Down to Earth with new incense

Liz Nicholls

Whether you’re meditating, practising yoga or just want to create a chilled atmosphere, the new Earth range by Temple of Incense is your grounding in peace

A harmonious blend of amber woods, earthy musk, tonka bean and mitti (Hindi for soil). Earth by Temple of Incense captures the raw, earthy elements that keep you connected and grounded, and will bring the outside in.

Whether you’re meditating, practicing yoga, looking to sync your body to the natural rhythms of the earth, or just want to create a chilled atmosphere, Earth incense sticks are the gateway to peace and tranquillity.

Even a brief burn of 10 minutes will renew your energy and enhance your vibe with the natural world.

Temple of Incense masterfully creates fresh and diverse vegan and cruelty-free, temple-grade incense sticks, resins, oudh and oils for every occasion and every room. Each box contains 20 luxury incense sticks, ethically hand-crafted with love and consciousness, masterfully created from the best quality oils and resins, sourced locally and from around the world.

The Temple of Incense story began in 2012 on a little market stall on Portobello Road, when two sisters from London – Simi and Sam Aydee – brought their expertise and passion for incense stick artistry to life, creating and marketing world-class natural incense, along with traditional and contemporary sculptural stick holders and bowls to complement every home décor. 


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Johnny Ball on maths & memories

Liz Nicholls

Liz Nicholls chats to Johnny Ball, 86, who’s on a mission to make maths easy for all & stars with his daughter Zoe at Wantage Literary Festival  

Hi Johnny! Did you enjoy school?
“I had a dream time in primary school in Bristol. Aged 11, we moved to Bolton and though I was at a grammar school, I was neglected; two illnesses caused me to miss most of the autumns in years 2 and 3. I achieved two O-Levels. So they were surprised when they saw I’d got 100% in maths.”

Q. What would help youngsters master maths at school?
“The main problem is the neglect of geometry [in the curriculum]. It’s geometric thoughts and ideas that help our future engineers as well as artists. Geometry is a visual explanation of mathematical concepts and thus far more relevant than just numbers.”

Q. Can anyone become good at maths, even those who are frightened?
“Being frightened of maths can happen. But everything we get wrong in education is repairable, if and when we get the student in the right frame of mind. Often when school is ending, youngsters get the urge to achieve, despite recent failings. Things can be turned around in sixth form.”

Q. Who was your hero growing up?
“As regards my maths and science career, Jacob Bronowski’s TV series and book, The Ascent of Man, became my bible especially when I was writing Think of a Number and Think Again.”

Q. What do you love about life in Bucks?
“We moved to south Bucks just as my TV career took off and Think Again had won a BAFTA. We bought a wreck of a house, but today it is our pride and joy. Every aspect of the house has been improved over the years.”

Q. What was your favourite book a child?
“I read Treasure Island when I was about eight. In my 30s my mother told me they had been advised to keep me away from books as was clearly so clever, I might have a brain tumour.”

Q. I asked you about Strictly when we chatted years ago & you were not enamoured with how you were treated. How do you feel about it now?
“I went out first through a series of circumstances I don’t wish to revisit. But the very day after I was thrown out, the Strictly Tour asked if they could pencil me in, as they understood how badly I had been treated. Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace (who I had danced with at a sort of audition) said they wanted me to play the old man in their touring show, but I could not accept, due to other work.

Q. I loved you on TV as a child! Do you have any favourite shows?
“Sadly, BBC children’s TV on its own channels get nowhere near the viewing figures we achieved. It was a criminal decision by the BBC. It was clear when we were making our Think programmes, that our script and editing standards were very high – the best in the world. I often worked in the adult sector and never saw anywhere near the directional standards we achieved. I turned down Tomorrow’s World three times.

Q. What has it been like writing your memoirs?
“I have a quite detailed memory and my problem in writing my memoires, is cutting it down to only feature stories that are worth telling because they are unusual and often unique – Like Dad walking home with me on his shoulders while totally asleep – Mum being machine gunned in Bristol with me in the pram – The lad who robbed a bank and caught a bus home – The thief, who proved how good a thief he was, by stealing the Charge Book from the Police Station – The time I did the Val Doonican show with not one rehearsal and how the camera broke down after a couple of gags – we were live to 19 million viewers. Why, when Roy Orbison and The Bee Gees did their ONLY appearances at British Clubs, I was chosen as the comedy before their spots.

