High friers! Top fish & chips

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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Well done to the team at Bucks & Oxfordshire takeaway favourites Howe & Co who have been named one of UK’s 50 best fish & chip takeaways for the sixth time in eight years

If you’ve stopped to enjoy fish & chips from Howe & Co’s familiar blue & cream vans, you’ll know how delicious they are. 

So well done to Charlotte and Jamie Bachman who have owned and operated Howe and Co Van 22 & 55 since 2017.  

Since then, the business has successfully expanded from one van to two vans in 2022, serving customers across Bucks (including Thames, Lane End and Stokenchurch) and south Oxfordshire (including Wheatley, Eynsham & Forest Hill).  

This growth would not be possible without their dedicated team, which includes Kyle, Emma, Leanne, and Tina, along with many others working behind the scenes, such as Kirsty, Michael, Jan, Louise and Tony. In recognition of their excellence, Howe and Co has been named one of the UK’s 50 Best Fish & Chip Takeaways for 2025. 

It follows two rounds of mystery dining visits by leading trade publication Fry Magazine in which judges meticulously inspected aspects including food quality, cleanliness, staff expertise, value for money, ease of ordering, and social media presence. 

With the pass mark set high at 96%, Howe and Co scored an impressive 97% with the mystery diner commenting: “The van was very clean, both inside and outside. The staff were very polite, smiling, warm and friendly. The fish had been well drained and it hadn’t even soaked into the outer paper that it was wrapped in. The batter was crisp, golden and even. It was not soggy or greasy at all. I had a very good-sized portion of chips which were a golden colour and not too pale.” 

Commenting on their success, competition organiser Reece Head, , says: “Another year has passed and, once again, these shops have shown resilience, adapting to today’s challenges with remarkable dedication. At a time when inflationary pressures are being felt, these businesses continue to stay positive and prioritise their customers, maintain exceptional standards, and find innovative ways to keep fish and chips affordable. 

“Starting the year as award winners is a fantastic way for fish and chip shops to kick off 2025, setting the tone for a successful year ahead.” 

Fry Magazine’s 50 Best Fish & Chip Takeaways is in its 13th year and sponsors include Frymax, Seafood from Norway, Pukka, KFE, The NFFF, 555 Amanda Roe, Central Foods, BD Signs & BDigital, Friars Pride, VA Whitley, Henry Colbeck, Superior Frying Fat, Kerry Foodservice and Drywhite.

Van 55is also available for event hire. To find out more & enjoy your next takeaway see www.Facebook.com/mobilechippy 

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Object of desire: Moon Journal 2025

Liz Nicholls

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Fellow moon fans! Artist & designer Hayley Jones is on a mission to help you embrace the different lunar phases, in beautiful style

Were you, like me, mesmerised by the first full moon of the year on Tuesday evening? The first full moon of 2025 (Wolf Moon) loomed large in the night sky, made even more powerful by the red planet Mars glowing alongside it.

Hayley Jones founded Moon Phase Studios in 2020 to encourage others to ‘attune to the moon’ with the help of art, ritual and books. Her bestselling 13 Moon Journal 2025 has been winning rave reviews all over the world, following the lunar cycles throughout the year to promote each reader’s personal growth through quarterly goal-setting and tracking, boosted by her motivational artwork and prompts. It’s not too late to order one and set your intentions for this powerful year; as the experts will tell you [Star signing: January Astrology & tarot] 2025 is a big year of planetary and lunar shifts so we need all the help we can get!

A nature-lover and a frequent moon gazer, Hayley loved painting watercolours and created her signature Moon Calendars in previous years, selling sold a modest amount via her Etsy page. When the events of 2020 grounded the giant tipi business she and her husband had started, everything shifted. With Covid restrictions in place, no income, and a two-year-old and baby in tow, Hayley took solace in nature. Soothed by the beauty of the natural world and the universe beyond, Hayley was inspired to launch her 2021 Moon Calendar.

Pushing imposer syndrome to one side, a quiet voice within her told her to trust this new path ad print 2,500 calendars rather than the usual 500. Praying to the moon, manifesting a positive outcome (and a fair amount of hard work!) – the mission has proved fruitful!

The family business, seeded thanks to a small start-up loan, has won a loyal following of moon followers and art-lovers. The creative, independent company is ethical and kind to the planet, actively reducing plastic consumption wherever possible in every aspect of the business.

