Tony Christie and Ranagri will perform songs from their two collaborations of The Great Irish Songbook at Harwell Village Hall on 18th July
Thanks to Big Ginger Tom Music, Harwell Village Hall is one of the four venues in the UK where you will be able to see Tony Christie and Ranagri performing songs from their two collaborations of The Great Irish Songbook.
The tour, which also visits Sheffield, Barnard Castle and Inverness will see the Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 singer celebrating his Irish roots in a collaboration with Ranagri, who have been hailed as “a match made in heaven” by The Irish Post.
Duncan Chappell of Big Ginger Tom Music tells us: “There are some, albeit ‘misguided’ souls, who think Tony Christie appeared out of nowhere in 2005, to grace our TV screens and ask the way to Amarillo. Nothing could be further from the truth!
“Those who know better, who appreciate his wonderful voice and his ability to get inside a song, can tell you that over the last 50 years he has recorded a string of exceptional records.”
So: Is This the Way to Amarillo? No! Some 54 years after the release of his million-selling hit, Tony Christie takes a nostalgic journey through his family’s Irish roots, revisiting the music of his grandparents who played in ceilidh bands and sang the songs of their homeland in County Mayo, Ireland.
“Once again joining forces with award-winning folk band Ranagri, they will wind their way through the music of their childhoods, the stories that crafted the musicians they are today, and the inspirations that have brought them together. Entering his 83rd year, this collaboration brings to light emotional, introspective aspects of Tony which many won’t expect. With exquisite arrangements from Ranagri – guitars, percussion, flutes, dulcimer, harps – amid haunting melodies and lush harmonies, many of the old traditional songs shine with new brilliance.”
Melded with musical influences from all over the world, their new album The Great Irish Songbook Volume II will be released later this year. Expect to sing out loud, laugh and cry! Join these exclusive performances for an uplifting evening to remember for many years to come.Ranagri have performed in Canada, Portugal, Ibiza, Italy, Germany, France and all across Ireland and will be touring throughout the UK this coming autumn.
Watch this space for our interview with Tony!
Book tickets at wegottickets.com/event/649 455. Also check out the Folkin’ Around show on Oxford’s Hospital Radio Station; radiocherwell.com/our-programmes/listen-againrammes/listen-again
To mark Mental Health Awareness Month, Tom Murfitt, clinical director & founder of Oxford CBT, explains why celebrating those whose brains work differently is so important
You’re probably hearing a great deal about neurodiversity at the moment. It may feel like everyone you know is talking about it or has a friend or family member who’s been diagnosed – or is in the process of being assessed. And with growing awareness, that’s not surprising.
More and more people are recognising that we all experience the world in different ways. Neurodivergence – whether that’s autism, ADHD, or another condition – describes a brain that works differently, not wrongly. Rather than seeing these differences as deficits, many now look at them through a more compassionate lens: recognising both the strengths and challenges they can bring.
For example, someone with ADHD might be full of creative ideas and spontaneous energy but struggle with focus or forgetfulness. An autistic person may have a brilliant memory or deep specialist interests yet find social settings exhausting or confusing. Understanding these patterns can be life-changing. It’s estimated that between 15% & 20% of people in the UK meet the criteria for ADHD or autism, although many remain undiagnosed.
Why is it helpful to know?
There are many reasons why someone might want to explore whether they’re neurodivergent. It could be a young person struggling with learning, or an adult wondering why social relationships feel harder than they do for others. At work, noise or distractions might make it difficult to focus, and small changes could make a big difference. Sometimes people just want to understand themselves better, to make sense of lifelong patterns.
At our service, we insist on a screening appointment before any assessments are booked. This is because ADHD, autism, anxiety, and low mood can share similar features, and we don’t want anyone wasting time or money going down the wrong path. The screening includes a face-to-face meeting and a series of structured questionnaires to help identify signs of ADHD, autism, anxiety, and depression. It’s designed to offer clarity and make sure the right type of assessment or support is offered from the start. Being first and foremost a therapy service, we not only offer assessments but also provide tailored therapeutic support. If someone is experiencing difficulties, whether that’s anxiety, low self-esteem, or overwhelm, we can offer custom therapy sessions designed around their needs.
