Berkhamsted Living Spring 2021

BERKHAMSTED

ISSUE 78 SPRING 2021

Living

YOUR QUALITY LOCAL MAGAZINE

SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES SINCE 2001

GOOD

ENOUGH

TO EAT!

Grow your

own veg

and edible

ornamentals

BERKHAMSTED

IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS -

SEE OUR NEW BUSINESS

DIRECTORY INSIDE

ENCOURAGING

INDEPENDENCE

Tips that will help your

teens stay safe, and

help calm your nerves!

WALKS

AROUND TOWN

Explore the Ridgeway

this weekend

BERKHAMSTED’S QUALITY QUARTERLY MAGAZINE. DELIVERED BY

TO 11,293 HOMES IN BERKHAMSTED & SURROUNDING VILLAGES

TA X Y E A R - E N D P L A N N

I N G

Take a step

in the right

direction.

I L

D O N ’T DELAY: ACT BY 5 AP R

Long-term financial security for you and your loved ones is your priority, and it’s ours too.

Navigating the savings allowances and exemptions available to you at tax year-end can have

a big impact on achieving your goals. It’s our job to guide you and provide expert advice.

Contact us before 5 April, and together we can plan the route to your future.

SRENALP LAICNAN

rentraP roineS tnemeganaM ht laeW eca

:leT 8478 2410

E mail: stringermann@sjpp.co.uk

www.stringermann.com

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation,

can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances.

rentraP ecitcarP ehT

tcudno

etisbews'puorg eht no tuo

.s

SJP11763n V2 (01/21)

Welcome to the

Spring issue!

BERKHAMSTED

SPRING 2021

After a long winter we are all looking

forward to brighter days ahead this

spring. As we go to press, we are still

in lockdown 3. But hopefully, by the time you

read this, those measures will have eased as the

vaccinations continue.

Whatever is going on in your life right now,

there are some constants - teenagers always

grow up, and always want independence, so

we have some great tips to help them as they

venture out. Gardens will burst into life in

spring whether we are in lockdown or not, so

we look at growing veg that both looks and

tastes good.

Many of us will continue to try to keep

fit and healthy, and after a long winter

lockdown, we’ve come up with some quick

and simple healthy habits that should get you

moving in the right direction. And if you’re

hoping to move house, we have some expert

CONTENTS

4 News and views from

Berkhamsted and

surrounding villages

advice for anyone wanting to get on the

property ladder.

We do have something new for you too - a

crossword by Ian Bateman, based around local

place names. We hope you like it, do let us know

what you think!

As always, the magazine includes local news,

events (where possible) and features. We love

to hear from local people, groups, schools

and organisations, so please email Naomi at

editorial@livingmags.info.

Also, remember it’s the first digital Census

day on March 21!

We hope this issue finds you safe and

well and wish you happy reading.

Alison and

Naomi

Owner & Editor

29 The latest books from our

region’s authors - and a

chance to win!

CONTACT US

01442 824300

INFO@

LIVINGMAGS.INFO

18 Support your local high

street

21 Bake these colourful cookies

22 Victorian tales

25 B2B Directory: Find local

companies that can help your

business

32 Grow veg that looks good

enough to eat

34 Discover the Ridgeway

from Wendover

36 Healthy habits you will

stick to!

40 Keeping teens safe

42 Get on the property

ladder

45 Try our new crossword

- and win Catherine

Alliott’s latest book

46 Local events this spring

50 Essential local services

The only local magazine offering shrink-wrapped guaranteed delivery to 11,293* addresses in the HP4 postcode area,

by Royal Mail every quarter. *Royal Mail postcode data . Published quarterly in March, June, September & November

The Team: Publisher: Alison Page / Editor: Naomi MacKay / Designer: Neil Randle

Registered Address: Jubilee Gardens, Tring, Herts HP23 4JG. Living Magazines are published by independent publisher Alison Page Marketing.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited without permission. The publisher will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions.

Opinions expressed by authors and advertisers in this publication are not specifically endorsed by Alison Page Marketing.

For exclusive offers & updates between issues go to:

WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO

LOCAL FOCUS

SEND US YOUR NEWS / TELEPHONE: 01442 824300 / EMAIL: EDITORIAL@LIVINGMAGS.INFO / NEXT DEADLINE: 20/4/21

Letter from

the Mayor

Fellow Residents,

By the time you read this, it will have been

almost 12 months since the first COVID-19

lockdown. It’s been a pretty torrid time,

especially since the autumn, with families

unable to get together for Christmas and

everyone locally in Tier 4, then an extended

lockdown so the virus doesn’t overwhelm the

hospitals. Lockdown during last summer was a

foretaste of what it would be like to shut shops

and businesses, but even with grants from the

Government many people have struggled to

keep their businesses afloat. Our high streets

are already displaying ‘To Let’ or ‘For Sale’ signs

so we can expect to see ‘pop-up’ shops while

landlords find willing tenants.

I mentioned in the last edition the plan to

make some changes to Berkhamsted High

Street to improve social distancing, help our

shops to gain more custom (the Borough has a

team working on high street regeneration) and

create a café culture that could attract more

visitors who would support our shops. We

have a few hurdles to jump before we can bring

this to a public consultation, which will be

undertaken with help from the County Council.

Coming back to lockdown and job loss, the

Town Council has a budget to support local

charities and volunteer groups. While it’s not

possible for the Council to support individuals

seeking help with bills or food, a good

organisation to call is Dacorum Community

Trust on 01442 253216.

Finally, a huge thanks to all staff keeping

schools, play groups and shops open, and

those volunteers helping with food deliveries

to our vulnerable communities. Not forgetting

all those unsung heroes – our paramedics,

NHS staff, the Police and our Borough staff

collecting bins and keeping the roads safe.

Local Plan consultation ends

As Berkhamsted Living went to press, the

deadline came to an end on the public

consultation process for the Dacorum Local Plan.

The plan drafts out the future of local

communities (from 2020 until 2038) setting out

where new facilities, homes and infrastructure

will be provided.

The Plan promotes building nearly 17,000 new

homes with major development to the South &

South West of Berkhamsted and to the East of Tring.

The Chilterns Countryside Group, Chiltern

Society and Berkhamsted Rotary have questioned

a number of points on the plan, including the

fact that the government is still working on

the planning reforms proposed in the recent

White Paper 2020: Planning for the Future and a

government announcement that planning reforms

will prioritise development of brownfield and

urban sites, which will aim to protect our

green spaces.

Find the plan at www.dacorum.gov.uk,

and the CCG’s objections at

www.chilterncountrysidegroup.org

Dentist saves a life

Stars must have been aligned one day in January

when Nirav Dalia was running late for work

and stopped to read a text while walking down

Berkhamsted high street.

As Nirav, a dentist at Bow House dental surgery

stopped, he heard a call for help from Nash Estate

Agents, where a woman had collapsed.

When Nirav’s attempts to resuscitate her didn’t

work, he rushed to get the defibrillator from the

Bow House surgery. The patient was taken to

hospital by Air Ambulance and survived.

Dr Edward Masheder, owner of Bow House

in Tring and Berkhamsted is now looking

to introduce training of basic life support as

this incident has shown how vital it is. Nirav,

meanwhile, has been nominated for various

community awards.

4 / Berkhamsted Living FOR THE LATEST NEWS UPDATES AND MORE GO TO WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO/NEWS

LOCAL FOCUS


Doing what comes naturally

One consolation of

the past 12 months

must be our intensified

connection with nature.

In the darkest days of

the pandemic people

have found strength and

comfort in the stunning

countryside that makes the

Chilterns so special.

Yet this connection also has consequences.

Home working is here to stay, meaning

people can live away from the urban sprawl,

driving the demand for new housing and

infrastructure. And our desire to be outdoors

has seen nature reserves and private

landowners alike appeal for visitors to stay on

paths and take litter home.

This is an irony not lost on charities such

as the Chiltern Society, which has been on a

50-year mission against the threats of

overbearing development, wildlife habitat

loss and climate change.

‘Covid-19 has changed the way we work, travel

and spend our free time,’ says Tom Beeston,

chief officer at the Chiltern Society, ‘There is

an opportunity to put nature at the heart of our

recovery and mitigate some of the risks facing

the Chilterns.’

One development the Society is closely

watching is the Dacorum Borough Council

Local Plan, which plans on building another

16,899 (+28%) houses in Dacorum by 2038. The

Plan promotes building nearly 17,000 new homes

with major development to the South & South

West of Berkhamsted and to the East of Tring.

Yet Tom is positive. ‘Chiltern Society has

a growing army of members and volunteers

helping improve and protect the area,’ he says.

‘Whether it be business reducing their carbon

footprint or volunteers maintaining pathways,

we are lucky people care so passionately and

want to join us on our mission to protect the

countryside.’

To get involved with Chiltern Society

campaigns or to become a member visit

chilternsociety.org.uk

Tony goes on tour

Berkhamsted resident Tony

Evans, known for his

voluntary work as front of house

director at the Court Theatre

Tring, has set up a long-distance

cycle touring business.

Glaudax Cycle Tours has been created in

partnership with Tony’s brother, Richard, an

ultra-distance cyclist who has cycled round

the world.

Find out more at www.glaudax.co.uk.

Happy birthday

to us!

It’s a big year for Living

magazines! We will be

celebrating our 20th anniversary

this winter and would love you to join in

our celebrations.

We are calling for local people, organisations

and businesses to tell us about Berkhamsted

20 years ago. Perhaps you have photos from

the high street 20 years ago, that show how

it has changed. Maybe you belong to a local

organisation and have photos from that year.

Or maybe your own business or organisation is

celebrating a special anniversary this year too.

Please email stories, information and

images (high-resolution please) to

editorial@livingmags.info


FROM

£30

FOR FULL

MEMBERSHIP

PACK

Join today to

preserve, celebrate

and campaign for

the Chilterns

PHOTO: CHRIS HOWE

Members are helping to:

l build a cleaner, greener Chilterns

l restore, enhance and protect

Chilterns wildlife

l maintain access to nature to improve

our health and wellbeing

l bring Chilterns heritage and arts to life

Visit chilternsociety.org.uk or call 01494 771250

CONSERVING • CAMPAIGNING • PROMOTING

LOCAL FOCUS


Abbot’s Hill gets top marks!

e saw teachers, full of

‘Wenthusiasm for their subject,

delivering pacey lessons, helping each

individual pupil achieve their very

best. Dedication is not in doubt.’

So reads one of the many highlights in the

January 2021 Good Schools Guide review of

Abbot’s Hill School, an ISI rated ‘Excellent’ 3-16

girls’ school. The school is nestled in 76 acres

of parkland in Hemel, but is within 20 minutes

of Berkhamsted.

In February 2020, the Independent Schools

Inspectorate confirmed that Abbot’s Hill is

‘Excellent in all areas’ while also boasting an

Ofsted-rated Outstanding day nursery.

Peru captured in pictures

Berkhamsted photographer Tony

Hutchings used last year’s lockdown

to complete a project started almost 40

years ago.

Tony has published a unique collection

of photographs taken on his six month

15,000km journey around Peru in 1982,

much of it driving a second-hand VW Beetle.