Check out the full range of journals, calendars, prints, card & more at Moon Phase Studios

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One to watch: musician Baby Maker

Liz Nicholls

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Millie Deere interviews Oxford alt-indie musician Baby Maker who will star at Common Ground on 14th March

“Moody” alt-indie musician Baby Maker released his first album last year: From the Desk Of. Dry-wit lyrics toying with evocative rhymes make him one to watch on Oxford’s up-and-coming music scene.

Q. Your SoundCloud profile tells us you “cherry pick and prod at the carcass of influence”. Where do you look to find your influence in your music?
“I think I had a few jobs doing gardening and stuff, where I was just mowing lawns; I could just have albums on all day. And there’s that book: One Thousand and One Albums Before you Die. There’s a website version of it; it auto-generates a new one each day if you just listen some randomly. Also, I was just a big history music buff growing up I suppose, reading a lot of Wikipedia articles.”

Q. Do you have a favourite line of lyrics that you’ve written?
“Full Metal Jacket; I quite like that song. It’s story-esque, rather than just verse-chorus-versus. The lyric in that I like is: An old flame burned eternal entwined within his tribal sleeve.”

Q. Watching you perform, I really enjoyed those tinges of that dead-pan British delivery. In your music, how important are lyrics and their meaning?
“It’s definitely not an afterthought; I like good lyricists. It’s a good way that you can conjure up a world or a different take on stuff. And I get a bit of a kick out of trying to come up a cool stuff. It’s just nice hearing people mess around with words and come out a bit off the wall, essentially.”

Q. Tell me a bit about your writing process.
“It varies. I’ve had a baseline going around for a while that I like, and I want to try and finish it. I do all of it recorded at home, make it myself. My brother and I did a lot of the drums on the first album that’s out. He’ll come down and just record a bunch of stuff randomly and then I’ll sample it in a sense. Sometimes I like writing to like drum grooves, rather than sitting down with an acoustic guitar, ‘four chords and the truth’.”

Q. Has Oxford influenced your music at all?
“Wherever you live I think it’s gonna be an influence. There’s a couple that I’ve done about stuff that has happened to me in Oxford. But yeah, one hundred percent, I’ve been there a whole Olympic cycle now.”

Q. How has your relationship with your past work changed?
“I mean it is what it is, I suppose. I think it’s nice to have even if you’re not mad on it. It’s a nice snapshot of where you were… if you have stuff to look back on. And it’s nicer to have something to look back on than nothing at all. I listened to The Blindboy Podcast with Johnny Mar from The Smiths. He was saying that a lot of people’s musical identities are forged when they’re fourteen. And what you liked then will echo throughout the rest of your life.”

Q. What are you listening to right now?
“I took this straight off The Guardian’s top albums of the year list, but Cindy Lee. The album’s called Diamond Jubilee. They’re a bit of an outsider artist. I think it’s like the drag persona of this person. If you hear me crying is really good. It sounds like girl groupy stuff from Motown. It’s thirty-two tracks, so it’s a bit of an opus.”

Baby Maker will be in Common Ground on 14th March.

Spotify: Baby Maker | Spotify
SoundCloud: Stream Baby Maker music

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Haggis highlight for Burns Night

Liz Nicholls

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Enjoy a Burns Night supper in Gerrards Cross on Friday, 31st January, and raise funds for Gerrards Cross Community Association (GXCA), a charity which formed in 1947

Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of Scottish poet Robert Burns (25th January 1759 – 21st July 1796).

One of its traditions is the address to the haggis and this speciality (plus a veggie option) will be served at The GXCA supper, along with neeps and tatties, served with whisky and redcurrant gravy. Guests can also tuck into starters of smoked salmon with prawns and avocado mousse or grapefruit and watermelon salad with rocket and mozzarella and pudding is a trio: raspberry and Drambuie trifle, double chocolate brownie and lemon tartlet.

GXCA was formed in 1947 to promote the wellbeing of the community and “to advance education, to provide a meeting place… for recreation and social, moral, spiritual and intellectual development and to foster a community spirit.”

Today, the team offer educational classes in partnership with Buckinghamshire County Council and other adult education providers.

Gerrards Cross Community Association in East Common, SL9 7AD, is home to clubs, societies, adult education groups, a youth centre and leisure facilities. Rooms can be booked for a variety of social functions (clubs, parties, weddings etc) and for business meetings.

