Grow Together Bucks helping your community 

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

Stephanie Killingbeck-Turner tells us about Growing Together Bucks (GTB), founded in 2020 with a vision to help local communities grow fresh food together & boost wellbeing 

Five years ago we were offered an overgrown allotment at Back Lane at Wycombe Marsh as a site for a community allotment. 

It was the early days of the first lockdown; fortunately allotments were one of the few places we could visit. With the help of committed volunteers, we established growing beds, accessed by wood chip paths. In 2023, support from the Rothchild Foundation enabled us to continue our community work. 

Today the allotment is a thriving organic growing space maintained by a wonderful, open, friendly group who welcome new volunteers, with Wednesday & Saturday morning sessions restarting in spring. Once a month through the summer, we share and enjoy a vegetarian lunch, made from produce harvested that morning and cooked on site. Volunteers also take home some of the crop with any spare food being donated to the One Can Trust. 

We also run two other projects: working in schools and community volunteering days. Our experience teaching in five schools has grown into the creation of a GTB Practical Growing Programme. This year, Marsh & Micklefield Big Local are supporting our work with Marsh Primary and Ash Hill School.  

Please find out more & get in touch at growtogetherbucks.co.uk

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Astrology & Tarot for April

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

What’s in store for you this month? Melanie Harding, founder of Soul Healing Guidance, offers some useful guidance for all signs to help you navigate April

Aries (March 21 – April 20)

April kicks off your season with a bang, as your natural fiery energy is at its peak. But hold off on
speaking your mind until Mercury turns direct on the 7th, as words could land you in unnecessary
drama. The Full Moon on the 12th sheds light on a relationship, and with Venus also turning direct,
you’ll need to make a decision between love and business. When Mercury moves into your sign on
the 16th, you’ll have the clarity to make the best choice. Romance heats up with Mars in your love
zone on the 18th, sparking new flames or deepening existing connections. Your finances brighten
when the Sun enters Taurus on the 19th, easing any cash flow concerns. On the 27th, the New Moon
offers a chance to boost your earnings, and when Venus moves into Aries on the 30th, love and
money are both on the rise. By month’s end, you’ll be in prime shape for success.


Tarot Advice:
The Emperor – The Emperor calls you to take charge and lead with authority. Be assertive and
confident in your decisions, particularly around your career and personal goals. You have the power
to create structure and achieve success, but don’t forget to be compassionate in your leadership.
Stay grounded and embrace your inner authority

Taurus (April 21 – May 20)

April starts off a little quieter as you focus on introspection, but once Mercury goes direct on the
7th, expect an uptick in social invitations. The 8th is perfect for a party or date, thanks to a
supportive Venus-Uranus connection. A work-related matter comes to a head during the Full Moon
on the 12th, while Venus turning direct that same day boosts your social life. Mercury’s move into
Aries on the 16th brings juicy gossip your way. Domestic matters take priority when Mars enters
your home zone on the 18th, pushing you into a leadership role with your loved ones. On the 19th,
the Sun enters Taurus, making you the centre of attention for the next few weeks. The New Moon
on the 27th is ideal for revamping your look, while Venus entering your sign on the 30th will ignite
your romantic life. By month’s end, you’ll be in full bloom.


Tarot Advice:
9 of Wands – The 9 of Wands advises resilience. You may feel tired or defensive, but don’t give up
just yet. You’ve made it this far, and now is not the time to let your guard down. Protect your
progress and stay focused. Trust that the finish line is closer than it appears.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

April brings a spotlight on friendships, with plenty of fun and socialising. Mercury’s direct motion
on the 7th sharpens your communication, boosting your natural charm. The Full Moon on the 12th
is perfect for a romantic date, and with Venus turning direct, love is in the air. When Mercury moves
into Aries on the 16th, expect a flurry of gossip and conversation. Mars in your travel zone from the
18th encourages spontaneous adventures. On the 19th, the Sun moves into your private 12th house,
giving you a well-deserved break. The 27th’s New Moon is ideal for a spa day or recharging. With
Venus in Aries on the 30th, your social life ramps up, but balance is key to enjoying both the fun
and the rest.

