30 Days Wild challenge

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Picture credit: Nick Upton

More than 10 million random acts of wildness in month-long challenge

More than 400,000 people carried out in excess of 10 million ‘random acts of wildness’ as part of the 30 Days Wild Challenge in June.

Wildlife enthusiasts were encouraged to do something wild and enjoy nature every day, taking part in the Wildlife Trusts’ initiative which proved to be more popular than ever this year.

As well as the 50,000 households who signed up for their free packs, wall charts, stickers and wildflower seeds, more than 9,000 schools, 1,300 businesses and 570 care homes also took part.

Wildlife Trusts’ head of communications Joanna Richards said: “It’s been an extraordinarily wild month! We’ve loved seeing the creative and inventive activities of people taking part right across the UK – getting up close to bugs, butterflies and birds, rewilding a garden or making a daisy chain.  You don’t need to go far to appreciate wildlife and often the simplest interactions can bring us the most joy.”

Wildlife gardening in homes, care homes and schools was a popular activity, with people creating small ponds, building homes for bugs, sowing wildflowers, noticing the birds and insects that visited and pledging not to mow their lawns, to encourage more variety of wildlife to flourish.

Other Random Acts of Wildness included:

– Waking up early to hear the dawn chorus at its best

– Organising beach cleans and litter picks

– Noticing a rainbow of flowers and trees growing in towns and countryside

– Creating wild works of art from petals, leaves and feathers.

– Care homes residents and carers have enjoyed planting pollinator-friendly blooms, making leaf art and creating wild playlists, with music inspired by nature.

More info

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Guildford Summer Festival

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Guildford Summer Festival, with sponsor Silent Pool Gin, is back for its 36th year between 8th June to 10th August

Guildford Summer Festival is a huge celebration of all that is great and good about the town.

You’ll be able to enjoy a whole host of theatre, sport, art, music, walks, heritage, tours and days out to keep you busy over the summer.

New events for this year include Animal Encounter Tours at Merrist Wood and the University of Surrey Conductors Concert at Holy Trinity Church. Don’t miss the Woodland Fairy Fair at Watts Gallery and take a trip to the beach at Guildford on sea outside the Electric Theatre.

Popular returning attractions include the festival craft fair, farmers’ markets, cricket festival, Guildford Lions raft race, drama in the castle grounds and classical concerts. Also back by popular demand are the free Alice Day at the castle (3rd August) and the Cheese and Chili Festivals at Shalford Park (21st & 22nd July).
Join a free guided town walk exploring the history, the Alan Turing walk and new Leading Lights Walk where you can meet characters from the past. Staying outdoors there’s the Round the Hogs Back Cycle Tour to join too.

The whole Guildford Summer Festival is being sponsored by Silent Pool Gin.

There are arts exhibitions to view at the Mill Studio, Watts Gallery and Guildford House Gallery and theatre at G Live and the Yvonne Arnaud as well as Guildford Fringe Festival at several venues in July.

Find out more

Festival brochures can be picked up at the Tourist Information Centre and tickets are on sale now for most events.

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Bjorn Again

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Bjorn Again are set to shine at the black-tie cultural extravaganza that is Henley Festival on the banks of the River Thames, between 10th & 14th July

One of this year’s headline act started out with a pub gig in Melbourne which had an audience of 350, from just a chalkboard outside the pub that day in 1988.

Scripted and choreographed as a tongue-in-cheek satirical parody of ABBA, the show rapidly achieved cult status. Having been acknowledged by Bjorn Ulvaeus as being the show which single-handedly initiated the ABBA revival in the late 1980s early 1990s, the Bjorn Again show is hailed as the most popular and successful show of its type. Now, just over 30 years later Rod Stephen, who founded the group brings Bjorn Again to the Henley Festival.