Q. If you could make one wish for the world, what would it be?
“For the world I worry a lot, but if you examine every say ten years back through your life, you see that things do get better when compared with the past – I hope we can always say that this continues. For me, I make wishes every day – mostly that I can keep on working.


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Recipes with Clodagh McKenna

Liz Nicholls

We’re sharing two recipes to make the most of the last of summer thanks to Irish chef, author & TV star Clodagh McKenna

Read the Q&A with Clodagh McKenna here.

Prawn Coconut Curry

Check out this light, fragrant curry recipe! It’s quick, easy and packed with juicy prawns, creamy coconut milk and crunchy green vegetables.

Ingredients
Serves four, cooking time 15 minutes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp dried or chilli flakes or one whole red fresh chilli chopped
• 1 tsp turmeric (optional)
• 1 tsp mustard seeds (optional)
• 1 tin of coconut cream or milk
• 1 tin of tomatoes (whole or chopped)
• 450g / 15oz fresh king prawns
• Green vegetables – spinach, chard, pak choy, green beans, or peas
• Zest of 1 lime
• Fresh dill, flat leaf parsley or fennel
• Sea salt

Method
1. Place a saucepan or casserole dish over a low heat and add the olive oil. Stir in the onion, garlic and ginger, cover and cook for two minutes. Next remove the lid and add the garam masala, chilli, mustard seeds and turmeric. Stir and cook for two minutes.
2. Stir in the coconut cream and tomatoes and season with sea salt.
3. Next stir in the fresh king prawns, and cook for five minutes.
4. Lastly add the green vegetables and zest of one lime, and cook for a further 5 minutes.
5. Sprinkle fresh herbs on top and serve with lime wedges or any of these if you have them, rice, yogurt and naan bread.

Rosewater pavlova with soft summer berries

One of my favourite desserts, this is so decadent and looks fabulous, too. I sometimes swap the raspberries for other soft fruits. I make the pavlova the night before and leave it to cool overnight in the oven; switched off, of course.

Ingredients
Makes one pavlova, cooking time 90 minutes
For the pavlova:
• Nine egg whites
• 500g caster sugar
• 2 tsps cornstarch
• 1 tsp white wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp rosewater

For the filling
• 500ml whipping cream
• 1 tbsp icing sugar
• 1 tbsp rosewater
• 200g fresh raspberries / loganberries

Sprigs of red currants to decorate

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 160°C and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
2. Use an electric mixer to whisk the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl until firm peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, one tablespoon at a time, whisking constantly until mixture is thick and glossy and the sugar completely dissolves. Add the corn starch, vinegar and rosewater and gently fold until just combined.
3. Pour the mixture on to the prepared baking tray in a circle shape and use the back of a wooden spoon to shape the meringue into a nest. Place the meringue in the pre-heated oven and turn the heat down to 140°C and bake for 1.5hrs. Once the meringue is baked, turn off the heat, open the oven door and allow it to cool completely.
4. When the meringue is cooled and ready to serve you can start assembling the filling. You don’t want to add the cream too far in advance as it will soak into meringue. Gently whip the cream until it thickens and then whisk in icing sugar. Fold in the rosewater and then spoon the filling into the centre of the meringue. Add the fresh berries on top.


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Heart & Craft: Polymath William Morris

Liz Nicholls

Image: Wallpaper, Daisy (2) / © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Liz Nicholls delves into the world of celebrated designer, maker & polymath William Morris thanks to a beautifully reissued V&A book

William Morris’s designs will be familiar to you, either by stealth (as the backdrop of your favourite pub) or as peacock flourishes you’ve chosen to adorn your own home.

Image: William Morris, photographed by Frederick Hollyer, 1886 / © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Such is the legacy of the man who said: “Have nothing in your houses that you do not known to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” What’s more, this pioneering radical believed in a utopian design democracy. This is why you’ll find his mesmerising patterns inspired by British wildlife, such as The Strawberry Thief, on walls, tea towels and… just about everything in between, in homes from the humble to the haughty, to this day. No individual has had such a lasting impact on the history of British design.

“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

What’s more, William’s world view and love life were as colourful as his exquisite creations, as William Morris, V&A, edited by Anna Mason, illustrates in lavish style. Where to start…?

Image: Strawberry Thief. Designed by William Morris, registered 11 May 1883 / © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Image: Redcar Carpet. Designed by William Morris, 1881 / © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

William Morris was born in east London in 1834. The financial success achieved by his broker father gave him a privileged childhood, as well as inheritance. Time spent exploring parkland, forest and churches, and an enthusiasm for the stories of Walter Scott, helped William develop an early affinity with landscape, buildings and history. At Marlborough College he gained a reputation as an eccentric nicknamed “Crab” and loved the Savernake Forest and other local beauty spots.