Tarot Advice:
Queen of Swords – The Queen of Swords suggests a need for clear, sharp communication. You
may be called upon to cut through confusion and express your truth. Stay objective, logical, and use
your intellectual clarity to make the best decisions, particularly in matters of the heart and career.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

April shines a spotlight on your career, with the Sun boosting your professional standing. Mercury
going direct on the 7th also clears any travel issues. The Full Moon on the 12th provides clarity on a
family matter, and with Venus turning direct, romantic opportunities are in the air. When Mercury
enters your career zone on the 16th, expect an increase in recognition, while Mars in your financial
zone from the 18th boosts your hustle and cash flow. Social events take off when the Sun enters
Taurus on the 19th, so don’t shy away from invitations. The New Moon on the 27th is perfect for a
party or fun social event, and with Venus moving into Aries on the 30th, your popularity soars. April
promises both career success and social delights.

Tarot Advice:
The Moon – The Moon urges you to trust your intuition, especially when things seem unclear.
There may be hidden truths that need to be uncovered. Be mindful of any illusions or
misunderstandings around you. Stay connected to your instincts, as they will guide you through
foggy moments.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Travel is on your mind this month, with the Sun highlighting exciting journeys. Mercury goes direct
on the 7th, and the 6th and 12th are perfect for spontaneous trips. The Full Moon on the 12th is
great for a quick getaway. Finances improve when Venus turns direct on the 12th, allowing you to
recover from any spending sprees. Mercury’s move into Aries on the 16th boosts your education
sector, making it a good time to apply for courses or exams. Mars enters your sign on the 18th,
giving you a surge of energy and drive. Career opportunities increase when the Sun enters Taurus
on the 19th. The New Moon on the 27th brings an exciting career opportunity, possibly a promotion
or new role. The 30th promises a romantic getaway with Venus in Aries, making it a fantastic time
to reconnect.

Tarot Advice:
3 of Pentacles – The 3 of Pentacles highlights collaboration and teamwork. This card suggests you
may need to rely on others to help you achieve your goals. Don’t hesitate to ask for support and
trust that combining efforts will lead to success. Teamwork makes the dream work.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

April brings financial stability, with the Sun highlighting your joint finances. After Mercury goes
direct on the 7th, you can sign contracts or make key financial moves. The Full Moon on the 12th is
ideal for clearing debts or collecting money owed. Venus turning direct on the 12th boosts your
romantic life, making it a great time for relationships, whether new or rekindled. Mercury’s move
into Aries on the 16th enhances your flirt game. Mars enters your introspective sector on the 18th,
focusing your energy on behind-the-scenes work and private matters. A business trip is on the cards
when the Sun enters your travel zone on the 19th. The 27th’s New Moon is excellent for a workrelated journey, mixing business and pleasure. Venus in Aries on the 30th will add heat to your love
life.

Tarot Advice:
7 of Wands – The 7 of Wands urges you to defend your position and stand your ground. You may
face challenges or competition, but with determination, you can overcome them. Keep fighting for
what you believe in and don’t let anyone take what you’ve earned.

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

April deepens your relationships, with the Sun in your partnership sector helping you form stronger
connections. Mercury turning direct on the 7th clears communication hurdles, and the Full Moon on
the 12th allows you to voice your needs. Venus turning direct that day also boosts your romantic
prospects. Mercury’s move into Aries on the 16th helps clear the air with loved ones. Social events
will be plentiful when Mars enters Leo on the 18th, and you’ll be the life of the party. The Sun
enters Taurus on the 19th, drawing attention to your finances. The New Moon on the 27th offers a
new opportunity to grow your wealth, while Venus in Aries on the 30th heats up your romantic life.
A month of deep connection and exciting possibilities awaits!