‘Having fallen in love with Peru, its people

and its spectacular scenery in 1982, I felt

compelled to provide a photographic record

in print, so people can share some of my

experiences,’ said Tony.

He became fascinated by Peru after seeing

a film about the Andes, reading National

Geographic articles and hearing stories from

Peruvians living in London.

Peru 1982 documents Tony’s incredible

adventure, exploring Peru’s cities, villages and

some of the most remote parts of the country,

including Iquitos, the Amazon city of half a

million people, only accessible by air or boat.

Find out more at www.livingmags.info/

peru-1982

Growing plans in Northchurch

Age UK Dacorum, in

conjunction with

Sunnyside Rural Trust, is

creating a Community

Allotment Plot on

Sunnyside’s Northchurch

site. The plot is intended to

be used primarily by Age

UK Dacorum clients and

their carers, and in

particular those

experiencing early signs of

dementia, as the sensory

smells and touch of nature

are very calming and

memory soothing.

There will also be an

opportunity for people to

plant and dig their own fruit,

vegetables, plants and flowers

or simply relax and observe

the changing colours and

produce during the seasons.

Thanks to the generosity

of Berkhamsted Town Council, Northchurch

and Berkhamsted County Councillors, a

summer house will also be available to enjoy.

Berkhamsted School, meanwhile, has donated

benches to enhance the area.

Heritage doors open

Heritage Open Days are always a popular

event in the Berkhamsted calendar - so

make sure you save the date for this year’s events.

This year’s festival is due to take place

between September 10 and 19, with the national

theme of Edible England. Look out for details

of a number of local free guided history walks/

tours around the town and countryside.

Watch this space (and www.livingmags.info)

for more details.


Bid to save

Crystal Palace

LOCAL

The Berkhamsted Castle Trust continues

to battle to save Berkhamsted’s Crystal

Palace Pub.

The building, in Station Road, has been earmarked

for development as its owner Punch Partnerships

Ltd claims it is not viable as a pub any longer

and wants to convert it into three dwellings.

However, according to the Trust, the pub

chain has failed to recognise the significance of

the building. The Crystal Palace pub was built

by John Edward Lane (see our history feature on

page 22 for more on the Lane family) whose

nursery won many medals at the ‘real’ Crystal

Palace in London. Mr Lane knew Joseph Paxton

(who designed the London landmark) personally.

He also ran a successful brewing business and

owned several pubs in Berkhamsted, including

the Crystal Palace - whose design paid tribute

to the original - see picture above right.

Adrian Barham, Chairman, Berkhamsted

Castle Trust, told Berkhamsted Living: ‘We

have recently had confirmation from Dacorum

Borough Council that our nomination to have

the Crystal Palace listed as an Asset of Community

Value (ACV) has been rejected on the basis that

the Council was of the view that there was no

evidence that the pub was used in the years prior

to its closure to further the social well-being or

social interest of the local community.

‘We continue to be of the opinion that an

alternative operating model, combining a

new visitor centre for the Castle/heritage

facility with continued operation of the pub

on a community involvement basis would be a

viable proposition, and are exploring how best

we might still put this in place.

‘An indication of a way forward to purchase

the freehold from Punch was made as part

of our ACV submission. Given Punch’s

ultimate owner, Patron Capital Partners,

makes a significant point of emphasising its

charitable and community credentials, we

are surprised that Punch seems determined

to ride roughshod over the community and

Town Council’s very genuine concerns at their

proposal to convert the pub to residential

property, which will result in the loss of an

anchor of the Conservation Area of over 160

years standing.’

Punch Pubs MD Andy Spencer commented:

‘We continue to explore our options concerning

the Crystal Palace pub in Berkhamsted and the

site’s potential development. We can confirm

that the Berkhamsted Castle Trust has not been

in contact with Punch Pubs & Co.’

FOR THE LATEST NEWS UPDATES AND MORE GO TO WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO/NEWS

Spring 2021 / 9

LOCAL FOCUS


Helping the arts during lockdown

The arts in our

area have

been hard hit

by the pandemic

and successive

lockdowns. We

are lucky to

have a broadranging

creative

community around

us, so we caught up

with some

of them...

Cellist Clare

O’Connell told us: ‘I

have felt huge local support for

my Behind The Mirror series

- I have a very loyal following

who feel like they know me

personally (lots of them do!) and

right from the start when I had

to cancel concerts in the first

lockdown a few donated their

ticket prices anyway.

‘Every concert I have put on since the first

lockdown has, unsurprisingly, sold out, partly

because people are starved of live music and

social events where they get to go out and have

a communal experience.

‘I also have a friends scheme where people get

extras in return for donations.’

Clare and Elainer Turner have been

developing and recording some new music.

Find their first track on ‘Bandcamp’.

Neil Kennedy at Berkhamsted Music told

us: ‘Berkhamsted Music has paused but plans

to restart socially-distanced chamber music

concerts as soon as possible; hopefully this

month (March) with the Ruisi String Quartet.

The concerts that were not possible because

of lockdown have been rescheduled for April

and May, extending our usual season. We are

grateful to our audience for their support and

their donations, which have helped keep

live music going. See www.

berkhamstedmusic.co.uk.’

If you have discovered or re-discovered a love

of art of any kind during the past few months,

consider joining Berkhamsted Art Society, a

welcoming group of friendly artists of all abilities

who are keen to share their interest and knowledge

to encourage each other to be creative.

The group holds regular (temporarily Zoom)

coffee mornings with an optional themed

art fun challenge. A recent online oil paint

demonstration was of an alleyway scene in

Fez in Morocco. See

www.berkhamstedartsociety.co.uk

A brazier and barbecue bubble

Marie and Robert

Laken, who run

The Faith Works

Trust are opening it up for

family and support bubbles

to safely enjoy the open air.

The 30-acre Christian Retreat and Resource

Centre is just outside Berkhamsted at Spring

Meadow Farm.

Marie said: ‘We have had to re-think the

opportunities we can present to people and

have come up with a brazier and barbecue bubble.

People can keep warm and safe, enjoy food

together and the children can run freely, play with

the water spiral and ride the woodland bumps.’

Groups (only one allowed at a time) should

book via the website and there is a suggested

donation of £10 for three hours.

They may also offer camping in spring and

summer so get in touch via the website at

www.faithworkstrust.org.uk


CBD success

When Berkhamsted student Harry

Ephremsen discovered a product that

helped his stress and sleeping issues at

university, he became so passionate about it

that he quit his studies to set up his own brand.

Harry, 20, discovered CBD during a period of

bad anxiety while he was at university, and

found it helped him manage his stress levels

and improved his sleep.

Through his brand Hide & Seek, Harry wants

to demystify CBD, and explain what it is and

how it can help people with conditions such as

insomnia and joint inflammation.

BOOKING & ADVERT INSERT DISTRIBUTION

NEWS ARTWORK DELIVERY FROM

DEADLINE DEADLINE DEADLINE

SUMMER 2021 20-04-21 28-04-21 12-05-21 31 May 2021

AUTUMN 2021 03-08-21 04-08-21 18-08-21 6 September 2021

WINTER 2021 07-10-21 20-10-21 03-11-21 22 November 2021

Contact: advertising@livingmags.info or telephone 01442 824300

1HL

Advertorial

LOCAL FOCUS


These felines are the cat’s whiskers!

When cats are abandoned, lost or lose

their owners, the lovely folk at the Cats

Protection Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted

branch are there to help them.

Meet two lovely cats who are looking for a

home at the moment. They have lots of other

friends who would love to find a new owner.

Contact the branch on 0345 3711851 if you would

like to give one a new home.

Lady P: Lady Penelope, (Penny to

her friends) is a very sweet, lovely,

affectionate little lady; a real purr

machine. When she is near you

she will stand on her back legs for

strokes or is always happy to just sit

with you. She loves her toys, her food and her

bed. But above all she loves a lap to curl up on

and a human to follow.

Pepita: This beauty is five-year-old

Pepi (Pepita). Pepi has moments of

craziness when she runs around

- and then needs to rest. She loves

people’s company and curling up

with you on the sofa. She is a bit

The silent pandemic

Domestic abuse can affect anyone and it’s

on the rise. In fact it’s now being called

the Silent Pandemic. The need to stay home or

self-isolate has meant more victims are stuck

in lockdown with their abusers, unable to

escape. What’s worse is that more children are

witnessing the abuse.

It’s not just about physical violence, abuse can

be about controlling behaviour, financial control,

overweight so would need someone who is

happy to keep an eye on her treats and do a bit

of playing to get those love handles off!

Website: www.cats.org.uk/dacorum

Protect your pets from theft

Following the theft of Benny the Pomeranian

from Tesco Tring car park on 17 December,

Inspector Nicola Dean, from Hertfordshire

Constabulary’s Crime Reduction Team, told

Berkhamsted Living: ‘Concerns have increased

around dog thefts during lockdown as the

demand for pets has grown.

‘While thefts in Hertfordshire have remained

relatively low, across the country there has

been growing concerns over the theft of dogs

from homes and breeders’ kennels. Dog owners

should join Hertfordshire’s Neighbourhood

Watch to get the latest alerts and advice:

www.owl.co.uk/herts.’

For more advice head to www.livingmags.

info/dog-thefts

threats, sexual violence or combinations of all of

these and many other things.

We welcome calls from anyone – victim-survivors,

men as well as women, those in same-sex

relationships, BAME, the elderly and those with

disabilities, concerned friends, family members

and work colleagues, as well as professionals.

Domestic abuse is everybody’s problem. It’s

time to make it stop.

If you would like more information

about domestic abuse please go to www.

hertsdomesticabusehelpline.org.

Call us free on 08 088 088 088 to talk to us

confidentially – we won’t ask your name and

contact details. You can talk through the issues

that concern you and we’ll give you some phone

numbers to call when you are ready. If you prefer

you can send us a confidential email at

Kim@mailpurple.org


Carmenta Adult & Baby Medical & Wellbeing

Centre. 10 years of therapeutic services

What an incredible journey it has been

for Carmenta Life from conception

to a fully-grown, 10-year-old, vibrant and

forward-thinking Medical and Wellbeing

centre! Conveniently situated in the heart of

Berkhamsted, in one of the most historic and

tranquil areas of the town, Carmenta has made

an impact and contributed to the health and

wellbeing of many men, women and families

in the area.

During this time, our experienced team of

medical and wellbeing practitioners have been

providing outstanding quality care and services

in a comfortable and relaxing environment

offering an extensive range of physical and

mental health therapies for adults and children

as well as a wide variety of fertility, pregnancy

and baby services.

Since opening, our range of services has

extended to meet the needs of the community.

BodyRefine corrective and rehabilitation

exercise, massage and personal training have

been popular additions, plus our regular

adult and baby Osteopathy, Acupuncture,

Reflexology, Massage, Counselling, Coaching,

Ultrasound Scanning, Medical Consultations

and Private GP services. This year we

also welcome experienced Five Elements

Acupuncturist David Thorpe.

Over the years we have added specialist

baby services, such as Tongue Tie assessments

and division by Lactation Consultant, Julie

Carden alongside our regular FREE weekly

Breastfeeding support and antenatal courses

for the NCT, plus Hypnobirthing classes.

