Nancy Revell’s family saga

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

Sunday Times bestseller, Nancy Revell who lives in Witney, talks about the inspiration for her latest offering, A Secret in the Family a family saga set in the fictional Cuthford Manor

As an author, whenever a new book is published, I’m often asked where my inspiration comes from. Sometimes that inspiration will have come about after researching what was happening at that particular time in history – like with The Cuthford Manor trilogy, the idea came to me after reading about the demise of many of the country’s stately homes post war. 

The series, The Shipyard Girls, which ran to 12 books, was inspired when I chanced upon a lone article about the forgotten women of WW2 who swapped their high heeled shoes for hobnailed boots, their pinnies for overalls, and went to work building ships. I passionately wanted to bring these incredible women to life.  

Without fail, though, every novel I pen is motivated and inspired by what makes my characters tick – what drives them, what causes them to behave the way they do, what makes them the people they’ve become, and how events which happen to them during the course of their lives changes them. 

Family dynamics and dysfunction have also always been a draw for me, and the latest book, the second in The Cuthford Manor series, A Secret in the Family is about a mother, who abandoned her children to run away with her lover, only to turn up out of the blue eight years later. Her arrival – and her reasons for coming back into their lives – has far-reaching (and unexpected) repercussions for all those at the manor, especially for her middle daughter, Marlene. I have to say that I really loved writing this novel as so much of the story concerns the mother-daughter relationship – something I find endlessly fascinating. 

Before I started writing fiction, I was a journalist, and it was those at the centre of the latest breaking news maelstrom which really captivated me. Why had someone done what they had done (good or bad)? How had someone been able to overcome some incredible tragedy? Interviewing ordinary people with extraordinary stories never failed to enthral and inspire. So, I guess it was inevitable when I made the crossover from writing articles to novels that it was the characters and their psychology that ended up being the foundation block and the inspiration for every book. 

A Secret in the Family, published by Penguin is out now and available from Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco’s and Morrisons, most bookshops, and Amazon. 

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John Sykes Foundation donations

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

The John Sykes Foundation works to improve the lives and wellbeing of the community in Reading through its donations to local charities and good causes

A £5,000 donation from John Sykes Foundation will help even more young people to improve their lives and wellbeing. 

The donation to No5 Young People which supports those aged 11 to 25 in Reading will help the mental health charity continue its invaluable work. 

During the presentation, the charity were delighted to find the £5,000 had been match funded to £10,000 through the Big Give Christmas Campaign in December. The funding will provide accessible counselling and mental health support for local young people, helping to reduce waiting times and improve service availability. 

John Sykes said: “The work of No5 Young People for the mental health and well-being of young people in Reading is truly invaluable. It is heart-breaking to see the increasing demand for their services and the challenges of meeting that need. We are proud to support this amazing charity and hope this donation will help them reach even more young people who are struggling and improve their lives and wellbeing.” 

The No5 team shared the current pressures on their services, with rising referrals highlighting the growing mental health challenges faced by young people today. The charity also shared updates on initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges and improving access to support. 

Carly Newman, Operations and Relationships Manager at No5 Young People, expressed the charity’s gratitude for the ongoing support: “Thank you for coming and for another generous donation to support our work and local young people’s mental health.” 

The donation to No5 Young People follows on from a donation of more than £1,200 to Saving Abandoned Fly-Grazing Equines (SAFE), a Swallowfield-based charity, run entirely by volunteers dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned, abused and neglected horses. 

The funding will be used to purchase mud mats, an essential resource for ensuring the welfare of horses during wet and muddy conditions. The mats help stabilise the ground, reducing mud build-up, preventing injuries to the horses, and providing them with a safer, cleaner and more comfortable environment, enhancing their recovery and quality of life. 

“We are honoured to support SAFE and their incredible work in rescuing and caring for horses in need,” John said. “It’s heart-warming to see how this charity makes a difference, not just to the animals but also to the wider community by raising awareness about horse welfare. The mud mats may seem like a small addition, but they will have a big impact on the safety and well-being of these animals.” 

Visit John Sykes Foundation for more information about its grant programs

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Free energy advice in Reading

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

Citizens Advice Reading is there to help solve energy issues and help you save money

Has the cost of living caught up with you recently? Or maybe your New Year’s resolution is to sort your energy and gas bills out, once and for all. Citizens Advice Reading could help you solve your energy issues, and save yourself money.