He went up to Oxford University, reading classics at Exeter College, to prepare him for the Church. It was here that he met Edward “Ted” Burne-Jones, who was to become one of the era’s most famous painters, and Morris’s life-long friend. Ted introduced William to Dante Gabriel Rossetti – a central figure in the Pre-Raphaelite group – joining a team painting wild, whimsical murals at the Oxford Union. This led to a chance meeting with a local stableman’s daughter, Jane Burden. Never one to stick to snobbish class rules, William married Jane in 1859. Her striking looks were to make her a model of idealised beauty for members of the Pre-Raphaelite group for the next 30 years. As Anna Mason notes, Jane’s surviving correspondence reveals her lively and inquisitive mind, and their children Jenny and May were raised by creative, loving parents.

Image: Jane Burden, unknown photographer, 1868 / © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Image: The textile printing shed at Merton Abbey / © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

William and Jane moved into Red House in 1860 which they furnished and decorated. Meanwhile, Jane became Rosetti’s principal model and the relationship between them became romantic. However, there was no separation or scandal; William continued to treat his wife with kindness and respect. In 1871 they leased Kelmscott Manor in Oxfordshire, AKA “Heaven On Earth”, which inspired William’s design and literary works. It’s well worth a visit today; Kelmscott Manor

Over the next decade he continued to design at an impressive rate, adding at least 32 printed fabrics, 23 woven fabrics and 21 wallpapers – as well as more designs for carpets and rugs, embroidery and tapestry – to the company’s range of goods. By 1881 William had built up enough capital to acquire Merton Abbey Mills.

Towards the end of his career, William began to focus increasingly on his writing, publishing a number of prose narratives, including his most celebrated: News from Nowhere (1890). Infused with his socialist romantic ideals, this book offers his vision of a simple world in which art or “work-pleasure” is enjoyed by all.

William’s artistic versatility, technical prowess and imagination are evident across everything he tried, in fields including painting, drawing, stained glass, furniture, tiles and tableware, wallpaper, textiles, calligraphy and printing. The fruits of his creative mind and prolific work ethic remain in continuous production.

Visit V&A (vam.ac.uk) for more info & to shop.


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Omi Na-Na’s fabulous (non-fast) fashion vision

Liz Nicholls

A dress from Omi Na-Na was all over the news this summer. The brand’s founder Esha Ahmed tells us about creativity, dyslexia, moving to Marlow & more…

Esha Ahmed has earned her stripes in more ways than one. Akshata wore a Lina dress from Omi Na-Na as she accompanied her husband Rishi Sunak on his exit from Downing Street in July. This resulted in this wondrous design being splashed all over the national press.

But, while all this is wonderful publicity, it’s not about the big names for Esha, but the bigger picture. She takes pride in being part of the UK’s sustainable fashion community, prioritising people over profits. As you can tell from her beautiful garments, she champions longevity through craftsmanship over disposability.

“I’ve always been passionate about advocating for doing better – not just for ourselves but for communities worldwide,” says Esha. “My journey began in the policy world at the EU, driven by a desire to make a positive impact. However, my early 30s sparked a creative awakening, leading me to leave my job and start Omi Na-Na. This platform bridges the gap between fashion lovers in the UK and the most talented, yet often under-appreciated, artisans in India. It’s a win-win, fostering a meaningful relationship that benefits everyone involved.”

“It’s a win-win, fostering a meaningful relationship that benefits everyone involved”

Omi Na-Na is an online shop full of statement clothing, made both sustainably and ethically. Unlike mass retailers, the brand curates breathtaking clothing designs from talented designers in the global south, crafted in partnership with local artisans and made to order just for you. Yes: that means you may have to wait three or four weeks for your bespoke piece, but it will be made just for you through the most intricate hand-crafted processes such as hand-dyeing, hand-blocking printing and hand-embroidery. Each piece is a wearable piece of art!

The made-to-order process means Omi Na-Na operates sustainably, minimising textile waste which represents a huge global environmental issue. Buying “slow” from them also means supporting a new way of bringing fashion to life as each order contributes to uplifting artisans communities that have struggled due to the rise of the exploitative fast fashion system.