Adult Yoga and Tai Chi are now firm fixtures,

along with our usual Parent and Baby Music,

Massage and Pre and Postnatal Yoga Classes.

LOCAL

Advertorial

Carmenta

Adult & Baby Medical & Wellbeing Centre

Here for you.

A confidential freephone number for

anyone affected by domestic abuse.

Contact us and we will signpost you

to the help you need.

Freephone 08 088 088 088

Monday to Friday: 9am–9pm Weekends: 9am–4pm

Confidential email: kim@mailpurple.org

Free • Confidential • Anonymous

@HertsDomesticAbuseHelpline

@hdahelp

Registered charity number: 1184899

@HDA_Helpline

www.hertsdomesticabusehelpline.org

Chesham House,

Church Lane,

Berkhamsted,

HP4 2AX

Services Include:

General Practitioners

Physiotherapy & Osteopathy

Sports & Deep Tissue Massage

Personal Training

Pilates & Yoga

Counselling & Psychotherapy

Reflexology & Acupuncture

Men, Women & Child Health

Pregnancy & Fertility Scans

Antenatal & Postnatal Care

www.carmenta-life.co.uk

01442 872 591

03300 886020


Spring 2021 / 13

M

Y

Y

Y

Family Law myths

by Georgina Allen, Solicitor at Rayden

Solicitors, Berkhamsted

I

often get asked about family law myths so

here I share two of the more common ones.

It’s important to dispel these myths because

often misconceptions lead to bad decisions, which

can have a serious impact on someone’s life.

We’re not married but I am a common

law spouse

This is one of the most common myths I hear

repeated to me. It is a mystery how it has

attained mythical status but let me be clear –

there is no such thing! Okay, so there was such

a thing but it was abolished in 1753 - nearly 300

years ago!

The simple position is that when a

relationship of two people who are not married

or in a civil partnership breaks down, the

Courts’ powers are limited. Separated partners

can ask the Courts to deal with the regulation

of ownership and sale of property on principles

of Trust and Property Law. They can potentially

seek financial support from their ex-partner for

the benefit of their children and can apply for

Child Arrangements and other Court Orders

under the Children Act 1989. Unfortunately for

separating partners, this is largely the extent of

it. The Courts are not concerned with fairness,

the overall picture or maintenance for the

benefit of one of the former partners.

However, the good news is that a proposed

Bill, the Cohabitation Rights Bill, has started its

journey through Parliament, receiving its first

reading in 2020. But the second reading is yet

to be scheduled so if the draft Bill does make its

way into law, it isn’t going to be any time soon!

Pre-nuptial agreements - not worth the

paper they are written on!

This is no longer true, but as with many things

in law, the answer isn’t straightforward. While

there is no legislation dealing with pre-nuptial

agreements in the UK, there is a growing body

of supportive case law.

Georgina

Allen

English law currently states that pre-nuptial

agreements are not automatically binding.

However, if properly prepared, they may well be

upheld. So what does ‘properly prepared’ mean?

Well, these are the key criteria for a pre-nuptial

to be capable of being upheld (although there is

still no guarantee):

1. The agreement must be freely entered into

(with each party taking independent legal

advice).

2. The couple must understand the implications

of the agreement (which means full

financial disclosure from each other so they

understand what future claims either may be

giving up).

3. It must not be unfair to uphold the parties

to their agreement in the circumstances

at the time of the divorce. Pre-nuptial

agreements are more likely to be upheld in

short marriages - there is less chance of the

agreement becoming out of date or being

superseded by unforeseen events during

the marriage.

This area of law is in desperate need of

reform. In 2014 the Law Commission made

recommendations for pre-nuptial agreements

to be legally binding. However, anything is yet

to come of it.

So, couples considering a pre-nuptial

agreement should each seek independent

legal advice, and make sure the agreement is

done properly. If they do this, there is far more

chance of the agreement being upheld.

LOCAL


Spring 2021 / 15

LOCAL FOCUS


Caroline brings food

festivals home

Tring businesswoman Caroline Stranders

has launched Taste Treats, a new

monthly subscription box targeted at

discerning foodies.

Caroline explains: ‘Our foodies receive a

themed box every month filled to the brim

with a surprise selection of exciting new food

and drink samples.’

Local foodies will be pleased to hear March’s

box is themed ‘The Chilterns’ and features a

selection of scrummy local delicacies.

Keeping it loql

A

scheme started by a Berkhamsted man,

with the aim of helping the high street

benefit from digital orders, is going

from strength to strength.

Loql was created by Matt Lindop, along with

a worldwide group of digital natives.

So far Petals, toy shop Hamlins, Berkhamsted

Sports, Creative Collective, The Olive Tree and

The Meating Room are on board. The scheme

has just taken its 1,000th order.

But it’s about more than just online shopping,

says Matt. Next up is an electric cargo bike for

local deliveries.

See more at: https://berko.loql.ly

Home Counties Loft Ladders,

Quality You Can Trust!

These days most

homeowners suffer

from a lack of storage

space. So many

precious items that

need to be kept – but

where to store it all?

That’s where Home

Counties Loft Ladders

come in.

The company,

based locally, offers

homeowners the

opportunity to

maximise their storage

space with a loft ladder,

50sqft of boarding and

a light - all fully fitted

in less than a day from

just £355! But it’s not

just the affordability

of the package that

makes Home Counties

Loft Ladders stand

out, as manager Jamie

Oakley explains: ‘Our

watchwords are Quality,

Integrity and Value.

Quality in the materials

that we use for all our

installations and the

fact that all our loft

packages are fitted by

time served tradesmen,

so our customers are

assured of the best job.

Integrity in that we

will turn up at the

time we say and

make sure the house

is spotless when we

leave, and value in

that we offer our

services at a price

people can afford.

Our business relies

on referrals and we

get a huge amount

of our calls from

people who have

been referred to

us by our existing

customers - that simply

wouldn’t happen if we

didn’t adhere to our

overriding principles.

At the end of the day

the old adage that

happy customers

lead to more happy

customers is true and

we work hard to make

Need more

storage space?

INSTALL A LOFT LADDER

AND USE YOUR LOFT!

STARTER PACKAGE: Aluminium loft

ladder, light plus 50 sqft boarding, fully

fitted in less than a day from £355

Advertorial

that happen for every

installation we carry

out!’

So, if you want to make

use of your loft space,

call Jamie free on 0808

301 9558 and he’ll be

happy to pop round and

give you a no obligation

quote so you too can

make use of your loft!

• Loft Ladders • Hatches

• Boarding • Insulation

• Lights • Fully Guaranteed

CALL FREE: 0808 301 9558

Following

COVID-19

Secure

Guidelines

SHOP LOCAL

Here’s our

selection of great

things to buy in

Berkhamsted,

Tring and the

villages

01 02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

12

11

13

12 12

www.livingmags.info

LOCAL

14 15

16 17

18

19

20

21

Bailey & Sons - Berkhamsted

01 Silver Knot Bangle £55.00

02 Silver Hoops £19.50

03 Silver & Gold Plated Bee £65

Beechwood Fine Foods - Tring

04 Bakedin Home Baking Kit £3.45

05 Diforti Italian Style Pastries £3.50

06 Sawuchay Table Sauces £3.25

Berkhamsted Arts and Crafts - Berkhamsted

07 Macrame Planter Kit £15.40

Creative Collective - Berkhamsted

08 Cotton Velvet Robes £95

09 Organic French Soaps & Hand Creme Gift Set £26

10 Velvet Cushions £38 to £40

Debbie Shrimpton Illustrates - Berkhamsted

11 Framed Illustration of Berkhamsted Cricket

Club, Ashlyns School and Berko Over The

Rainbow £45 each.

Doodleshoe Paper Goods - Berkhamsted

12 Sausage dog birthday card, Cat birthday card

and Playing cards birthday card £2.75 each

20

21

Fancy That - Tring

13 Jellycat Fuddlewuddle Elephant Baby £12.50

and Medium £20 and Matching Book £11

14 Harry Potter Dobble £14.99

15 Dunoon Fine Bone China Mugs from £14.50

16 Padi Cushion £15

Gems and Jules - Tring

17 Dreamcatcher earrings £29

18 Bohemian orbital pendant and earrings £145

Wigginton Village Shop - Wigginton

19 Yvette’s Chocolates Potten End from £4.95

20 Bee Bombs wildflower seeds £7.99

21 Dionne’s Garden bird nesting boxes £19

If you would like to present your seasonal products in our

Shop Local section, get in touch: info@livingmags.info

Spring 2021 / 19

CAMPFIRE OLD TOM GIN

Head over to our distillery shop on

Friday or Saturday to discover

our full range of award winning gins.

PUDDINGSTONE DISTILLERY

Notes of

spice, juniper

and citrus with a

hint of colour

and sweetness

without the use

of sugar.

Wilstone, Tring, Herts HP23 4NT

puddingstonedistillery.com

Notes of

spice, juniper

and citrus with a

hint of colour

and sweetness

without the use

of sugar

WILSTONE | TRING | HERTS | HP23 4NT

Produce available from

over 30 local suppliers!

Home produced lamb & beef

Heygates animal feeds & pet foods

Relax in our tea room

and browse our produce

OLD TOM

GIN

OF THE

YEAR

2019

WINNER

www.chilterncoldpressedrapeseedoil.co.uk

www.pemeadandsons.co.uk 01442 828478

LEGENDARY BEER FROM HERTFORDSHIRE

VISIT OUR BREWERY SHOP

DRAUGHT & BOTTLED

BEER TO TAKEAWAY

LIMITED EDITION

& EXPERIMENTAL

BREWS

GIFT VOUCHERS

T-SHIRTS & GOODIES

GOLDEN TOAD

MEMBERSHIP

PICKLES &

PRESERVES

BREWERY TOURS

VISIT OUR NEW WEB SHOP

In 2021 our Monthly Specials will be

raising funds and awareness for Chilterns

Dog Rescue Society.

Dunsley Farm, London Road, Tring HP23 6HA

N 01442 890721

D www.tringbrewery.co.uk

RECIPE

RAINBOW COOKIES

In this issue, Victoria Chidgey of Little Tring Cakes,

who opened Waters Edge earlier in the year

(previously Bluebell Tea Rooms) at Marsworth

Reservoir, shares with our readers how to make one of

their most popular items - Rainbow Cookies. Perfect

for some family baking over the Easter weekend!

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 160 C fan, 180 C

1. Cream together the butter and sugar, until light

and fluffy.

2. Gradually beat in the egg and vanilla.

3. Add the sifted dry ingredients to form a stiff cookie

dough mixture.

4. Let the cookie dough rest in the fridge for at least

an hour.

5. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and roll

into balls.

6. Dip each ball into the smarties and then place onto

a baking tray, ensuring they are well spaced apart

(to allow for spreading)

7. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown in colour.

8. Once out of the oven leave the cookies to cool on

the baking tray.