Ultimately, recognising neurodivergence is not about labelling people, it’s about understanding and supporting them. With the right awareness and care, individuals and their families can move forward with confidence, knowing they’re not alone and that help is available.
Youngsters’ favourite Shake Shack has a new pesto parm menu until 22nd May so we popped in for a pit stop!
My teenager is smitten with Shake Shack… so much so that I often answer the door to a surprise delivery! So I was glad to check into Shake Shack Oxford to try the new spring dishes and find out what all the fuss is about!
Shake Shack has won a loyal following, serving elevated versions of American classics using decent ingredients. And, to mark the arrival of spring (hurray!) there’s a new pesto parm menu, offering fresh, herby and cheesy flavours, for a limited time.
We delighted with the quality of the Chicken Pesto Parm, a crispy chicken breast over rocket, topped with Parmesan and pesto mayo. The crinkle-cut fries are pleasingly retro and the new menu features these topped with Parmesan and pesto mayo.
Springtime calls for a refreshing drinks and you can also enjoy a refreshing apricot & mint lemonade. But the real winner on the new menu is the pistachio shake. Made with frozen pistachio custard blended with crispy wafers and honey, topped with whipped cream, crispy wafers and crushed pistachio.
Absolutely moreish & sweet, this is the shake of kings!
On 8th June, after a two-year hiatus, enjoy a dozen gardens in three lovely villages (Alton Barnes, Alton Priors & Honeystreet) nestling in the Vale of Pewsey, writes Louise Golden
Overlooked by the C19th white horse, cut into the side of the Marlborough Downs, there will be lots to see and do, from a manor garden with a long herbaceous border to inspirational cut flower gardens, and delightful cottage gardens.
Discover hidden gems along our garden trail. Refreshments include teas and coffees with homemade cakes, to ploughman’s lunches and even a hands-on “create your own pizza” experience. Treat yourself to delicious ice creams from Wiltshire-based enterprise, Lacock Dairies.
Enjoy two flower-filled churches St Mary’s Saxon Church in Alton Barnes & All Saints in the meadows between the Altons. Follow historic cobblestone footpaths to wonderful recitals by Music for Awhile in All Saints in the afternoon (sponsored by the Cecil King Foundation).
Buy home-grown plants, fresh bouquets, interesting gardenalia and lots more. The owners all share a passion for gardening and a sense of community. All proceeds will go towards the cost of replacing All Saints’ lead roof (sadly stolen in 2015), the Coronation Hall & Prospect Hospice in memory of one of our much-loved residents who regularly welcomed visitors into her chocolate-box cottage garden and championed the Neolithic springs at the heart of our village.
Tickets £7pp (accompanied u16s free) at 3vevents.org.uk or on the day at Coronation Hall. Well behaved dogs on leads allowed, at the discretion of each garden owner.
Former private chef turned food columnist, bestselling cookbook author, real food activist and sustainability champion Melissa Hemsley chats to us ahead of Blenheim Palace Food Festival, 24th to 26th May
Q. Hello Melissa! What’s your first food memory? “Sitting in my nappy with bare legs on a scratchy carpet in the living room of our army accommodation (Dad was in the Army) with my mum peeling prawns that she’d simply boiled. She was dipping them in vinegar and then using her fingers, grabbing a bit of hot white rice and then hand-feeding me these perfect bite-sized mouthfuls of prawn and rice. I also remember vividly going to a little farm with some little friends and eating fish paste sandwiches and then banana sandwiches for pudding!”