Tarot Advice:
Justice – The Justice card calls for fairness, balance, and accountability. This is a time for you to
seek the truth and make decisions based on what’s right, not just what’s easy. Your actions will have
lasting consequences, so make sure to weigh all sides before you proceed.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 22)

April positions you as a natural leader, especially in your work life. With Mars sextiling Uranus on
the 4th, take charge of your team. Mercury goes direct on the 7th, making communication smoother.
The Full Moon on the 12th is perfect for a romantic retreat, with Venus also going direct that day.
Career moves become dynamic around the 16th, and Mars entering your ambition zone on the 18th
will push you toward success. The Sun enters your partnership sector on the 19th, leading to
influential connections. The New Moon on the 27th could bring a new romantic connection or take
your current relationship to a deeper level. Venus in your work sector on the 30th will bring
recognition and reward for your efforts.

Tarot Advice:
8 of Swords (Reversed) – The 8 of Swords reversed indicates a liberation from mental blocks or
restrictions. You may feel as though you’ve been trapped by your thoughts, but this is a time of
clarity and release. Trust that you can free yourself from any perceived limitations, and move
forward with renewed confidence.

Sagittarius (November 23 – December 21)

April brings opportunities for romance and travel. The Sun and Neptune in your love sector mean
you could meet someone special this month. The 6th is ideal for a romantic gesture. Home life
becomes busier when Mercury turns direct on the 7th, while the Full Moon on the 12th is great for a
gathering with friends. On the 12th, Venus also turns direct, making it a good time for home
projects. When Mercury moves into Aries on the 16th and Mars enters your travel zone on the 18th,
it’s time for a spontaneous adventure. The Sun’s move into Taurus on the 19th increases your career
prospects. The 27th New Moon opens the door for a career boost. Romance heats up when Venus
enters Aries on the 30th, making the end of April a time for passion.

Tarot Advice:
Page of Cups – The Page of Cups encourages you to embrace your creativity and intuition. There’s
a sense of emotional renewal with this card, and it may also indicate new romantic possibilities. Be
open to love, as it may arrive in unexpected forms. Stay playful and curious.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

April is a productive month with a focus on home improvements and errands. The Sun in your
domestic sector gives you control over home projects. After Mercury goes direct on the 7th, it’s
easier to communicate and get people on board. The Full Moon on the 12th shines on your career,
bringing recognition. Venus turning direct that day improves your romantic prospects. Mars enters
your finance sector on the 18th, urging you to take calculated risks with money. The Sun in Taurus
on the 19th brings financial focus. The New Moon on the 27th is perfect for a hot date or new
romantic connection. Venus enters your home sector on the 30th, leading to cosy nights in.

Tarot Advice:
The Chariot – The Chariot asks you to take control and charge ahead with determination. This is a
time of movement and progress, and you are in the driver’s seat. Don’t let distractions derail your
focus. Stay confident and keep pushing towards your goals.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 19)

April is a month full of socialising, with the Sun in your communication sector sparking lively
conversations. Meet up with friends on the 4th for a chat, thanks to Saturn and Uranus forming a
favourable connection. Mercury goes direct on the 7th, clearing up any misunderstandings. The Full
Moon on the 12th is perfect for travel and romance, while Venus turning direct on the same day
enhances your charm. Mercury in Aries on the 16th helps you make a bold statement. Domestic
matters take centre stage when the Sun moves into Taurus on the 19th. If you’re considering a
move, the New Moon on the 27th is great for house-hunting. Venus in Aries on the 30th will make
negotiations easier, whether it’s for a new home or a new relationship.

Tarot Advice:
7 of Swords – The 7 of Swords warns against deceit or dishonesty. This card suggests you may
need to be cautious in both personal and professional matters. Remain alert to any situations that
feel shady or underhanded. Ensure integrity and transparency in your dealings with others.

