Gardeners’ World is free therapy

Round & About

Posted on

If you can’t afford a therapist…actually, even if you can, watch Gardeners’ World. It’ll do you the world of good says Robbie James

Last month I deployed myself on a giant rant about competitive busyness, and I promised to follow it up with something more joyful this month. I’m a man of my word (sometimes), so for April, I’m revelling in the tranquillity that is Gardeners’ World.

I had a sad day recently. I was anxious, worrying about everything, and generally feeling overwhelmed by the world. Thankfully that same day marked the beginning of the 55th series of the gardening programme. For the first time since (insert a long time ago), I found myself waiting for a TV show that wasn’t a sport to begin. I wasn’t watching something on-demand. Let that sink in… waiting for a programme to air on actual television. Remarkable.

Eight o’clock eventually rolled around, and when I tell you it was worth the wait… the theme tune was enough for me to feel ten times lighter. (I’m a complete nerd when it comes to theme tunes, and in case you are too; the theme is an arrangement of ‘Morning Light’, composed by Will Gregory and recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra, obviously).

When I looked at the credits there were a team of five on Sound. I’d like to use this column to formally and openly advocate a pay rise for all of them. The hour is soundtracked by birds, secateurs slicing through shrubs and spades sinking into the depths of a vegetable bed. You notice the sounds, but there’s no sense of clumsiness or overegging.

There is of course one crucial sound I’m missing off the above list. The calm, reassuring tones of Monty Don. The only way I can describe that man (and Monty, if you’re reading this, please know I mean this in the best possible way), is a walking, talking log fire. The best broadcasters are the ones that you feel a personal connection with despite never having met them. If I had a problem or wanted to sink a few Earl Greys, Monty Don would be on my top five phone numbers I’d go searching for.

Another aid to the programme’s peace is in canine form, and it’s quite frankly a miracle I’ve got this far into the column without mentioning them. Previously Nigel and Nellie, and now Ned. A Golden Retriever of the golden (not white) variety. A very good boy following in the footsteps of Don, lying in the sun, avoiding descending forks while in pursuit of a tennis ball, was only ever going to bring a slice of joy to proceedings. A non-essential but also deeply essential ingredient.

The bridging of the gap between relatable and fantasy is fascinatingly done. Longmeadow garden in Hertfordshire doesn’t dazzle you like many things on TV are designed to do. You look at it and can see yourself having a garden just like it. That is, until you realise it’ huge, split into four separate gardens, has taken years to create. (Don bought the house in 1991), and probably only attainable for those with a very successful television career.

What I enjoy about Monty Don and more generally Gardeners’ World, is that you can consume it for whatever purpose you wish. If you’re a keen gardener, his deep rooted (I couldn’t help myself) knowledge is beautifully paired with personal preference. If, like me, you’ve had a bad day and want a metaphorical hug, they can do that too. Or if you’re OFCOM looking for a show to carry the BBC’s mission to ‘inform, educate and entertain’, Gardeners’ World is in sweet spot territory.

There’s a reason that so many of us benefit mentally from running, walking, or cycling. We’re in our natural habitat. We were created to eat, and reproduce, and that was kind of it (words of a philosopher). Scrolling your ‘For You Page’ on TikTok, driving your Skoda Fabia, and researching savings accounts, are not really what Mr or Mrs Inventor of Humans had in mind. (Admittedly, I doubt televisions came up in the initial boardroom meetings either).

In essence, Gardeners’ World allows us to feel like we’re outside when we’re in. It allows us to feel in touch with nature all from the comfort of our nylon sofa. One hour of Gardeners’ World is one deep breath for your brain, and I think you should try it.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Space Invaders

Round & About

Posted on

A small space needn’t be a bar to big ideas you have for your home, there are many ways to make the most of what you’ve got

Got big dreams for your home but limited space to work with? Small is beautiful right? So start thinking about the possibilities…

A loft conversion, slim side extension or adding room at the rear, glass doors to welcome in more light, retracting doors and bi-folds, garage conversion or a kitchen redesign can all help you go from cramped to comfortable.

