Pacific row

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Picture: From left, Emma Rogers, Jess Shuman, Kat Butler, Anna Campbell

Girls dreaming big: Crew preparing for 4,000km row across Pacific aim to inspire others

Kat is one of four ordinary girls bidding to do something extraordinary to try to encourage girls to dream dare do.

She and three others, Emma, Jess and Anna, are part of the Girls Who Dare crew who will be rowing in the Great Pacific Race in May 2020.
Described as the “world’s toughest endurance challenge”, the girls will row 24 hours a day, living on a 24ft boat as they row the 4,000km across the Pacific from California to Hawaii, with the aim of breaking the world record which stands at 50 days.

Kat who rows at Wallingford Rowing Club, has been rowing for about six years having taken it up after being inspired by the 2012 London Olympics.

She works as a trauma and orthopaedic registrar and admits it has been hard fitting in the training around 14 hour days/nights but says it has been going well, but added: “Jess has just had an appendectomy (better now than half way across the Pacific!) so her training is a little stilted at the moment but she’s getting back into it.”

The four girls had not met until Emma put the idea of the challenge out on Facebook, where Kat admits she “jumped at the chance”.
She said: “For me it’s the mental and physical challenge, and such an amazing once in a lifetime opportunity. We then further advertised on social media and found Jess and Anna.”

The girls will sleep in cabins at either end of the boat with rowing space in the middle. The cabins are the size of a single bed, although there is no bed or mattress, the floors are padded and sleeping bags will keep the girls warm during their rest periods.

They’ll spend two hours rowing and two hours sleeping; food will be mostly freeze-dried meals and energy bars; a change into less wet clothing; quick wash with a baby wipe and into the sleeping bag.
Kat admits the physical side does not particularly worry her but that the mental challenge will be tough.

She says: “I have no idea how I will respond to the fear of a 40ft wave and being so sleep deprived all I want to do is cry, having sores on my hands and bottom that cause unresolving pain and to top it off the potential for being hit in the head by flying fish! Who knows how you will respond to that?”

But it the team work and the aim of inspiring others that will drive Kat and her crewmates on, “I am hoping as a team we can work together, supporting each other and driving each other on to complete this amazing challenge and hopefully setting a new world record as we go. Dream big!”

For more information and to support the girls, visit Girls who dare

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Fulham artists & potters exhibition

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Spring art exhibition at Fulham Library

Paintings, ceramics and sculptures by local artists will be on display at Fulham Library in the Society of Fulham Artists & Potters spring art exhibition.

The exhibition which begins today (14th) runs until 19th with much of the work on sale for the six days.

Membership of the society, which was founded in 1952, is open to anyone over the age of 18, living working or studying within the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and neighbouring boroughs.
Artists practise in all media and the exhibition is one of two held every year.

Entry is free and the exhibition runs from 10am to 8pm Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 5pm Friday and Saturday and from 11am to 3pm on Sunday.

For more details visit www.sofap.co.uk 

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Foster Care Fortnight

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Foster carers are part of what’s often termed “the team around the child” who are responsible for the wellbeing and development of a fostered child.

More than 65,000 children currently live with almost 55,000 foster families across the UK. This equates to nearly 80% of the 83,000 children in care away from home on any one day in the UK.

The Fostering Network estimates that fostering services need to recruit a further 6,800 foster families in the next 12 months. Foster Care Fortnight™ is the charity’s annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and help recruit families.

Ilse who has been a foster carer for more than 10 years thought being single would exclude her, but she says all you need is to be patient, open and have fun. Her children are as involved and act as role models for the foster children she helps. She says: “The benefits are seeing them grow into confident children. They will ask for things and they shine, lift their chins up and become confident little people.”

Thousands of new foster families are needed every year to care for children, with the greatest need being for foster carers for older children, sibling groups, disabled children and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. All are welcome as potential foster carers – all that matters is that you can provide a stable and caring environment for a foster child. You don’t need to be married or in a relationship, or to own your own home, and your sexual orientation or any disability should not hinder your application. Whichever route you choose to go down, you should rest assured that there is a support network to help anyone who is committed and willing to foster a child.