Pisces (February 20 – March 20)

April brings financial balance, with the Sun highlighting opportunities to increase your income.
Mercury turning direct on the 7th is ideal for salary negotiations. The Full Moon on the 12th is
perfect for paying off debts or restructuring your finances. Venus turning direct that day boosts your
charm, making it an excellent time for romance. Mercury’s move into Aries on the 16th brings
creative ideas that could lead to new revenue streams. Mars entering your work zone on the 18th
positions you for leadership. Short trips become appealing when the Sun moves into your travel
zone on the 19th. The 27th’s New Moon is perfect for a rewarding getaway. Venus in Aries on the
30th ends the month on a prosperous note.

Tarot Advice:
King of Cups (Reversed) – The King of Cups reversed signals a need to be more emotionally
balanced. You might be feeling overwhelmed or disconnected from your feelings. This is a time to
address any emotional turbulence, so take a step back and focus on regaining inner calm and
stability.

  • Watch this space for our competition to win a reading with Mel! To find out more about Melanie, as well as Tarot, Astrology & healing, please visit soulhealingguidance.co.uk

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Star Q&A with Tim Rice ahead of tour  

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

Liz Nicholls chats to the multi-award winning, internationally renowned lyricist Sir Tim Rice who returns to a theatre stage near you this spring with Tim Rice My Life In Musicals I Know Him So Well 

This incredibly special show which toured earlier this year has proved so popular that 33 new dates have been added. During the show, which visits Reading Hexagon, Guildford’s G Live, Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre, Oxford’s New Theatre and Wycombe Swan in April and May, Tim reflects on his illustrious career at the heart of musical theatre. 

Tim, who is associated with writing the lyrics for so many of the world’s great musicals – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as the Disney productions The Lion King, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast, will share anecdotes behind the songs –  the hits and the misses along with stories of his life. There will be live performances from his wonderful catalogue of songs with leading West End singers and musicians led by Duncan Waugh. 

Q. Hello.. How would you like to be addressed? “I think ‘my liege’… no only joking, Tim is fine!” 

Q. You were born at Shardeloes in Bucks, weren’t you? “Yes, not that I remember it! It was just at the end of the war… the second world war, not the Boer War! My mother had been in the WAF during the war, where she met my father; they got married in Egypt in 1942. Shardeloes is a wonderful stately home, a country house, and it was commandeered from the family who kindly gave it to the war effort so it became a wartime hospital. Quite a grand place to be born! Now I live in Buckinghamshire (just!), in the Hambleden Valley which is beautiful, with very nice pubs which I like going to. Not all on the same night, very often, I might add!” 

Q. What’s your first memory of music? “That’s an interesting question. Well, I was listening to Boom Radio yesterday from 1954, and I realised I knew every song, including the Winifred Atwell instrumentals. I would have been nine, and even ones I’d sort-of forgotten were in my brain, after all. These were songs I’d have heard on my parents’ radio.” 

Q. It’s Record Store Day this month; do you still love vinyl? “I do! I’ve got about 3,000 singles and probably 1,000 albums, and I’m still adding to that collection. I often dip randomly into my shelves and pull out a record by an act who’ve only had one hit and it’s very interesting listening to stuff from another time, either from the 1990s or even before I was born. If you play something on your phone it’s nearly always in the background, but if you’re playing a record, you stop, appreciate the cover, the artwork. When I was a teenager we’d get together for the sole purpose of playing records. We’d be very careful, if possible, not all to buy the same ones; we could probably only afford to buy one single a month. I’d check with a friend – ‘have you got Elvis’s latest? If you have I won’t buy it but I’ll buy Cliff’s instead’. It was a different era and playing a hit record was an event, something you shared.” 

Q. What was the first record you bought? “The first pop record I bought was Tommy Steele singing the blues which was a number one record, and a cover of Guy Mitchell, a really big American singer who used to sing pretty corny songs. In those days the big British acts – Marty Wilde, Cliff Richard, Billy Fury – would often cover American hits. Guy was a good singer but sang it very straight. Tommy was the first rock and roll singer Britain ever produced and I preferred his version, and still do!” 

