Royal swan upping event

Liz Nicholls

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Picture 1 shows: Cllr Jocelyn Towns, Cllr Carol Heap and the Swan Uppers

Our local swan population has seen a considerable decrease, say the King’s Swan Uppers

This summer’s Royal Swan Upping took place on Tuesday, 16th July, with the vibrant red outfits of the Swan Uppers providing a colourful sight for walkers along the Thames towpath.

Marlow’s Mayor David Brown accompanied the Swan Uppers on the river from Marlow to Cookham and back to Marlow, where he held a reception at the Two Brewers pub. “I was delighted to be part of this traditional event,” he said. “The Swan Uppers ringed cygnets between Cookham and Marlow as part of the process of checking on the health of swans and cygnets on behalf of His Majesty, the King.”

Swan Upping is an important event in the calendar each year. It plays a crucial role in the conservation of the mute swan and involves the King’s Swan Warden collecting data, assessing the health of young cygnets and examining them for any injuries. Cygnets are extremely vulnerable at this early stage in their development and Swan Upping provides an opportunity to help both adults and cygnets that might otherwise go untreated. Swan Upping started on July 15th from Sunbury lock and finished at Abingdon on Friday, 19th July.

Picture 2 shows: Stacey Brown, Mayoress of Marlow, Mayor of Marlow, David Brown, David Barber, Swan Marker to His Majesty The King

According to the Swan Marker, last year saw a considerable downturn in cygnet numbers due to the loss of many breeding pairs during the outbreak of Avian Influenza.  “So far this year we have received very few reports of Avian Influenza cases within the swan population in the Thames Valley,” David Barber said. “This is very positive; however, the swans are contending with very high water levels and strong streams due to the widespread flooding that has washed many nests away. In some cases, the swans may rebuild their nests, which could result in a late breeding season this year.”

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Lidos with the lah-de-dah factor!

Liz Nicholls

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Here comes summer! We have a whole host of lidos to enjoy here in the South East…

Often featuring Art Nouveau (and Wes Anderson vibes), few summer settings could be more quirkily, quintessentially British that a lido (that’s an outdoor pool, by the way!)

There are lots of amazing public outdoor lidos here in the South East, with many being built in the 1930s. What’s your favourite?

A real stunner is the gorgeous Wycombe Rye Lido in the heart of High Wycombe, with its fabulous heated outdoor main pool, heated children’s pool, new café plus grass and terraced sunbathing areas. Adults can swim for just £9 and juniors for £4.50 and you’ll also find all the latest gym & fitness equipment, group exercise classes such as yoga and Pilates, indoor cycling studio and football pitches.

Another beauty is the Thames Lido, the result of a painstaking and sensitive three-year restoration of the disused King’s Meadow swimming pool by the river Thames on King’s Meadow. Until 29th September, the bar and restaurant will be open on Sunday evenings for you to enjoy the longer days and hopefully warm evenings, so why not book a table in the restaurant or indulge in the Swim and Tapas package? There’s also a spa, so you can book in for a massage, too!

Northcroft Lido is a newly refurbished 50m heated outdoor pool set in the grounds of Northcroft Leisure Centre in Newbury, which opened last year. It is now open for the 2024 summer season.

One of Hampshire’s largest outdoor swimming pools, Aldershot Lido features a huge leisure pool with flumes, lane swimming space and picnic areas. You can even enjoy a dip with your doggie, thanks to dog days on Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th September!

These are just a handful of our favourites – and we have competitions coming soon – what are your favourite lidos & why?

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Riverside reverie at Swan at Streatley

Liz Nicholls

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With its location on (possibly) the most gorgeous stretch of the Thames, alfresco Lobster Bar, outdoor cinema and plenty of options for messing about on the river, this Coppa Club gem is giving us Made in Chelsea vibes (in the best way)

Summertime (at last!) and the living is easy… so long as you’re not the one sweating over a hot grill, of course. But the guests enjoying the Coppa Club’s Streatley clubhouse ooze a sort of swanlike grace that matches this fairytale setting. With its easygoing luxe vibe, settling in to one of the upholstered booths for lunch, drinks or dinner is as relaxing as sinking into a warm bath.

And you don’t have to worry about imposter syndrome, either, thanks to the great, smiley staff who can whip up a mean cocktail – top marks to the Cuban Missionary (the drink, not the barman). With its wide vista of the Thames and pretty olde worlde wooden bridge, no wonder this is a top choice for summer weddings. It’s the land of beautiful people of all ages – I’ve even heard it referred to as “Pengbourne”, upriver. In fact, it could be the setting for an epic sit-down episode of Made In Chelsea, if the glossy posse drifted upstream out of London for the day…

But: lobster. The lobster pulled me here. I’m a sucker for a lobster (literally) so I’d travel a long way for a good one, not least a mere few miles downstream from the Isis (Thames innit) at Donnington Bridge. Until the end of summer, the Swan at Streatley offers an alfresco lobster bar serving freshly prepared grilled lobster (arriving daily from Cornwall, £34/£60 half or whole, with nori fried & dressed leaves) which is delicious with simple garlic and parsley butter and pairs perfectly with a glass of Nyetimber. Other treats under the sunny canopy include a poached lobster, celery, mayo & pickles roll (Homer Simpson noise) and brilliant burgers (including a plant-based whopper), giant tiger prawns and BBQ herb chicken, all rustled up with ease in front of you, no sweat.