The charity is financed by subscriptions, rentals and various fund-raising activities throughout the year, including the February Attic Sale and the Jumble Sale in September. More local members are welcome. To find out more or to book your Burns Supper tickets (£60pp) please visit Community Events l Venue Hire l GXCA or you can call 01753 883759.

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Hazlemere expo for Amani UK charity

Liz Nicholls

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You’re all welcome to find out more about the lift-changing work of humanitarian charity Amani UK at Holy Trinity Church in Hazlemere, HP15 7PZ, between 10am & 3pm on 8th February

Amani UK is a humanitarian charity which has been operating in rural west Kenya for 25 years, supporting and assisting development across a whole range of community activities.

After nearly 15 years or working at grassroots level in Kenya, Elizabeth Feliden founded Amani UK as a Charity Commission registered charity at the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Amind many challenges, it became the foundation on which the charity grew, harnessing the motivation of the rural community to form groups through which Amani UK was able to channel help and support.

The support grew rapidly, through the community groups, to focus across the essentials of life; food, water, housing, health and education. From the initial basis of support, the priority moved progressively to development of the groups through self-help projects. With an ever-increasing flow of annual youth group and adult trips from the UK, the support and interest base in the UK grew rapidly. This enabled the development of a strong trustee base, centred from 2003 on Hazlemere and Derby, with age and gender balance and growing Kenya experience.

Peter Fish of the charity says: “From these trips came totally unexpected and inspired initiatives, of which you will be able to hear more at the Expo; the creation of the Ted Rayner Memorial Clinic; the launching of the Keep a Girl in School (KaGiS) project, both now 10 years on and mature beyond any expectations; the establishment of the Schools Link project in 2008 and currently linking 19 UK and Kenyan schools.

“Visiting the Expo will enable you to hear how we are funding a medical clinic, supporting thousands of schoolgirls with sanitary needs, supporting communities through agriculture and business development. And working with local schools to help partner and create links with Kenyan schools to enable mutual learning. “You will meet our team of UK volunteers and learn about the Kenyan NGO team we helped establish in 2007 and have partnered with ever since; learn how you can support children to receive an education, enable families and community groups to become self-sufficient and ensure rural communities can access vital medical care. “See how our young adults are fundraising for a trip of a lifetime to Kenya, an experience already enjoyed by hundreds over the years, and find out how you can get involved and maybe even plan a visit too!”

Refreshments will be available and car parking immediately adjacent. Plan a visit between 10am and 3pm. To find out more about getting involved please email [email protected] or visit AmaniUK – AmaniUK

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Join Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir

Liz Nicholls

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Phil Thomas tells us more about why you should join the local members of Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir, whether you’re a beginner or a pro!

Most men can sing. Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned singer, Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir invites you to become part of something special.

You’ll be able to enjoy singing in a welcoming, fun and relaxed atmosphere with a non-judgmental, supportive group. Also connect with fellow singers and make lifelong friendships, take part in vibrant concerts that will leave you feeling inspired, and benefit from expert leadership provided by our musical director. There are no voice tests.

You’re not too young or too old. We have members bringing up young families who view the choir as a mindful, relaxing, but purposeful break from their busy lives… and members who have been in the choir for 50+ years!

So why not be our guest for four weeks to see if you enjoy the experience and would like to become a member? We’ll ensure you’ll be seated next to an experienced member to guide you and answer any questions. Should you then decide “this is for me!” you’ll be enrolled to full membership (see our contact details at the end of this article).

Founded in 1923, Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir are a vibrant group of enthusiastic singers who come from all walks of life. We meet at 7.30pm on Wednesdays at the Wesley Methodist Church in Priory Road, HP13 6SE, to rehearse for various concerts and events that we perform for the public. In many cases our concerts are in support of local or national charities.

Male voice choirs are generally arranged in four-part harmonies. Two tenor sections (higher voices) and two bass sections (lower voices), each sing their own part. Members join the section most suited to their range, which they will be helped to assess when they join.

We enjoy singing both well-known traditional pieces but also popular songs from musicals, films and the pop world. Some random examples are; Angles, One Moment In Time, The Rose, God Only Know, Do You Hear The People Sing, Morte Criste, What Would I Do Without My Music and songs from the Beatles, Abba, Queen and Coldplay, to mention but a few.