For the cookie dough:

• 260g Plain Flour

• ½ tsp Bicarbonate

Soda

• ½ tsp Baking

Powder

• 0.180 kg Butter

• 225g Caster Sugar

• 1 Egg

• 1 tsp Vanilla

Extract

• Smarties to

decorate

Waters Edge serves cakes, barista

made coffee and selection of

savoury food (all homemade and

locally sourced). They plan to serve

an all-day brunch menu, wine list

supplied by Tring Winery, a cocktail

list, premium draft beers and an

evening ‘small plates’ menu.

Do you have a family or favourite

recipe that you would like to share

with our readers? Maybe you have

a recipe for a local speciality or

heritage dish? Email us at

editorial@livingmags.co.uk

Spring 2021 / 21

Fruit pickers at the nurseries of horticulturalist John Edward Lane senior (©BLHMS)

Discovering our

Victorian ancestors

Berkhamsted’s Rectory Lane Cemetery can tell some fascinating tales,

as Community Engagement Office Kate Campbell explains

The previously neglected Rectory Lane

Cemetery has been transformed over

the past three years ‘from a dead

space to a living place’ with the support of

the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the

work and dedication of many volunteers

and professionals, shining a light on those

who are buried there and providing a

community heritage asset and green haven

in Berkhamsted.

One of our noted Victorian burials is

horticulturalist John Edward Lane senior, who

developed the family’s Lane’s Nurseries

business, founded in 1777 into an enterprise

well-known across the country and beyond.

Trains were laid on for Londoners to visit their

rose gardens; they exported grapes to France

and Belgium; they exhibited prize-winning

plants far and wide and their nurseries provided

employment to many in Berkhamsted.

He also diversified into beer brewing and

established a number of public houses,

including the Crystal Palace (the pub which is

now the subject of a campaign to save it from

residential redevelopment). He embellished it

with a grand frontage in honour of his friend Sir

Joseph Paxton’s great exhibition halls in London,

at which the Lanes exhibited. Sadly, Lanes

ceased trading in the 1960s.

Next to the Lane memorials is one of our

finest tombs - ‘Sacred to the memory of Mrs Anne

Hewson of Woburn Place, Russell Square, London

… erected by Mr William Parkins (of this town) in

grateful remembrance of his aunt’s affectionate

kindness to himself and family.’

Anne was the sister of the first Sexton of the

Cemetery. She inherited a substantial sum of

money through a relationship with a candlemaker.

She put her nephew William through

school and paid for his apprenticeship as a

stationer, a successful career which culminated

in him establishing, with his partner Mr Gotto,

Parkins & Gotto, the first department store in

Oxford Street.

22 / Berkhamsted Living www.livingmags.info

LOCAL

HISTORY

Berkhamsted’s William Parkins founded Oxford Street’s first department store,

thanks to his sister’s generosity

At 46, Anne married Thomas Hewson,

a London surgeon nine years her junior,

undertaking to pay for all the expenses of their

Woburn Place residence. Did he want greater

access to her wealth? Twenty years later Hewson

was acquitted at the Central Criminal Court of

‘conspiring to procure an order for the confinement of

a person of sound mind in a Lunatic Asylum.’

Unfortunately, Anne didn’t escape the lunacy

charge – after Hewson’s death an inquisition

declared her to be of ‘unsound mind’. To repay

the debt, William moved into Woburn Place to

look after her and, on her death, brought her

back to Berkhamsted.

There are others of humbler occupation from

that era, such as Thomas Tompkins, from a

long line of butchers, and Edward Kingham,

a baker like his father before him. The Herts

Advertiser and St Albans Times of August 1892

reported an event of friendly rivalry – a match

of Bread v Meat: ‘Ye merry butchers have challenged

ye jolly bakers to a game of ye old English cricket, in

costume’ which attracted not ‘less than a thousand

spectators, and there was much cordiality and fun

and genial banter’. Accompanied by St Peter’s

brass band, everyone met at the Crown Inn

for pre-match drinks,

having ‘appointed their

two captains; he that

ruled over the floury men

being a jolly baker one

Edward Kingham; and he

to whom the knights of

the cleaver gave allegiance

was Thomas Tompkins a

merry butcher’. They then

formed a procession

to the cricket ground,

where ‘great multitudes

of people were attracted by

the noise of the instruments

and the novelty of the spectacle’. The cricket match

itself appears to have been pretty short before

everyone returned again to the Crown for more

conviviality, dancing to the band and singing.

It sounds like quite an event! We wonder what

trades or occupations would be represented in

an equivalent match today in Berkhamsted –

estate agents and coffee shop owners, maybe?

The Rectory Lane Cemetery project is indebted to the volunteer

researchers who unearth the fascinating stories of the people

who lived (and died) before us and shaped this town. To

discover more go to www.rectorylanecemetery.org.uk

Hewson memorial

Spring 2021 / 23

Day trips from £16. 0

Holidays from £280. 0

Courier on every trip

& Day Excursions

New Trips

For 2021

Fully bonded

Coach Holidays

NEW pick up route for 2021! - Milton Keynes

New for 20/21 Booking Online

It’s time for a new adventure

Coach Holidays 2021

2021 brochure now available

Making memories with Masons

01296 661604 info@masonscoachhire.co.uk

www.masonscoachhire.co.uk

THE

PULL-OUT AND KEEP!

MAGAZINE

B2B DIRECTORY

O

ur new B2B directory is designed to help local

business owners get the message about their

services and products out to other business

owners. With more people than ever working at

home, it’s a great way to get in touch with other

business owners...

Shopping local has kept our favourite shops and

eateries in and around Tring and Berkhamsted afloat

over the past year.

When Dee Fagg of 3DVA happened to mention

that she, and no doubt many other businesses, was

really missing the leads and referrals generated by

business networking, we put our heads together to

come up with a solution.

Now so many of us are working from home and some

running companies from our home offices or kitchen

tables, it makes sense that we try to shop local for

our business needs as well.

Here at Living Magazines we thought that we

were all missing a trick - of course we should be

using our neighbouring businesses to help us with

the products and services we need to keep our

businesses running smoothly.

Not only are they just around the corner if we need

help, or have to pick something up, but with few

networking groups running virtually during this

lockdown, it’s a great way to make contact with

like-minded people while so many of us are working

from home.

We have invited our favourite B2B providers to

make contact through our B2B Directory. We’d love

to make this bigger as time goes on. If you would like

to be included in the next edition, please email us at

info@livingmags.info

So read on to find the best service and product

providers for all your business needs - right here on

your doorstep!

It is really important that businesses

understand where their enquiries have come

from. If you contact a company advertising or

mentioned in this magazine, please mention

our name. It’s just a little thing, but a really

important one.

Berkhamsted is

Open for Business

3DVA

Business & Professional Services

Present your business in a consistent professional way

with a range of bespoke documents, helping you to look

good & save time. Reports, slides, processes, user

guides, data tables & graphs, fillable forms, infographics

& memes, created for you.

Suite 8, George House, High Street, Tring, Herts

HP23 4AF | 07549 900447 | hello@3dva.co.uk |

www.3dva.co.uk

ActionCOACH West

Hertfordshire

Business Coaching Practice

We pride ourselves on being Hertfordshire’s Complete

Business Coaching Practice. Our coaches are experts in

doing whatever it takes to make the life of an SME easier

& more effective. Our coaches will help you to add

insight into your business no matter its size.

68 High Street, Tring, Herts HP23 4AG |

01442 773310 | westherts@actioncoach.co.uk |

www.westherts.actioncoach.co.uk

Alison Page

Marketing

Marketing Agency

Looking for marketing assistance to help your business

grow? We are a team of experienced professionals who

provide bespoke strategic marketing services,

combined with sound business sense, to SME’s

in Herts, Bucks & Beds.

4 Jubilee Gardens, Tring, Herts HP23 4JG |

07963 002065 | hello@alisonpagemarketing.co.uk |

www.alisonpagemarketing.co.uk

Chuffed Productions

Video Production

Helping brands & businesses produce high quality,

engaging video content, delivered on time & on budget.

Testimonial, Case Study, Brand, Product, Training &

Instructional Videos. Animated Explainers & Live

Streaming.

2nd Floor, Aldbury House, Dower Mews, High Street

Berhamsted, Herts HP4 2BL | 01442 601709 |

hello@chuffed.video | www.chuffed.video

DENS

GS2 Design

Charity

DENS support people in Dacorum facing homelessness,

poverty & social exclusion. Refer to the next page for

details of the DENS Business Partnership programme

& become part of our legacy.

The Hub, Paradise, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 4TF

01442 800268 | fundraising@dens.org.uk |

www.dens.org.uk

Graphic Designers

An ideas led, full service graphic design agency

creating…impactful graphics, strategic print & digital

marketing, websites that attract & perform, branding,

packaging, signage, display & more…

George House, 64 High Street, Tring, Herts HP23 4AF

01442 827727 | hello@GS2Design.co.uk |

www.gs2design.co.uk

HJP Chartered

Accountants

Chartered Accountants

Helping Ambitious Business Owners Scale & Grow.

Business Mentoring • Tax Planning • Accounts

Compliance • Payroll & Bookkeeping • Xero Gold

Partners • Experts in Tax, Business & People.

At HJP Everybody Counts.

Audley House, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted,

Herts HP4 1EH | 01442 872878 |

angela@hjpchartered.com |

www.hjpchartered.com

Lloyd Donnelly

Solicitors Limited

Solicitors

Local friendly law firm specialising in employment law,

consumer affairs & contracts. We can advise on all

aspects of employment law inc Employment Tribunal

claims for disputes relating to unfair dismissal,

contracts, discrimination, whistleblowing, holidays

& redundancy.

64-66 Akeman Street, Tring, Herts HP23 6AF |

01442 915260 | info@lloyddonnelly.co.uk |

www.lloyddonnelly.co.uk

Matz Skoog Coaching

Performance Coaching

Former dancer & Artistic Director, performance coach

for ambitious professionals looking for clarity,

confidence & courage for decisive actions in business &

in life; helping you go further than you thought possible.

New Kingswood Cottage, Swan Lane, The Lee , Bucks

HP16 9NU | 07833 335038 | matz.skoog@gmail.com

www.matzskoog.com

Naomi MacKay,

Creative Copywriter

Copywriting, Social Media & Editing

Creative copy for all business communication. Great

copy tells a story – let me tell your business story,

whether that’s on your website, in blogs, social media, or

brochures. I can also refresh & revitalise your existing

web copy & other marketing materials.

17 Mill Road, Slapton, Beds LU7 9BT

07802 426594 | naomimackay@gmail.com |

www.naomimackay.co.uk

SR Consulting

Business Advice

Practical advice for ambitious, time poor business

owners. Help in 3 ways: • Support to gain clarity on your

business plan • Delivery of a ‘grown up’ tool kit to guide

your day to day • Advice on how to make the most of

your time & pin down your priorities.

c/o Haines Watts, Milton House, Gatehouse Road,

Gatehouse Industrial Area, Aylesbury HP19 8EA

01296 340404 | jonathan@sr-consult.co.uk |

www.sr-consult.co.uk

Stringer Mann Chartered

Financial Planners

Chartered Financial Planners

We provide a wide range of wealth management

services in both the private & corporate financial

services sectors, allowing us to provide specialised

advice & guidance to our valued clients.