The “slow shopping” trend is gaining momentum with London’s most popular fashion influencers, stylists, academics, activists, celebrities and even individuals in political circles (hello Akshata!) embracing Omi Na-Na and other slow fashion brands.

Esha was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child. “I struggled with the stigma and lack of support throughout my education and early career,” she says. “Everything changed when I read The Dyslexic Advantage by Broke Eide & Fernette Eide. This book highlighted unique skills such as big-picture thinking, creativity, and problem-solving that are perfect for entrepreneurship! Embracing my dyslexia rather than fighting it has made life so much easier and fulfilling.”

Esha moved to Marlow from south-west London this summer with her family. “The change has been incredibly positive! We’ve settled into a welcoming neighbourhood where everyone is friendly and kids play together on the street. We love exploring the local woods with my son. The vibrant high street, river, and parks which drew us to Marlow haven’t disappointed us either. We’ve already got our favourite local spots like Marlow Green and farm shops that we’ve been visiting weekly.

“As we settle in, I look forward to connecting with other passionate about sustainable fashion and finding a pop-up location to showcase our beautiful designs. Until then, visit us online at Omi Na-Na or catch us at the Marlow In Your Element Festival’s fashion night out on 26th September. Exciting times ahead!”


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Sisters’ heartfelt cancer story & fundraiser

Liz Nicholls

Two sisters, Charlotte and Sophie Rooney, from Oxfordshire, are fundraising to throw a festival to raise money for Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK following Charlotte’s diagnosis of a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Charlotte, aged 34, lives with her partner and four-year-old daughter. In April this year, her family were presented with the devasting news that Charlotte had been diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC), a type of head and neck cancer. ACC is a rare form of cancer affecting only five in every million people in the UK. Charlotte is currently undergoing intense radiotherapy treatment and has been told she faces a very uncertain future.

Charlotte says: “In January 2024 I noticed a blocked nose without any other cold-like symptoms. After waiting for it to subside on its own for two to three weeks, I went to the doctor but was sent away twice. By the middle of February, I started developing a tingling sensation in the right side of my face. As the nose didn’t clear and the tingling became burning, I went back to the GP and was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia. They referred me to ENT, but the wait to be seen was about 20 weeks. The pain in the face worsened so with help from my parents, I had a private consultation. The ENT doctor found a polyp in my nose and, to rule anything serious, requested scans and a surgical biopsy. On the 18th of April my consultant said I had Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, a terminal cancer and the chances of being cured are in the single percentages.”

Charlotte and her sister Sophie, who grew up in Hook Norton but now lives in the Lake District, are planning a festival for their friends and family to enjoy once the unwanted side effects of Charlotte’s radiotherapy wear off. The event will take place on 12th October at Hadsham Farm in Horley, Oxfordshire. The local venue has very generously provided the event space at a discounted rate to host the festival.

The sisters are hoping local people and businesses will support the fundraiser and have set up a JustGiving page for donations. They aim to raise £10,000 to put on the festival, with proceeds on the evening going to Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK. Charlotte and Sophie are also calling on Oxon-based companies who may wish to donate raffle prizes, auction items or become a drink or food sponsor.

Sophie says, “Seeing Charlotte approach her treatment with such grit and determination has encouraged us to do something big that we can look forward to once the unwanted side effects of radiotherapy wear off. She is incredibly sociable and one of her dreams is to host a festival for friends and family. We are hoping to raise enough money to throw one heck of an event! We will be using the money raised from the Just Giving page and are asking for donations from local businesses where appropriate.

“Seeing Charlotte approach her treatment with such grit and determination has encouraged us to do something big”

The festival will be a private event for friends and family – but on the night we hope to raise money for the Oracle Head & Cancer UK through entrance donations, games and competitions, and an auction of promises. Any money raised that exceeds the amount needed to fund the event will also be donated to the charity.”

Michelle Vickers, Chief Awareness Officer at Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK says: “We are incredibly grateful to Charlotte and Sophie for sharing their story to raise awareness of these types of cancers. Head and neck cancer is the seventh most common cancer and yet many people have never heard of it. We hope the Oxfordshire community gets behind them to put on a fantastic event for Charlotte and her friends and family whilst also raising funds for Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK to help combat the head and neck cancer crisis.”


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Fashion & beauty night in Marlow

Liz Nicholls

Enjoy a fashion & beauty night out in Marlow on 26th September with a talk from Lucia Santa-Maria, a screening of The Devil Wears Prada, hair & make-up tips & more

September is the perfect month for new starts, so don’t miss this opportunity for some shopping style!