Q. Did you enjoy school? “Yes I did on the whole. I was quite bright so I got by without doing too much work which is probably an appalling thing to say! I look back on my schooldays very warmly. I was part of a pop group, very much based on Cliff Richard and the Shadows; this was just before The Beatles and they were very big and influential. I used to enjoy concerts, classical stuff. Looking back, performing with friends was quite a formative experience and I wasn’t too bad at it. I was never going to be a pop star but I learned a bit about controlling an audience which was fun.” 

Q. You’ve worked with such legends. Have you ever been starstruck? “Yes, almost every time! When you’re working with the likes of Elton [John], Alan [Menken], Bjorn & Benny, you think, my God, I’m working with the best here, I’ve really got to pull my finger out! You have to be slightly in awe of their talent.” 

Q. You’re working with Andrew Lloyd Webber right now aren’t you? “Yes, on a fantastic comedy spoof called Sherlock Holmes and the 12 Days of Christmas written by two very talented writers; Humphrey Ker & David Reed, which premieres at the Birmingham Rep in November. They’ve written the piece and it works as a straight-forward comedy. They asked me to write some music, and I asked Andrew and he agreed. We speak a lot. I first met Andrew in 1965 when I was a failing law student trying to be a pop singer on the side.” 

Q. If you had a magic wand what would you wish? “Ooof. Well, I like to think you’d think of your family of course. But something else: I’d ban solar panels from covering beautiful green farmland. I go down to Cornwall a lot and it’s very depressing seeing fields covered in plastic. By all means, stick them on roofs, but if I had a magic wand, whoosh, they’d vanish from the fields!” 

Tickets for Sir Tim Rice’s show, My Life in Musicals – I Know Him So Well are on sale now and can be purchased via: www.sirtimricelive.com 

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Queen of the Night, Whitney lives! 

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

Attention, Whitney Houston fans! Queen of the Night returns, bigger and brighter with an epic 2025 tour including highlights at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on 6th April, The Hexagon in reading on 24th May & more… 

After an unforgettable 2024 – with more than 100,000 tickets sold, a blockbuster UK arena tour, and standing ovations at the Royal Albert Hall and The London Palladium – the phenomenon that is Queen of the Night – A Tribute To Whitney Houston is gearing up to celebrate its 10th anniversary in jaw-dropping style. 

Get ready, because 2025 will see this smash-hit production embark on its most ambitious tour yet, bringing the magic of Whitney Houston to 85 cities and towns across Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England. This is more than a tribute – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime West End theatrical experience, a glittering celebration of the music, spirit, and legacy of one of the greatest voices of all time. 

With a sensational live band, a company of extraordinary vocalists, and a production design that will light up stages across the country, Queen of the Night – A Tribute To Whitney Houston is a show-stopping spectacle like no other. Expect the dancefloor hits, the soul-stirring ballads, and the show-stopping numbers you love – brought to life with all the glamour, drama, and electrifying energy of Whitney herself. 

Adenike Adewale’s breathtaking vocals and magnetic stage presence bring Whitney’s legacy to life in a way that must be seen to be believed.  

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Fisheye Film Festival in High Wycombe 

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

Mariko Francombe invites us all to enjoy a screen highlight with a difference, Wycombe’s Fisheye Film Festival, 24th April to 4th May 

Fisheye is High Wycombe’s local international film festival, where the public are invited to enjoy new short films and features which won’t be seen on the high street. About half were made in the UK and the rest filmed in more than 20 other countries worldwide, all selected from films submitted to Fisheye’s international competition. Fisheye Film Festival is named after the “fisheye” lens which is designed to capture an all-round view, and invites audiences to “experience the bigger picture”. 

Mariko moved to High Wycombe in 1986 to work at the RHM site in Lincoln Road. She and her husband raised their two daughters in West Wycombe and Mariko studied part-time to pursue her interest in art and design, finally graduating in Fine Art from Buckinghamshire New University, then working there as a video producer. 

“I enjoy walking in the hills and woods around West Wycombe and further afield in the Chilterns,” Mariko tells us. “My main pastime is playing tennis in the local leagues; I’m a member at Halton Tennis club near Wendover. I enjoy visiting The Apple Orchard and The Walled Garden in West Wycombe. 