236a High Street, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 1AG

01442 874888 | stringermann@sjpp.co.uk |

www.stringermann.com

Travel Impressions

of Tring

Travel Agent (Independent)

An independent travel agent located behind Costa

Coffee on Tring High St. We can help with booking

holidays & cruises worldwide as well as closer to home.

We offer a friendly, personal service & use only fully

bonded companies.

Suite 4, George House, 64 High Street, Tring HP23 4AF

01442 890265 | enquiries@travelimpressions.co.uk |

www.travelimpressions.co.uk

THE

MAGAZINE

B2B DIRECTORY

Become part

of our legacy!

Join our Business Partnership today and

work with us to increase our positive

impact in the community and together,

we can help rebuild more lives.

By providing a regular financial commitment,

you can help us plan for the future, knowing

that this provides a reliable, steady income

throughout the year.

By partnering with us, you can display your

commitment to our cause and create positive

publicity and PR for your organisation.

Please set up a monthly donation today and

you and your business can become part of

our legacy.

There are tangible rewards too:

• An exclusive DENS Business Partner Logo to

display on your website

• Official DENS Certificate to display on your

premises

• Visibility and recognition on our website and

click-through to your website

• Priority CSR Corporate Volunteering

opportunities at our services

• DENS presentation to staff

• Pride in the knowledge that your organisation

is creating social impact and making a positive

contribution in your community

Membership

No. of

Employees

1-3 4-10 11-50 51-100 101-150 151+

Monthly

Donation

£15 £25 £50 £75 £100 £150

For more information, please email business@dens.org.uk or call 01442 800268

Your support is greatly appreciated

Thank you.

www.@dens.org.uk

Registered charity number: 1097185

BOOKS

The

latest books

from our local and

regional authors

Catherine Alliott, queen of romantic comedy

As bestseller and Tring author Catherine releases her 16th novel, Behind Closed

he queen of Doors, Living caught up with her to talk about her favourite places around the area

atherine Alliott

know where to turn.

ing for an escape from past

r-in-law.

eturns home. Her parents'

e throws her in the path of an

ecades.

sk questions.

thing far worse behind . . .

nched in Catherine’s

eph’s lead Mother’s Day

all, second chances.

- Marian Keyes

hie Kinsella

es

ail

elegraph

less’ - Red

romance’ - Time Out

luding About Last Night, My

ret Life of Evie Hamilton, and

n Hertfordshire.

dharajan

2 | @sriya__v

Catherine’s latest novel, Behind Closed Doors, is set in Oxfordshire, when her heroine moves

in with her elderly parents after being unexpectedly widowed. But she says, ‘I’ve kept the area

vague. It’s in the Chilterns and about half an hour from Thame - which we are here! I

purposely keep my locations vague otherwise people call up and tell you that your character

couldn’t possibly have caught a bus from here or there because the bus service stopped three

years ago. It’s so lovely here why wouldn’t I set my novels around the Chilterns - and setting

them somewhere I didn’t know would take such a lot of time to research!’

Favourite walk: ‘We live right next to the Ridgeway. It’s beautiful, we are near Ashridge so walk along

there and towards Pitstone Hill and down onto the Downs.’

Favourite restaurant: ‘On special occasions The King’s Head in Ivinghoe. We still mourn the loss of

The Regal Chinese restaurant in Berkhamsted.’ (Ed’s note – so do we all!)

Favourite Takeaway: ‘We’ve just discovered a wonderful Indian restaurant called Papad, in Chesham.’

On Tring High Street: ‘I love the hardware shop Metcalfes. It has a lovely, old-fashioned feel, as you

collect picture hooks or whatever and place them in a paper bag! I like the Market House for things

such as linen napkins and milk jugs and Almars is very good too.’

Favourite place for coffee: ‘I meet my friend in Waitrose in Berkhamsted and when we have filled our

trolleys we have our coffee there and sit and chat. You feel like you’ve done something useful, not just

had coffee!’

• Win a copy of Catherine’s latest novel! See page 45 for details.

Die in the Dark

by Dave Sivers, Ivinghoe

A vicious homophobic attack sees the start of a new investigation for Aylesbury Vale

detectives Lizzie Archer and Dan Baines.

Dave is a founder of the annual BeaconLit festival of books and writing.

Your Kids are Boring

By Tom James, Berkhamsted

A wry, light-hearted look at modern parents’ obsession with their children.

Tom also wrote Fifty Shades of Gravy: The Cookbook, and the comedy podcast I am Idiot.

Prince of Dragons - Book one of the Ashridge Adventures

By Pam Howard, Little Gaddesden

Thrilling fantasy adventure set in Ashridge Forest. The book’s castle is based loosely on

Ashridge House. For ages nine and over.

Pam lives in Little Gaddesden and was inspired by walks in Ashridge Estate. She says: ‘It’s

a truly magical place and if I close my eyes I can imagine elves flitting through the trees and

dragons flying high above.’

Local authors! Let us know about your book releases. Email editorial@livingmags.info

PEST

Your local

PROBLEM?

professional

Your pest local control professional pest control company

company

Your local

professional

pest control

company

01923 223011

info@multipest.co.uk • www.multipest.co.uk

• Rats & Mice

• Wasps

• Squirrels

• Foxes

• Insects

• All UK pests

M.J WALDRON

AND SONS

BIG ENOUGH TO COPE, SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE

• Patios • Driveways • Fencing

• Brickwork • Decking • Shed bases

• Treework • Gates • Turfing • Pergolas

• Sheds & summerhouses built to order

Grab lorry & mini digger

for hire with driver

Full garden service from

planning to construction

Call Martyn on

07956 506610

01442 248837

www.mjwaldron.co.uk

MJ Waldron CHECKERTRADE.indd 1 14/10/2019 12:35

WOODLAND PLANTING

CONTEMPORARY COURTYARD WITH FIREPIT

CONTEMPORARY GARDEN BERKHAMSTED

NATURAL SWIMMING POOL

www.tierradesigns.co.uk | 0800 298 8278 | 15 Highfi eld Road Tring HP23 4DX

Tierra Half page Spring 2021.indd 1 04/02/2021 12:21

EDEN Sixth AD.qxp_Layout 1 03/02/2021 15:08 Page

Island living

We were

delighted when

Olivia Ahern contacted

Berkhamsted Living

to tell us about her

latest adventure.

Olivia, 20, a student

from Berkhamsted,

has moved to a remote

Scottish island - the

Isle of Cumbrae -

with boyfriend

Harry.

Read the full story at

www.livingmags.

info/island-living.

LOVE YOUR GARDEN

BUT NOT GARDENING?

Knowledgeable female gardeners

offering garden care and

advice at affordable prices

Call Lisa on 07707 377925 or email

hello@eden-gardencare.com




SUMMER 2021 20-04-21 28-04-21 12-05-21 31 May 2021


WINTER 2021 07-10-21 20-10-21 03-11-21 22 November 2021


FENCING &

GROUND WORKS

CONTRACTORS

COMMERCIAL

& DOMESTIC FENCING

GROUND WORKS

GARDEN

PONDS

& WATER

FEATURES

FOUNTAiNS

URNS

SPillWAY

BOWlS

PATiO PONDS

SPhERES

CASCADiNG

WATER WAllS

...AND more

PLANT HIRE

Call Rob on

07735 406268

racutlercontracting@gmail.com

www.racutlercontracting.com

Over 20 years experience

BOOKiNG NOW

FOR SPRiNG &

SUmmER 2021

CAll US TODAY

m: 07805 659330

www.britponds.com

GOOD ENOUGH TO

EAT!

Did you dabble with growing your own fruit and veg during

last year’s lockdown? Take it to the next level this year with

some edible ornamentals and new varieties…

Gareth Richards, editor

of the RHS Grow Your Own

newsletter, offers his top tips...

1. Sow salad plants like lettuces and radishes

regularly in small quantities, to ensure a

steady supply of harvests.

2. Club together with friends and neighbours

to swap seeds.

3. Remember to feed crops in pots with liquid

plant food for better harvests.

4. Try growing strawberries in growbags for

a decent crop from a small space.

5. Don’t be tempted to sow seeds of outdoor

crops too early. Tender but quick-growing

things like courgettes, sweetcorn and

runner beans need to be sown late April

at the earliest.

Find out about the RHS GYO newsletter at

rhs.org.uk/gyo

It’s incredibly satisfying to grow your own,

with whatever space you have. All kinds

of veg can be cultivated in containers, and

micro salads and herbs can also thrive in a spot

on a sunny kitchen window, so you don’t even

have to have any outside space!

Sunnyside Rural Trust’s* Matt Felix and

Catherine Jones have this great advice to get

you started:

‘The easiest are types of root veg, where some

tubers can be saved back and replanted for the

next year’s crop, and almost forgotten about for

the growing season. These include plants such as

potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes and ocra, a special

South American root vegetable that grows well in

UK summers. Many have beautiful flowers and

foliage to admire before your harvest and have a

lot of nutrients in them too.

‘The most important rule of growing your own

food is to only grow what you like to eat! It seems


“ The most important rule of

growing your own food is to

only grow what you like

to eat!

simple but it’s easy to plant so many things

that you may end up not eating. Select your

top five favourite veggies and stick to them

as a starting point.’

Plan your seed sowing

It’s easy to go mad, and sow a whole pack of

carrot seeds at once - but the problem is that

you will have a whole patch of carrots ready at

the same time. Sow every couple of weeks and

you’ll have a continuous supply. And remember,

carrots come in all kinds of colours - which may

tempt young picky eaters. ‘Cosmic Purple’ has

purple skin and is light orange inside, or look

for a seed selection that also includes yellow and

white carrots - Thompson & Morgan’s Carrot

‘Sweet Imperator Mix’ for example. Salad

leaves are probably one of the easiest things to

grow - and you’ll save a packet if you usually

buy bags of leaves from the supermarket! Just

remember to sow regularly.

Where to grow?

If you have plenty of space in your garden,

you can have a proper veg patch. Divide into

beds, using sleepers or proprietary raised bed

kits - and make sure you leave enough space for

you to sow, tend to, weed, and harvest without

stepping on surrounding plants.

Raised beds are great, especially if you have a

bad back or other mobility issues. And because

the beds are filled with fresh compost you don’t

have so many issues with weeds and stones.

Edible ornamentals

“

Your veg plot can look pretty and be functional.

Grow French marigolds around beans,

sweetcorn and tomatoes to keep aphids away.

Multicoloured nasturtiums will lure Cabbage

GARDENS

White butterflies away from cabbages and

broccoli - and you can use the petals in salads.

Other good looking, and edible plants include:

Kale ‘Jardin Mixed’ - vegetable plant of the year

2020, this pretty brassica will surprise you with

frilly leaves ranging in colour from purple to

green and white.

Bronze fennel (Foeniculum vulgare ‘Purpureum’)

has fern-like foliage and yellow flowers.

Globe Artichoke - majestic thistle-like plants with

wonderful purple flowers and silvery green leaves.

Chard - a reliable and useful crop. Choose

the multicoloured stems of ‘Bright Lights’ for

maximum good looks.

Peas - choose the variety ‘Blauwschokker’

for its pretty lilac and purple flowers and deep

purple peapods.