Growing up in Australia, who was the first band Rod remembers following and seeing live? “I was probably more into the rock scene than music like Abba,” he says. “The main group who I liked at the time started off as a New Zealand group Split Enz (you probably know them better as Crowded House); it was not just their musicality and vocals, but also, they opened my eyes to the theatricality of pop music. I remember seeing them once live and the entire stage looked like a front room, the keyboard player was playing with a standard lamp behind him.”

So, how did the idea of an ABBA parody band come about? “It was 1988, and none of the groups I had been in amounted to anything. I felt like doing something different and thought of a parody band. I had three choices, Queen, The Beatles or Abba, growing up in the 1970s I had the flared trousers so picked Abba. I got together a group of musicians and we spent months rehearsing and watching videos of Abba, then came our first gig. It was at a pub in Melbourne, and the only publicity was on the chalk board outside, “Abba tribute band here tonight”. We had 350 people in, they couldn’t hold any more! We were invited back the next month, and before we knew it, we were performing quite a few nights of the week in either Melbourne or Sydney and the media picked up on us.”

Is this your first time in the Thames Valley, or indeed floating! “I think it is the first time we have appeared at the Henley Festival, and we’ve performed on floating stages though I hope it doesn’t put us too far from the audience. We did make an appearance just up the Thames at the Reading Festival in 1992. I had this call from my agent to say we were needed to play the Reading Festival, and I said needed, why? Apparently, it was one of the late Kurt Cobain’s requests that we open for Nirvana. It was a great gig and that night we really rocked the Abba hits. To this day, I can still remember the cheers of the crowds.

What can the crowds at the Henley Festival look forward to? “All the great well-known Abba hits and some of the others they can sing along to. With Bjorn Again in authentic costumes, hopefully we can get everyone dancing in the aisles.”

Henley Festival

Bjorn Again are on the floating stage on Saturday, 13th July; visit the website

Click here

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Let’s go outside!

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However big –or bijou –it is, there are lots of ways make your outdoor space gorgeous…

Here we are, summer is here and we’ll cheers to that! If we can take our weather forecasters’ word for it, there’s lots more heatwave left so
it’s not too late to create your own mini paradise!

Heritage Landscape Construction has been transforming Thames Valley garden landscapes for more than 30 years. The friendly experts can find you the best affordable solutions. Contact Roger on 07721 844647. Founded in 2015 by Will Macdonald, who has 12 years’ gardening and groundwork experience, WCL Estates is an Oxfordshire-based fully insured landscaping company has a stunning portfolio of highly desirable projects; call 01235 603032.

The Coulton Tree Services team, based near Wallingford, are passionate about trees. These approved contractors, they also work with local authorities to help keep trees healthy and well-maintained. Find out about stump grinding, hedge pruning and more at www.coultontrees.co.uk

It’s vital to enlist the help of the experts for those practical and sometimes dangerous jobs. The friendly, independent Stratus Guttering team supply, install, repair and refurbish all types of metal guttering including seamless and sectional aluminium, cast iron, galvanised & stainless steel, copper and zinc. Visit www.oxfordshireseamless.co.uk or contact Euan on 07789 864696.

Love a garden gadget? Farol, a family business that’s been running since 1976. The firm has various local depots where you can check out the mowers and garden machinery; visit www.farolmowers.co.uk. And, offering a premier range of Bobcat mini excavators, skidsteers, tracked loaders and telescopic handlers for hire to get jobs done, check out TVE Hire and Sales near Wantage & Abingdon; www.tvehireandsales.co.uk

The Bourne Buildings show site near Farnham is the UK’s biggest and most affordable source for stunning outside buildings of all kinds, garden accessories & furniture. You’re sure to find something lovely (but please note they’re closed Tues & Wed) – www.bournebuildings.co.uk

It’s vital to enlist the help of the experts to get down to the nitty gritty when it comes to those practical, mucky and sometimes dangerous jobs. The friendly and genuine local specialists at Moss Master can remove moss from your roof manually, clean your fascias and soffits, vacuum-clean your gutters and power-clean your patio or driveway. Call 01420 479746 or visit www.mossmastersurrey.co.uk for a free quote.