This year has seen the number of children looked after continue to rise in Bracknell Forest. While some can be looked after by friends or family “connected persons”, many others require a caring, local family unknown to them to give them the support they need to thrive. However, the local authority’s not-for-profit fostering service, which is responsible for finding homes for all vulnerable children from within the borough, has a shortage of carers. Bracknell Forest Foresting carers receive a weekly allowance of up to £425 per week, per child (up to £19,000 per year, per child), state-of-the-art training, 24/7 support and free use of local attractions. Not to mention the reward of helping change a child’s life.

Find out more

Visit Bracknell Forest and The Fostering Network

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Foster Care Fortnight

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Every year thousands of new foster carers are needed to help young people to flourish in life. Perhaps you could be one of them?

More than 65,000 children currently live with almost 55,000 foster families across the UK. This equates to nearly 80% of the 83,000 children in care away from home on any one day in the UK.

The Fostering Network estimates that fostering services need to recruit a further 6,800 foster families in the next 12 months. Foster Care Fortnight™ is the charity’s annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and help recruit families.

Ilse who has been a foster carer for more than 10 years thought being single would exclude her, but she says all you need is to be patient, open and have fun. Her children are as involved and act as role models for the foster children she helps. She says: “The benefits are seeing them grow into confident children. They will ask for things and they shine, lift their chins up and become confident little people.”

Thousands of new foster families are needed every year to care for children, with the greatest need being for foster carers for older children, sibling groups, disabled children and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. All are welcome as potential foster carers – all that matters is that you can provide a stable and caring environment for a foster child. You don’t need to be married or in a relationship, or to own your own home, and your sexual orientation or any disability should not hinder your application. Whichever route you choose to go down, you should rest assured that there is a support network to help anyone who is committed and willing to foster a child.

Hannah and Kojo Ntow have been foster carers since 2008, and last year they won a Fostering Excellence Award from The Fostering Network. Initially, they started out as respite carers before eventually progressing to full-time. For the last three years, they have been caring for a four-year-old boy who has a very rare life-limiting condition. Meeting all of his daily needs can be challenging – it can take over an hour to feed him a meal – meaning Hannah’s background as a nurse (Kojo is a bus driver) is particularly useful. Hannah and Kojo’s supervising social worker, Susan Harrisi says: “The Ntows have radically changed their lives for the little boy in their care and have looked beyond his disabilities to care for the child within.”

Find out more

Visit The Fostering Network

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Foster Care Fortnight

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Foster carers are part of what’s often termed “the team around the child” who are responsible for the wellbeing and development of a fostered child.

More than 65,000 children currently live with almost 55,000 foster families across the UK. This equates to nearly 80% of the 83,000 children in care away from home on any one day in the UK.

The Fostering Network estimates that fostering services need to recruit a further 6,800 foster families in the next 12 months. Foster Care Fortnight™ is the charity’s annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and help recruit families.

The campaign which has been running for almost 20 years, showcases the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers. Thousands of new foster families are needed every year, with the greatest need being help for older children, sibling groups, disabled children and unaccompanied asylum seeking children. Foster carers come from all walks of life and all backgrounds.

Ilse who has been a foster carer here in Oxfordshire for more than 10 years thought being single would exclude her, but she says all you need is to be patient, open and have fun. Her children are as involved and act as role models for the foster children she helps. She says: “The benefits are seeing them grow into confident children. They will ask for things and they shine, lift their chins up and become confident little people. Those are the moments when you think ‘wow, we’re doing a really good job’.”

Thousands of new foster families are needed every year to care for children, with the greatest need being for foster carers for older children, sibling groups, disabled children and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. All that matters is your ability to provide a stable and caring environment for a foster child. You don’t need to be married or in a relationship, or to own your own home, and your sexual orientation or any disability should not hinder your application. Whichever route you choose, you should rest assured that there is a support network to help anyone who is committed and willing to foster a child.

Find out more

At an open evening on Wednesday, 15th May, at 6.30pm at 4400 Nash Court, John Smith Drive, Oxford Business Park South, OX4 2RU

Visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/fostering or call 0800 783 5724. You can also contact Family Tree Fostering on 01235 250235 or  head to the Family Tree Fostering Facebook page.

Find more information too at the Fostering Network

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Foster Care Fortnight

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Foster carers are part of what’s called “the team around the child”. As we approach Foster Care Fortnight, between 13th and 26th May, we encourage you to consider it.