Q. What’s the one first step you think families can take to “unprocessing” their diet? “One of my tips that I find helpful (and other people tell me they in turn found useful) is, when you’re at the shops or doing an online shop, challenge yourself to take one ultra-processed food out of the shopping basket and instead add one more real food or whole food. For example, a bag of frozen green beans, a tin of lentils, a jar of dried herbs or spices… so by the end of the year, you’ve bought 52 less ultra-processed food and have 52 more whole foods to eat! Find loads more tips and hacks in my Sunday Times bestselling cookbook Real Healthy.”
Q. Congratulations on becoming a mum! What are the most surprising & rewarding lessons so far?
“Thank you! Our little girl Summer turns two just after the food festival. She loved eating everything at first. Now at mealtimes she really wants to run around so mealtimes are definitely a little bit more challenging! One thing she loves is we have fridge magnets of lots and lots of types of fruit and veg and she can name them all which she loves doing. So I think that really helps her get new things when we put food down on the table. I’m in awe of all parents and caregivers and I think I was aware how tricky it was going to be to work and parent at the same time but the reality is, it’s even harder than I expected! I really struggle – I know similar for lots of families – to find the time to work as much as I’d like to and I think now she’s almost two, I have realised that I have to sadly say ‘no thank you’ to a lot more things than I’d like, so I’m not running ragged and to protect my mental health and physical health. I struggle with that but, as we all know, there are never enough hours in the day.”
Q. How do you take good care of your mental health? “I love walking and I can’t drive so both factors get me walking a lot! Summer and I like to walk as much as possible to activities in the playground and friends houses and i walk as much as i can to work appointments but I also try and have a 45-minute walk by myself every day which is my ideal type of meditation. My mantra is ‘if in doubt, walk it out’ and I really feel the difference if I haven’t had a chance to have a big walk a day. Eating well really supports my mental health especially when I’m busy. I count on meal prepping and batch cooking brackets which I’m sure we’ll talk about at my demo at the festival! I really count on the freezer and I think cooking yourself an extra batch of something you love that’s a comfort food and having it in the freezer is such a lovely gift to yourself for those times when you know you’re gonna be really busy or if as often happens you get run-down and then you need something nourishing and uplifting and home-cooked.”
Q. Who was your foodie hero growing up? “I loved watching Ready Steady Cook after school and my mum is definitely a food hero for me. She has always had this knack – born out of resourcefulness – for being able to create a delicious meal out of very little and quickly too. I think being able to flexibly come up with a meal is key which I think is the most important part of learning to cook, rather than strictly following a recipe. And I think Ready Steady Cook on the BBC was so good at that it made cooking fun and unintimidating. I would love to see more shows like that where it’s less competitive and more celebratory, showing quick thrifty cooking tips that busy people need.”
Q. We’re all doing our best to make ends meet. What is your top tip for stretching the budget? “Even though I love writing cookbooks I don’t know if the world needs more and more cookbooks! I think we need more and more recipe templates and throw together ideas and meals plans and emergency pull together bases (which I love sharing) and what I like to do each week is to make three things – a soup, a frittata, and a fruit bowl cake. The soup is brilliant because you can take it in a flask if you’re on the move – it’s a fab way of using up every day odds and ends; half an onion, the last stick of celery, any less-than-fresh herbs and herb stems any salad items that are a little bit wilty like half a bag of rocket and then for satisfaction (as soups need to be satisfying) I cook all that down and then blitz it up with a tin of cooked white beans which makes it all creamy and hearty and we all know beans are really good for us. Sometimes I blitz in some frozen peas for sweetness too and then have it with croutons or sprinkle some feta cheese then for a frittata… A frittata is an amazing way of using up both cooked veg and raw veg, using up Sunday leftover roasted veg or I use a 50% mix of whisked eggs and 50% equal volume of uncooked veg like grated carrots, grated courgettes and some grated cheese. Then you can either put the batter into muffin trays for breakfast muffins or often snack frittata on the go or make one big tray and slice up wedges and have that for a quick dinner or Saturday lunch. Frittatas are also great cold the next day – they make an amazing sandwich filling too. And finally a fruit bowl bake is as good for a Sunday afternoon treat as it is for Monday morning breakfast. Lots of us end up having bananas or apples rolling around in the bottom of school bags or gym bags simply getting lost at the bottom of the fruit bowl. So the Fruit Bowl Bake was born out of me always having a bruised bananas or less-than-crunchy apples that no one wanted to eat so I mix them all together with porridge oats and a couple of eggs, some lovely cinnamon and a little bit of sweetness from maple syrup or honey and then you bake it up. So good!”
Q. Is there any surprising food stuff you don’t eat? “I seem to have developed an allergy to crab which I’m devastated by because one of my favourite things is a crab sandwich sitting on a beach! I’m about to start the second year of my naturopathic nutrition degree and it’s fascinating and inspiring me even more to keep sharing real food recipes especially with the dominance of ultra processed foods in our diets these days! And it has truly hammered home to me (in the best way possible) how much importance there is in taking care of ourselves with food, stress levels and sleep quality!”
Q. And anything you’re borderline obsessed with/ guilty pleasure? “I don’t think there’s anything I’m particularly obsessed by but in terms of a snack, rather than buy snacks on the go or the very much ‘health halo’ packaged expensive snacks, I always have some dark chocolate and a little old jar, normally an old mustard jar, and fill it with mixed nuts like Brazil nuts, walnuts and some dark chocolate squares. And they’re my dream snack and I have to replenish my jar often as whenever I get my jar out, I end up sharing them with everyone!”
Q. What’s your favourite foodstuff to grow? “In my old garden in East London with very much my mom’s help, we were growing quite a few things well. Sadly, since parenthood, I’ve taken my eye off the ball but my herbs are still surviving. We just had a street party and I had 15 minutes to make my contribution so relied on foods from the cupboard plus my herbs. I made a massive bowl of chickpeas with crumble feta, olives, roasted red peppers and then tossed it all together with lots of olive oil and lemon juice and then big handfuls of chives and basil and parsley from my herb pots, which made the salad tasty and fresh and brought it to life.”
Q. What’s your best meal ever? “My best meal at the moment anyway is my one-pan lazy lasagne with a huge avocado, basil, butter lettuce salad and then smashed dates with drizzled dark chocolate and pistachios and hazelnuts and a tiny sprinkle of sea salt.”
Q. What’s your essential bit of kitchen kit? “A box grater. I love being able to easily add grated carrots and courgettes into frittatas or bolognese or chillis or stews and grated cabbage and beetroot into salads or slaws or to grate sweet potatoes or squash into a spiced fritter to serve with a garlic dipping sauce. Easiest way to up the veg content each day and delicious too.”
Q. What are your favourite restaurants? “I love restaurants that welcome kids and dogs and so so appreciate that! I love Bingham Riverhouse in Richmond and Petersham Nurseries.“
Q. What’s your favourite summer produce to cook with & enjoy? “All the lettuces and salads, tomatoes fennel – love a raw fennel salad. Summer berries and stone fruits. Love being able to picnic with the above and some good cheese and olives and soak up outside time as much as possible.”
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People’s free plant and cake sale will offer you a warm welcome on Saturday, 10th May, at the charity’s southern training centre in Saunderton near Princes Risborough
Delicious homemade cakes and preserves, along with home-grown flowers and plants, will be just some of the attractions at this highlight, 10am-4pm.
This year’s event will also feature a fun dog show, with a prize for the waggiest tail!
The now-legendary sales, which are organised and run by the charity’s Buckinghamshire Fundraising Branch, led by Fiona and Rob Daniels, have grown from very humble beginnings into one of the most popular fixtures in the Hearing Dogs calendar. In fact, since they began in 2020, the team has raised over £100,000.