Although reading music is helpful, it is absolutely not a requirement. Sheet music is provided to all singers, but each tenor and bass part is fully supported by easily downloadable mp3 recordings via our excellent website.

New members will also be assigned a ‘buddy’, being a more experienced member of the choir, who would be happy to answer any questions and help you to find your way around.

The next step is to get involved: email [email protected]. Or why not come to our next rehearsal? No auditions required, just show up and either listen or join in… see if our choir feels like the right fit for you. Visit Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir

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Pictures on Parade in Bourne End

Liz Nicholls

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Photographer & lecturer Nicholas Brewer has spent a year capturing as changing way of life in his home village

Nicholas Brewer’s photography career began in the 1990s, freelancing for Cosmopolitan, Telegraph Magazine and Smash Hits. His first job after leaving college was photographing Take That.

Now 55 and a photography lecturer, he moved to Bourne End with his wife at the end of last year. They fell in love with the perfectly formed community here and he decided to turn his lens on the shops he regularly frequents last January. “During this time shops have changed, and so have the seasons,” says Nicholas. “This project reflects our shifting needs and way of life.”

He photographed E. Collias, the old butcher’s shop that closed during the pandemic. Opening in 1896, the shop in Wooburn Green sold meat to regulars including Edgar Poe and Kenneth Connor. Of another famous local neighbour, Nicholas says: “Hopefully Enid Blyton would be pleased by the Co-op and its goal of cheaper food and community spirit.

“We loved Bourne End, especially, the fruit market! I love the smell and the atmosphere. There is always a delicate hum of conversation, and the flowers make me happy. My wife loves the raspberries. We have two favourite restaurants, The Wimpy and El Cedric. I love the jazz on a Sunday and being by the river.”

Nicholas is planning an exhibition in the spring. “The work is ongoing, and I am excited to see how it progresses before the exhibition.”

There will hopefully be a book to go along with the show and you can not only buy a copy but have your name in it. “I intend to make it a good quality hardback book, with a limited edition of 100. The work will also serve as a historical document for others. There was an exhibition of old pictures in the community centre early in the year.”

If you’d like to see more, or have your name or business in the book (or to ask about dog walking!) – search for The Parade Bourne End on Facebook or visit Gallery – Nicholas Brewer’s

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Marlow Energy Group’s heat pump advice

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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Considering a heat pump? It could protect the planet for future generations

Two years ago, Ann and John, who live in west Marlow, decided to replace their ageing condensing gas boiler to reduce their carbon footprint.

During the two years of researching and investigating the purchase of a Heat Pump to warm their house and heat their water, they contacted 12 companies and had 12 visits and subsequent quotations varying from about £12,000 to more than £19,000. However, the Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides grants of £7,500 to reduce the overall cost. Eventually, they decided to spend £5,700 to buy a Vaillant Arotherm plus 5KW heat pump.

A company from west London installed their heat pump and ensured that their four thermal panels (water) and their 16 photo-voltaic (PV, Electricity) panels were incorporated into the system. The installation took four days, as some pipework had to be replaced, three of their eight radiators were replaced, the thermal panel had to be linked up to a new hot water cylinder and their PV panels were connected to provide some of the power the Heat Pump requires. Their house is now warm all through the day and night and the hot water for their shower is hot.

Although a new gas boiler will cost between £2,000 and £4,000, they contribute significantly to adverse climate change. In addition, an air source heat pump will save them money, now and in years to come, as electricity becomes cheaper and gas prices rise. Fortunately, some small inheritances allowed them to finance this project, but installation costs could be spread over a period of years.

John says: “If you have to replace an ageing gas boiler, or if you have some spare cash, a new heat pump is likely to save you money and reduce your carbon emissions and hopefully protect your children and grandchildren’s futures.”

Marlow Energy Group (MEG) is a non-profit Community Benefit Society formed with the purpose of reducing Marlow’s carbon footprint through the use of carbon-saving energy technology. To find out more visit MEG – Helping Marlow becoming a net-zero town

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Rebecca’s Well Woman Yoga in Henley

Liz Nicholls

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Yoga teacher Rebecca Dobson is on a mission to help navigate stress with Well Woman Yoga Therapy & Goddess Gatherings in Henley

Women are renowned for juggling numerous responsibilities, leaving little time for self care. Rebecca understands this, and in the midst of all these demands, Well Woman Yoga emerges as a sanctuary for nurturing women’s health and wellbeing. Rebecca Dobson, an experienced yoga teacher and therapist and founder of GetCalmer, stands at the forefront of this holistic practice, offering a transformative experience grounded in her extensive expertise.