Loft conversions are one of the most common and cost effective ways to add space and are an ideal way to create that extra bedroom, office space or even a den. Well designed and executed it can add value to your property too. Not all lofts are suitable for conversion so make sure you do your homework first – height and roof pitch are major considerations and you’ll also need to check whether planning permission is required, often not but better safe than sorry.

Access 4 Lofts supply and install loft hatches, loft ladders all of which come with a lifetime guarantee and the wide range on offer means there’s one to fit even the smallest space; boarding, depending on the age of your home Access 4 Lofts will use either a floating floor or employ a raised boarding system and insulation to transform your loft into a useful storage space. With energy costs having risen, loft insulation is critical to prevent your precious heat going through the roof and with it your energy costs. Insulation acts as a barrier to prevent heat escaping, keeping you warm and saving you money. Access 4 Lofts also offer shelving and LED lights to help really make the most of your new space. Expert workmanship and their highly professional friendly service ensures you can enjoy complete peace of mind. Find out more and book an appointment at access4lofts.co.uk/guildford

Making every inch of space count is key when you don’t have an excessive amount to work with and in some cases, ie the kitchen, you may need to be clever with storage and light to create the impression of less being more. Adding skylights will let more natural light in and increase the impression of height.
No room for a freestanding table and chairs, try creating a built-in storage area with padded seating and storage space beneath. Roller blinds will also add to the sense of size giving a cleaner look. Can you knock through into your dining area to craft a larger space, creating an open plan room?

Adding an extension needn’t mean giving up some of your precious green space, a slim side extension could be the answer, you’ll be surprised how much difference a few extra feet can make. Perhaps knock down an internal wall to add onto existing kitchen space. A pitched roof will add height, thus enhancing the space you have. Again natural light can be a real boost, how about a conservatory-style glass panel roof or the addition of bi-folds opening onto a patio to give the illusion of the outside being part of your inside, creating the feel of more space.

If it’s bi-folds or French doors you’re after, check out the Soho Collection from the Origin Home Range available from YPE Doors and Windows. With a focus on prestige and quality, YPE Doors and Windows offers 20-year guarantees on all Origin products. Contact the sales team or visit the showroom in Sutton, to explore the premium selection firsthand. More at ypewindows.com

Let’s talk about your garage. Be honest, how often does your car get to use what was intended to be its home? I suspect like most of us, it’s become an overflow area for garden tools, bikes, luggage and all those things you just don’t know what to do with but can’t bear to throw away. How about making the most of that precious space, yes, it does require you being circumspect with your ‘rubbish’ but again it can be the answer to that much-need extra bedroom, utility room or home office. If its attached to your property would it make sense to create a kitchen diner or a larger living room for a growing family? You may even be able to go upwards and add a bedroom above your garage, getting two times extra space.

Of course one simple way to create space that doesn’t cost a penny and may even make you some, is decluttering. “Decluttering and organising your home is more than just tidying up; it’s a transformative process that enhances your space, time and mental clarity”, says Rachel Yates from A Tidy Mind South. “A clutter-free environment not only accentuates the feeling of calm and space but also significantly improves wellbeing by reducing overwhelm. Simplifying your surroundings means less to maintain, making everyday living easier and more enjoyable.

“Clever storage solutions ingeniously expand even the tightest areas, creating an illusion of spaciousness.” Visit atidymind.co.uk to find out more.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Green & easy! Wonderful watercress recipes

Round & About

Posted on

May brings us the start of British watercress season, thanks to The Watercress Company’s recipes

Watercress is packed with over 50 vitamins and minerals, including exceptionally high levels of vitamins C, E and A, folate and calcium.  It is also rich in iron (nearly twice as much as spinach) that’s more easily absorbed, making it an essential addition to any vegetarian or vegan diet.  