Fiona and fellow volunteer Wendy Baldwin bake most of the cakes themselves, Fiona and Rob grow the plants and also make chutneys from their own garden produce. Another branch member, Peter Shepperd, will be making his famous Cornish pasties and chilli sauces.
Anyone visiting with their own dogs will be welcome to take part in a fun dog show, with categories such as “the waggiest tail”, “musical sits” and “best catch”, among others.
For those who have worked up an appetite after the other activities, there will be mouth-watering treats on offer, including cakes, savouries and delicious South African-inspired street food from award-winning local caterers Bokkie.
Head to the grounds of the Hearing Dogs southern training centre, The Grange, in Haw Lane, HP27 9NS. NB: dogs should be kept on a lead and please clean up after them.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a national charity that trains dogs that help deaf people leave loneliness behind and reconnect with life. The dogs do this through constant companionship and emotional support, giving deaf people the confidence to reconnect with their family, friends and community around them.
Just as importantly, they help by alerting deaf people to important and life-saving sounds such as the smoke alarm, alarm clock and oven timers. Their burgundy coats also signal to the public that their partner is deaf. This combination of practical assistance and lifelong friendship can be life-changing.
Seer Green sculptor Sarah Allen tells us about her work as she prepares for Bucks Art Weeks, 7th to 22nd June
Sarah Allen is passionate about creating sculpture that works, in the round, drawing the eye to new perspectives. She likes to try new techniques and different materials to keep her work fresh.
“I rarely make the same thing twice,” she tells us. “When creating a new piece inspiration will come from a connection, whether that’s to an emotion or something visual, perhaps encountered on a walk, in a conversation or a global event. Then I develop the concept with sketches and prototypes or a maquette but I like to get on with the making and feel my way with the clay.
“I adopted a kiln that was being booted out and that’s when I started my journey away from cast sculpture on the exploration of ceramics and the multitude of techniques that this affords. Once I start working on a sculpture I work ‘in the round’ to ensure that the final piece works from all angles.”
Sarah has lived in Seer Green for 25 years (with a side trip to South Africa for a few years). “My husband is often called upon as my glamorous assistant when I require a special tool crafting or an armature rigging for a new piece. Most of the family have flown the nest but we’ve still got one son at home doing A levels and he’s very supportive when I’m caught up making a new piece, spending long hours in my studio. Our dog, a rescue from our time in South Africa is excellent for getting me out of the studio for long walks and our two cats like to ‘help’ around the studio when allowed in!”
“The village has so much to offer, among my favourites are the excellent butcher, J&L Mash, the Jolly Cricketers, known for its wonderful hospitality and food and Holy Trinity church open every day for those seeking some sanctuary.
“Last year I exhibited with the artists of HP9 Art Trail and this year will be supporting them whilst holding a stand at the Elite luxury fair for the first time, with Nic Weavers, talented artist of Absolutely Hanging on 15th & 17th May at Booker Airport.
“I am excited to be exhibiting in Bucks Art Weeks and after many years of exhibiting from my studio, this year I’ll be celebrating the 40th anniversary year by exhibiting as part of the #chalfontsummerarttrail with wonderful local artists, Johanci and Caro Friend at the Hub community space in Chalfont St Peter.”
Neurodiversity advocate Hester Grainger will bring her ADHD Unmasked show to Camberley Theatre on Thursday, 29th May, to Guildford’s G Live on Tuesday, 10th June, Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre on 13th June, Wycombe Swan on 15th June & more as part of a UK tour
These four little letters – ADHD – seem to be everywhere, with the best neurodivergence advocates offering life-changing support.
For years now, Hester Grainger has been speaking about neurodiversity, specifically ADHD. “My husband and I set up the Perfectly Autistic consultancy in 2020, so we’ve been offering talks, training, webinars etc for a long time now!
“My children were diagnosed as autistic when they were seven and nine and then, a few years later, with ADHD. It was during one of their appointments that the psychologist asked if I’d been diagnosed with ADHD. I explained I hadn’t and she suggested I was. So, I was officially diagnosed with ADHD when I was 43 – I am now 47. We had also launched Perfectly Autistic, so the two went hand in hand. I didn’t set out to be a public advocate, I just wanted to raise awareness and understanding and I love to share my knowledge with anyone who will listen.”
Hester is the go-to ADHD expert in the press and is a regular guest on podcasts. She even went viral after her appearance on ADHD Chatter with Alex Partridge, with clips being viewed more than 22 million times. She’ll bring her show ADHD Unmasked to Camberley Theatre on 29th May as part of a UK tour.
“It’s going to be a fantastic, uplifting and fun evening – I can’t wait!” adds Hester. “ADHD Unmasked is all about stripping away the myths and misconceptions and talking about what it is really like. It’s not just about the struggles, though we’ll talk about those, too – but also about the strengths people with ADHD have.
“There will be real-life stories and practical strategies that actually work. You can expect honesty, humour, oversharing (I just can’t help myself) and probably a few ‘aha!’ moments along the way. I want the show to be completely interactive so if people have questions in the first half, they can ask those too. If they are anything like me, I would feel like I was going to burst if I had to wait to ask my question! This is going to be a safe and inclusive space where people can be themselves.
“The show is for people who want to understand more about ADHD, maybe their partner, child or friend has it, or maybe a family member has recently been diagnosed and people want to know more about what it actually is and how it affects them. And it’s also just for anyone with an interest in ADHD who wants to learn more. The more, the merrier!
“You’ll leave feeling uplifted, empowered, understanding more about yourself and how your brain works and most importantly, knowing you aren’t alone on this journey.”
Book in for a dark tourism show inspired by Graham Norton Show to launch at Oxford Castle & Prison hosted by comedian Alex Farrow
A dandy highwayman and a pilloried bookseller will be among the guests on a one-night-only TV talk show taking place in Oxford.
Oxford Castle & Prison will host the unique, late-night event which will blend history with humour alongside real-life characters from Oxford’s dark past.
The show is in collaboration with the award-winning Jericho Comedy and Oxford Brooks University and will see legendary figures including Queen Elizabeth I ‘hater’, Rowland Jenkes, and promiscuous highwayman, Isaac Darkin, return to the scene of their demises.
Kesia Middlemore of Oxford Castle & Prison says: “If you’re wondering what the night will look like, think Graham Norton with ghosts! We’re thrilled to be bringing history to life in such a bold and entertaining way.
“Comedy at the Castle is not just a night of laughs – it’s a celebration of the colourful, and often chilling, stories that shaped our city. What better way to connect people with the past than through a comedy?”
Comedian Alex Farrow, host of the multi-award-winning Jericho Comedy in Oxford, will begin the evening with a stand-up performance. Alex’s writing has appeared on Mock the Week, Have I Got News for You, as well as in The Times as part of the best jokes of the Edinburgh Fringe.
Alex will be joined by Caitriona Dowden, who will perform extracts from her critically acclaimed show ‘Holier than thou’. Caitriona is a DPhil medieval history researcher with a penchant for medieval bestiaries and was Chortle Student Comedian of the Year 2022. Shortly after, the ghosts will take centre stage.
Guests ‘returning’ to Oxford Castle & Prison will include:
Isaac Darkin aka Dumas: The original dandy highwayman, who spent his cash on looking flash and grabbing your attention… especially if you were a married woman of means who shared his insatiable appetite.
Felicia Skene: Pen pal of Florence Nightingale. Felicia was a philanthropist, prison reformer, friend of the poor and sex workers.
Rowland Jenkes: A devout Catholic and Queen Elizabeth I ‘hater’. If only he’d kept his thoughts to himself, he wouldn’t have been put on trial for seditious libel.
The talk show segment was the brainchild of students Milind Singh, Takumi Oya, Max Gleeson and Debarshi Kalita, who pitched the concept to the Oxford Castle & Prison team as part of Oxford Brookes Business School’s Dark Tourism postgraduate module. Comedy at the Castle follows in the footsteps of ‘Afternoon Tea with Mary Blandy which took place last year.
Dr. Brianna Wyatt, Senior Lecturer and Module Leader of the Dark Tourism module at Oxford Brookes University, said: “The module uses experiential learning to bridge the gap between theory and practice so that students not only have the chance to apply their learning, but they are able to make industry impacts.
“Student feedback has shown this way of learning is not only helpful for them in understanding what industry is looking for and needs in the current experience economy, but it also supports them in developing transferable skills needed for their future careers.
“I have been impressed with all the ideas that have been pitched over the last two years of this module running. Seeing the students’ ideas implemented is a great motivator for future students of the module, and it has been a joy to watch them learn from and work with the management team at Oxford Castle & Prison. I am grateful to the Oxford Castle & Prison team and Continuum Attractions for their continued support and engagement with the students and this module”.
Taking place on Friday 16 May, Comedy at the Castle offers audiences a rare opportunity to see the castle after dark, with shows running at 6.15pm and 8.45pm.
The immersive format, styled as a late-night TV talk show, will include character interviews, surprising historical revelations, and a 20-minute interval to nip to the bar. Tickets are priced at £19 for adults and £17 for students, with age guidance set at 18+ due to adult themes.
Sculptor, mum & tutor Maísa Stolz tells us about her artistic journey, from Brazil to Abingdon, plus her Beatrix Potter-inspired workshops this month
Animals have always been an inspiration for Maísa Stolz. “Growing up in Brazil, I spent weekends at my father’s small farm,” she says. “It left a lasting impression and still influences my art today. Many of my sculptures feature animals, the connection between humans and nature.
“Since moving to Abingdon, I’ve fallen in love with the local wildlife. I’m especially fascinated by the sheep in the fields, little hedgehogs, rabbits and the robins that visit our garden.”
As well as being mum to two energetic girls, Maísa is an artist, sculptor and art educator whose journey started in her motherland where she taught art and fashion to people from vulnerable communities. Resources were often limited, so she found creative ways to use cheap, recycled, natural materials, an ethos she continues today.
Maísa’s Muse Art School workshops – at Unit 25 in Abingdon’s Bury Street – offer fun, hands-on classes where you can transform recycled materials into charming characters, £15pp a week, including all materials. During May, 1-2pm every Thursday, she’ll lead Beatrix Potter-themed classes. “I live in Peachcroft, and we’ve called this town home for about four years,” says Maísa. “Moving here with my family was one of the best decisions we made. Here we find good friends, a kind neighbourhood, and a friendly school for our children. I love the peace of the countryside, it’s such a contrast to busy city life. And I adore the light here. On sunny days, when everything seems bathed in golden light, it feels magical.
“I love browsing local charity shops! There’s something special about giving objects a second life, finding hidden treasures, knowing you’re helping others and reducing waste. It’s like a little adventure each time – and very much in line with how I approach art, turning overlooked materials into something beautiful. I’m a big fan of pubs with a good garden. I love enjoying a cider at The Nag’s Head, right by the river. It’s the perfect spot to unwind.”
Maisa is excited to keep building The Muse Art School, setting up more classes, meeting new people in the community, making a positive difference. She’s happy to hear from schools who might like to run after-school sculpture clubs and welcomes collaborative projects related to sustainability and recycling. She also plans to launch a class for young Portuguese speakers.
She adds: “As I say at The Muse: create, connect, inspire. That’s what I hope people feel when they join. My wish for the world would be for people to recognise God’s presence in their lives and feel grateful for the incredible gift life is. We can all look at each other, realise how alike we are and do our best for each other.”
You can browse Maisa’s sculptures in Burford Art Gallery’s shop & find out more about her own work at maisastolz.com. You can email her on themuseartschoolox@gmail.com