To help locals and visitors make the most of the sun-drenched days and longer evenings for date nights with a difference, there’s a great programme of summer events to enjoy up to September, including regular live lounges and outdoor cinema. You can glide along on one of The Swan’s fleet of electric motor boats, ordering a signature picnic hamperfilled with quintessentially British classics. Or, to work up an appetite, book in for a spot of wild swimming & sauna withSwims & Things, led by our very own Jo (who is endlessly patient: she has swum the Channel!), try stand-up-paddle boarding with SUP Life and yoga with the lovely Grace & Gravity ladies.

There are with 47 bedrooms (including dog-friendly options) from £80 a night if you want to make a summer staycation out of it. And you can win a stay here! Be lucky, and enjoy!

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Q&A with Dizzee Rascal

Liz Nicholls

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See full interview featured on Spotlight: A Diary for the South East

Liz Nicholls shares a chat with Dizzee Rascal MBE who headlines Party In The Paddock at Newbury Racecourse on Saturday, 17th August

Q. Hi Dizzee… What shall I call you: Dizzee, Dylan…?
“You can call me whatever you like. I’m the only one on this call.”

Q. What do your mates call you?
“I dunno! Haha!”

Q. How are you?
“Yeah good. Sorry I’m late I’m in the studio with Turno. It’s going to be a bit of a drum and bass banger. It’s got slap, yeah.”

Q. You’re starring in Northampton as well as Newbury. What’s on your set list?
“Bangers! Ebbs and flows but bangers. The classics, some old some new, maybe a few exclusives. High energy, that’s what I like. The more I’ve gone along in my career the more I’m running and jumping – it works for the crowd. The whole point of doing the show is to bring the music to life, otherwise people will just stay at home and listen. It’s quite a dynamic set. I know that every time I step on stage, that might be the one time that people get to see me, what I’m about, and it’s supposed to be a celebration. And then you get the few people who are regulars: one girl told me she’d seen me 16 times. Which is another good reason to freshen up the show sometimes. It’s a bit of a different venue, Newbury, but I’ve done a couple of racecourses before,”

Q. Do you have a flutter?
“No I don’t. I rode a horse once, though. In some country manor, I think it was New Year’s Eve. I woke up with my girlfriend at the time and I’d booked horse riding, because I thought it would be romantic and fun. I turned out to be really good at it! I was at one with the horse that morning – I was a natural! I never did it again, though!”

Q. What do you have on your rider?
“Honey and lemon for my throat, as I shout a lot, and some fruit. There’s always some beers for everyone else. Nothing crazy – my rider’s the most basic, nothing too mad. No all blue M&Ms or any *** like that! I’ve managed to be around this long by not being a prick with the festivals and to the people involved. It helps!”

Q. What’s your first memory of music?
“Whatever was on telly, Top of the Pops. And the first live music I would have seen was in church – the church band. I was always into music. I used to lock into pirate radio. If it weren’t for pirate radio I wouldn’t be here now.”

Q. Do you listen to radio now?
“Yeah sometimes. My go-to is Spotify or whatever I’m making. But the radio does pop on sometimes when I’m in the car: Radio One Extra.”

Q. Who were your heroes growing up?
“Well, my mum – now I’m older I understand all the sacrifices she made for me. Snoop Dogg, Tupak, Kurt Cobain; I love Nirvana and I was a massive Guns N Roses fan growing up. Bruce Lee, too.”

Q. Your new album Don’t Take It Personal – are you proud of it?
“As proud as I am of all my albums. I did it all independently in the studio here, at home. It was nice to go back out, do pop-ups and shows. Every time I put an album out the game’s changed a bit so it’s navigating that as well. Overall it’s been so positive, number one in the independent charts and the hip hop & R&B charts. Which was a nice touch, well received by the fans as well.”

Q. Do you have any surprising fans?
“I guess when really young kids seem to like my music, especially Bassline Junkie. Mad, as it was made in 2011! Overall I don’t make a lot of music for little kids, I just try to put a positive vibe out there, that’s all. Music doesn’t have an age range except for the obvious stuff like Barney The Dinosaur or whatever which I am not! But it’s not like kids don’t understand rhythm and melody, they just decide what they like.”

Q. Who would be your dream collabs?
“That’s a good question. Jack White would be an interesting one to be in the studio with; he’s a genius. I was riding around Brixton listening to Tale Impala yesterday, thinking I missed the boat on that one, unlike Rihanna! Properly well written, well produced music. I watched a documentary thing he put out a little while ago where he was making the album, I didn’t know anything about him until Rihanna covered that song.”