Another little-known fact about watercress relates to amino acids; compounds that play many critical roles in the body, including regulating the immune function and building muscle. The best sources of essential amino acids are animal proteins like meat, eggs, and poultry but, unusually for a plant, watercress has a full complement of the nine essential amino acids.

Hot honey salmon  & watercress salad

Ingredients:

• 80g watercress

• Two salmon fillets

• One lemon, quartered

• One avocado, sliced

For the hot honey:

• 50ml honey

• Two garlic cloves, halved

• 1-2 tsp chilli flakes

For the quick pickled red onions:

• ½ red onion, thinly sliced

• 2tbsp vinegar – white wine
or apple cider

• ½ tsp salt

•1tsp sugar

“Watercress has a full complement of the nine essential amino acids”

Method:

1.        For the hot honey, warm the honey gently in a small pan. Add the garlic and chilli flakes and allow to infuse. Once fragrant and spicy, remove from the heat.

2.        For the red onions, in a bowl or jar with a lid, add the sliced onion. Pour over the vinegar before sprinkling
in the salt and sugar. Give it a mix, or shake, to combine and
let it sit while you prepare everything else.

3.        Brush one side of the salmon with the hot honey. Lay it coated side down in a hot pan and cook for five or six minutes. Brush the topside with a little more of the honey, flip and repeat.

4.        To assemble the salad, split the watercress between two plates. Add ½ the avocado to each plate. Top with the salmon fillets and a spoonful of the red onion. Drizzle everything with a little more of the hot honey.

5.        Serve with the lemons, squeezing fresh lemon juice over everything.

Ä Roast broccoli, Parmesan & watercress salad

Ingredients:

• 140g broccoli florets, about half a head of broccoli

• 40g watercress

• 30g Parmesan, shaved

• 15g pomegranate seeds

•Oil, salt & pepper

Method:

1.         Preheat the oven to 180°. On a baking tray, arrange the broccoli florets. Spray or drizzle a little oil over the broccoli and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for about 10-12 mins, until the broccoli is cooked.

2.         In a bowl, toss the cooked broccoli together with the watercress and arrange on a plate. On top, shave the parmesan over the salad. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds for a pop of sweetness.

For these and other inspiring watercress recipes, visit watercress.co.uk or find LoveWatercress on Facebook and Instagram

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Under Milk Wood Returns

Round & About

Posted on

Progress Theatre revives the Dylan Thomas masterpiece with a diverse cast

Reading’s Progress Theatre is bringing Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood, originally conceived as a radio drama and ‘play for voices’ to the local stage, a full 70 years after the BBC first commissioned the work, one of its writer’s most enduring and popular.

The play, featuring myriad personalities, invites the audience to hear the innermost thoughts and dreams of the inhabitants of the small, fictional Welsh fishing town of Llareggub (try spelling it backwards!), as it follows the life of the village during one spring day and night in an emotive and often slyly comic account.

Thomas himself described his play’s lyrical language as ‘prose with blood pressure’, and the poetic voice that runs through Under Milk Wood is surely one of the most remarkable things about this work. Make that voices – there are scores of locals, and so, unsurprisingly, Progress’s actors are doubling up to meet the character count.

During the performance, we meet the likes of the blind, seafaring Captain Cat, the two Mrs Dai Breads, the Rev Eli Jenkins, poet and preacher, Mog Edwards the draper, the murderous Mr Pugh and many others. Then, of course, there is the treat of the lyrical narration that runs like a thread throughout.

From the outset, the vision for the Progress production was to make it as inclusive and as diverse possible from the audition stage (back in January) onwards. And doing so has long been a dream for director Ali Carroll and producer Liz Carroll.