Rebecca brings more than 18 years of yoga teaching experience and 23 years of proficiency in Reiki and massage therapy. Her comprehensive understanding of women’s health, coupled with her therapeutic skills, provide a unique and deeply restorative approach through her weekly Well Woman Yoga classes and monthly Goddess Gatherings in Henley. Well Woman Yoga is designed specifically for women, addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health. This practice combines gentle asanas, breathwork, and relaxation to support women’s well-being throughout different life stages – from menstruation to menopause and beyond.

“Unlike traditional yoga practices, Well Woman Yoga integrates therapeutic techniques that consider the unique needs of women’s bodies and minds,” Rebecca tells us. “Physically, these classes help to alleviate many common issues such as hormonal imbalances, pelvic floor issues and menopausal symptoms. The postures are tailored to enhance flexibility, strength, and balance, promoting overall vitality and comfort. Regular practice can lead to improved circulation, better posture, and reduced tension, contributing to a healthier, more resilient body through all major life cycles. The practice also offers significant emotional and mental benefits.”

Her classes create a calming space where women can reconnect with themselves, fostering deep relaxation and emotional balance, which helps manage stress. Rebecca’s personal journey through various life stages has been supported by yoga and Reiki, shaping her approach to teaching. Her classes are more than just physical exercises; they are a celebration of women’s health, offering a holistic experience that addresses the entire spectrum of wellbeing.

With her extensive background in therapeutic practices, Rebecca’s guidance provides a compassionate and informed approach to addressing women’s health challenges.

For more information about Well Women Yoga in Henley, private one-to-one sessions and Reiki courses, treatments, email [email protected] or visit GetCalmer.

For those seeking a more immersive experience, Rebecca offers yoga retreats both in the UK and abroad, designed to promote women’s health and wellbeing on a deeper level.

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Italian classics for music-lovers in January

Liz Nicholls

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The Amersham Festival of Music team invite you to look ahead to their next highlights including an Italian concert at 4pm & 8pm on Friday, 10th January at St Mary’s

Amersham Festival of Music’s team are making a significant milestone this year: four decades of delivering world-class music to audiences.

So far, this year’s winter programme has offered an unforgettable celebration of classical music, jazz, and an exceptional programme of Italian concertos.

Festival artistic director Iain Ledingham says: “We’re delighted to celebrate our 40th anniversary with such a rich and diverse programme. From timeless masterpieces to the thrilling sounds of jazz, we are excited to offer something truly special for our audiences.”

Countess Howe has bid a fond farewell to Ian whose time as festival artistic director is drawing to a close, and welcomed his successor, Chris Hopkins, and look to the future of our much-loved Festival.

In1983 Iain set up the festival. His own stellar career at the Royal Academy of Music reflects his exceptional musicianship, which he generously brought to Bucks by establishing South Bucks Choral Society in 1980. He recognised the transformational benefits, joy and camaraderie of communal singing, taking singers with a wide range of ability, nurturing them and improving their skills. The end-product of his remarkable abilities has been choral singing of which the community can be really proud.

On Friday, 10th January, at St Mary’s in Old Amersham, two identical performances – at 4pm and 8pm – will bring music-lovers some much-needed warmth with An Italian Concert for the New Year. You’re invited to ring in 2025 with a stunning programme of Italian classics, filled with passion and exuberance. Featuring renowned soloists including soporano Daisy Livesy and violinist Charlotte Edwards and ensembles, this concert is the perfect way to start 2025 on a high note! 

At 8pm on Friday, 14th February, at St James Church, Gerrards Cross you can enjoy music from Bach, Mozart, and Schubert. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with sublime music from these three legendary composers capturing the essence of love through timeless works. 

In addition to celebrating their 40th year, the Amersham Festival of Music team remain dedicated to nurturing the next generation. Through their annual bursary scheme, they have helped more than 100 young musicians, distributing more than £20,000 in the past five years alone. These bursaries have been used to cover tuition fees or help young artists acquire much-needed instruments.

Please visit amersham festival.org and ticketsource.co.uk/amershamfestivalofmusic 

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