Chives - easy to grow, the pink-purple flowers

brighten up a dull corner - use them to make

onion fragranced, pretty pink chive vinegar.

Note: Correct identification of edible flowers is

essential - see https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/

profile?PID=764 for advice.

* Sunnyside Rural Trust is a charity and social enterprise

offering training and work experience for vulnerable people.

They grow fresh veg that is sold in their shops either fresh, or

in jams and chutneys. Most of the 30-plus types of vegetables,

plus soft fruit and herbs are grown on the Northchurch site.

They also run a veg box scheme from April to December. Find

out more at www.sunnysideruraltrust.org.uk

Chives

Spring 2021 / 33

WENDOVER WOODS AND BACK

WALKS AROUND TOWN

We’re lucky to have some great halfday

and full-day circular walks taking

in stretches of The Ridgeway on our

doorstep. The one we have chosen for

this issue is from the Chilterns Country

Views of the Vale collection.

Points of Interest

The 7-mile circular Walk to Wendover Woods and back follows part of The Ridgeway

National Trail. The Woods have wonderful displays of bluebells in late April and early May.

There is also a cafe at the main car park, a children’s playground and an ancient hillfort,

now rather overgrown. The café is currently open for takeaways.

Start point: Wendover Railway Station, Grid

Reference: SP849067

Distance: 7 miles, allow 3½ to 4 hours.

Accessibility: Uphill for about 2 miles.

There are no stiles or kissing gates on this

route. About a mile of the section from Wendover

to The Hale is considerably uphill. There is an

All Ability Trail suitable for wheelchairs near

Wendover Woods main car park.

1. Leave Wendover railway station by the road

and turn left past the Shoulder of Mutton

pub. Continue along Wendover High Street

past the shops. Cross the road at the

pedestrian crossing and continue down the

High Street.

2. Just after the last shop turn right onto

a footpath (signposted Ridgeway), which

passes through a park alongside a stream –

continue to follow Ridgeway signs.

3. Go straight on, following The Ridgeway

National Trail signs (which are waymarked

with an acorn symbol) past the lake

and church and along the road. At the

crossroads go straight across, up

Hogtrough Lane. Continue to follow

The Ridgeway, which forks left after

Boswell’s Farm into woodland. Follow this

forest trail for over one mile gently uphill.

You will eventually cross Hale Road and

enter Wendover Woods.

TO DOWNLOAD A MAP OF THE WALK, VISIT WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO/TYPE/WALKS


4. The Ridgeway drops down (via steps) to meet

a bridleway in a sunken lane. Turn 90

degrees left here (leaving the Ridgeway) and

after some 40 metres take a public footpath

to the right. Follow this well waymarked

path uphill through the wood until it meets a

wider stony track. Turn right along this track

and follow it, climbing gently. At a fork of

tracks take the right (upper) one, which

brings you to the Wendover Woods main

car park.

5. Follow the tarmac road to the left (the café is

ahead of you where you meet the road) and

turn left to follow a wide track for ½ mile,

which passes picnic areas with barbecues.

Keep straight on at a sign for Boddington

Bank viewpoint. After 300 metres there is a

piece of fitness equipment (part of the fitness

trail): do not turn left here – go straight on

and follow the track downhill. You will

eventually meet another track, turn right

and join this track, continuing downhill.

Then carry straight on until you reach the

road at the bottom.

6. Turn right and follow the road back to

Wendover (please take care if walking on the

road). At the junction turn right and after

50m take the path between houses on your

left. This brings you back to the park at the

start of the walk. Follow the stream and then

on to the Heron Path to come out on the High

Street by the Clock Tower. Turn left and walk

back up the High Street to the rail station.

Thank you to the Chilterns Area of Outstanding

Natural Beauty for supplying this walk.

You can find out more on the website at

www.chilternsaonb.org.

Advertise in Tring and Berkhamsted Living Magazines and

your business will be delivered by the Royal Mail to almost

22,000 homes and businesses in the area. We are the only

magazine delivering to every postcode in HP4 and HP23.

It couldn’t be easier! Email advertising@livingmags.info

or visit www.livingmags.info/advertise.




SUMMER 2021 20-04-21 28-04-21 12-05-21 31 May 2021


WINTER 2021 07-10-21 20-10-21 03-11-21 22 November 2021


SPRING

INTO HEALTHY HABITS!

Spring is a great time to begin your new road to a healthier

lifestyle - we’ve compiled some simple ideas that should get

you feeling fitter and looking good in no time…

Hands up who has stuck to their New

Year’s resolutions? No, us neither!

January is not the best time to start a

new healthier lifestyle. It’s cold, the days are

short and have we mentioned lockdown 3.0?

But never fear, spring is a much better time to

get started on some healthy habits. According to

scientists it takes 66 days to form a habit, so try

these easy ideas and they’ll be part of your

lifestyle before summer rolls round…

Get a breath of fresh air: ‘My healthy habit

over the past few months is my daily lunchtime

walk,’ says Claire Foster, community

partnerships and wellbeing officer for physical

activity and sport at Dacorum Borough Council.

‘Whatever the weather I take this opportunity to

get away from my laptop and get some fresh air!

If you want to set yourself a challenge there are

lots of virtual events, including Dacorum’s Your

Town 5k event run later in the year, that you can

work towards.’

Meditate: ‘Find time every morning to

meditate, even if it is just five minutes,’ says

Hollie, senior therapist, at Cecily Day Spa in

Berkhamsted. ‘This will give you the perfect

time to check in with yourself and listen to

what your mind/body needs’ If you struggle

with the concept of meditation, just sit still for

five minutes with your feet flat on the floor,

shut your eyes, and breathe.

Get some balance: ‘Grab a chair and sit up

straight, holding your core in,’ says Heather

Harris, coach at Berkhamsted’s Jog On. ‘Lift

one leg out straight in front of you, foot flexed

and then lift it higher, slowly 10 times. Swap

legs. Repeat this set three times (30 on each

leg). Progress by doing the whole exercise

standing up holding onto a wall then, as your

confidence improves you can step away

from the wall and again repeat the leg lifts.

This simple exercise will improve strength

and balance.’


HEALTH AND BEAUTY

“ It’s easy to get involved in a

Netflix bingewatch or scroll

through Facebook before

bedtime, but the blue light is

not conducive to a good

night’s sleep. Leave the

TV downstairs and invest

in an alarm clock so you

can leave your phone

elsewhere too!

“

Ditch the screens: It’s easy to get involved in a

Netflix bingewatch or scroll through Facebook

before bedtime, but the blue light is not

conducive to a good night’s sleep. Leave the TV

downstairs and invest in an alarm clock so you

can leave your phone elsewhere too!

Multitask: ‘Create a new healthy habit based

around some activity that’s already part of your

daily routine,’ says Karin Voller, event director at

Tring-based Run the Wild. ‘Combine brushing

your teeth with some balance work (stand on

one foot for half the time and then the other), or

squats, or perhaps lunges. When you go to the

shops, could you walk and carry your shopping

home in a backpack? Rather than driving to the

local postbox, try walking to one.’

activities such as singing, dancing, music, arts

and crafts activities are a great way to improve

your mental wellbeing. You can find lots of

online creative events and activities by visiting

www.creativehertfordshire.com’

Stretch it out: ‘I’m making it a habit this year

to start each day with a few yoga stretches

before I hit my desk with a large mug of tea in

hand,’ says Berkhamsted’s Cecily Day Spa

manager Nikki. ‘Beginning my day with a good

stretch is a wonderful way of softening some of

the kinks we get from sleeping and gets the

blood flowing – providing the perfect energy

boost to face the day.’

Stock up the freezer: ‘Frozen fruit and

vegetables tend to be cheaper than fresh, and

don’t compromise on nutritional benefits as the

freezing process can preserve nutrients,’ says

Karen Lem, director of Hastoe-based Vivo

Fitness. ‘Frozen produce is often prepared and

pre-cut, saving you time, and is easy to cook

or defrost and add to smoothies, cereals, soups

and stews.’

Check your posture: With many of us working

from home at kitchen tables and on unsuitable

chairs, make a note to correct your posture as

you sit or walk. Your back will thank you for it.

Dance like no one’s watching: ‘I love dancing

to all kinds of music, even in my kitchen or front

room,’ says Annie Smith, community

partnerships and wellbeing officer for Arts and

Culture at Dacorum Borough Council. ‘I

recommend putting on some music you like and

moving to it in any way you feel! Creative

Run the Wild

Spring 2021 / 37

Advertise in Tring and Berkhamsted Living

Magazines and your business will be delivered

by the Royal Mail to almost 22,000 homes

and businesses in the area. We are the only

magazine delivering to every postcode in

HP4 and HP23. It couldn’t be easier!

Email advertising@livingmags.info or visit

www.livingmags.info/advertise.




SUMMER 2021 20-04-21 28-04-21 12-05-21 31 May 2021


WINTER 2021 07-10-21 20-10-21 03-11-21 22 November 2021


Comprehensive course suitable for all ages and fitness

levels developed by the experts at Nordic Walking UK

and delivered by qualified instructors.

JOIN US ON A GREAT CHOICE OF

FITNESS WALKS AND ONLINE CLASSES FOR ALL

LEVELS AND AGE GROUPS

Vivo Fitness and Walxridgeway

07766366388

www.vivo-shapehealthlife.co.uk

www.walxridgeway.co.uk

TRING

01442 890214

studio@tringpilates.co.uk

www.tringpilates.co.uk

PILATES

STUDIO

Fully equipped Pilates Studio

based in the centre of Tring.

Highly qualified instructors have first-hand

experience of how Pilates can help with:

• Posture correction

• Dance

• Pain management

• Rehabilitation

• Pre and Post-natal

The Instructor to client ratio is 1:3

1:1 sessions available

Mat classes.

• Extreme Sports

• Increased

functionality

• General Fitness

Tring Pilates Studio

66-68 Akeman Street

Tring HP23 6AF

LOCKERS PARK

“Lockers Park prepares

boys for success in the

modern world.”

Tatler Schools Guide

VIRTUAL OPEN MORNING - SATURDAY 8 MAY

Book your space at lockerspark.herts.sch.uk/openday

Academic focus | Small class sizes | Free wraparound care

Pre-Preparatory and Preparatory School for boys aged 4-13 years

Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead 01442 251712

Online Classical

Guitar Lessons

with Don Adam Perera

Beginner - advanced • All ages welcome

Professional and experienced classical guitarist

with BMus and MMus.

£20 per half hour

Please text: 0789 456 2150

or email: donadamperera@gmail.com

Rated ‘Excellent’ in all areas, ISI Report 2020

‘Outstanding’ Nursery for girls and boys

“Dedication is not in doubt” – Good Schools Guide

Join the school virtually at an Open Event:

abbotshill.org.uk

Whole School Virtual Open Day - Saturday 6 March, 10.00am

Prep School Virtual Open Day - Friday 12 March, 9.30am

Independent Day School for girls 4-16 years,

Day Nursery & Pre-School for girls & boys from 6 months

Bunkers Lane, Hemel Hempstead,

Hertfordshire, HP3 8RP

Email: enquiries@abbotshill.herts.sch.uk

ENCOURAGING

INDEPENDENCE

You may be nervous when your teen starts

going out without you (Covid regulations

permitting), but provide them with the

right tools to stay safe and you won’t worry

quite so much!

Tanith Carey, author of What’s My Teenager

Thinking? Practical Child Psychology for Modern

Parents* explains: ‘As your child hits adolescence

they want more control over their social life.

This is part of the necessary and expected

separation away from adults, to find their own

tribe. Be warned that the age of 14 is when the

Fear of Missing Out on social activities peaks.

Rather than thwart social plans - or trying to

wrap your child in cotton wool - it’s better to

work with our teens on ways they can learn to

stay safe.’

It can be scary when your

young teen starts going out

with their friends, but these

tips will help them stay safe

and help you calm your

nerves!

Tanith’s stay safe tips:

• Get them used to making short easy trips

with friends to the park or running errands.

• Young teens are not aware of how difficult it

is for drivers to see them if they cross the

road without looking. When you are in the car

with them, help them see the driver’s point of

view on pedestrians.

• Teens can feel invincible. This means they can

take dangerous risks when crossing roads. Be

a good role model by crossing roads at

designated safe crossing points. Also explain

why they must always take their earbuds out

when they cross the road - accidents among

this age group have soared sharply in recent

years for this reason.

• Children are now more likely to be targeted

by muggers because they carry more

electronics and phones. Talk about


KIDS

prevention, staying aware of people around

them, keeping electronics out of sight and

how pickpockets often use drama and

distractions. Talk about why it’s more

important to give up their phones or purse

than risk serious injury, and assure them you

will not be angry with them.

• Talk to your teen about the importance of

sticking together when they are out, and

acting as lookouts for one another.

• If they are coming home later for some

reason, such as an after-school activity, they

should sit in a carriage with other people or

behind the driver if they travel by bus.

• Update your chats about stranger danger.

Adolescent girls can often be targets. Tell her

no one has the right to make her feel

uncomfortable or be treated as a sex object to

be stared at. Tell her how to stay safe by

avoiding empty carriages or platforms and tell

her if she is being followed that she is not

causing a fuss or being impolite if she asks

transport staff for help.

• If your teen thinks they are being followed,

tell them to cross the road, abruptly change

direction, or go into a shop or ring the

doorbell of a house until the threat passes. If

your teen is being followed in a car, or is

asked to get inside, tell them to create as

much distance as possible, as quickly as

possible and not to be afraid to shout for help.

• Explain that a condition of your adolescent

having a phone is that they leave the house

with it charged and keep it on when they are

out so you can get hold of them if needs be.

“

Teens can feel invincible.

This means they can take

dangerous risks when crossing

roads. Be a good role model by

crossing roads at designated

safe crossing points

“

We asked local

parents for their

advice:

‘We have a code word/code question. So if she’s

out with friends and isn’t comfortable (wants to

leave) she texts us this. The plan is we then ring

and say she’s got to come home – which gives her

an excuse - and/or we meet her.’

‘Use the app what3words which has a share

location option and can pinpoint with great

accuracy your whereabouts.’

‘I use an App called Life360. I can always see

where my daughter is and how to find her.’

‘Always go out with a power bank to charge their

phone.’

‘Let them go out a bit hungry, teenagers and food

go hand in hand so it means they’re never too

long or too far away!’

‘Always take a bank card so parents can transfer

money if needed.’

* What’s My

Teenager

Thinking?

Practical Child

Psychology for

Modern Parents -

Tanith Carey

with Dr

Angharad

Rudkin,

published by

DK.

Spring 2021 / 41

GET ON THE PROPERTY

LADDER

It might be harder than ever to buy your first home these

days, but it is possible. Here’s how...

At the end of 2020, the average house

price had reached an all-time high, but

if you’re trying to get your first steps

onto the property ladder, don’t despair. There

are still ways you can do it.

We find out more from mortgage adviser

David Milbourn from Stringer Mann Chartered

Financial Planners in Berkhamsted.

Remember the rules

One of the first mistakes people make when

trying to work out how much they can borrow

is that they forget about ‘affordability’ – but the

banks don’t.

So while you might think that, because you

can afford £1,200 a month in rent, that the

banks will easily lend you that much, sadly

you’re likely to be wrong.

There are three main rules to remember,

explains David.

‘First, remember that for most average earners

the bank’s loan-to-income ratio will never be

more than five times your salary,’ he says.

‘Depending on your circumstances and the

“…banks will consider more

factors than just your salary

when trying to work out

affordability. They will

take into account the

cost of living…

“

bank, it could be less.’ For example, you’re more

likely to be offered a loan that’s four times your

salary if you’re a first-time buyer with a low

deposit of between five and 10 per cent.

Second, banks will consider more factors

than just your salary when trying to work out

affordability. ‘They will take into account the

cost of living, and any unsecured loans you may

have,’ explains David. ‘They will also make sure

you would be able to pay that amount back if

interest rates rose to 7 per cent.

‘Third, they look at how sustainable your

income is. So if you’re self employed or do

contract work, they will decide whether they


PROPERTY

“ The Help to Buy scheme is

basically a government loan of

20 per cent of the property

price (40 per cent in London)

on new-build homes only,

which is interest-free for the

first five years. If you then pay

it back you’ll never pay

interest on it; although you

will still owe 20 per cent

of the future value…

think your current income is sustainable,

and either take into account an average for

the previous three years or the most recent

annual income.’ Commissions and overtime

are also likely to be averaged and often must

be supported with a P60 showing consistency

of earnings.

But there are other ways to buy:

Help to Buy Equity

“

This is a great option for first-time buyers

who might have a decent income, yet have no

substantial deposit.

If you are earning decent money, but paying

high rent, you may not have had the chance to

save a big deposit. This scheme could help.

The Help to Buy scheme is basically a

government loan of 20 per cent of the property

price (40 per cent in London) on new-build

homes only, which is interest-free for the first

five years. If you then pay it back you’ll never

pay interest on it; although you will still owe 20

per cent of the future value, otherwise you will

pay interest on it for the next 20 years until it

must be repaid in full.

‘This could be the difference between being

able to afford to buy your own home and not,’

says David.

Shared Ownership

‘This can be a great option for low or single

income families,’ says David.

You can choose to buy a percentage of the

property, while a housing association owns

the rest and you pay them rent. You can choose

to increase your percentage as and when your

income rises. This can sometimes also be on a

new property; a house builder will build a new

development and the housing association will

buy a percentage of those properties to offer as

shared ownership properties.

‘Some people don’t like the idea of this as it

means you’re still paying rent. But this is a

great solution because it means you’ve made the

first step onto the ladder. It means you can buy

a much nicer house than you would be able to

afford without this scheme, and you’re also able

to ‘staircase’ the amount you own – in other

words, if your income goes up, you can choose

to buy a larger percentage of the property,

usually up to 75 per cent.’

As the price of the property goes up, so does

the value of the percentage you own. It also

enables people to have stability rather than the

uncertainty of renting.

• Stringer Mann can offer a wide range of

mortgages from across the market.

Visit www.stringermann.com to find

out more.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up

repayments on your mortgage.

Spring 2021 / 43

High quality bespoke made to measure furniture

Bedrooms ■ Home offices ■ Living rooms ■ Dressing rooms... and much more

Complete Fitted Bedrooms, established in 1987 by Richard Phillips, is a family

business supplying high quality bespoke made to measure furniture. We pride

ourselves in working directly with our customers in the design process so that

each unit is tailored to the customers’ needs and maximises the living space.

Berkhamsted Office

354 High Street

Berkhamsted

Herts

HP4 1HU

01442 777111

Amersham Office

Sycamore Place

Hill Avenue

Amersham

HP6 5BG

01494 434363

email: sales@completefittedbedrooms.com

www.completefittedbedrooms.com

LOCAL PLACES

CROSSWORD

ANSWERS TO ‘LOCAL’ CLUES ARE ALL CLOSE TO BERKHAMSTED AND TRING

Across

8 Setting half-mile leads instead (6)

9 Local donating topless gardener’s tool (8)

10 A quiet hilltop local (8)

11 Calm saint wears old hat (6)

12 Intimidate and harshly criticise local (3,5)

13 No diversity of colour (6)

14 Local with energy line gradient (3,4)

17 Merciless villain holds back support at

summit (7)

20 Scan peaks to the east (6)

22 Local soldiers take first train further (8)

25 Less attractive fabrication in wayward

wig (6)

26 Discovers a hunter’s collection (8)

27 Infection team joins Frenchman (8)

28 Still regularly play on the level (6)

Down

1 Local colour of prince, reportedly (8)

2 Miles and I take luxury car or replica (6)

3 Plain kernel of hard nuts turned over (6)

4 Absorbs summaries (7)

5 Local fruit centres (8)

6 Simple worker supports endless neglect (8)

7 Pig has least ability to come back (6)

15 Weird hag troubles local (8)

16 Ruined cathedral seen by new local (3,5)

The 18 warm-hearted Local assembly room new was novel torn from apart the at queen of

romantic first comedy (8) and No 1 bestseller, Catherine Alliott

19 Limbless monkey ate me up (7)

21 Force breaks enthusiastic return of

Behind Closed Doors

Jamaican beat (6)

23 Even Catherine unfit teachers Alliott have relations (6)

24 Target last produce at town bazaar (6)

4 th March | HB/A | 9780241384718

Penguin Michael Joseph | £12.99

#BehindClosedDoors

COMPETITION

WIN A COPY OF

CATHERINE

ALLIOTT’S

LATEST NOVEL!

When Lucy is unexpectedly widowed, she doesn't know where to turn.

She seeks refuge with her elderly parents in Oxfordshire, hoping for an escape from past

memories - and from her overbearing sister-in-law.

But she gets much more than she bargained for when she returns home. Her parents'

bungalow is falling apart, and their surprisingly busy social life throws her in the path of an

old childhood friend she hasn't seen e have for decades. three copies of local

Wauthor Catherine Alliott’s

Yet as Lucy begins to move on, others start to ask questions.

book - Behind Closed Doors to

Is she running away from her grief? Or did she give leave away! something far worse behind . . .

Witty, poignant, at times heartwrenching, All you and have drenched to do to in be Catherine’s

with a

characteristic warmth and humour, this is chance Michael to Joseph’s win is answer lead Mother’s Day

title – a story about love, loss, family, and above all, second chances.

following question at www.

Praise for Catherine livingmags.info/competitions:

Alliott:

‘Her writing is both intelligent and sparkling’ - Marian Keyes

Who wrote the Hound of the

‘A huge treat. Hilarious yet poignant’ Baskervilles? - Sophie Kinsella

‘Compulsively readable’ - The Times

Terms and conditions apply, visit

‘Warm, witty and wise’ - Daily Mail

website for details. Winners will be

‘Hilarious and full of surprises’ chosen - Daily at random. Telegraph Closing date

‘Classy, wonderfully gossipy Friday and breathless’ 23 April 2021. - Red

‘An addictive cocktail of wit, frivolity and madcap romance’ - Time Out

Crossword Answers - Across: 8 Milieu. 9 Ivinghoe. 10 Ashridge. 11 Stolid. 12 Cow Roast. 13 Orange. 14 Ley Hill. 17 Meeting.