Q. Have you ever been starstruck?
“A few times! When I met Dave Grohl, he was amazing. Jay Z. Anthony Kedis from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, I toured with them, great people. I met The Undertaker once. I was hassling him for an autograph in the gym, Berlin I think it was. That was a fun moment!”

Q. How about Snoop?
“Ahh yeah, how could I forget Uncle Snoop? That’s my first hero, before everyone. I met him twice and was able to tell him how much he’s inspired me over the years, and then I rapped one of my favourite Snoop songs to him. Then I did what you’re supposed to do with Snoop Dogg, obviously, haha!”

[Gets attacked by a giant hornet in the studio]

Q. Apart from bees do you have any animals in your house?
“I’ve got some koi. A couple of sturgeon. I don’t really do pets.”

Q. Are there any acts of festivals you’re looking forward to this year?
“Without sounding like an arse**** I don’t really go to festivals unless I’m working there. I usually just pull up before, I don’t hang around too long because I don’t want to get distracted. I don’t like waiting around.”

Q. Any up-and-coming acts you love worth a shout out?
“Yeah I just did another track with Turno, with a girl called Queen Mills and Rose. Also LZEE, he’s doing his thing right now. Kwengface, he’s in prison at the moment but he’ll be home at some point – I really like him. And obviously Turno!”

Q. I love a bit of drum and bass, don’t you?
“Yeah, to be fair that’s how I started. I started DJing when I was 13 or 14, jungle records. Then I started MCing, which is so hard with drum and bass. Then I started MCing over garage a bit. Then I started making my own stuff which is what ended up being called grime with the likes of Wiley and Terra Danger who doesn’t get mentioned enough actually.”

Q. Have you been enjoying the sport this summer?
“I watch boxing whenever it’s on. I usually watch it with David Hay which is always good! You’ll start saying s*** thinking you’re an expert and then every now and then you get reminded, he’s the expert. What’s funny is he’ll be watching it, we’ll be talking and everyone trying to chime in, then he’ll get the phone out and go to Stories and putting his two-pence in, so everyone just shuts up. But it’s amazing because he’s a legend, former heavyweight cruiserweight legendary boxer, and he’s sitting with us!”

Q. What invention would radically improve the quality of your life?
“A money machine! Does everyone say that?! No? Is that just me? God damn, I might be on to something. Maybe a device that brings the song I’m hearing in my head, as I hear it, and it’s just out, done, bang! But then that would probably take the fun out of it, right?”

Visit Horse Racing At Newbury Racecourse UK | Newbury Racecourse

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Emily Kerrigan’s Gluten-Free Kitchen & competition

Liz Nicholls

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We share some fuss-free food inspiration from The Gluten-Free Kitchen by registered nutritionist Emily Kerrigan from Thame, published by Vie, £10.99

Summer rolls

Rice papers and rice noodles are two fantastic staples in a gluten-free kitchen. These summer rolls might look tricky but once you make the first one or two, you’ll realise they’re actually pretty straightforward. Pack in a lunchbox or make a big batch and serve to a group as finger food.

Makes 12 | Takes 30 minutes
Ingredients:
• 100g (3½ oz) vermicelli rice noodles
• 1 carrot, julienned
• a handful of coriander, finely chopped
• a handful of mint leaves, finely chopped
• 12 large rice paper wrappers
• large lettuce leaves
• a few handfuls of cooked chicken, shredded
• lime wedges, for squeezing over
• gluten-free sweet chilli
• dipping sauce, for serving

Method
• Cook the noodles according to pack instructions then drain and set aside. Mix together the carrot and herbs in a bowl and set aside. Fill a dish wide enough to fit your rice paper wrappers with room temperature water.
• Immerse a wrapper in the water until it softens then lay it on a clean chopping board. Take a lettuce leaf and fill with a little each of the noodles, carrot, herbs and chicken. Roll up the filled lettuce leaf – this keeps the filling in place and makes the rolls easier to eat. Place the rolled lettuce cup on the wrapper towards the centre left. Fold the top and bottom of the wrapper inwards, then roll it up lengthways. Slice in half if you like.
• Repeat for all 12 rolls and serve with lime wedges for squeezing over plus sweet chilli dipping sauce.

Lemon drizzle cake

Polenta and ground almonds are gluten-free baking staples, providing bite to this fluffy cake and keeping it lovely and moist. The lemony, syrupy pistachio nuts on top make it extra special.