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May’s recipe: Egg custard tart

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Egg custard tart with roasted rhubarb

Artisan baker Paul Barlow-Heal, dessert devotee and founder of Cotswold Baking, shares special recipe for gluten free sweet pastry, roasted rhubarb and egg custard, making this gorgeous egg custard tart!

(Prep: 30 mins [see pastry] – Cooking: 55 mins – Makes: one large tart)

Gluten Free sweet pastry (always make 24hrs before needed)

Ingredients:

• 500 grms gluten free plain flour ( I use doves)
• 225 grms diced unsalted butter
• 110 grms caster sugar
• 1.5 tsp xantham gum
• 2 large eggs
• 75 mls milk
• ¼ tsp Vanilla extract
• Good pinch sea salt
• 1 egg for sealing

Method:

1. Place flour, xantham gum, caster sugar and diced butter into a machine mixing bowl and blend until mix resembles fine breadcrumbs and butter is incorporated.

2. Whisk eggs and milk together with salt and vanilla. Pour onto the flour and butter and mix on slow speed until the dough comes together. The mix will seem wet, this is normal.

3. Transfer the dough to a container, cover with clingfilm and store overnight in the fridge

4. Remove the dough from the fridge and on a lightly floured surface gently knead the dough to make it pliable. Don’t worry about over working it. There is no gluten in it so this will not happen.  The enemy of gluten free pastry is warmth, because it is soft it will become very difficult to work with quite quickly.

5. Roll out the dough using gluten flour or rice flour as a dusting, and roll to about 3ml thick, then line your 10” loose bottom tart case making sure the pastry is tucked nicely into the edges of your tart case, and trim away the overlapping pastry, but don’t throw this away. You can reuse as it will not get tough.

6. Prick the bottom of the pastry case with a fork then place in the fridge for 20 mins to firm up.

7. Line the pastry case with a circle of baking parchment and baking beans ( I use uncooked rice) and bake in a pre-heated oven at 160 C for about 20 mins then remove the parchment and bake for a further 10 mins.

8. Gluten free pastry does not take on a golden colour like normal pastry, it does stay quite pale. Remove from the oven, leave to cool slightly then brush the inside of the case with some of the 1 remaining beaten egg ensuring it is nicely sealed then bake for a further 2/3 mins to cook the egg glaze. Leave to cool

roasted rhubarb

Ingredients:

• 500 grms rhubarb
• 80 grms light soft brown sugar
• Zest of 1 lemon

Method:

1. Wash and trim the ends of the rhubarb, then cut into 2” lengths. Place the rhubarb in a bowl and add the zest and the sugar. Toss the ingredients together.

2. Place the rhubarb onto a shallow baking tray lined with two layers of baking parchment then cover with another piece of parchment and place in a preheated oven at 180c and cook for 15 mins.

3. Remove the parchment and check the rhubarb, it should be tender, but not mushy. If it needs more cooking, place back in the oven for a further 5 mins. Remove from the oven and leave to cool.

egg custard

Ingredients:

• 10 Egg Yolks
• 3 whole eggs
• 425 mls double cream
• 425 mls milk
• 160 grms caster sugar
• 1 vanilla pod
• Nutmeg for grating

Method:

1. Place the cream and milk with half the sugar and split vanilla pod into a saucepan and bring slowly to a boil.

2. Whisk the egg yolks and whole eggs together with the remaining sugar. When the cream mix has come to the boil pour a third onto the egg mix whilst whisking in, then finally add the rest of the liquid stirring until all incorporated.

3. Pass the mix through a fine sieve.

4. Place the tart case into a preheated oven at 140c for a couple of minutes then leaving the tart case in the oven slowly pour your egg mix into the case, taking care not to over fill the case or spill any.

5. Once the tartf case is completely full ,grate some fresh nutmeg on top and bake for about 30/40 mins, (this can vary depending on your oven.

6. If the mix starts to bubble around the edges turn down your oven until there is a slight wobble in the centre of the tart. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin on a wire rack.

7. When completely cool place the tart in the fridge and chill to set.

To serve, cut a nice slice of the tart and serve with some roasted rhubarb and its cooking liquor and a spoonful of full fat crème fraiche.

 

 Click here for more of our recipes

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Christian Aid Week

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Today marks the start of Christian Aid Week, the national week raising money for the worldwide work of Christian Aid.

