant mauve cascades of the wisteria in
late spring along with Choisya ternata and its
METROLAND SPRING 2022 113

lovely fragrant white flowers. This year the spring
bedding scheme on the Parterre is inspired by
the colours of the peacock using deep blues and
violets polyanthus with lines of white daffodils in
beds of lime greens and golds.
In the Walled Garden and orchard, the apple, pear
and cherry trees will be blossoming from April-May
with the daffodil ‘February Gold’ providing early
spring interest.
Take a walk beyond the Grade I Listed gardens
at Cliveden and you’ll find yourself surrounded in
a woodland escarpment. There are self-guided
walks taking you on a journey of cowslips, snowy
wood anemones and dog violets. Leaflets can be
collected from the Information Centre and are free
of charge, usual admission to the estate applies.
The Vyne (near Basingstoke)
There are occasional spring flowering shrubs and
trees such as forsythia, lilacs, mimosa and the
Judas trees to catch the eye whilst wandering
around the gardens.
Cliveden (near Maidenhead)
Every spring the gardens at Cliveden are a delight
to behold, and this year is no exception. The
six-acre Parterre bursts at the seams with over
30,000 spring bedding plants and bulbs filling the
16 central triangular beds. Among them, scented
wallflowers, pansies, and the delicate heirloom
Narcissus Actea. These elegant bulbs should give
several weeks of flower with their white petals and
stunning yellow centre edged red.
In the Long Garden, 11,000 Polyanthus Piano
Daffodil mix will create a carpet of colour inside
the box hedging, whilst topiary, statuary and
herbaceous borders line the outside of this unique
and unusual garden.
In the oriental inspired Water Garden, the dusky
pinks of flowering blossom and creamy-white
magnolias form picture perfect reflections in the
lakes below. From May there’ll be 2,000 pale blue
Camassia in bloom, adding more glamour to this
already gorgeous garden.
The Vyne’s spacious gardens are a glorious place to
be on a sunny March day. Daffodils litter the south
drive beside the mansion. Hundreds of them line
the path through the historic walled garden too.
You’ll also find fresh bunches for sale there - in the
little wooden kiosk by its entrance. Further afield,
daffodils cluster beside The Vyne’s magnificent
lake, and in the wild garden they bloom in the grass
beneath bird cherry trees.
In April, the formal planting in The Vyne’s
summerhouse garden reveals a pretty mix of
pastel-pink and lilac Virginia stocks, and striking
orange crown imperials. A little further on, the large
114 METROLAND SPRING 2022

north lawn provides the perfect place to flop into a
deckchair and take in historic views across the lake
to the ancient parkland and woods beyond, where
carpets of bluebells are on show in early May.
There are easy tracks to follow through the woods,
so everyone can have a little bit of bluebell magic.
Sandham Memorial Chapel
(Burghclere, near Newbury)
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the Hampshire
countryside lies Sandham Memorial chapel. In
keeping with the tranquil, spiritual nature of
the chapel, its pretty cottage-style garden was
designed as a place of reflection and peace. There
are plenty of places to sit and take in the beautiful
floral sights around you. From spring onwards,
primulas and tulips provide splashes of bright
colour, contrasting with soft ornamental grasses,
aquilegia, honeysuckle and lavender to create a
tranquil haven for contemplation and relaxation. In
the orchard, the long grass is scattered with wild
flowers.
Nuffield Place (near Henley-on-
Thames)
Nuffield Place is the perfect place for a peaceful
stroll this spring. Look out for herbaceous borders
starting to flower, spring bulbs appearing in the
garden, and wisteria blooming around the house.
In April, tall foxgloves will start to appear in the
woodland, attracting a chorus of insects, and the
bluebells are a sight not to be missed, just a short
walk from the house.
Visits to Nuffield Place need to be pre-booked at
nationaltrust.org.uk/Nuffield-place
Greys Court (near Henley-on-Thames)
Basildon Park (near Reading)
Our garden team has been hard at work continuing
to plant bulbs ready for spring. A display of
hyacinths will fill the Cromwellian garden with sweet
fragrance. To discover a vibrant carpet of bluebells,
take Sir Felix’s gentle path along to Spinney Wood
and admire the daffodils, cowslips and irises along
the way.
Cheerful buttercups and daffodils cover the
parkland at Basildon Park in the spring. Choose one
of four way-marked paths through the woodland
and admire violets, cowslip, cherry blossom and
primroses along the way. In the pleasure grounds,
they’ll be a display of seasonal bulbs around the
umbrello, giving off a wonderful fragrance. Wander
further along and soon you’ll find a sea of natural
bluebells, a great spot for a moment of reflection
and to take a photograph.
Along the nut tree walk you’ll see a beautiful
patchwork of colour, with spring bulbs planted in a
quilt-like fashion. You can wander around the walled
gardens and find hyacinths under the 130 year-old
wisteria, and see the progress of our restoration
project in the Cherry Garden, with the cobbled
path relayed over the winter. The crab apple arch
in blossom is a sight to see, as is the Magnolia
blossom in the tower garden. This year we’ve also
planted apple and cherry trees, to celebrate the
Queen’s Jubilee.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gardens-and-parks
METROLAND SPRING 2022 115

New Discover Bucks Galleries
Discover the story of Bucks people and landscapes from
200 million years ago to today
Discover Bucks Museum is proud to present our
new Discover Bucks Galleries launching on 2 April
from 11 am. These five brand new galleries tell the
story of Bucks people and landscapes from 200
million years ago to today featuring star objects
from the Museum collections.
Your journey starts 200 million years ago in the
Discover Bucks Geology gallery, where fossils
reveal the prehistoric creatures that swam in the
Jurassic seas, including ferocious sea monsters,
and the giant Woolly mammoths that lived here
during the Ice Age.
In the Discover Bucks Archaeology gallery meet
the earliest people to arrive in Bucks, discover a
spectacular 3000-year-old sword, the first named
woman in Bucks from Roman times, one of the
largest hoards of Anglo-Saxon coins ever found
with coins of Aethelred the Unready and Cnut the
Great and the bones of a Saxon ‘Princess’ who was
really a noblewoman from Aston Clinton.
The Discover Bucks People gallery brings you into
more recent history and up to the present day and
features a spectacular costume case displaying a
Sikh bridal suit, an extraordinary piano with a harp
on top called a Euphonicon from Claydon House
and a carefully conserved section of Chinese
wallpaper from Hampden House. Fascinating
objects tell stories about people from different
communities and video screens display 120 photos
of Bucks people past and present celebrating their
contribution and diversity.
Discover Bucks Art gallery tells a unique visual
story of Bucks through artists past and present,
including portraits of a Victorian jury, Aylesbury
MP John Wilkes, to the magnificent Stowe statues
of Saxon gods, and contemporary works, such
as LGBTrees by a local artist from the LGBTQ
community.
Our Discover Bucks Wildlife gallery will be completed
over the summer and open later this year but
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METROLAND MAGAZINE SUMMER / AUTUMN 2021

already features an intriguing Black Poplar Tree
replica cast from a tree in Vale Park, Aylesbury, in
which you can find birds and insects if you look hard
enough!
Launch Day 2 April
Launch Day will be a lively and special event to mark
this historic day. Our curatorial team of experts will
demonstrate the collections with handling objects
and help you explore the stunning new displays.
There will be a Bronze Age re-enactor working on a
bronze age sword to guide you through prehistory
exhibits.
Take part in art activities celebrating the 50th
anniversary of the Paralympic Games and see
the fabulous headdress from the 2012 Opening
Ceremony on display, as well as the intricate motifs
on the restored Chinese wallpaper from Hampden
House.
Museum Director Sue Shave said, “We are immensely
proud of these new galleries, which are an incredible
achievement during a worldwide pandemic, and
made possible by our dedicated staff, volunteers,
Friends and Patrons and our local communities.
These stunning new displays will transform the
Museum experience for everyone and provide a
platform for new programmes for families, adults and
schools around themes provided by the inspiration
from the star objects on display. This is the day
that we have all been waiting for - to see a museum
that is more reflective of our communities and their
stories and showcases the beautiful and unique
landscapes and heritage of the County.”
For Discover Bucks Museum opening times and
ticket prices visit discoverbucksmuseum.org
Discover Bucks Galleries funders
Discover Bucks Museum is very grateful to all
the Trusts, Foundations, Section 106 Funding
and private donors who have helped to raise
the funding needed to make these galleries
a reality - full details of supporters found at
/www.discoverbucksmuseum.org/our-funders/
METROLAND SPRING 2022 117

A Very English
Road Trip
Iconic Luxury Hotels is partnering with Luxury
Vacations UK to launch a brand-new, exclusive
10-day itinerary that takes travelers on a luxury
guided experience from London to the pristine
countryside. Guests embark on an expertly
guided, multi-day trip starting at the glamorous
Cliveden House (where Meghan Markle stayed
the night before her wedding), then travel to The
Lygon Arms (one of Cotswold’s oldest coaching
inns), Chewton Glen (home to the famous
Treehouse Suites in South of England), and end it
with a few nights in the heart of London at either
the most talked about new hotel in Mayfair - The
Mayfair Townhouse or 11 Cadogan Gardens, the
most exclusive address in Chelsea.
What to expect
This privately guided historical sightseeing trip
includes local tours of hidden village towns,
overnight accommodations at four hotels and
culinary delights along the way.
A sample full 10 day itinerary available to guests
gives an insight into what travellers can inspect.
Day 1. Tour Windsor Castle and Town
Day 2. Tour of Royal London
Day 3. Tour the Old City of London
Day 4. England's Sparkling Wine Region (Arundel
Castle and Wine Tasting)
Day 5. The Jurassic Coast and Sailing
Day 6. Salisbury, Stonehenge and Bath
Day 7. The Cotswolds Countryside
Day 8. Wales and Gloucester or Enjoy the spa
and more Cotswolds touring
Day 9. Oxford and Blenheim Palace
Day 10. Enjoy at day Cliveden House
Ready to book this experience?
Email roadtrip@iconicluxuryhotels.com.
Rates depend on the season and hotel
availability.
118 METROLAND SPRING 2022

TRAVEL
Iglu Cruises
www.iglucruise.com
Liverpool to Iceland & Scottish Isles - Ancient
Ties and Natural Wonders.
A 14-night no-fly cruise onboard Hurtigruten
Cruises MS Fridtjof Nansen from £4,578 per person
departing from Liverpool on 10 May 2022.
This Icelandic adventure on board Hurtigreten’s
MS Fridtjof Nansen invites guests on a full
circumnavigation of Iceland and highlights of
the Scottish isles, taking in natural wonders,
charming fishing villages and rich wildlife along
the way. Itinerary highlights include taking a dip
in one of Iceland’s geothermal pools in the capital,
Reykjavik, hiking to the top of a volcano in Heimaey
in the Westmann Islands of Iceland, exploring the
culturally rich and picturesque fishing towns of
Stykkisholmur and Patreksfjördur and discovering
the ancient Viking town of Kirkwall in the Orkney
Islands. Time at sea can be spent enjoying the
ship’s fantastic on board facilities including The
Nansen Science Centre where guests and crew
can meet and gain a deeper understanding of the
areas they are visiting, the ship’s three fantastic
restaurants to indulge in culinary delights and the
wellness center where cruisers can relax during a
luxury spa treatment.
Visit www.iglucruise.com or call 020 3553 3140
Bruges & Amsterdam from Southampton
A four-night no-fly cruise aboard Celebrity Cruises’
Celebrity Silhouette from just £525 per person,
departing from Southampton on 26 May 2022.
Price includes all port taxes and fees, all meals and
snacks onboard, drinks and is based on an inside
cabin.
Departing from Southampton, this voyage
will make its first stop in Brussels - Belgium's
quintessential capital filled with Art Deco taverns,
beautiful Flemish art, towering Gothic cathedrals,
and a grand 19th century arcade. Guests can
take the chance to explore Brussels’ history and
head to the 15th century Grand Place - the central
square of Brussels, for breathtaking architecture
and live music while the Palais Royal offers a
glimpse into the life of the Royals. Cruise-goers
will then arrive in Amsterdam to discover the city’s
hidden gems during a picturesque city getaway.
Visit iconic landmarks including the Anne Frank
House and Van Gogh Museum before exploring
the city’s vibrant bars and restaurants. Following
a fun-filled two days exploring the best of these
two iconic cities, guests can relax onboard, sipping
cocktails at the newly reimagined Passport Bar
or head to the spa for a relaxing and well-earned
treatment.
For more information on Iglu Cruise visit
www.iglucruise.com or call 020 3553 3140
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119

METROLAND
DAYS OUT
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages’ first fleet will be known as the “Lady
Ships,” a play on the term ‘your ladyship,’ giving a nod to
Virgin’s British heritage.
Virgin Voyages’ first ship, Scarlet Lady was delivered
on 14 February 2020 the second in 2021, and the third
and fourth set to arrive in 2022 and 2023. 86 percent
of Virgin Voyages cabins will feature a balcony and 93
percent will feature an ocean view.
The Lady Ships are Adult-by-Design, serving as a
sanctuary at sea for the 18+ traveler.
Scarlet Lady's inaugural sailing season saw her sail to
the Caribbean hosting more than 2,770 sailors and 1,160
amazing crew from around the world. She will sail a mix
of Caribbean voyages befitting of any curious traveler’s
tastes.
Virgin Voyages’ second ship, Valiant Lady, will sail
7-night Mediterranean itineraries out of Barcelona,
Spain during season, and then join her sister ship,
Scarlet Lady in the Caribbean the remainder
of the year. These Sailings will include four
feature itineraries that all offer overnight
and late night stops across some of the
hottest destinations in France, Italy
and Spain.
120 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Discerning Design
Virgin Voyages has partnered with a Creative
Collective comprised of some of the most soughtafter
interior designers, artists and architects
including Roman and Williams, Tom Dixon’s
Design Research Studio, Concrete Amsterdam,
Softroom of London and more -many of whom are
responsible for the creation of the most stylish
boutique hotels and resorts across major cities
in the US and Europe - all of which have never
designed for the cruise industry.
The Scarlet Lady’s dynamic design mimics that of
a yacht with a sleek silvery-grey hull with smoked
glass, and of course, distinctive touches of red.
The ship’s livery was conceptualised by Ben
Christie and David Azurdia from the multi-awardwinning
Magpie Studio in London. RWD from
Beaulieu England, who are leaders in super yacht
design, created the iconic red Virgin funnel of the
vessel.
sailors alike by capturing a fresh, contemporary
and sleek look, with nods to the glamour and
romance of ocean travel.
Eat and Drink
With a total of 20+ food choices onboard, Virgin
Voyages will bring city-like eating to sea and throw
out the traditional cruise dining rule book, with
no buffet, no main dining room, no forced formal
wear, no assigned seating and no assigned dining
times. This enhanced experience allows sailors the
choice to grab a bite by keeping restaurant doors
open well into the night and in some cases the
early hours of the morning.
Virgin Voyages does not believe in paying more for
great food, so we ditched the traditional upcharges
levied when dining in specialty restaurants at sea.
Virgin Voyages has curated all eateries on board
to offer exceptional made-to-order eats and opted
to include all restaurant food in the voyage fare.
Scarlet is the beautiful mermaid design that adorns
the bow of the ship. The mermaid, designed by
artist Toby Tinsley, will serve as the ship’s powerful
spirit guide and is inspired by figureheads on
historic vessels.
Virgin Voyages’ brand design ethos, the Modern
Romance of Sailing, seeks to enchant crew and
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METROLAND SPRING 2022 121

Sustainability
Virgin Voyages is committed to having one of
the cleanest fleets at sea. The company has
banned single-use plastics on board its ships,
including straws, bottled water, other beverage
bottles, condiment packets, shopping bags, food
packaging, stirrers, and takeaway coffee and tea
cups. Instead, the company will emphasise the use
of recyclable and reusable materials across the
ship. While onboard, sailors will be provided with
access to complimentary filtered still and sparkling
water.
Virgin Voyages has partnered with Climeon, a
Sweden-based technology company, with a goal
to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by
converting engine waste heat into clean electricity.
Well-being
Well-being is at the forefront of the onboard
experience, activated through a mix of highenergy
moments coupled with relaxation and
rejuvenation. A wide variety of group fitness
classes on board are all provided complimentary
within the voyage fare.
Not only has the brand designed its fleet of
ships to the latest energy-efficiency standards
with state-of-the art equipment, Virgin Voyages
is offsetting its direct climate change emissions
through the purchase of carbon offsets. This
commitment makes the brand the first cruise line
to become carbon-neutral for its direct emissions
footprint from its first day of commercial operation.
For bookings and more information visit
www.virginvoyages.com
A dose of ‘Vitamin Sea’ is naturally intertwined
across the entire ship, with well-being activated
through a mix of high-energy moments coupled
with relaxation and rejuvenation.
RockStar Quarters
Virgin Voyages is throwing out traditional cliches
on luxury and formalities, and instead is replacing
it with modern luxury at sea with their RockStar
Quarters designed by Tom Dixon’s Design
Research Studio.
Highlights of the Massive Suite, the premier suite
aboard the Scarlet Lady, include its very own
guitar-clad music room, views of the ocean from
every corner of the suite and a massive terrace
complete with its own Peek-a-View outdoor
shower, hot tub, hammocks and a runway outdoor
dining table.
122 METROLAND SPRING 2022

Norwegian Cruise Line
12-DAY CRUISE ON NORWEGIAN PRIMA
Transatlantic: Scotland & Iceland from
London (Southampton), England
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime holiday on a
transatlantic cruise aboard Norwegian Prima -
our newest and most innovative ship. Journey
from Kirkwall to Reykjavik, where an overnight
stay will provide you with plenty of time to
discover all the region offers, from visiting an
active volcano to exploring a glacier frozen
wonderland or the scenic coastal lowlands.
Outside Halifax, discover Nova Scotia's
picturesque coast on a guided tour of Peggy's
Cove, Lunenburg and Mahone Bay where you
can sample local cuisine, browse boutiques and
enjoy beautiful vistas.
5 PORTS OF CALL
London (Southampton), England
Kirkwall, Orkney Isles
Reykjavik, Iceland
Halifax, Nova Scotia
New York, New York
Sailing from Friday 23rd September to
Wednesday 5th October 2022
Prices start from £4,182 per person, based on
two people sharing a Balcony Stateroom
Visit www.ncl.com/uk/en
for more information
7-DAY CRUISE ON NORWEGIAN EPIC
Mediterranean: Italy, France & Spain from
Barcelona, Spain
Uncover the hidden gems of the Mediterranean
with Norwegian. Whether you wish to stroll
along a trendy promenade, recline on a pristine
Mediterranean beach or journey back in time to
the house where Napoléon was born, the mellow
waterfront city of Ajaccio offers something for
everyone. From Civitavecchia, explore Rome's
famous ancient ruins and works of art, from
Michelangelo's awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel
to the beautifully constructed Trevi Fountain.
Discover how pearls have been manufactured
since the 19th century in Palma de Mallorca
before visiting the shops in Old Town and
sampling delicious local cuisine.
7 PORTS OF CALL
Barcelona, Spain
Ajaccio, Corsica
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy
Naples, Italy
Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy
Cannes, France
Palma, Majorca
Barcelona, Spain
Sailing from Sunday 3rd July to Sunday 10th July
2022
Prices start from £922 per person, based on two
people sharing a Balcony Stateroom
METROLAND MAGAZINE WINTER 2021 METROLAND SPRING 2022 123

JOIN US FOR A TRULY
REGAL AFTERNOON TEA
Make your moment in history as you savour the
quintessentially English pastime of afternoon tea
Taplow, Berkshire, SL6 0JF | Tel: 01628 668561 | Reservations@clivedenhouse.co.uk
CLIVEDENHOUSE.CO.UK
124 METROLAND SPRING 2022