Makes 1 cake | Takes 1 hour 10 minutes
Cake Ingredients
• 175g (6 oz) gluten-free self-raising flour
• 1½ tsp gluten-free baking powder
• 50g (2 oz) ground almonds
• 50g (2 oz) polenta
• 2 lemons, zested
• 140g (5 oz) golden caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 225g (8 oz) natural yoghurt
• 75ml (3fl oz) rapeseed oil

For the topping
• 60g (2 oz) caster sugar
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 50g (2 oz) pistachios, chopped

Method
• Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/350°F/gas mark 4 and grease and line a deep 20 cm (8 in.) round cake tin. Put the flour, baking powder, ground almonds, polenta, lemon zest and golden caster sugar in a bowl (keep the lemons to juice for the topping). Beat the eggs together with the yoghurt until smooth and add to the dry ingredients with the rapeseed oil. Fold everything together. Spoon into the tin, level off with a spoon and bake for 35-40 minutes. If it is looking a little brown in the final 10 minutes you can cover it loosely with foil.
• Towards the end of baking, make the topping by heating the caster sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan over a low heat. Once the sugar is dissolved, remove from the heat and stir in the chopped pistachios.
• Cool the cake for 15 minutes in the tin then remove from the tin and sit on a wire rack set over a baking tray (to catch any drips). Poke holes in the surface of the cake with a fork or skewer then spoon over the nut syrup, letting it soak in a little between additions. Leave to cool completely before slicing.

Read about how Emily’s daughter’s experience with Coeliac Disease inspired this book here.

We have three copies of The Gluten-Free Kitchen to give away; enter here.

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How Coeliac disease inspired Emily’s cookbook

Liz Nicholls

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Mum & nutritionist Emily Kerrigan tells us how her daughter’s illness inspired her to help others, and shares her local foodie faves, including gluten-free goodies

“The thing with coeliac disease is that not everyone’s symptoms look the same. If you have a question mark over your own symptoms, do take a look at Coeliac UK’s website – they have comprehensive advice to support you.

For my daughter Chloe it meant a lot of stomach upset and just generally feeling poorly. She’d become anaemic which is very common with coeliacs because gluten damages the lining of the gut meaning your body can’t absorb the nutrients in food. Anaemia is actually one of the first markers that can show up in GP tests before you get a diagnosis of coeliac disease. We’d figured out Chloe’s issues were due to something she was eating but when the diagnosis came back it was still a shock. You realise in a split second that nothing will ever be the same. Every school lunch, every snack box, every meal at home, meals out, meals at family and friends, holidays: it all needs pre-planning.”

Q. Do you think Coeliac disease is still widely misunderstood?
“Very much so. For a start it’s an autoimmune disease, not an allergy or an intolerance and definitely not a dietary fad or preference for someone with coeliac disease. Even one crumb of gluten is harmful for a coeliac and avoiding cross-contamination is crucial. It’s not something you can grow out of either – it’s a lifelong condition where the only current treatment is strict gluten avoidance. The lines I hear most often are ‘well it’s easy these days with all the free-from products in supermarkets’, ‘one crumb won’t hurt’ and ‘it’s not that serious though, is it?’. None of these are true!”

“Coeliac disease is definitely not a dietary fad or preference for someone with coeliac disease”

Q. What has been the most rewarding aspect of writing this book?
“The book is for everyone who needs to eat gluten-free but the inspiration for writing it was my daughter. I’ve already watched her cook the waffles and pancakes from it without my help which was an amazing moment to see her following the recipes and cooking it all independently. I hope she’ll come back to the recipes time and time again as she gets older.”

Q. What do you love about local life?
“We moved from West London to Oxfordshire when the kids were little. We’re on the border with Bucks, too. We’re lucky to have Oxford within easy reach and London still a train ride away but also to be surrounded by countryside. We can walk from our front door up onto the Ridgeway and cycle down the Phoenix Trail to Thame.”

Q. Are there any local shops/suppliers you really rate?
“Chiltern Ice Cream is a family-run fantastic small producer. They make their ice cream with milk from Lacey’s Dairy up the road and all their lovely flavours are GF – we like sea salted caramel and morello cherry. We buy ours from Haddenham Garden Centre.”

Q. How about restaurants – maybe there are some that cater to GF better?
“The Beech House in Beaconsfield and Cote in Marlow both have a good selection of GF dishes. The Ivy in Marlow also does a non-gluten afternoon tea whilst Coopers is perfect for GF avo on toast and great coffee. Not far from Bucks, Honest Burger in Windsor is fantastic for gluten-free burgers.”

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Sunny delight at Brooklands’ B Spa!

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls visits fully revamped B Spa at Brooklands Hotel in Weybridge where you can enjoy the benefits of sunshine on a deluxe indoor beach

Hello… summer? Are you there!? It looks as though British summertime might have stood us up 🙁 (except for the mini heatwave last week).

But the newly revamped B Spa is here to save your summer!

If we’re honest, going on holiday somewhere scorchio (taking the obligatory sausage leg pic to post on the ‘gram) is radically boosted by knowing it’s soggy back home in Blighty. Right?!

So, picture the scene: you’re lying on your own comfy beach chair, cocktail in hand, soaking up the sunshine like a lizard in front of a sugar-sand beach paradise… while the storm clouds gather outside and rain lashes against the window.