Krista Madden has organised an evening kicking off with a talk, 5-6pm at Court Garden House, from Lucia Santa-Maria who has been working on Marlow Murder Club this summer. She’ll talk about Building Confidence with Fashion, picking key high street pieces.

Find out about health and fitness tech at Sweaty Betty, including the next-generation Power Plate and a lymphatic drainage compression, with experts on hand, and health & make-up showcased in Jigsaw.

Nutritionist Brigette Hancock will launch her first book, Live Like a Lobster, at The Marlow Bookshop. The shops will stay open until 8pm with free drinks, special offers and lots of activities along the high street for you to enjoy. The evening will showcase local fashion, beauty and creative talent in Marlow.

Tickets to Lucia’s talk are £10pp including a drink & free for Marlow Living Loyalty App subscribers. For more details visit In Your Element Festival. Book your tickets for The Devil Wears Prada at Everyman Cinema. Follow In Your Element on Instagram for more updates!


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Billy Billingham: Always A Little Further

Liz Nicholls

As featured in Spotlight: A Diary For The South East: https://youtu.be/hRZ4aR0vLHE

Liz Nicholls chats to SAS: Who Dares Wins star Billy Billingham MBE QCB whose new Always A Little Further tour visits Wycombe Swan on 25th November, plus Aldershot, Newbury & more beyond

Billy has had many astonishing experiences. He left school at 11 and ran with gangs in Birmingham before joining the Royal Marine cadets and Parachute Regiment, to rising to the rank of sergeant major in the SAS and undertaking hundreds of classified and extremely dangerous missions.

He spent more than 20 years in the Special Forces serving in countless warzones, winning a commendation for bravery, and being awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II, before embracing for the life of a bodyguard to celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Sir Michael Caine, Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe.

Billy will also take us behind the scenes of his hit TV shows where he gained a reputation for excellence, integrity, and a no-nonsense approach. A transformational leader, Billy inspires contestants to take on mentally and physically demanding challenges.

So, Billy, how did these big talking tours of yours come about?
“I got asked to help raise some money for a charity for bereaved children and of course I said yes. I thought I’d be talking to about 30 people. I went down to the venue on the morning and… there’s 300 people coming, and my heart fell out! My wife said; well, what are you going to talk about?! So we put a logical sequence together of trials, tribulations, lessons learned. And off we went! But I didn’t feel frightened, I enjoyed it.

“And I think this is now our fourth year. I love the response from the audience. I believe in giving back, especially to people who are looking for advice or just a bit of motivation.”

Q. You’ve had quite the life haven’t you? I mean literally highs and lows. What was your lowest moment, do you think?
“There’s a few. And that’s where the journey starts with me.
“So, I was a bd kid. My mum said I ran with a bad crowd but I knew right from wrong and I was bad, and it’s about owning that… Everybody should nowadays, instead of blaming others for our own mistakes. An old man I stole a hat from chased me, and rather than give me what I expected, when he caught me, he actually gave me the time of day and said come to learn boxing. That was a lightbulb moment.

“Then the next was in the cadets. I was taught proper discipline. And it was a hard discipline, but you were treated fairly, and I was learning great skills. I’m not academic. I’m a ‘monkey see, monkey do’ kind of guy.
“And then the saddest turning point in my life, which I talk about, was when I got stabbed and nearly died at 15. I felt more of an idiot, looking at people who love me, my family and my friends thinking I was going to die. I remember thinking if I get out of it, which I did, of course, I’ve got to change my life. And then getting into the military, and the military really was my saving grace.”

Q. And what advice would you have for anyone whose child is really struggling with school?
“At school, in English, maths, everything, I was the worst. I was petrified or sweating with anything academic. My strength was on the running field, doing physical things. So my advice to any child who’s struggling: do your best, be respectful, and find out what you’re good at and embrace that. Because there’s an avenue for everybody.”


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Vocal locals: South Bucks Choral Society!

Liz Nicholls

South Bucks Choral Society are in fine voice, rehearsing for upcoming concerts at St Mary’s in Old Amersham. Jay Roff tells us more and invites you to audition on 7th & 8th September

Do you enjoy singing? Even if you haven’t sung in a choir before, why not give it a try? Choral singing is a fun and rewarding pastime that has been proven to promote a sense of wellbeing.

South Bucks Choral Society have established an excellent reputation in the area, performing some of the greatest choral works in western music. Our next performance, the ever-popular Handel’s Messiah on 30th November, is a great intro to choral singing.