The show’s cast of more than 20 actors includes those on the autistic spectrum, one with hearing loss, a wheelchair user and three adult clients of Reading Mencap, where many rehearsals have been held. What’s more, ages among the performers range from 11 to eighty something. So it’s a genuine piece of community theatre. Some are stalwarts of the Berkshire drama scene; others are taking to the stage for the first time.

Inclusion began with making the audition process as accessible as possible, and this philosophy has extended throughout the rehearsal stage so that as many different people as possible feel encouraged to take part, with additional support made available throughout the production.

  • Under Milk Wood runs at Progress Theatre from April 26 until May 4. There will be reduced capacity/relaxed performances on Saturday 27th April and Tuesday 30th April shows. Curtain up is 7.45pm, 4pm Saturdays. Book tickets here.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Time to Shyne

Round & About

Posted on

Get ready for ShyneFest, a fun friendly family event in Guildford on May 31st and June 1st for two days of music and merriment

Imagine having more than 250 people at your 40th birthday – that’s exactly how Shyne Adcock celebrated her milestone in 2015 and since then ShyneFest has grown to welcome many hundreds more.

The Friday kicks off with tribute acts Faux Fighters, The Marley Experience and Counterfeit Kylie and returning after their success at WynterFest 2023 are Sorted for Cheese and Fizz bringing their 90s Britpop and indie classics.

Saturday has more music than you could well, shake a drum stick at, and if it’s Good Enough for them, it’s good enough for me as Dodgy are back and this time are they Staying Out for the Summer? And that’s not all with another 16 acts lined up to entertain from 11am through to 11pm – 12 hours of brilliant music to get you up on your feet and having fun!

There’s fun for the young ones in the Kidz Zone with a climbing wall, bubble fairy, football, little racers, circus skills workshops, face painting, glitter tattoos and hair sparkles, story time and stilt walkers.

If you’re having so much fun you don’t want it to end how about camping or glamping the two nights at Merrist Wood. Turn up the glam with a two, four or six person canvas tent,  either traditional Bell tents or the elegant Touareg tents, in the style of the Nomadic tribes of North Africa. Camel Camp build lovely camps at all kinds of events, complete with a reception tent and central meeting, seating and shade areas as well as tea, coffee and cereal to get you started.

Choose a Classic or Sultan style, both with floor rugs, door mats, airbeds and solar lights with full bedding, camp chairs, side tables and more in the Sultans.

To find out more and book visit ShyneFest.uk

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Join Woolsack Charity Golf Day

Round & About

Posted on

Godalming Woolsack Rotary’s ever popular charity fund raiser is at West Surrey Golf Club on Thursday, 2nd May

Our Golf Day is back again and this year we are raising funds for Phyliss Tuckwell Hospice Care, The Royal Surrey Cancer Centre and other Rotary Causes.


The day includes coffee and biscuits on arrival, a round of golf and a two-course buffet meal, entry into the other competitions including longest drive, nearest the pin, best putting and more…
The main competition for the Woolsack Trophy, won last year by the Hurtmore Dream Team, is with Stableford scoring off full handicap, best two scores to count. Handicaps to the World Handicap System (West Surrey Handicap Table) with handicap limits of Men 28 & Ladies 36.


Ladies and mixed teams are particularly welcomed.


Morning Tee-off times normally between 8am and 12.30pm depending on numbers.


There will also be a well-stocked raffle to support including opportunities to bid to play on other courses.
To download an Entry Form click here.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Abingdon Air & Country Show returns

Round & About

Posted on

Look to the skies on Saturday May 18th for thrilling day of aviation and much more.

The annual Air and Country Show is set to return to the former RAF Abingdon on Saturday, May 18th. The event, which has grown beyond all recognition over the years is organized by a dedicated team of volunteers led by a small committee.

The event promises a thrilling day for aviation enthusiasts and families.