Last year more than £8million was donated to fight poverty and help poor communities around the world.

The focus this year is on helping communities in Sierra Leone where a lack of healthcare means it is the world’s most dangerous place to give birth – 10 women die every day while going through this natural experience.

While many are familiar with the doorstep collections there are other ways to help too. One of Christian Aid Week’s key initiatives is the Big Brekkie – whether in your home, office or church host a big breakfast as more than 2,500 people did last year.

A free fundraising pack is available, just sign up online at www.christianaid.org.uk

Christian Aid has more than 70 year’s experience of working to support communities, helping men, women and children in poverty and at times of disaster.

Local volunteer house-to-house collectors will be delivering envelopes around the country but if your street is not covered consider making a donation at www.caweek.org.

Various events are being held to help raise funds as well such as the service and tea at Holy Trinity Church in Charlton today (Sunday 12th May), from 5.15pm and a garden and conservatory cream tea the following Sunday (19th) in Church Street, Appleford – just follow the signs in the village. There’ll be a plant stall, music and home made teas to enjoy from 3pm to 5.30pm for just £4, with all proceeds going to Christian Aid.

Christian Aid Week runs from 12th to 18th May.

Find out more on Christian Aid’s website

Photo: Nurse Judith Lassie treats 12 day old baby twins Credit: Christian Aid/Tom Pilston

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Recycling champions

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Chilworth school celebrate being recycling champions

More than 11 tonnes of clothes and shoes were collected by schools across Surrey as part of The Salvation Army’s county-wide recycling competition.

And the winning school amassing 0.3 tonnes was Chilworth C of E Infant School who were awarded a trophy and certificate to honour their achievement.

The Recycle with Michael initiative aimed to divert thousands of tonnes of textiles from landfill and generate funds for The Salvation Army to help vulnerable people across the UK.

Chilworth C of E was one of 27 schools in Surrey which took part and gathered the largest donation of goods – worked out as the highest ratio of weight to pupils – of all the schools which took part in the region.

The school was visited by the scheme’s mascot Michael who met pupils and Year 1 teacher, Katie Porter and handed out the prizes.

The Recycle with Michael scheme aims to educate young people about the importance of recycling in a fun and engaging way and there are lots of free downloadable teaching materials available online.

Head of corporate partnershiops at Salvation Army Trading Company Td, Kirk Bradley congratulated Chilworth C of E Infant School on their efforts.

He said: “We were overwhelmed by the school’s response to the campaign and the dedication of pupils and staff in promoting and acting on the recycling message.

“Our van was full to the brim on collection day thanks to all the donations. Participation in the competition across the whole county has been amazing.

“We hope this is the start of a determined drive to give unwanted items a new lease of life – turning clothes, shoes and textiles into funds for local schools as well as for our charitable work.”

For more information and to get involved, visit www.recyclewithmichael.co.uk

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Newbury Contemporary Art Fair

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Find work with the wow factor to suit all tastes at the Contemporary Art Fair at Newbury Racecourse

A rich array of contemporary art and artists are showcasing their work at Newbury Racecourse with something for every taste and budget.

More than 160 emerging and established artists are coming together at the Contemporary Art Fair in Newbury with many original pieces available at affordable prices.

Whatever you’re looking for you’re sure to be able to find that wow factor from the more than 5,000 curated artworks on display and if you just want to browse that’s fine too. You can enjoy work in various media from paintings, to fine arts and photography, print, ceramic, glass, sculpture and assemblage.

Seen something you like and want to know more about it or the artist who created it – there’s the chance to chat with them and find out about their inspiration.

The fair on Saturday, 11th and Sunday, 12th May, also offers interactive fun with free valuations, a children’s art activity trail and an outdoor sculpture trail.

Contemporary Art Fairs include every exhibitor creating an original collectible eight-inch square canvas in their own style, which are displayed and then sold for just £45 each with all money raised going to The Prince’s Trust, the total raised to date is £65,000.

The fairs, which also run in Surrey, Windsor and Berkshire, were set up to bring a variety of artists together to give art lovers the opportunity to enjoy everything from limited edition prints to more expensive original pieces.

There’s also a café and wine tasting to enjoy.

 For more information and to book tickets go to www.contemporaryartfairs.co.uk

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