This is exactly what you can enjoy at BSpa which boasts a Sunlight Therapy Room using 100% safe ‘sunlight simulators’ to fully replicate natural sunlight. These generate full-spectrum sunlight with reduced UVA and UVB, full spectrum visible light and infrared heat. Benefits include a boost in Vitamin D and energy, reducing the nasty effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder, a stronger immune system, better circulation, eased muscles and a better metabolism…

Which is perfect because the 1907 beach bar will serve you cocktails (thanks Rhys!) & light snacks. Downstairs in the swanky hotel itself the award-winning 1907 restaurant, bar & grill (named after the year the world-famous Brooklands racetrack opened), in a setting inspired by the 1920s & ’30s, the team serve up a mean afternoon tea. They have also earned two AA Rosettes for their hearty breakfasts, Sunday lunches and more, including incredible burners. The windows in both the spa beach, pedicure room and the restaurant face out on to the drivers doing doughnuts on the Mercedes-Benz World track.

But back to the spa which has been lavished in love to provide you with treatments and TLC. Spa experiences start from £49pp (the Spa & Dine package includes use of the spa facilities for three hours and either lunch, afternoon tea or dinner which is phenomenal value). The facilities include: a Himalayan salt room, Finnish & infra-red saunas, steam room, ice fountain and hydrotherapy hot tub with Venturi jets.

On one particularly frazzled and dreary Wednesday my skin and muscles were thoroughly spoilt with a Comfort Zone Aromasoul ritual massage which helped work away all that tension. Other fabulous treatments on offer (maybe book your other half for one?) include a Himalayan salt or cranial massage, plus there are wonderful facials to plump up tired and thirsty skin, using products from the deluxe Italian skincare brand Comfort Zone. No wonder the spa is loved by many pamper-seekers, including Chelsea FC players.

Just to add to the relaxation and ensure it lasts beyond your visit, spend some time floating in the Tranquillity Meditation Room…

All in all, a fantastic way to beat the summer blues and top up that mojo without getting on a plane! I’ll see you there – mine’s the middle beach chair!

You can enter our competition here to win an indulgent Brooklands Spa day.

For deals and packages please visit Bspa | Luxury Spa in Weybridge – Brooklands Hotel Surrey

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Q&A with Sharron Davies MBE

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls chats to Sharron Davies MBE as she looks forward to The Olympic Games – her 13th – starting later this month in Paris

Watch & listen to Liz Nicholls catch up with Sharron Davies on our podcast, Spotlight: The Diary for the South East, OUT NOW on YouTube.

Q. Hello Sharron! Who are your Team GB ones to watch?
“Well they’ve got a tall order because Tokyo was the most successful Olympic games for the British swimming team for 100 years. So it’s going to be very tough for them to be as successful but I expect them to be very close to it because they’ve got a very strong team, particularly the men. Adam Peaty seems to be back on track which is good news for the British team because what happens on day one sets the tone. We also have Tom Dean and Duncan Scott. Daniel Wiffen stands a very good chance in the 200m – we like to see the Irish doing well, too, don’t we? The girls are going to have it a little bit tougher. They had good trials and we have a couple of world champions going into this with Laura Stevens and Freya Colbert. But I think the Canadians, Americans and Australians will bring another level.”

Q. Will you be in Paris for the whole games?
“Yes, I’ll be poolside covering the swimming throughout and then I’ve wangled a couple of days at the end to see a bit of track and field with my 17-year-old. This will be my 13th Olympic Games! I entered my first junior international a 11 and my first Olympics at 13.”

Q. You were great as Amazon on Gladiators! Do you watch much TV?
“I do: mostly live sport and Netflix. And, most people don’t know this about me but I’m a big Star Trek fan! I love anything that depicts us living in harmony, all shapes and sizes from all sorts of places. I love the idea we might be able to do this one day.”

Q. Who were your heroes growing up?
“The Mirror used to fly in swimming superstars. I met Johnny Weissmuller & Shane Gould. And I remember watching Mark Spitz with his famous moustache & seven medals. Also David Wilkie, who sadly died recently, was a great inspiration to me and, later, a friend. I have many female heroes. We appear to be living in a much more misogynistic world right now & those pushing back for fair & equal opportunities for our girls I admire on a daily basis. I can’t say I even thought of myself as a feminist until recently, but regressive stereotypes & social media are making life much harder for young females.”

Q. Where do you like to swim?
“Aha, well I don’t swim often these days because swimming has ruined my shoulders! Swimming wears your rotator cuffs out – that’s our injury. If I’m on holiday and I’m on a beach and it’s lovely, I’m in the water but I don’t use swimming to keep fit. I’m cycling or in the gym four times a week.”