South Bucks Choral Society was founded by our conductor, Iain Ledingham, in 1980. Iain is a professor at the Royal Academy of Music. He has been Director of Opera there and was musical director of the Academy’s prestigious and highly successful Bach Cantata series from 2009 to 2018. We have received great reviews in the local press.

Accompanied by a first-class professional orchestra and excellent soloists from the Royal Academy of Music, our main concerts are centred around one of the great choral works. Past performances include Verdi’s Requiem, Bach’s St Matthew Passion and Christmas Oratorio, Handel’s Samson, Haydn’s Creation, Mozart’s Requiem & C minor Mass. The choir have also taken part in operas by Handel and Mozart. In 2019 we performed Mozart’s great opera Idomeneo with the amazing young tenor Freddie de Tommaso in the title role. He is now singing major roles at the Royal Opera House and throughout Europe.

Even after the most challenging day at work, going to rehearsal takes away the stress, I feel happier and have so much more energy. I’ve been a member of SBCS since I was 18! Verdi’s Requiem was the first work I learned, and I was hooked. Singing with the choir is exhilarating. Together we can create this amazing sound – the sum is so much greater than the parts.

Each year we perform two major concerts with orchestra, in November and April. There’s also our popular carol concert in December and a summer concert featuring opera choruses, folk songs and shorter choral works. We are aiming to increase our number to nearer 100 (so we can return to performing works that demand a larger choir such as Verdi’s Requiem.

We meet for rehearsals 8-10pm on Tuesday evenings, from September to April, in St Joseph’s School Hall, Chalfont St Peter. We also run an optional summer programme during May and June. Why not head to a 10-minute audition at Chalfont St Peter Parish Church 9.30am to 3pm on Saturday, and 2-6pm on Sunday 8th? Feel free to bring a piece of music to sing if you wish. Ability to sight read is not essential, we just ask that you can sing in tune!

If you’d like to take part, please email sbchonsecretary@gmail.com. For more info please also visit South Bucks Choral Society


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Star Q&A with chef Clodagh McKenna

Liz Nicholls

Irish chef, author & TV star Clodagh McKenna tells Liz Nicholls a few of her favourite things

Q. Hello Clodagh! Can you tell me a bit about favourite food memories from childhood?
“Baking on a Saturday morning with my sisters, the tea brack was a favourite bake, and I now have it on my online bakery and we deliver them across the UK!”

Q. What’s your favourite cookbook & why?
“Any of Darina Allen’s cookbooks. Her recipes always work, she is the queen of recipe writing.”

“Darina Allen is the queen of recipe writing”

Q. What was the first recipe you cooked that really struck you as a great succeess?
“Making fresh pasta when I lived in Italy. Taking eggs and flour and making something so delicious!”

Q. What’s your favourite of kitchen kit?
“My zester; I take it everywhere with me, even on holidays! I love zesting limes and lemons in recipes, and I also love wispy gratings of parmesan cheese. I sell my zester in my online store [Clodagh McKenna].”

Q. What advice would you have for any parent out there who thinks ‘I can’t cook’?
“Decide on one night a week that you are going to cook, and try a new recipe each time. Soon you have a whole bank of recipes that you are good at! My book In Minutes is brilliant for any starter cooks.”

Q. What was your first experience in the This Morning Studio like?
“Exciting is the word that springs to mind, and grateful is the second. Excited to get the chance (now every week!) to cook to 3-4 million viewers, and grateful for the opportunity to do so.”

Q. Is there any food stuff you just can’t stand (your “hell”), no matter who cooks it?
“Highly processed foods in general, and non-organic meat.”

Q. Which are your favourite pubs or restaurants?
“I love The River Café in London and The Devonshire Arms in Soho.”

Q. What would your last meal be? And/ or what’s your “guilty pleasure”?
“Irish oysters, Dover sole and a tiramisu! My guilty pleasure is chocolate and red wine.”

Q. Have you ever had any weird, foodie fan mail!?
“Yes all the time! But I don’t mind too much…. I am always grateful that someone takes the time to write to me.”

Q. Did you enjoy school?
“Yes, it was a long time ago!”

Q. What do you think schools could do to involve kids in cooking more?
“A class every week on learning cooking skills should be part of the curriculum.”

Q. What one invention would radically improve the quality of your life?
“If I could pause time so that there are more hours in the day, wouldn’t that be amazing?!”


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