Barbecue season is now firmly upon us (see our recipes for inspiration), but it’s not too late to create the perfect al fresco space, in as little as two hours! The Patio Black Spot Removal Co Ltd’s patented products rid your patio, terrace and garden stonework of pesky “black spots”, restoring their natural colour and impact to restore the condition as when it was first laid. Call 0800 500 3032 or visit www.patioblackspotremoval.com

Independent Sutton Green Garden Centre in Woking is sure to inspire you with its gorgeous plants as well as a stunning selection of garden furniture, barbecues and accessories such as chimeneas as well as much more. Call 01483 237 832 or visit www.gardencentrewoking.co.uk

1. Check out this Cube Fx stainless steel outdoor room by Garden House Design. 2. Don’t forget insect accommodation to help wildlife thrive outdoors. We love this hexagonal wild bee house by Garden Trading Company. 3. Check out the range at www.lights4fun.co.uk – the right lighting can create a twinkly wonderland in your garden – 4. Redwood Stone is the renowned as a creator of delightful Gothic follies and ruins, displaying each year at the famous Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court Flower Show; www.redwoodstone.co.uk. 5.&6. Weatherproof garden furniture, Bridgman. 7. Jambi hand-woven garden lounger; Habitat.

Enjoy your Summer!

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Filming locations: Starring role

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Sometimes the locations are as big as the stars in many of our favourite TV shows and films, how many do you recognise? Karen Neville goes undercover

How many times have you seen something on television and thought “that looks like that road in…”? Well, the chances are that it is indeed.

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Talking Point: Will Young

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Liz Nicholls asks local singer-songwriter Will Young, 40, about life, happiness, his new album Lexicon and upcoming tour

Q. You’re looking well! You said this new album has been stress-free –
is that why? “I think so, yes. Looking after your wellbeing is so important. I now work a four-day week and I’m working with a team I adore. Our rule is that if it doesn’t make us happy, we don’t do it! Also the music inspires me.
I think this [Lexicon] is my best album to date.”

Q. How do you like to listen to music? “In my car! I love driving down to Berkshire listening to BBC 6 Music… But I actually still own CDs!”

Q. What’s your first memory of music? “Listening to Michael Jackson’s Thriller album on a sunny day and looking at the artwork on the LP.”

Q. Which tour dates are you looking forward to and which days out will you enjoy close to these? “I always love the New Theatre in Oxford. Kew Gardens in London is so beautiful and fun. Gigs in Gloucestershire are always fun as it’s near my sister and is such stunning countryside.”

Q. Do you like to travel & where’s next? “I love travelling. I have been to Marrakesh twice in the last few months. My next place is Brazil or India.”

Q. Do you consider yourself healthy? “I am healthy-ish. I try to eat greens a lot and drink a lot of water. I think moderation is important but my downfall is chocolate!”

Q. What advice would you give to any budding musicians? “It’s about finding your own unique voice and style. All of us are unique and we need to give ourselves the time to explore this.”

Q. What other projects are on your horizon? “I’m writing a book called How To Be A Gay Man which I’m very excited about. I’m touring the UK in October and also playing Pub in the Park gigs.”

Q. It’s lovely to hear you joyful. How do you feel now, looking back at your low period in terms of your mental health? “I feel very proud of how hard I’ve worked over the last seven years. It’s been a huge task and I’m fortunate to have the strength of will but also the time and money. I’m aware I’m very privileged and that’s spurred me to give talks on mental health to businesses around the UK to help set up a system that can aid their employees. Depression and anxiety are partners in that they create a cloud that descends over mind and body. It creates difficulties for one’s ability to function. I always say it’s like swimming in syrup.”

Q. Do you have a favourite book, artist, film and piece of music? “Enid Blyton’s Shadow The Sheepdog, Magritte – a Belgian artist, Remains Of The Day and Barber’s Adagio For Strings.”