Q. What tips would you give anyone who wants to get fit & healthy?
“It’s never too late! You can make a radical difference with tweaks. It’s all about consistency, mobility, your core. We need to put a little stress on our joints as well, particularly as women, to avoid osteoporosis. Silly stuff like climbing stairs instead of escalators or lifts. Just do all of those things automatically. My dad is 88 and I always say to him, whether you’re getting on and off your sofa to do two squats every single time. And when you’re there making your cup of tea, stand on one leg. Obviously hold on to something supportive if you need but balance as we age is really important because once you start to get into your 80s, if you fall over and break a hip, it’s massive. And that’s all down to core stability and balance and we don’t tend to look after that. What’s really interesting is that Japanese people have hardly any of the hip issues we have because they’re constantly getting up and down off the floor so their core stability is so much better than ours.”

Q. What about eating, Sharron? Is there anything you do or don’t eat?
“There’s nothing that’s off the agenda, I just tend not to eat unhealthily regularly and I would say little tips like making sure you eat colourful food works really well. Nearly all beige and bland food isn’t good for us. Processed sugar is the devil and it creeps into everything these days, especially ready meals! I don’t drink very much, never have. I’ve never smoked. I’m a morning person so I go to bed reasonably early and like to be up and get going – I think that’s a knock-on of having to get up at 5am for training from such a young age! Alcohol has hidden calories which are easy to forget about. And try not to eat really late as well. It’s slowing your metabolism down filling your belly and going to bed is not good for your digestive system.”

Q. Do you still love dogs?
“Yes, we’ve got two: Flash the blind Basset Hound is very unflash; my son named him! And Ed the dachshund.”

Q. You’re a grandmother now aren’t you?
“I am – that’s who I’m out with today. I’ve got a granddaughter who’s four and a grandson who’s four months. It’s a cliché but it’s so much easier than being a mum because you can just hand them back. I love it! I often have Ariya on a Friday and it’s my favourite day of the week. We live in a very fast world and we often don’t live in the moment. When I’m with my granddaughter I have to live in the moment. She wants me to draw pictures with her and throw a ball and do all sorts of innocent things. You have to put your mobile down and turn the TV off and give them a bit of time and effort – that’s really all they want.”

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Farm shops worth forking out for!

Liz Nicholls

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Summer is the perfect season to sample the goodies at your local farm shop (NB many close on Mondays!), support homegrown growers and help the environment. Liz Nicholls offers her pick of the crops in Bucks & nearby

Fellow foodies, you’re in good hands at the universally loved Peterley Manor in Prestwood, HP16 0HH. Its founders, the Brill family, have been farming in these parts for more than 130 years. Today Peterley is a great day out, with its nursery, pick-your-own and gorgeous Barn Kitchen (a feast for your eyes and tastebuds). The multi-award winning farm shops stocks homegrown, British and seasonal produce, plus products from 100+ suppliers, including Bucks Fish, Laceys (more of which imminently), Nettlebed Creamery, Marlow Cheese Company and Norton and Yarrow. There are wellbeing events, and more too. Visit Peterley Manor Farm or call 01494 863566 to find out more.

The Laceys are into their seventh generation carrying on a passion for farming and preserving our beautiful countryside. And Laceys Farm Shop, HP14 3LP, is the cream of the crop! The farm is home to a pedigree herd of Guernsey Cows, beef cattle and arable croppers with milk bottled on site and delivered around local towns and villages, supplying independent cafes and restaurants. The Laceys are delighted to have been crowned Best Farm Shop and Deli in the 2024 Muddy Stilettos Awards. Visit Laceys Family Farm / 01494 881660.

Oxmoor Farm in Great Hampden, HP16 9RD, is open for the season! Every month the Wild Feasts team welcome a resident chef to cook a sharing banquet on the farmland to serve diners on shared tables overlooking the idyllic views (or in the renovated barn in cooler months). Beautiful new restaurant The Barn offers coffees, small plates, pizzas and natural wines and you can shop for fresh free range eggs, local honey and more. Visit Oxmoor Farm – The Barn & Wild Feast’s.

Would you like some wonderful Wagyu beef?! Pop into Town Farm Shop in Bisham, SL7 1RR, for this as well as fresh eggs, lamb, pork and pheasant (when in season). Visit Town Farm Shop or call 01628 473781.

Copas Farms Estate is a progressive, family-run, rural estate with deep roots in sustainable farming, in a fairytale setting. There are two pick-your-own Fruit Fields juicy with produce and the Copas Farm Shop in Iver, SL0 0LU. Visit Copas Farms Estate or call 01753 652727.

Nearby, soft fruit and apples grow in abundance and you can pick your own or stock up on groceries at Home Cottage Farm Shop, SL0 0BB. Call 01753 653064 or visit Home Cottage Farm to find out more!