Energy issues can be complicated to understand. When your gas and electricity bills arrive, do you know exactly what you are paying for? And if you do, is this the best tariff for your household? You may think you could save money on heating, with proper insulation and efficiency measures, but aren’t sure where to start.

You may want to investigate your entitlement to energy-related benefits. There are a wide range available, including:
– Warm Home Discount
– Cold Weather Payments
– Household Support fund

The ‘Not One Penny More’ Energy Project, funded by the Energy Saving Trust, is staffed by a team of specialist energy efficiency experts who can comprehensively assist you with these issues.

All the advisers are fully qualified through the accredited National Energy Action training programme. The Energy Project is fully integrated into the larger Citizens Advice team, so you can rest assured that you will get extensive support and advice, no matter how complex your query is.

You can access the service in a range of ways, to suit your commitments and lifestyle. Caversham and Reading residents have previously benefitted from the community outreach programme in the Rivermead Leisure Centre and the Weller Centre. The website, Get help has a simple self-referral form, which will allow you to book an appointment with an adviser. Alternatively, the office on Minster Street is open to drop-in and register between 10-12:30 on Wednesdays, and 10-3:30 on Thursdays, or you can call our energy appointment registration line on 0118 952 3025.

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Bryony Hill’s fledgling family

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

Robins in my Kitchen is the charming and captivating diary of Bryony Hill about a robin who moved in in preparation for the birth of her ‘robinets’

It all began one late spring morning when a robin unexpectedly fluttered into Bryony’s bedroom. Unfazed, it perched on her dressing table briefly before flitting from room to room in her West Sussex home, eventually leaving through the kitchen window.

With each passing day, the visits of the robin grew more frequent, its boldness evident as it fearlessly explored its surroundings. Soon, it began bringing moss and leaves to the kitchen window. With each further visit, more nesting materials would appear on the work surfaces or dropped onto the kitchen tiles. Then, one morning, Bryony heard scuffling and rustling noises as the robin began building a nest in the kitchen on the shelf of a pine dresser. 

She found herself drawn into the remarkable journey of the robin, witnessing the little bird’s unwavering dedication, and a few weeks later, four delicate eggs appeared. What followed was one of the most extraordinary experiences of Bryony’s life; as she observed the hatchlings grow under the vigilant care of their parents until one day, under the watchful eye of the father, Bryony released the fledglings into her garden. 

Robins in my Kitchen provides details about the entire journey; structured in a diary-style format, readers are given an accurate day-by-day description of the events as they happened. 

“When it was clear the robins were setting up home in my kitchen, I started to post daily bulletins on Facebook. As the story gathered momentum alongside my photographs, it captured the interest of everyone and began to have a huge following, many saying that it was the first thing they looked at in the morning. I want to share the simple joy with others and hope they love the book!”, she explains. 

Bryony was born in Sussex and, after a year at Brighton College of Art, she left England for France where she lived for four happy years. After a time in London where she met her future husband the late television sports presenter Jimmy Hill they returned to her home county and settled into married life. 

Bryony is an avid gardener, cook, artist and writer with a love of nature. Robins in my Kitchen is the 11th published book she has written and illustrated. 

Find out more & buy a copy at Robins in My Kitchen | The Book Guild Ltd

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Money talks

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

Author and journalist Michael Smith introduces us to the real Goldfinger who found a way to make espionage pay

Goldfinger is one of the most famous James Bond villains – a fictional spy villain. But despite the obvious fantasy of 007, there were echoes of the real spy world in every one of Fleming’s Bond books. One of the most valuable agents MI6 ran in Berlin in the immediate post-war period was a powerful criminal boss called Mandel Goldfinger. Berlin lay in ruins with even formerly wealthy Germans forced to sell their most precious possessions to survive. Goldfinger was making a good living buying up their jewellery and selling it on.

It was the way he made his money that brought him to the attention of MI6 which was trying to build up its agent networks in the Soviet Union but was hampered by a lack of roubles. The Russians had blocked the sale of roubles abroad with the official exchange rate in Moscow $400 per 1,000 roubles. An MI6 agent in Berlin told his handler Tony Divall about a remarkably successful black-market operation run by a man called Goldfinger, which was smuggling Swiss gold watches, sold by impoverished Germans, into the Soviet Union where they were highly prized by Communist Party officials, particularly the women’s watches, which were known by the Russians as “Damskis”.