Q. Who would be your dream party guests, living or dead, real or fictional? “Richard and Judy, Richard & Judy and… Richard and Judy!”

Q. What would you wish for if you had a magic wand to change the world? “Peace and love.”

• Lexicon is out now. He will perform at this summer’s Pub In The Park shows and has also just announced an extensive UK tour for October 2019, tickets via www.willyoung.co.uk

  Read more of our Star Q&A’s

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July’s recipes: Thrills & grills

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We’ve teamed up with the team behind ZIGZAG to bring you the perfect recipes to rustle up on the grill this summer!

Lamb

(Prep: 15 mins – Cooking: 12-15 mins – Serves: 4)

Ingredients:

for the lamb:
• French trim lamb chops – allow three per person
• Garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh thyme leaves
• Rosemary
• Balsamic glaze

Method:

• Marinade lamb in oil garlic and thyme for 2 hours prior to cooking
• Heat up pan in the oven,
• Roast lamb chops for 3-4 minutes on both sides,
• Serve with fresh rosemary leaves.
• Drizzle with balsamic reduction for extra sweetness

Roast asparagus

(Prep: 15 mins – Cooking: 12-15 mins – Serves: 4)

Ingredients:

And for roast asparagus:
• Bunch of fresh British Asparagus
• Olive oil
• Lemon wedge
• Rock salt
• Black pepper
• Parmigianino Reggiano

Method:

• Drizzle olive oil over the asparagus
• Place into the oven on a baking tray or metal handled pan.
• Remove from oven when soft and golden brown,
• Serve hot with slice of lemon, rock salt, pepper and a few  shavings of parmesan.

Aubergine

(Prep: 15 mins – Cooking: 12-15 mins – Serves: 4)

Ingredients:

for the aubergine:
• Two large aubergines, cut into disks around 1cm
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Tahini
• One pomegranate, cut in half and with seeds removed
• Fresh oregano

Method:

• Lay out cut aubergines face down in a pan or baking tray
• Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper• Roast until golden brown
• To serve overlap aubergine, drizzle with tahini and sprinkle with fresh pomegranate seeds.
• Garnish with oregano

Fish

(Prep: 15 mins – Cooking: 12-15 mins – Serves: 4)

Ingredients:

And for roast fish:
• Whole seabass – around 35cm long scaled and gutted
• Potatoes, sliced 1cm think and par-boiled to soften
• Lemon
• Sunblush tomatoes,
• Fresh dill & parsley
• 2oz of fish stock

Method:

• Lay out cut aubergines face down in a pan or baking tray
• Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper
• Roast until golden brown
• To serve overlap aubergine, drizzle with tahini and sprinkle with fresh pomegranate seeds.
• Garnish with oregano

 Click here for more of our recipes

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Castle to Coast

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Take on a triathlon with a difference from Windsor to Brighton

Travel from Windsor Castle all the way to the coast at Brighton on a journey covering more than 81 miles –  but you’ll be completing it in a one-day triathlon. 

You’ll start with a 1.2 mile swim at Eton Dorney followed by a 67mile open road cycle through the Surrey Hills before finishing off with a 13.2 mile run up Ditchling Beacon and over the South Downs. 

There’s no competitive side to it and no timings instead it’s just about enjoying the adventure of the swim, cycle and run on Saturday, 10th August. 

Lee Brown, director and founder of Fullsteam, the endurance events company, says: “In 2019 we wanted to create something new in the world of triathlon. Castle to Coast’s sportive format will appeal to those looking to step up to a middle-distance triathlon without the pressures of racing and beating the clock.” 

Swimmers will start the event in the water, in waves, and take on the continuous lap before taking to the saddle and embarking on the cycle ride which is fully supported with a feed station, toilet facilities, mechanical assistance and marshals at key locations as riders make their way along the route and 3,400ft of climbs. 

Then you’ll hand over your bike over to the transport team who will either take it on to Brighton for you or back to Windsor. All equipment for the run and changing facilities will be available in a sports centre. 

A finish line party will greet you on the seafront in Brighton where you’ll collect your medal. If you’re then heading back to Windsor, support staff from Fullsteam will take you back on the organised transport. 

Entry, which is limited to 500, costs from £160 before 1st August. 

  For more information about the event and full entry information, including costs, visit www.fullste.am 

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Eat Food Festival

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Attention foodies! Eat Food Festival in Henley until Saturday – tune in to Radio Berkshire tonight

From behind the burners in Binfield Heath to a Kitchen in the Kenton…. Tonight, as part of the Eat Food Festival, Ryan and Liam Simpson-Trotman from the award-winning and outstanding Orwells Restaurant will present a Saturday Kitchen style live show, with a Q&A session as well as the cooking tips that listeners of Radio Berkshire’s Eat with Your Ears enjoy on a weekly basis.

This evening’s show will be entertaining and also epitomise the ethos behind their cooking – sustainability and seasonality and one of the meals being cooked will feature a slow-roasted tomato, as to what happens you will have to go along and watch! The two met down in Devon where they were both chefs at different restaurants.

They have run Orwells together since May 2010 and have won many awards including 4 AA Rosettes, a listing in the Michelin Guide along with three Gold Stars in the Sustainable Restaurant Association for being a champion of sustainability, as well as other local awards including recently be awarded “Restaurant of the Year” at the recent Thames Valley Hospitality Awards. They are also nicely in the twenties in the Good Food Guide and that has led to them heading to London in July to provide a pop-up restaurant for the Waitrose Academy.

When I caught up with Ryan, I asked if with this event and the pop-up restaurant whether they had considered doing pop-up restaurants at events such as Royal Ascot or Henley Royal Regatta. He replied: “We have certainly been asked to do them, and it certainly would be an interesting challenge, but at the moment we want to concentrate on Orwells.”

In concentrating on Orwells, what comes highest on Ryan and Liam’s agenda, providing food which may get them Michelin Star’s or food that appeals to people who may want to eat at the restaurant. Surprisingly perhaps neither as Ryan explains. “I have no idea what I need to do to get a Michelin star, I’ve never had one! We want to create and serve a menu that we want to feel energised to get out of bed and cook every day and fits with our ethos. To cook what we believe in.

“I know of restaurants who will serve meals with 12 months of the year, but we believe in seasonality and so we will only serve it between St George’s Day and the summer solstice – the English Season”.

In the Q&A session Monday evening, you will be able to ask about how they grow their own vegetables as well as how they cook them! Click below for more information on all events as part of the Festival

Eat Food Festival

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Help save lives

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Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance needs you!  

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is the charity that brings emergency critical care to people who need it most, in their hour of need. 

It costs £15,000 a day to keep the Air Ambulance flying and saving lives and last year the charity’s Critical Care Teams were called to 1,429 incidents across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.    

Highly skilled crews of doctors, paramedics and pilots can be at road traffic collisions, sporting accidents, collapses and a variety of other incidents within minutes, ready to deliver the same level of care you would receive at a hospital emergency department. 

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is entirely funded by the generosity of our local community and we rely upon our team of volunteers to support our fundraising efforts.   

This is where your help is needed.  They are urgently looking for new events volunteers, speakers, van drivers, maintenance support volunteers and collection pot agents. Volunteers are also needed to join the new event support team, which supports HIOWAA on an ad-hoc basis at the mass participation events.   

Volunteering for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance is fun and rewarding and you can volunteer as often or as little as you wish.  Volunteering can fit around your own life and commitments.  

If you have some spare time and would like to donate it to this life-saving cause, please contact the volunteering team on:

  [email protected] or 02380 743516 or visit the website for more details: www.hiowaa.org.

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