20 Browse. 22 Mentmore. 25 Uglier. 26 Unearths. 27 Gangrene. 28 Evenly. Down: 1 Wilstone. 2 Mirror. 3 Tundra. 4 Digests.

5 Pitstone. 6 Ignorant. 7 Homing. 15 Hawridge. 16 Lye Green. 18 Northall. 19 Amputee. 21 Reggae. 23 Nieces. 24 Market.

Catherine Alliott is the author of fifteen bestselling novels including About Last Night, My

Husband Next Door, A Rural Affair, One Day in May, The Secret Life of Evie Hamilton, and

Wish You Were Here. She lives with her family in Hertfordshire.

WHAT’S ON

WWW.LIVINGMAGS.INFO/EVENTS

As we go to print on the magazine, we are still in

lockdown 3. Please check with the organisers in advance

to confirm whether their event below will be going

ahead. If you would like to include your event in future

magazines complete the form at:

www.livingmags.info/submit-event.

WEDNESDAY 10 MARCH

Business:

BDCC Networking

Via Zoom 8-9.30am.

www.berkhamsted-chamber.

co.uk

SATURDAY 13 MARCH

Markets & Sales:

Tring Farmers Market

The Market Place on Brook

Street, Tring. 9am-12.30pm.

2nd and 4th Saturday of each

month. www.

tringfarmersmarket.co.uk

Music:

Ruisi Quartet

Berkhamsted Civic Centre

7.30pm, £16.

www.berkhamstedmusic

.co.uk

WEDNESDAY 17 MARCH

Talks:

History of Allotments

Berkhamsted Local History

& Museum Society, Wellcome

Great Hall, Town Hall,

Berkhamsted, 8pm.

berkhamsted-history.org.uk

THURSDAY 18 MARCH

Business:

Tring BusinessMart

Breakfast

Via Zoom 8-9.30am.

www.tringtogether.org.uk

SUNDAY 21 MARCH

Markets & Sales:

Berkhamsted Farmers

Market

High Street, Berkhamsted,

10am-2pm. www.facebook.

com/berkofm

SATURDAY 3 APRIL

Markets & Sales:

Berkhamsted Book Fair

Court House, Berkhamsted,

10am-4pm. 01442 862011

Walks:

Brazier & BBQ Bubbles

Spring Meadow Farm,

Whelpley Hill, Berkhamsted

HP4 2SX. Tuesdays all

day and Saturday

afternoons. ‘BBQ Bubble’

and health walk across

30-acre eco-farm.


Business Planning

Webinar

Meet

like-minded

business

owners

Develop

your 90-day

business

plan

Friday 19th March

1-4PM

www.westherts.actioncoach.co.uk

SATURDAY 10 APRIL

Create

achieveable

goals

Markets & Sales:





month. www.


46 / Berkhamsted Living livingmags.info

TUESDAY 13 APRIL

Business:

Tring BusinessMart

Breakfast

Via Zoom. 8-9.30am.


FRIDAY 16 APRIL

Talks:

A Fresh Look At Wycombe

St Leonards Parish Hall, 8pm

for 8.15pm.

www.cholesbury.com

SUNDAY 18 APRIL

Markets & Sales:

Berkhamsted Farmers

Market



com/berkofm

THURSDAY APRIL 22

Music:

Nine Below Zero’s Greaves

& Feltham

Court Theatre, Doors & Bar

19.00 Band 20.00.

courttheatre.co.uk

SATURDAY 24 APRIL

Fairs / Festivals:

Tring Spring Fayre

Virtual three-week festival

celebrating the outdoors.

Includes Henry Grace’s ‘Keep

Tring Together Running’.


SATURDAY 1 MAY

Walks:

Brazier & BBQ Bubbles

Spring Meadow Farm,

Whelpley Hill, Berkhamsted

HP4 2SX. Tuesdays all day

and Saturday afternoons.

‘BBQ Bubble’ and health walk

across 30-acre eco-farm.


FRIDAY MAY 7

Music: John Verity


19.00 Band 20.00.

courttheatre.co.uk

SATURDAY 15 MAY

Markets & Sales:





month. www.


THURSDAY 13 MAY

Business:

Tring BusinessMart

Breakfast

Via Zoom. 8-9.30am.


FRIDAY 14 MAY

Talks: AGM followed by

Marsworth Polish Hostel

1948-1961

Cholesbury Village Hall,

7.30pm. www.cholesbury.

com

SUNDAY 16 MAY

Markets & Sales:

Berkhamsted Farmers

Market



com/berkofm

THURSDAY MAY 20

Music:

The Malone Sibun Band


19.00 Band 20.00.

courttheatre.co.uk

THURSDAY MAY 27

Music: Brave Rival


19.00 Band 20.00.

courttheatre.co.uk

FRIDAY MAY 28

Music:

Spikedrivers plus Tyzack

& Tortora


19.00 Band 20.00.

courttheatre.co.uk

SAVE THE DATES!

SATURDAY 26 JUNE

Fairs / Festivals:

Tring Summer Carnival

Pound Meadow, Tring


WEDNESDAY 30 JUNE

Business: BDCC

Networking and Social

Berkhamsted Cricket Club,

5-8pm. Summer Chamber/

Networking Social Event in

aid of ‘The Big Five Charities’

in Berkhamsted: Age UK

Dacorum, Berkhamsted Town

Hall Trust, DENS, Hospice of

St Francis and Open Door.

berkhamsted-chamber.co.uk

Open for orders, collection

or deliveries, as well as gift

subscriptions and author events

Mon-Sat 9am to 5pm

Sun 11am to 1pm

www.ourbookshoptring.co.uk

87 High Street, Tring HP23 4AB

Tring 827653

LOCAL SERVICES

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

CALOR GAS & FUEL

LANDSCAPING

GARDENING SERVICES

We stock a full range of

Logs, Coal,

Calor gas, &

Charcoal

P E Mead & Sons Farm Shop

Wilstone, Near Tring HP23 4NT

01442 828478

Opening Times

Mon-Sat: 9am - 5:30pm

Sunday: 9:30am - 4:30pm

www.pemeadandsons.co.uk

GARDENING SERVICES

LOCKSMITH

l Tree Care l Fencing

Contact Robert on:

07585 007109

HANDYMAN

For all carpentry and landscaping!

A friendly, reliable service from a local

tradesman! Hourly rate for a small job /

daily rate for larger jobs!

Call Ash Sutherland now on:

01296 662138 or 07547 483495

e: info@ahtk.co.uk www.ahtk.co.uk

I track all our enquiries I can confirm that the Living

magazine has been a great source of interested

customers. Charles Ashby, Dagnall Container Storage

Your magazine is a valued contributor to the

local community. Linda,

BOOKING &

NEWS

DEADLINE

ADVERT

ARTWORK

DEADLINE

SUMMER 2021 20-04-21 28-04-21

AUTUMN 2021 03-08-21 04-08-21

WINTER 2021 07-10-21 20-10-21

Contact: advertising@livingmags.info or

OVEN CLEANING

PAINTING & DECORATING

Michael Casingena

Painter &

Decorator

All types of

decorative work

undertaken.

Excellent rates

and references.

25 yrs in the trade.

Call Mike on...

01442 822684

07534 109823

michaelcasingena@hotmail.co.uk

TV AERIALS

PLUMBING/HEATING

192819

JB Services

Plumbing and Heating

Small, professional, local

business carrying out all

aspects of central heating,

gas & plumbing work

including bathrooms

and emergencies.

07790 515 605

jonbasson66@yahoo.co.uk

www.jbplumbandheat.co.uk

Ashley Green, Chesham, Bucks HP5 3PL

l Bird spikes

Its working. People

are coming in now

that they know we

are here and selling

quality goods.

Singh at Village

Wines in Tring

Excellent publication – love it!

Catherine

INSERT

DELIVERY

DEADLINE

DISTRIBUTION

FROM

12-05-21 31 May 2021

18-08-21 6 September 2021

03-11-21 22 November 2021

telephone 01442 824300

LOCAL ESSENTIALS

Need a number in a hurry?

Keep this page handy

Visit our website for more essential

services and telephone numbers

including opticians, dental surgeries and

vets for both Tring and Berkhamsted

www.livingmags.info/berkhamstedessential-services

Defibrillator machines in the town

centre can be found by The Civic Centre, 161

High Street, Berkhamsted HP4 3HD. For a full

list of defibrillators in the east of England, visit

our website using the above link.

HEALTH

Hemel Hempstead Hospital & Urgent Care

Centre (Open 24/7)

Hillfield Road, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4AD.

01442 213141

Late Night Pharmacy

Open until 10.30pm 7 days a week

172 Tring Road, Bedgrove, Aylesbury HP20 1JR.

01296 432 696

ADDITIONAL USEFUL NUMBERS

Police Emergency 999

Police Non-Emergency 101

NHS Medical Advice Line 111

Samaritans Call free from any phone on 116 123

Child Line For free and confidential help for

young people: 0800 1111

TRANSPORT

Bus

0300 123 4050 or visit www.intalink.org.uk

30/31 to Hemel Hempstead via Ashridge, the

Gaddesdens and Potten End (not Sun)

354 to Northchurch (not Sun)

354 to Chesham (not Sun)

500/501 to Aylesbury via Tring

500/501 to Watford via Hemel Hempstead

502/532 to Northchurch via Sportspace (not Sun)

502/532 to Hemel Hempstead via Potten End

Community Action

This service provides older or disabled people

who have difficulties in using public transport

safe, reliable and accessible transport to a local

supermarket. 01442 253935 or visit www.

communityactiondacorum.org/door-to-store.

Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday morning of each

month to Waitrose, Berkhamsted.

Train

London Northwestern Railway

0333 3110039 or visit

www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk to

download the operator’s app

To London Euston via Hemel Hempstead and

Watford Junction

To Northampton via Leighton Buzzard and

Milton Keynes

Southern Railway

0345 1272920 or 0208 1850778 from a mobile, or

visit www.southernrailway.com

To Milton Keynes via Leighton Buzzard

To South Croydon via Watford, Olympia and

Clapham Junction

50 / Berkhamsted Living

With over 20 years experience in the industry we aim to provide a professional,

efficient and reliable scaffolding service to all of our customers. Our team of fully

qualified CITB registered scaffolders pride ourselves on our first-class customer

service.

We also have an outstanding Health and Safety record, are fully compliant with

current Health and Safety regulations and hold £10million public liability insurance.

Contact us for a free competitive quotation today: 01442 872670 / 07833 666861

www.aaronscaffolding.com

Offering the latest in digital technology,

Bow House Dental is a state-of-the-art practice providing:

Smile Makeovers Dental Implants Invisalign ® Clear Braces

Composite Bonding Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening

White Filings Facial Aesthetics Hygiene Services General Dentistry

BERKHAMSTED

128 High Street | Berkhamsted

Hertfordshire | HP4 3AT

01442 878 424

TRING

75 Western Road | Tring

Hertfordshire | HP23 4BH

01442 890 384

info@bowhousedental.co.uk | www.bowhousedental.co.uk

Follow us on Instagram

bowhousedental

Berkhamsted Living Spring 2021

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template ?