Looking to ‘taste the rainbow’ and tuck into the freshest produce? Emmett’s Farm Shop in Little Marlow, SL7 3RR, offer this, plus chilled & frozen items, cakes, flowers, local honey & much more. Call 01628 484094 or visit Emmetts Farm Shop

Are you, like me, a sucker for a scotch egg?! This (as well as Mrs Blusch’s strawberry jam) is one of the specials attracting a loyal customer base at Amersham’s Hatchery Farm Shop, HP7 0JY. Visit The Hatchery Farm Shop or call 01494 670109.

All the goodies are created with love and locally sourced at Orchard View Farm in Little Meadle, HP17 9UG. This postcard-pretty setting is a dog-friendly and also has a café, farm shop, butchery and campsite. Call 01844 273387 or visit ORCHARD VIEW FARM

Farming comes first at the small but perfectly formed Buckmoorend Farm Shop in Butler’s Cross, HP17 0UT. You’ll find quality pork, beef and lamb, available for sale and the family team are involved in the entire chain, from farm to fork. They also serve hot food and drinks from the farm kitchen. The farm is surrounded by natural woodland amid the undulating Chiltern Hills and is part of the Chequers Estate, steeped in history. Call 01296 622472 or visit Buckmoorend Farm to find out more.

From pies to parties the team at Bradmoor Farm, Shop & Café in Haddenham, HP17 8JX are ready & waiting to help you! The butcher’s counter is full of quality cuts of meat and is a great stop for barbecue-lovers – the team’s banging burgers and sausages are freshly made on site. Call 01844 299387 or visit Bradmoor Farm to find out more.

Suppliers to the best in the hospitality business, Boarstall Meats was established in 2000 to market all the livestock produced on the Ernest Cook Trust farm of 500 acres half of which is on Muswell Hill (besides the Pheasant in Brill) which in places in 500ft above sea level and therefore only suited to grazing livestock. The shop is open Thursday to Saturday, and the team can cater for your outdoor events. Call 01844 238256 or visit Boarstall Meats to find out more.

Still fresh after 70 years in business, Rectory Farm, in nearby Stanton St John, OX33 1HF, is home to 45 acres of PYO fields, a well-stocked farm shop, cafe and woodland play area for a beautiful day out in the countryside. I’m a little bit obsessed with the coffee, with an obligatory wodge of cake. I also highly recommend the pies and sausage rolls from the Eadles Farm in neighbouring Beckley and Kingcott Dairy’s award-winning cheeses. Home – Rectory Farm (rectoryfarmpyo.co.uk)

For artisan foods with provenance you can’t beat The Wild Pig (formerly known as The Crazy Bear Farm Shop) at Stadhampton, OX44 7XJ. The team here started breeding Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs in 2006 and it was the world’s first farm to be TSG approved, awarded for welfare excellence by Compassion in World Farming. Visit The Wild Pig for more about this & scenic hot air balloon rides!

Whether you’re looking for quality meat, seasonal veg, homemade pies, seasonal game or tasty chutneys, Kings Farm Shop in Nash Lee End near Wendover, HP22 6BH, is always worth a visit. For more info please call 01296 622014 or visit King’s Farm Shop in Wendover

The rosettes hang proudly at Parrott Bros Farm Shop on Beechmoor Farm in Whitchurch, HP22 4LG. You’ll find top-quality meat including gammon, venison, rabbit, chicken, duck, guinea fowl, partridge and sausages as well as pork pies, fruit and veg, dairy and bakery items, soups, pickles and preserves! Call 01296 641207 or visit Parrott Bros

Priding themselves on the best homegrown and homemade produce, the team at Waterperry Farm Shop, OX33 1LB, deliver to a large portion of west Bucks. Visit Waterperry Farm Shop or call 01844 369351 for more info.

I’ve almost got to the end of my greedy list but a shout-out to Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop over in Chipping Norton (as seen on Amazon Prime). Diddly Squat Farm Shop

You can find more shops near you – or wherever else you’re visiting over the summer – at Fabulous Farm Shops. Tuck in & enjoy!

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Summer daze

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Holidays are on the horizon so let’s get out and have a good time whatever the weather. There’s fun for all ages to enjoy!

Summer feels as though it’s been a long time coming this year, don’t you think? We’re determined to squeeze every last drop from it, once the holidays start!

Luckily, whether you have tiny tots or surly teens to entertain, there are lots of events and attractions nearby to make great memories.

Quainton has been home to a railway station since 1868. And today this lovely rural village is home to a working steam museum and heritage railway (with a smashing visitors’ centre) where kids can enjoy steaming days for just £1pp over the holidays., from 24th July to 1st September. On steaming days the whole 25-acre site is open including steam train rides, miniature and model railways, as well as a gift shop, and travelling post office – a great family day out! Adults £12.50; seniors £11.50; kids £1, under-3s free. If you’re quick you can catch Zog on 30th June and Emergency Services Day is on Sunday, 11th August (£7.50pp & ES workers get free entry with their work ID). And there’s more! A Classic Car Show on BH Monday 26th August & Dino Day on 15th September. Please visit Buckinghamshire Railway Centre for full info.