“I love the wildflowers on West Wycombe hill and enjoy the scenic drive along the Saunderton Valley between West Wycombe and Princes Risborough; this is a lovely area!” 

Over the past ten years, Fisheye Film Festival has screened about 40 indie features and the Fisheye team have watched 1,700+ short films, selecting nearly 400 of the best ones to show. This year, 67 films have been chosen including two features. These can be seen at a variety of showcases of about two hours’ duration, most including a Q&A session with filmmakers. Showcases will present a mix of drama, animation, documentary or more experimental or artistic films based on dance or poetry. 

This year’s highlights include the opening night on 24th April, a celebration of ten years since the first Fisheye Film festival in 2015, screening some of the best films over the years. 

“From 25th to 27th April, the Fisheye Fusion weekend will celebrate the mixology of films and the arts that make them,” adds Mariko. “There will be a cocktail of films, based on spoken word, movement and dance brought to life with a dash of live performance. We’re also planning a behind-the- scenes chat about the art department’s role in filmmaking. There will also be events for filmmakers, creatives and anyone interested in the film industry – a chance to meet others that’s open to all. 

“On Saturday, 3rd May, everybody’s invited to be snapped on our fuschia pink ‘red carpet’ at the fabulous Fisheye Finale and Awards gala event. Films will be screened on a huge video wall in a large modern space called the Winter Garden. The 2025 awards will be announced and we’ll celebrate all the filmmakers’ talent, raising a glass to them. Full details of events, venues and tickets will be published on our website at fisheyefilmfest.uk where you can also sign up to the mailing list for updates.” 

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Blossoming friendships on walks for singles 

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

David Jackson will lead a spring walk for singles through Coneybank Wood, 10am-1pm on Sunday, 27th April. We chat to him about his career pivot… 

Every spring, our wondrous woodlands here in the Chilterns hum into life with a carpet of fragrant bluebells. This joyful, seasonal show is certainly not lost on David Jackson, a relative newcomer. 

“I grew up in North Lincolnshire and went to University in London so I only discovered the Chilterns in my thirties,” says David who has lived in Great Missenden for 11 years. “Spring is great and the bluebells and new beech leaves are a highlight. Later in the year I enjoy the wild orchids near Aston Clinton and Whiteleaf Cross. Evening walks are good to see deer.” 

David worked in finance until he was made redundant in 2014 and decided he wanted a different challenge. “One of my passions was trekking in the world’s high mountains, such as the Himalayas, so I booked myself on a navigation skills course, joined meetup and set up Chiltern Walks. Now David organises walks in the Chilterns and walking holidays around the UK. You can join meetup for free and pay for walks and breaks you want to join – visit  meetup.com/chiltern-walks-meetup 

About a year ago, the team from Date in the Diary contacted David to see if he might like to work with them to lead walks for single people. “I’d been organising and leading walks for my group for 10 years and I liked the idea of adding a different dimension that was dedicated to single people,” adds David.  

Date in the Diary events (dateinthediary.com) are designed for like-minded single people, allowing them to meet doing something they love, with none of the pressure of one-to-one dating. If you happen to meet someone you’re attracted to romantically, it’s a bonus, but in the meantime it’s all about genuine friendships and connections. If you wish to continue the social aspect and making connections, Sunday lunch can be booked for after the walk.  

“Last year I attended the wedding of a couple who met on one of my walks,” adds David. “As well as this, numerous friendships have blossomed after people met on my walks. I met many of my own friendship group on my walks. 

“This walk on 27th April goes through one of my favourite bluebell woods in the Chilterns, which explode into glorious colour at this time of year. It takes in a couple of short climbs but much of the walk is through some of the best beech woodland in the area. 

“Many of my walks are suitable for dogs, as long as the dogs are well-behaved around other people and dogs and – because of the wildlife and livestock here in the Chilterns – they must have good recall or be kept on a lead.” 