Goldfinger’s operation used the railwaymen who were ferrying German industrial machinery back to the Soviet Union as “war reparations”. Trains would leave Berlin and travel around the Soviet-occupied east Germany picking up wagons loaded with equipment, and then make their way across Poland to the Soviet border to be unloaded.

Divall, a fluent German speaker who could pass as a native German, suggested to his bosses in MI6 that they take over the smuggling ring and exploit it to obtain the roubles they needed to pay agents inside the Soviet Union. They gave him the go-ahead for Operation Junk and using the pseudonym Herr Stephan, he met Goldfinger who agreed a deal whereby MI6 would pay $280 for every 1,000 roubles.

The deal ensured that both Goldfinger and the railwaymen made a substantial profit, keeping them on board, it also saved MI6 money and ensured the KGB had no idea how many roubles it was buying up, and therefore how many agents the British secret service was running inside the Soviet Union. Operation Junk ran from 1946 to 1955, giving MI6 all the money it needed to pay its agents inside the Soviet Union and helping to keep them safe.

Michael Smith’s book The Anatomy of a Spy (History Press) is full of stories like this.

Want to chat spies or books with Michael? Get in touch at editor@roundandabout.co.uk

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Say hello to Ewhurst Players

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

If you have ever dreamed of being in the spotlight, hearing the applause or simply want to be a part of a production, now is your opportunity with Ewhurst Players

The award-winning Ewhurst Players ‘the jewel in the Surrey Hill’ are known for their spectacular musical productions and the high standard of their plays which regularly play to full houses. 

Meg has a wealth of experience having worked in the professional and amateur theatre and made her first stage appearance at the age of three. She has wonderful memories of her days as a young performer and is always keen to work with children and to see them gain in confidence. Meg and her late husband Alan formed their own theatre company and Meg trained and gave many young people the opportunity to perform and audition for drama schools in preparation for a career in the professional theatre. 

The society are now gearing up for the enchanting Goodnight Mr Tom, directed by Meg Bray who recently directed the Disney musical Beauty and the Beast. Goodnight Mr Tom is about friendship, loneliness, abuse, loss, love and community and the joy of coming together and creating something quite extraordinary. 

She is particularly looking forward to directing this play as it has a cast of young children as well as adults. She enjoys nurturing young talent and the upcoming auditions are open to newcomers and seasoned performers alike. “No previous experience – no problem. It’s all about giving people of all ages a chance to express themselves and grow”, she adds. 

A newfound love for performance

The juniors are looking forward to being joined by new members. Lulu Burr a familiar face in the ensemble, says: “If I audition successfully this will be my fourth show and I love every moment – especially all the friendships I have made.” Harvey shone as Le Fou in Beauty and the Beast and credits the Players for his newfound love of acting and singing. 

Grace Tosh, another young talent recalls her journey, “I started with a small role in Oliver. Now I’m playing bigger and more adult roles, and I have learned so much about stagecraft. I sometimes feel nervous at auditions, but once rehearsals start, it’s all worth it.” 

One thing they all agree on is the warm welcome you receive at Ewhurst Players. Harvey remembers when he first auditioned saying: “Everyone was so kind and encouraging it made me feel at home.” 

The upcoming auditions promise to be bustling with excitement. There are roles for all ages. Children (ages 6 to 13) will audition on Sunday, 23rd February at 3pm and adults on Tuesday, 25th February from 7pm, all Ewhurst Village Hall. Goodnight Mr Tom runs May 28th to 31st. 

Keen to audition?

Register your interest or for further details please email Meg Bray

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Caring is sharing

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

Cathy Hartshorne, who lives in Summertown, shares what a difference Age UK Oxfordshire’s Homeshare service made to her & her elderly mum

In Oxfordshire and around the country there’s a fabulous scheme that provides older people with companionship and enables them to stay in their own homes.

I discovered Homeshare when I was looking for something for my mum, who was lonely after my dad died. Although aged 90 she was still living at home, she was frail and I worried about her. After she had a couple of falls and lost confidence, I could see that for my mum, myself and my siblings, there would be peace of mind if she had more support.

She had carers four times a day but was on her own at night and often had few people to talk to through the day. We needed someone she could share meals with, who could help her do shopping or pick up her medications or, even tidy up her patio garden from time to time. 

An affordable home

I found Age UK Oxfordshire’s Homeshare service which matches potential sharers with older people who would like some company and help in the house. The sharers may be a post-graduate student, key workers or other professionals who are looking for affordable accommodation. The householder pays £150 per month to Age UK Oxfordshire to set up and manage the arrangement on an ongoing basis. For this, the incoming sharer, or companion, provides about 10 hours a week to the householder, a combination of companionship and practical support. The sharer also pays a fee to Age UK Oxfordshire as well as helping the householder with bills. 

I now volunteer with Age UK Oxfordshire’s Homeshare service, advocating for their work and helping to get the message out to people who may benefit. The service is managed with integrity and respect and I’ve been impressed with the co-ordination of the matching process. 

Support both ways

I’ve learnt the sharing partnership can take all shapes and sizes. In one case an 83-year-old companion was sharing with an 87-year-old householder. They became firm friends. In another case two sharers live in the house, taking turns to help the homeowner. A more typical Homeshare match might be a younger postgraduate student sharing the house with an older person. Some householders are at the more frail end of the spectrum, others are definitely not: their motivation for homesharing is as much wanting to support someone who needs affordable accommodation as it is company or support for themselves. The sharer is not there to provide personal care. However, in instances where personal care is needed, a Homeshare arrangement can sit very well alongside carer visits. 

Peace of mind

For us as a family, knowing someone is there overnight and can help with little things mum needs is a great relief. My mum’s sharer has been with her for a year and this meant I could go on holiday without worrying. The friendship between my mum and her companion continues to grow and I’m determined to promote Homeshare Oxfordshire. 

Please visit homeshareoxfordshire.org.uk, email homeshare@ageukoxfordshire.org.uk or call 01865 410670 to find out more. 

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Bounce back to netball in Tilford

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

If you’ve been longing to dust off your trainers and get back on the netball court, Tilford Back to Netball is the perfect opportunity for you, says Janet Alkema

There’s something truly special about Tilford Back to Netball. Whether you’re a seasoned player or you haven’t touched a ball since school days, this group welcomes all abilities. With coaching from a fully qualified England Netball Association (ENA) coach, you’ll sharpen your skills, build confidence, make new friends and enjoy a brilliant workout – all in the fresh air.

As one player shared: “I hadn’t picked up a netball in over 20 years, but I’m so glad I came along. The coaching is brilliant, and I’ve met some fantastic people. It’s the highlight of my week – it’s fun, it’s active, and it’s just for me!”

Tilford Back to Netball provides a much-needed break from daily pressures and there’s no better way to start the weekend than with a good game of netball and a laugh with friends. Members say the sessions have helped them de-stress and feel more positive.

Netball is a dynamic, fast-paced sport that gets your heart pumping and muscles working. From improving cardiovascular health to boosting agility and coordination, the physical benefits of netball are immense. Each session is structured to ensure you enjoy a full-body workout with a good dose of laughter. Members feel more energetic and stronger after just a few weeks of joining.

“I enjoy the supportive, diverse, fun, kind and welcoming group”

Cindy said: “I’ve been a member for over 10 years. I love the fresh air, exercise and developing my game. More importantly though I enjoy the supportive, diverse, fun, kind and welcoming group of ladies that make up the club. I always end the session smiling. It’s a great start to my weekend!”

The overriding theme is enjoyment. From the enthusiastic coaching to the lively games, the emphasis is on having a great time while getting fit. No matter how long it’s been since you last played, you’ll quickly rediscover the joy of the game.

Our coach, Sarah, says: “The ladies in the Tilford Back to Netball group are a joy to coach. Coming from a variety of netball background, they attend on a Saturday to work together, play together and most importantly, have fun. Back to Netball is our safe space to remind ourselves what we loved about netball in our youth and start to reignite those moves once more in a friendly, supportive session.”

Tilford Back to Netball is your chance to rediscover the joy of sport, get fit, and be part of a welcoming community. Sessions take place at Weydon School every Saturday morning during term from 10-11.30am.

For more information email Janet at alkema@janetalkema.com. Come and be part of the fun – we can’t wait to see you on the court!

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Jonny & The Baptists’ show

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

Jonny & The Baptists are bringing The Happiness Index, exploring mental health, politics, and the chaos of modern life to South Street on February 22nd

After their critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Jonny & The Baptists are bringing their hilarious and poignant new show The Happiness Index to Reading as part of their UK tour.

This witty musical comedy will explore the connections between personal tragedy, government austerity and mental health. Having already received rave reviews for its mix of comedy, post-modern absurdity, and raw emotional honesty, the show will feature the duo’s signature anthemic musical numbers.

Jonny Donahoe celebrated for his work Every Brilliant Thin – a global phenomenon that has captivated audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Broadway and on West End stages – join forces with Paddy Gervers known for his sharp, socially conscious performances across the UK. Together, they bring their signature emotional depth and theatrical innovation to the production.

Taking its title from David Cameron’s short-lived attempt to measure the happiness of Britain’s population, The Happiness Index takes aim at the impact of 14 years of Conservative rule, five increasingly chaotic Tory Prime Ministers, and the consequences of unrestrained capitalism on mental health. Structured around five acts, each reflecting the tenures of these Prime Ministers, it explores the political turbulence and societal impact of their time in power. In a country where it’s almost impossible to get a GP appointment, yet oddly easy to buy a healing vaginal egg from Gwyneth Paltrow, finding happiness feels increasingly out of reach.

The show explores themes of mental health, grief, and resilience, drawing from Jonny and Paddy’s own experiences, including Paddy’s ongoing struggle with depression and the barriers imposed by austerity in accessing mental health support.

Jonny and Paddy say: “We are so excited to take this show on the road across the UK. It’s been an intense and meaningful process, and we can’t wait to share it with audiences everywhere. It’s a show that resonates with so many people, and we hope it leaves everyone feeling inspired and connected.” 

In most venues, there’ll be a second show – a TBD Work-in-Progress – after The Happiness Index, with an interval in between. Led by the duo’s personable nature, the WIP will invite those in attendance to join in. It will be about half the length of the main show and will have a relaxed, fun atmosphere. The company hopes the audience will stay, as they believe the viewers are integral to the process of creating their work. 

The Happiness Index is a show about friendship, coping together, and the deep interconnections between mental health, politics, and personal tragedy. It tells the story of surviving the chaos of the world while finding moments of connection, humour, and humanity in the darkest of times. 

Book your tickets book here

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Juliet Travers’ birth flower paintings

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

Chawton illustrator Juliet Travers loves the local wildlife, which inspires her birth flower paintings

Juliet has had a passion for colour and drawing from a young age. “I used to fill endless folders of sketches and doodles when I was young,” she tells us. “All my school books were covered in scribbles and patterns, which I was often told off for!”

She comes from a big family of creatives, and cites her mother as inspirations. “She painted Disney characters and storybook murals on mine and my five siblings’ bedroom doors,” she says. “I helped her paint a Winnie the Pooh playroom when I was 11. She was self-taught and naturally talented so I learnt a lot from her.”

Juliet, who loves living in Jane Austen’s home village with her husband and two children, studied at Edinburgh College of Art. During university holidays she worked at Fox Linton, Cole and Son Colefax and Fowler and then became head of sales at de Gournay when she graduated. “It was the perfect catalyst to take the leap and venture off on my own,” she says.

“My husband is Zimbabwean and grew up on a farm out there which was why I focused on the safari theme for my debut collection. It’s a very special place and we hope to go back soon.

“Our home here is a converted barn overlooking endless fields and next to a woodland. We adore it here and haven’t looked back since moving from London in 2012. We have two cocker spaniels, Hippo and Cuba who was a wedding present. Lots of friends got their sibling so when we meet up, there are about 16 spaniels between us, are all related. It’s special! I love walking (or running) with my dogs for escapism, exercise, inspiration, fresh air and wellness. I often come back with a mind full of new design ideas and quickly have to note them down before I forget them!”

Last year Juliet painted and launched 12 original paintings of birth month flowers on 12 birthstone colours that sold out within 24 hours. Following this success, Juliet has released a selection of limited edition prints and greeting cards for sale in her online shop.

As for fellow local creatives, Juliet is a big fan of Long Barn in Alresford… “Gorgeous gifts, ornaments, clothes, jewellery! The Alresford Linen company is also a winner for fashion, home and lifestyle. The Consortium and The Hambleden my favourite independent shops and I love the Yard Café, West Lea Farm Shop, Pulpo Negro and the Pump House where my wallpaper is in the ladies and men’s loos! It’s a brilliant co-working space offering yoga, river walks, delicious food, events and a garden spa. It’s full of inspiring people and other entrepreneurs.”

See more of Juliet’s work here

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