Chiltern Open Air Museum in Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4AB, is always worth a visit, bringing stories from the Iron Age to the mid-20th century to life. There are 37 historic buildings for you to explore, filled with real objects, including historic toys and games. Try on WW1 uniforms, hats and pinnies, as well as Victorian clothing, accessories and more. Please visit Chiltern Open Air Museum for activities & what’s on.

Based largely in a medieval hall house, Amersham Museum brings to life fascinating local stories through exciting family-friendly exhibitions and events. You can travel through time with the new displays, join a guided walk, get creative in an activity session, or enjoy the herb garden. Also browse the shop full of locally inspired gifts! Amersham Museum

We love Wycombe Swan which offers the best of the West End with a spanking new season of shows, from The Rocky Horror Show starring Jason Donovan (call me, Jason!), to A Chorus Line, Grease, and Elf the Musical plus the magical pantomime, Aladdin, starring local hero Vernon Kay and the sensational La Voix. While we’re in Wycombe, a quick westwards mention for the fabulous Hellfire Caves: visit Hellfire Caves

We hope you enjoy our farms special! We can’t not give a friendly oink to one of our faves for animal adventures and indoor/outdoor fun, Odds Farm Park, HP10 0LX. oddsfarm.co.uk

Kew Little Pigs is the award-winning farm in the Old Amersham with piggy experiences, petting pens and a new barn (which you can hire). If you’re smitten with the porkers (stars on screen & field), there are piglets for sale. Word to the wise: wear wellies! Visit Kew Little Pigs Farm

The Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre in Great Missenden invites visitors to enjoy a peachy time (sorry) celebrating James and the Giant Peach from 20th July to 1st September. Enjoy Roald’s writing hut, and check out the activities lined up Tuesdays to Sundays including hands-on science workshops, daily storytelling, a themed trail and craft. Call 01494 892192 or visit Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre

Fancy getting some fresh air? You can go above & beyond at Go Ape which has adventurous sites at Wendover, and Black Park in Slough, among others. Check out the zip wires, Tarzan swings, rope ladders, leafy hideout, Monkey Shuffle and more, including Captain Fantastic & co at the Black Park branch. Visit The Game Fair Festival of the Countryside

An Open Garden Tea Party at 2pm on Sunday, 4th August, at Woodlands House, SL7 3RN, will include a meadow walk, sculpture, arts & crafts, with added sparkle thanks to local wine heroes, Harrow & Hope. What’s more, proceeds will go to Medical Detection Dogs. For tickets & info please email [email protected].

I used to love taking my little tot to Gulliver’s Land and since then, the fun resort in Milton Keynes, MK15 0DT, has grown to offer even more giant fun! Book tickets to enjoy Dinosaur Discovery and Farmyard Fun from as little as £10pp and there are great stay & play packages too. Visit Gulliver’s Land Theme Park Resort | Milton Keynes (gulliverslandresort.co.uk) and also find our super-duper voucher deal opposite!

If Olympian Sharron Davies has inspired you, historic Wycombe Rye Lido, HP11 1QX, has family sessions and a great gym. Visit fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/wycombe-rye-lido/

Fancy a spin!? Rogue Leisure in Aylesbury, HP19 8DB, has the fastest indoor karts in the UK where you can test your skills on a banked corner up to 45mph. Or give Ten Pin Bowling a whirl, up to seven players per lane and you can wear your own shoes! If karaoke is more your jam, book a pod for up to eight singers with 80,000 songs to choose from all genres and eras, an amazing sound system and 50″ HD TV. To book your trip visit Activity Centre Buckinghamshire – Rogue Leisure

Bekonscot, HP9 2PL, features the world’s oldest and original model village, huge model railway, 1.5 acres of well-tended gardens and intricately detailed model buildings. Travel back to a 1930s idyll, see England how it used to be, and discover this wonderful little world tucked away from modern life. Visit Family Day Out | Beaconsfield | Bucks | Chilterns (bekonscot.co.uk)

Take your kiddies to see another type of kid and interact with the friendly team of animals at Aylesbury Goat Centre in a safe, and caring environment. Along with goats, you’ll find playful piggies, cheeky chickens, very inquisitive alpacas and cuddly rabbits (the best pets!). For more info visit The Bucks Goat Centre Aylesbury

Denham Country Park, UB9 5PG, has loads to keep young explorers occupied, not least Denham Adventure Zone for 12s and under, including a sand put, adventure trail, tube slide, treehouse, toddler swing and more. Join a bird-spotting safari, collect a map and enjoy some family orienteering. Home – Colne Valley Regional Park (colnevalleypark.org.uk)

Widmer Farm Park in Princes Risborough, HP27 0PG, is the perfect place for your little ones to meet llamas, alpacas, goats, sheep, ponies and donkeys amid the picturesque Chiltern Hills. Please visit Farm Attraction | Widmer Farm Park | England

Wishing you all safe, smiley, sunny fun!

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