The highlight of the show will be an impressive afternoon Air Display featuring a lineup of spectacular aircraft, including:

Supermarine Spitfire Mk19

The Titans Display Team

Muscle Pitts aerobatics accompanied by an exhilarating car race

Hawker Hurricane Mk1

The Gazelle Display Team (consisting of four helicopters)

RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team

RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire & Hurricane for flypasts

These display aircraft will also be available for static viewing, alongside specially invited statics such as the Historic Army Aircraft Flight Beaver & Auster, Chipmunk, Sioux, Skeeter & Scout, and Navy Wings’ Harvard.

One of the main highlights of the show is the large aircraft Fly In, with over 50 modern and historic aircraft flying in for display on the ground, ranging from Tiger Moths to the impressive RAF C17 Globemaster transport (to be confirmed).

For those seeking a unique perspective, Northumbrian Helicopters will offer Pleasure Flights from the showground, providing bird’s eye views of the airfield and Oxford City outskirts. There’s plenty of ground-based fun too with plenty of entertainment for all the family. This year there’s a real mix of fun, including The Radio Days Big Band, Rescue Husky dogs, Radio Controlled Model Jets, farm animals, vintage fire engines, and…ferret racing.

There’s much more besides, and it should be a day filled with excitement and entertainment for all ages.

For more information and tickets visit the show’s site.


Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Theatre review: The Divine Mrs S

Round & About

Posted on

Jonathan Lovett reviews the world premiere of The Divine Mrs S by April De Angelis at Hampstead Theatre

Sarah Siddons was not only one of the great actors of the 18th century but one of the first modern celebrities.

Carefully calibrating her image she chose her roles shrewdly and worked with the best portrait artists of the age to represent her as a cultural icon – tragic muse, Lady Macbeth etc. She also spun herself as a devoted mother even though her chosen career demanded she often had to neglect her children.

As such her and her era are fascinating subjects for a playwright as skilful as April De Angelis who penned the brilliant Playhouse Creatures about female actors in the Restoration period, set 100 years before this one.

And yet… even though Angelis’s new play stars the commanding, twice Olivier nominated Rachael Stirling it is but a walking shadow to the life of dramatic technicolour lived by Siddons and her contemporaries.

Set mostly backstage at the Drury Lane Theatre we hurry through a number of vignettes involving Siddons (Stirling), her brother and theatre manager, Kemble (Dominic Rowan), and a host of quirky characters who pop in and out of proceedings.

Siddons is tired of performing in sub-standard romances or revisiting Shakespeare for the umpteenth time and yearns for something fresh and radical. Enters unknown playwright Joanne Baillie (entertaining Eva Feiler) who bonds with Siddons and writes her parts to die for.

So there is a lot of comic potential and opportunity for comment on women on stage and their place in the patriarchal society but the play never takes off and, for the first half in particular, it feels flat.

Too sketchy to fully involve the audience in a strong, engaging narrative; not funny enough to carry us along on a wave of laughter; and lacking the biographical insight to spark interest this is an odd hotch potch that fails to do justice to its source.

It’s a shame as Stirling certainly has the stage presence – as well as the plangent voice of the tragedian – to be a successful Siddons. At the end she is allowed to portray the actress as Lady Macbeth and for a few moments the audience holds its breath in a too fleeting flicker of what could have been.

Until 27th April. Box office: 020 7722 9301

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

Chipping Norton Rugby Club Junior festival

Round & About

Posted on

More than 60 teams from seven counties set to compete on Sunday 28th April 2024 in Chipping Norton Rugby Club’s biggest Festival to date

The Chipping Norton Rugby Club is getting ready to welcome more than 700 players to the third year of its annual tournament for under 10 and under 11 boys and girls on Sunday 28th April 2024, following the success of its first two events in 2022 and 2023.

More than 60, eight and nine-a-side teams are set to compete at the club’s Greystones base, Burford Road, from seven counties, including from as far afield as Berkshire.