This walk, which is about six miles, takes about 2.5 hours, and costs £10pp, followed by an optional post-walk pub lunch at The Cross Keys. Join Chilten Walks & book at meetup.com/chiltern-walks-meetup/events 

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Chilterns trail running, day & night! 

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

Play in The Wild running lead & local dad of two Johnno Houston showcases some of the best trails in the Chilterns & specialises in running in night 

We’ve just come to the end of a long, bleak winter, but it certainly was not hibernation season for Johnno Houston. 

The local dad and maths teacher is no fairweather fitness fan. In fact, he can often be found lighting the way through the darkness … literally! Yes, he often dons a head torch to illuminate the path ahead on one of his many night runs throughout the Chilterns. 

“I started running in 2008 with the focus of building up to longer distances on roads and then on to the trails,” says Johnno.  

“My love for trail running has grown through various race distances of between 5km and 100km. This has motivated me to help others into the sport through guiding and sharing the trails with my family, AKA Team Houston. You can find me and my eldest daughter sharing the Chilterns trails together – yes, my two adventurous daughters, aged seven and three keep me very busy. 

“I enjoy hilly trails and my passion is night running, but I really do love getting others out for social runs at Play in the Wild and my running club. The Chilterns has an array of trails and beautiful landscape.” 

Play in the Wild showcases the best trails in the Chilterns through planned and bespoke guided runs. Johnno offers a variation of routes and distances. He offers head torch runs all year-round so you can gain confidence in the dark and support your upcoming events. This allows you to explore with ease, learn key skills and become part of a trail running community. 

Johnno, who lives in High Wycombe and is a member of Handy Cross Running Club, is looking forward to Lakeland 50 Race in the Lake District this summer – “50 miles of adventures! But I also think Bucks is beautiful. There are so many beautiful areas to run here, right from my door and so many less than 30 minutes’ drive away. 

“There are also so many great local businesses around… I’m always wearing Ugoku Hats, which are designed and produced by friend. This is an independent, trail headwear company based here in the Chiltern Hills. And I really enjoy a run and post-run refreshments from Chiltern Velo in Chesham. 

“I also love the Squirrel Pub in Booker as well as The Grouse and Ale and Coco Masala, which are both in Lane End.” 

Johnno leads one weekend run and one night run a month. For future events please visit mountainstrong-coaching.com or find @Playinthewilduk on Facebook & Instagram. 

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Join Hearing Dogs heroes’ plant sale  

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

Long-standing Hearing Dogs volunteers Fiona and Rob Daniels will welcome you at the charity plant and cake sale at The Grange in Saunderton on Saturday, 6th April  

Fiona and Rob Daniels started welcoming visitors during lockdown in 2020 and since then they’ve raised £100,000 for Hearing Dogs. 

Fiona explains: “We used to take plants we’d grown into The Grange and sell them at Hearing Dogs volunteer coffee afternoons. They seemed quite popular, so we continued planting and growing seedlings ready for the next sales. 

“When Covid hit, we had all these spare plants that we couldn’t take to The Grange, so we set up a table outside our house. We made over £200 that weekend.” 

Spurred on by this success, Fiona and Rob began holding sales more frequently. “On VE Day, we joined forces with our fellow volunteers, Peter Shepperd and Wendy Baldwin. This time we also sold cakes, and we were stunned to have people queueing around the corner of our road. That raised £900! After that, we began making chutneys and preserves from fruit and veg we’d grown and Peter made his famous pasties and chilli sauces. We hold sales between March and October every year and started holding them at The Grange in 2021 as well, to enable more people to come.” 

Tasha Stones, semi-finalist in the latest series of the Great British Bake Off, paid a visit to a plant, cake and preserve sale last year. Tasha, who stole viewers hearts as the programme’s first ever deaf contestant, visited the sale with her mum, bringing with her some of her show-stopping bakes, raspberry brownies, which were given away on the day as one of the raffle prizes. 

Tasha was born hearing, but was profoundly deaf by the time she was nine months old. She has a cochlear implant and communicates with both speech and British Sign Language. She is now the proud parent of her own hearing dog Digby. 

Anyone interested in following in Fiona and Rob’s footsteps and becoming a volunteer puppy trainer for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, or in helping the charity out in other ways, please email volunteer@hearingdogs.org.uk or call the charity on 01844 348129. 

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Roll up at Marlow Bowls Club! 

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Liz Nicholls

Felicity Rees invites you all to roll up at Marlow Bowls Club which will welcome you for open evenings from 25th April & open days on 2nd, 4th & 26th May 

Tucked away in the corner of Pound Lane car park and backing on to Higginson Park is the delightful bowling green of Marlow Bowls Club.  

The club is over 100 years old and has more than 100 members. However, we are always keen to welcome new players of all ages. Our outdoor season starts mid-April and continues through the summer months until mid-September. A variety of bowls can be enjoyed: including friendly roll-ups, matches against other clubs, club competitions, county matches and competitions, or even national events. 

The clubhouse has good facilities including a kitchen, changing rooms and a bar where members can buy drinks at very reasonable prices.  

Lawn bowls is an easy sport to learn. A few hours on the green with a coach (which is free of charge) teaching the basics of the game will enable you to deliver a bowl towards the jack.  It takes practice to perfect the skills of the game and learn the rules but you will soon be able to join in with others.  We have bowls available in the club for beginners to use.  

You don’t need any particular clothing for a roll-up – just a pair of smooth-soled shoes.  Members are asked to wear a club shirt and navy shorts or trousers if playing against other clubs in friendly matches or competitions.  

Potential members are welcome to come and try the game on any Friday evening from 25th April and specifically on our open days; from 6pm on Friday, 2nd May, and 10am-1pm on Sunday, 4th May, and also on Bowls England’s Big Bowls Weekend on Monday, 26th May, 10.30am- 3pm. 

For further information please contact our secretary, Peter Barltrop on 07485 289235 or email p.barltrop@btinternet.com or visit marlowbowls.co.uk. 

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The World of Tim Burton exhibition 

Liz Nicholls

Posted on

Liz Nicholls

Delve into the fantastical world of Tim Burton thanks to a major exhibition at the Design Museum in Kensington, which is so popular it’s been extended until 26th May

“It’s a strange thing, to put 50 years of art and your life on view for everyone to see,” says Tim Burton, “especially when that was never the original purpose.  

Image: Matt Crossick/PA Media Assignments

“In the past, I have resisted having the exhibition in London, however, collaborating with the Design Museum for this final stop was the right choice. They understand the art, and with the opportunity to adapt the show and highlight the way design interacts with the works, I’ve been able to view it all through an exciting new lens.” 

The World of Tim Burton exhibition smashed the museum’s record for advance ticket sales when it opened in the winter, with more than 32,000 people snapping up their tickets, making it the biggest advance ticket sales for an exhibition in the Design Museum’s 35-year history. 

The exhibition spans five remarkable decades of creativity, with famed and fascinating objects from Tim Burton’s earliest unrealised projects to his most recent film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. 

More than 600 items have been brought together to chart the evolution of Tim Burton’s unique design aesthetic. Objects are loaned from his extensive personal archives, key film studio archives including Paramount, Amazon MGM Studios, and Warner Bros., and the private collections of his collaborators. Many items have never been on public display in the UK before.  

Highlights include hundreds of Tim Burton’s expressionistic sketches and drawings that he has created prolifically since childhood. These are seen alongside props, set designs, and costumes from his iconic films, including Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman costume from 1992’s Batman Returns and the black and white striped dress from 1999’s Sleepy Hollow, worn by Christina Ricci.   

Visitors can see a recreation of the private studio where Tim Burton works, giving a rare private glimpse into his creative process. The walls of this installation are lined with illustrations from recent projects, including designs for a 65m high mural depicting an epic battle between a robot and a monster that was installed in São Paulo, Brazil.  

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