Karen Neville, Author at Round & About Magazine • Page 13 of 44

London Marathon run for QEF

Karen Neville

January 30, 2025

Karen Neville

Camberley, Bagshot & Lightwater, Chobham, Community & Charity, Egham, Farnham, Godalming, Guildford, Haslemere, Old Woking, Round and About, Surrey, The Clandons

Joanna Morfield is just one of thousands taking part in this year’s London Marathon on April 27th

Like many people Joanna Morfield’s reason for running the London Marathon is very personal as she takes to the streets in memory of her mum, Rosie.

The 50-year-old from Oxted will be joining the tens of thousands of runners who will be taking part in the 26.2-mile race on Sunday, 27th April and hopes to raise £2,000 for Surrey based charity, Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF), in the process.

The charity supports disabled people of all ages and those with acquired neurological disabilities to achieve their potential and be as independent as possible. The charity’s services support almost 10,000 disabled children and adults annually, including its Care and Rehabilitation Centre in the heart of Surrey which is a modern and comfortable centre of neuro rehabilitation expertise.

Joanna, who also ran the London marathon last year on the first anniversary of her mum’s death, said: “I was supposed to run the London marathon in April 2023 however in the March of that year my mum Rosie suffered a catastrophic head injury that led to a brain bleed, leaving her paralysed down her left side. She was unable to sit up or walk. While in the hospital, she began to show slow signs of improvement, and we had hope, we could see signs of our mum coming back and the doctors started talking about transferring her to QEF’s Care and Rehabilitation centre, a place that specialises in helping people with disabilities, as well as those recovering from strokes, and head trauma survivors like my mum.

“Tragically, before she could make it there and two days before I was due to run the marathon, my mum’s health deteriorated, and she sadly passed away. We were and still are heartbroken.”

A few months later a friend, a supporter of the charity, told her there were spaces available for 2025. Joanna got in touch and was given a place.

“Though my mum never made it to the QEF, knowing the charity existed gave us hope during such a difficult time and it feels meaningful to run for it in her honour. Being given the chance to run for QEF in 2025 feels like a beautiful connection back to my mum.”

Jolene Ryan, Senior Events, Community and Partnerships Executive at QEF said: “It is wonderful to hear from Joanna that we could play a small part in giving her hope when she needed it most and having her run this year as part of our team is such a poignant way for her to mark the second anniversary of her mum’s passing. The money she is raising will make a considerable difference to the people we continue to support on their journey to greater independence.”

To sponsor Joanna please visit JOANNA MORFIELD is fundraising for Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People

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Oakmoor School marks Holocaust Memorial Day

Karen Neville

January 29, 2025

Karen Neville

Activities & Events, Alton, Community & Charity, Fleet, Hampshire, Petersfield & Villages, Round and About

Students design a candle as part of 80 Candles for 80 Years project

Students at Oakmoor School in Bordon took part in a project to design a special candle holder to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January which remembers the 6 million Jews murdered.

Oakmoor School, part of the University of Chichester Academy Trust, was one of 80 communities across the UK to be asked by the Holocaust Memorial Trust to produce a candle holder as part of its “80 Candles for 80 years” project.

The project is a nationwide arts and education initiative which marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of imprisoned Jews, and other prisoners, from Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945.

The 80 bespoke candle holder designs focus on the life of an individual or a community persecuted by the Nazis and feature a range of drawings, pictures, words and objects.

Oakmoor’s candle holder, which was designed by students in Year 8, reflects on the life of Sam Gardner, a Holocaust survivor who survived transportation between many camps.

Last year, Sam Gardner’s daughter, Maralyn Turgel, visited Oakmoor School to tell them about her father’s experiences.

The Year 8 students’ design consisted of images reflecting the life of Sam Gardner.

The school also wanted to hold its own tribute to the victims of the Holocaust and held a commemorative event at the school, with the candle design on display.

Nigel Wright, Headteacher at Oakmoor School, said: “Oakmoor School is honoured to have been selected to take part in the Holocaust Memorial Trust’s ‘80 Candles for 80 years’ project and we are very proud of our students’ stunning design work.

“We were also very pleased to come together as a school community to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and I would like to thank everyone who came along to support us.

“Holocaust Memorial Day is a moment not just of reflection on the past, but also of learning for the future, and Oakmoor School is committed to continuing to educate our young people about these tragic events.”

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Plied, not Pride, and Prejudice

Karen Neville

January 29, 2025

Karen Neville

Activities & Events, All Areas, Round and About

A very different adaptation of Jane Austen classic will have you reaching for a drink!

A fun night out full of madness and mayhem Plied and Prejudice is a side-splitting parody of Jane Austen’s classic novel, brought to you by a hilariously inappropriate cast of actors and musicians.

Telling the tale of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy as you have seen it before Plied and Prejudice invites you to Pemberley for Mr Darcy’s booziest ball. Equal parts performance and party, this immersive show delivers lots of audience participation complete with dance lessons, inappropriate proposals, free flowing drinks brought to you by the servants, that wet shirt scene and cameos from Keira Knightly (not the real one!).

With five actors scrambling to play 20 characters in this chaotic retelling, all notions of respectable theatre (and Regency etiquette) are thrown out the door! Direct from a sellout run in Australia, this is Pride and Prejudice as the BBC would never abide.

Whether you are an Austen die-hard, or you’d rather be watching Die Hard, you’re sure to love it – most ardently! Bring your eligible bachelors, your unmarried daughters, and the lover you will settle for if your cousin won’t have you, for an unhinged night of love, lust and libations.

Perfect for fans of Jane Austen, Bridgerton, Secret Cinema and Punch Drunk. As the blurb says: It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in Regency England must be in want of a very stiff drink

Opening at The Vaults in London on 20th March, Plied and Prejudice will run until 18th May with tickets starting at £19 and available from Plied and Prejudice in London: A comedy theatre show. Using a traverse or catwalk style stage, audience members sit opposite each other on the chequered dancefloor of Pemberley’s ballroom watching the story unfold in front of them.

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‘Looking for Alice’ Ox at Westgate

Karen Neville

January 29, 2025February 6, 2025

Karen Neville

Abingdon & Kingston Bagpuize, Botley, Cumnor & Summertown, Community & Charity, Didcot, Goring, Henley & Watlington, Oxfordshire, Round and About, Wallingford, Wantage & Faringdon, Witney

Rooftop location is the perfect spot for giant ox overlooking the city, thanks to donation from Lewis Carroll Society

A giant art sculpture from the City’s summer OxTrail event has found a permanent home following a generous donation.

The ‘Looking for Alice’ ox can now be seen on the rooftop of Westgate Oxford after it was gifted by the Lewis Carroll Society.

‘Looking for Alice’ was one of over 30 oxen which took over the city last summer as part of Sobell House Hospice’s OxTrail event.

The Alice in Wonderland themed sculpture was painted by local artist Caroline Ritson and sold for £3,000 at the fundraising auction through a combination of Lewis Carroll Society funds and contributions from individual members, enabling local historian and Lewis Carroll Society trustee, Mark Davies, to make the successful bid.

Image by: Howard Davies

The Society has now donated the Ox to Westgate Oxford so it can have a permanent high-profile position in the city where people can visit and where it will serve as a reminder of Oxford’s world-famous creative heritage. It is the only one of the ‘herd’ which will remain in public view in the city centre.

Brendan Hattam, Centre Director at Westgate Oxford, said: “We’re delighted that ‘Looking for Alice’ has joined us permanently at Westgate Oxford. Situated on our rooftop terrace with stunning views of Christ Church College, the statue is an apt tribute to Oxford’s literary legacy. We’d like to thank the Lewis Carroll Society for their generous donation and invite guests to come down and visit the Ox in its new home.”

The official unveiling on 27th January marked Lewis Carroll’s birthday. Mark Davies said: “The Lewis Carroll Society is delighted to have found such a willing host in Westgate Oxford for its ‘Looking for Alice’ ox so that this evocatively decorated sculpture will remain in Oxford, where the story of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland originated. The 27th January is poignant in being the day that Lewis Carroll – the pen name of Charles Dodgson – was born in 1832. The ox will also be positioned to gaze towards Christ Church, where Carroll lived all his adult life and where the real Alice and her sisters were the daughters of the Dean.”

Sobell House Hospice Charity’s OxTrail event gave Oxford a £1.2 million economic boost, as people from near and far visited the giant art sculptures.

It was also a huge fundraising success for the hospice with over £306,000 raised. £150,000 of this was raised at the OxTrail auction when more than 250 people bid for the oxen.

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Murder on the menu

Karen Neville

January 27, 2025February 20, 2025

Karen Neville

Abingdon & Kingston Bagpuize, Botley, Cumnor & Summertown, Didcot, Food & Recipes, Goring, Henley & Watlington, Oxfordshire, Round and About, Wallingford, Wantage & Faringdon, Witney

Six by Nico, the creative dining concept renowned for its ever-evolving six-course tasting menus, is bringing its most immersive and innovative experience yet to Oxford, ‘Murder on the Midnight Express’

The new dining experience and six course tasting menu is inspired by the world-renowned Oxfordshire murder mystery author Agatha Christie’s novel of the same name. This innovative concept will expertly blend mystery and storytelling with food and drink, setting a new standard for customer engagement.

Diners are invited to step aboard the Midnight Express to travel back to the 1930s, join the dots and unravel the mystery. Inspired by classic French cuisine, six delicious courses immerse you in a blood curdling tale of foul play.

Oxford is renowned as the UK home of some of the most iconic and much-loved murder mystery stories, from Agatha Christie’s novels to TV sows like Morse and Midsomer Murders, creating a perfect synergy with the new ‘Murder on the Midnight Express’ menu.

Founder Nico Simeone said: “Murder on the Midnight Express’ is more than just a tasting menu; it’s a journey that introduces ‘immersion’ to our creative framework, adding to our existing sources of inspiration that cover destinations, memories, and ideas.

“We’ve always believed in pushing creative boundaries, and this new creative pillar of immersion adds something missing from the dining scene. It’s not just about food; it’s about giving our guests an experience for them to step into. From the moment they sit down they are provided with clues and case files along with props and story-driven elements to solve the crime.”

With this new direction, the Six by Nico creative team have pushed themselves into new territories and setting the stage for future themes that seek to captivate and surprise guests.

As part of this change, the restaurant brand has introduced an extended dining slot of 2.5 hours, giving their guests an additional 30 minutes to enjoy a more relaxed and immersive experience.

Nico added: “We have always been dedicated to delivering value through their experiences and we are constantly looking at new ways to innovate and how we try to invest in the dining experience. That’s why this year we’re investing even more into every moment you spend with us – offering extended time at the table to make each visit truly extraordinary.”

Murder on the Midnight Express is cooking from 27th January – 9th March and is priced at £50 for the six-course immersive tasting menu. Guests can enhance their experience with an optional £35 wine, or £45 cocktail pairing.

You can now book here: Murder On The Midnight Express – Oxford – Six By Nico

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Home makeovers with Surrey Decluttering

Karen Neville

January 27, 2025

Karen Neville

Camberley, Bagshot & Lightwater, Chobham, Egham, Farnham, Godalming, Guildford, Haslemere, Home & Garden, Old Woking, Round and About, Surrey, The Clandons

Virginia Water mum Victoria Fearnley is obsessed with tidiness and organisation and can help you restore order to chaos with Surrey Decluttering

How often have you looked in that cupboard or opened a door to a room only to close it and walk away overwhelmed by the chaos inside?

You need to invite Victoria Fearnley round to ‘remove clutter, restore order and create a well-functioning home’. Through her business Surrey Decluttering she gets to ‘combine my passion for helping people with an obsession for tidiness and organisation.”

Since September 2020 Victoria has helped clients create better functioning homes in stress-free environments. Drawing on her scientific background and career in R&D she makes the most of her keen eye for detail and innovative and creative skills to come up with storage solutions and decluttering hacks.

She explains: “I provide decluttering, re-organising and tidying of any spaces and rooms within your home, including lofts, garages and sheds. I will also provide light cleaning to the areas of your home that I work on.”

She always brings her ‘decluttering kit’ which includes bin bags, labels, cardboard boxes, parcel tape etc and there’s no charge for any small items for her kit she uses.

Victoria also offers complementary services such as assembling new storage solutions (e.g. IKEA furniture), putting up shelves and re-painting a cleared-out room. Just tell her what you want doing and she’ll help if she can!

Originally from a small village in Sweden, she was by her own admission always a ‘tidy’ child, adding: “I would often re-arrange the content of my wardrobes and things on my shelves just for fun! Please don’t judge me – we didn’t have electronic devices or daytime TV back then!

“Having been brought up in Sweden, I love regular visits to IKEA, who doesn’t? I love making up their furniture and finding new storage solutions. It might be my Swedish heritage that made me a keen DIY-er, so typically I always have a new project on the go!”

Among Victoria’s top tips are:
• Start small with a 30-minute declutter session, focus on one area at a time, a wardrobe or kitchen drawers
• Seasonal sorting – what to store, what to keep as the seasons change, pack away clothing you know you won’t need and rotate with that which will be worn
• Declutter high traffic areas of your home notably hallways and kitchens, try instead keeping a basket or box in those areas to gather together items which accumulate quickly

Find out more about how Victoria can help you have the tidy clutter-free home you’ve always wanted at surreydecluttering.co.uk

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Behind the scenes at Thame Players

Karen Neville

January 27, 2025

Karen Neville

Abingdon & Kingston Bagpuize, Activities & Events, Botley, Cumnor & Summertown, Didcot, Goring, Henley & Watlington, Oxfordshire, Round and About, Wallingford, Wantage & Faringdon, Witney

Visit theatre open day to discover what goes on behind the scenes

If you’ve ever wondered what’s involved in putting on a theatrical production and how it’s staged, go along to Thame Players theatre on Saturday, 1st February.

You’ll be able to see how the theatre works from front of house to backstage and meet some of the (often highly skilled) volunteers who are behind every show put on at the Players Theatre. You’ll find out how you can get involved yourself, and receive some hands-on training, whether you’re interested in treading the boards, using your tech or DIY skills, helping with costumes and props, or greeting audiences at front of house.

You’ll be able to talk to members of the friendly team about:

Acting and Directing:
If you want to have a go at performing, this is your chance to grab a mic and recite or sing on the stage! You’ll receive advice and coaching by Thame Players’ actors, and music and play texts will be provided.

Sound and Lighting:
Members of the theatre’s tech team will show you round the impressive sound and lighting equipment, and you can have a go at pressing the buttons. This is a great opportunity if you’d like to see what’s involved and improve your skills!

Backstage:
You can see for yourself what the backstage crew get up to, so that things happen on cue and shows run smoothly. Members of the backstage team will be pleased to show you what’s involved and how it all comes together.

Set Building:
Whether you’re a master at using a screwdriver, you like woodwork or DIY, or you’re a dab hand with a paintbrush, these skills are vital in the theatre. You’ll be able to talk to members of the team and try a few effects yourself.

Costumes and Make-up:
Sourcing, creating or adapting costumes is quite an art. Doing make-up is equally skilled. If you’re artistic, you like sewing, or you’re handy with a powder brush, try some of Thames Players’ costumes, experiment with make-up effects and watch hands-on demos!

Front of House:
If you’re good at socialising with people and can pour drinks behind the bar, why not spend time with members of our front of house team? They are the friendly faces audiences meet when they arrive to see a show and gather in the foyer. To see how you could use your people skills, chat to members of the team.

Wayne Gibson, Open Day coordinator at Thames Players, said: “The theatre is made up of a community of people with different skills who make the magic happen. We’re looking forward to welcoming anyone and everyone from Thame and local area on Saturday 1st February, when there’ll be opportunities to find out what’s involved in putting on a show and how the theatre ticks. You’ll see what we do and how we do it, from acting and directing to set building, sound & lighting, and much more. So please come and see us at the Players Theatre on our Open Day – you’ll learn a lot and have a fun experience too!”

Visit the theatre in Nelson Street, Thame OX9 2DP and go to Thame Players for more.

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Join University of Surrey Charity Run

Karen Neville

January 27, 2025

Karen Neville

Camberley, Bagshot & Lightwater, Chobham, Community & Charity, Egham, Farnham, Godalming, Guildford, Haslemere, Old Woking, Round and About, Surrey, The Clandons

Annual run returns on March 2nd to raise vital funds for Royal Surrey Charity

The annual University of Surrey Charity Run is back! This much-anticipated event, organised in collaboration with Spaceways Storage and the Royal Surrey Charity, invites friends, families, and the local community to lace up their running shoes and make a difference.

Scheduled for Sunday, 2nd March, the run will take participants through the picturesque University of Surrey campus and Guildford’s iconic landmarks. With routes catering to all fitness levels – 10lm, 5km, and a 2.5km family-friendly-option – there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned runner chasing a personal best or a beginner looking to enjoy a fun day out.

Spaceways Storage is generously covering 100% of the event’s costs, ensuring that every penny raised goes directly to the Royal Surrey Charity. These funds will help enhance patient care at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, supporting its mission to deliver exceptional, compassionate care in a welcoming and safe environment.

Moira Martin, Spaceways Storage Charity Events Founder said: “I am delighted that once again Spaceways Storage are organising the annual University of Surrey Charity Run. The idea behind it has always been that a local business would work with the local University to raise funds for a local charity. This year we are raising funds for that most worthwhile of charities, our very own Royal Surrey Hospital. Local people, local businesses and local students running to raise money for the local hospital. What could be more inspiring. Let us hope that this year we raise more than ever before!”

Sandra Lowry, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at Royal Surrey Charity, said: “Royal Surrey Charity is delighted to have been chosen as the official charity for the University of Surrey Charity Run this year. Fantastic local events like these are not only great for bringing the community together, but also help local charities to raise vital funds. The money raised from this year’s Charity Run will support patients and staff at our hospitals, helping us to fund state-of-the-art equipment and technology, transform wards and waiting areas, invest in research, training and education and celebrate and care for our amazing NHS staff. We are so grateful to the University of Surrey for supporting the charity and giving us this wonderful opportunity to be part of this year’s charity run.”

Don’t miss the chance to join the fun, get active, and make a meaningful impact. Mark your calendars for 2nd March and be part of this inspiring event! Sign up today at: University of Surrey Charity Run

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Fit for life

Karen Neville

January 27, 2025

Karen Neville

All Areas, Community & Charity, Featured, Round and About

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Entries open for Oxfordshire Business Awards

Karen Neville

January 21, 2025

Karen Neville

Abingdon & Kingston Bagpuize, Botley, Cumnor & Summertown, Community & Charity, Didcot, Goring, Henley & Watlington, Oxfordshire, Round and About, Wallingford, Wantage & Faringdon, Witney

The Oxfordshire Business Awards recognise, reward, promote and celebrate the excellence of the country’s businesses & it’s time to enter

The Oxfordshire Business Awards are back for 2025 and encourage businesses across the county to get involved in the celebration.

Since the Awards began in 1994 they have had a positive impact on the county’s business community and individuals as well as helping to promote excellence. The OXBA continues to shine a spotlight on the incredible feats of hundreds of Oxfordshire businesses from startups to innovative game-changers right through to charity and community heroes.

Businesses have until March 17th to enter with the winners being crowned at a glittering awards dinner on Thursday, 12th June at John Henry Brookes Building at Oxford Brookes University.

The Awards welcome back many of the sponsors from 2024 as well as a few new names. For a second year, The Oxford Trust continues to sponsor the Emerging Tech Business Award in partnership with Oxford Innovation Space, Barclays Eagle Labs and IMed Consultancy.

Right Here Creative has been involved with the OXBA for a couple of years and are the Awards Video Content sponsor.

The OXBA sponsors committee has also been joined by Sandy’s Piano Bar – sponsor of the Awards Launch Celebration event which was held on January 16th.

2024 sponsors making a very welcome return are Cherry Picked Residential, Greatest Hits Radio, Hays, James Cowper Kreston, Mathews Comfort, Oxfordshire LEP, Oxford Science Park, RWK Goodman and That Event Company.

OXBA co chairs Heather Wood and Simon Bassett welcomed the 2024 sponsors back and those joining for the first time in 2025 as the OXBA approaches its 30th anniversary.

Heather said: “Your ongoing support and enthusiasm plays such a vital role in making these Awards truly special. A heartfelt thank you to each of you, not just for your financial contribution, but also for the time, energy and ideas you bring to the awards.”

“The Awards would not be possible without the dedication, hard work and financial support of the sponsors, who are driven by their desire to support and showcase the best of Oxfordshire business,” Simon added.

“We are blessed in our county by the excellence and diversity of our businesses and I would encourage as many of those businesses to consider entering these prestigious Awards.”

To find out more & for full details of the awards visit Oxfordshire Business Awards

Joanna Morfield is just one of thousands taking part in this year’s London Marathon on April 27th

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Students design a candle as part of 80 Candles for 80 Years project

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A very different adaptation of Jane Austen classic will have you reaching for a drink!

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Rooftop location is the perfect spot for giant ox overlooking the city, thanks to donation from Lewis Carroll Society

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Six by Nico, the creative dining concept renowned for its ever-evolving six-course tasting menus, is bringing its most immersive and innovative experience yet to Oxford, ‘Murder on the Midnight Express’

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Virginia Water mum Victoria Fearnley is obsessed with tidiness and organisation and can help you restore order to chaos with Surrey Decluttering

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Visit theatre open day to discover what goes on behind the scenes

You’ll be able to talk to members of the friendly team about:

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Annual run returns on March 2nd to raise vital funds for Royal Surrey Charity

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Keeping active as you get older is vital when it comes to staying fit and healthy and it’s a great way to meet new people too!

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The Oxfordshire Business Awards recognise, reward, promote and celebrate the excellence of the country’s businesses & it’s time to enter

OXBA categories for 2025 are:

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