Companies supporting this year’s event include Festival headline sponsor Diddly Squat Farm Shop, which is just a stone’s throw away from the clubhouse; Brethertons Solicitors; Powys-based soft drinks maker Radnor Hills; Bloxham School; Cokethorpe School; and QCR Recycling Equipment.

The first under 10 matches are set to kick-off at around 9.30am ahead of a lunchtime prize giving, before the under 11 players battle it out in the afternoon.

“Our annual Festival is an opportunity for us to celebrate the end of the season in style, and to showcase this wonderful game to the next generation of young players,” explains Chipping Norton Minis Chair Duncan Midwood, “so we would be delighted to welcome any families who want to find out more. Just come to the Festival reception desk when you arrive and we’ll make sure you have a great day.

“As always, we are indebted to our amazing sponsors and we have a small number of sponsorship packages still available, so we would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like more information. Funds raised from this year’s Festival will be used to develop the club’s infrastructure and facilities, as well as funding equipment and development courses to continue improving coaching for all age groups at the club.”

A whole array of catering options available, including clubhouse and pitch-side bars, ice creams, hot drinks, braai & burgers, pizzas, paella and crepes, whilst WRFM – formerly Witney Radio – will be broadcasting live from this year’s Festival, with music and pitch-side interviews throughout the day. To find out more email [email protected], or message through the club’s social media channels.

Chipping Norton Rugby Club



Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter:

The Runnymede is having a makeover…

Round & About

Posted on

The Runnymede on Thames Hotel and Spa remains open, book your Summer stay at Runnymede and enjoy the outdoor pool and boats from the 5th May

Eagle-eyed locals & spa-lovers might have noticed that The Runnymede is being refurbished. With Warner Hotels now offering breaks from later on this year, we wanted to share a sneak peek of what’s to come in the autumn…

All 205 rooms will have a stylish new look with characterful artwork that reflects the history and natural beauty of the surrounding area. Fans of The Runnymede, which overlooks the Thames, will be pleased that the signature duck association will remain! There will also be 25 newly built rooms and those overlooking the river will have the added luxury of balconies.

There will be a choice of two restaurants – Market Kitchen and Brasserie32. Market Kitchen will replace Leftbank and will feature a deli bar, fresh fish counter and a roast of the day, carved to order. At the other side of the property, Brasserie32 will be located in the former Lock Bar & Kitchen with a menu filled with British classics. The property will also feature The Coffee Nest, an informal setting for sweet treats, tea and coffee, alongside further bars and lounges.

Those who would otherwise visit London for the theatre won’t be disappointed, as the hotel will host a diverse programme of entertainment in the new Live Lounge. From comedians to tribute acts and party bands, every stay promises an impressive line-up of unique shows.

The Runnymede remains the go-to place for R&A, with treatments to help put a spring in your step, including the highly recommended Salt & Polish Scrub: a thorough body exfoliation followed by an application of nourishing body oil to leave the skin smooth and free of dry skin.

Alongside plenty of entertainment, there will be ample time for R&R at the spa with pools, a sauna, steam room, state-of-art gym, studio room for yoga and other fitness classes, a relaxation lounge, and an extended wellness programme. This is in addition to a range of soothing treatments designed to nourish your mind, body, and soul. From May to September (weather permitting), guests will also have use of the outdoor pool with sun loungers.

There will also be activities to choose from including tennis, archery, laser pistol shooting, tasting experiences and cooking demos. During the summer months, there will also be boat hire available from the property’s private jetty. So much to look forward to!

Not forgetting the Runnymede’s complimentary shuttle service to and from Windsor!

Breaks are available to book online for autumn onwards. In the mean time the hotel will continue to operate as an independent property for stays, dining and spa treatments and days, though the team do advise that the hotel might not be looking its best while construction work is going on.

For spring and summer bookings book directly with The Runnymede; The Runnymede on Thames | Windsor Spa Hotel | Egham Hotel (runnymedehotel.com)

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Choose which newsletter: