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



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.


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


'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!’’ ’


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!


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


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.


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!


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


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


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.


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


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


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.


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.”


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.


Design, manufacture and restoration of stained glass windows.

Bespoke spalashbacks.

Decorative household item product line. Workshops.


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.


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.


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


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


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.


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


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


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.


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


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:


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


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


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!


STATIONERY

OFFICE SUPPLIES

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

ART & CRAFT MATERIALS

CHESHAM MERCHANDISE

AVAILABLE IN-STORE & ONLINE

www.jpschesham.com

01494 791112 | info@jpschesham.com


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

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


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.


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


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.


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.


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.”


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


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!“


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.


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


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


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


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.


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.


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


METROLAND

FASHION


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


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


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


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


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


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


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.


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.


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


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.


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.


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/


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.


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.


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.


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.


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


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/


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


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.


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.


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.


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.


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 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!


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!!


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.


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 REVIEWS

Harry's Bar & Kitchen at

Horwood House

by Kathryn Pike


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


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!


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


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.



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


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


BREWING LOCALLY

SINCE 2012

HAND-PICKED BOUTIQUE WINES

LOCAL ARTISAN SPIRITS

LOCALLY MADE GIFT IDEAS

SNACKS & TREATS FROM THE

BEST LOCAL PRODUCERS

AROUND THE CHILTERNS

VISIT THE SHOP

CLICK & COLLECT OR

ENJOY FREE HOME DELIVERY

Includes Chesham - Amersham - Chalfont

MALTTHEBREWERY.CO.UK

01494 865063 | HELLO@MALTTHEBREWERY.CO.UK


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.


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.


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


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


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


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


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/


© 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


© 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


© 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


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.


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


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


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.


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


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


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


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


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/


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.


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

119

METROLAND MAGAZINE METROLAND SUMMER SPRING / AUTUMN 20222021

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.


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

METROLAND MAGAZINE WINTER 2021


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.


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


METROLAND Spring 2022

Do you know the secret to free website traffic?

Delete template?

Save as template?