How Stiltz Homelifts is transforming accessibility in modern homes

Zoe Gater

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As more homeowners look to future-proof their properties and maintain independence, Stiltz Homelifts helps people move safely and comfortably between floors without sacrificing style or space.

Founded in Berkshire in 2010 by two young Australian entrepreneurs, Stiltz Homelifts has grown into the UK’s leading provider of homelifts, helping people stay independent in the homes they love.

Headquartered in the West Midlands, the company combines state-of-the-art research and development facilities with offices situated near Leeds and Reading.

Today, Stiltz operates in around 45 countries worldwide and was honoured with the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade in 2020, recognising its rapid global expansion and innovation in the domestic lift sector.

At the heart of the business is a commitment to making everyday living easier, safer and more comfortable. Many Stiltz customers are looking for a practical, stylish solution to help them move effortlessly between floors and stay in the home they love.

Whether they are finding stairs more challenging with age, living with a progressive condition, or using a wheelchair and wanting the freedom to travel around their home without difficult transfers. Others are planning ahead and future-proofing their homes so they can continue enjoying family life and familiar surroundings for years to come.

From the first point of enquiry to a complete installation, all contact with Stiltz is managed with care and attention by its own nationwide team of highly trained builders and installers, supported where needed by specialist partners, with each customer assigned a dedicated project co-ordinator, providing assistance from their initial enquiry through to the complete installation.

Stiltz Homelifts are designed to complement both traditional and contemporary homes and can match a variety of interiors.

Lifts are available in elegant soft grey or crisp white finishes and are engineered to fit neatly and discreetly into almost any home. Unlike conventional lifts, Stiltz Homelifts are freestanding and travel on their own self-supporting rails, offering much more flexibility when installing them within a property.

For wheelchair users, the optional ThruCar configuration allows easy access and exit from opposite sides of the lift, while a choice of sizes, from compact standing models to larger platform options, ensures there is a solution for a wide range of homes and lifestyles.

Installation is straightforward, too: once any initial building work has been completed, the modular lift unit can usually be installed in as little as one day, plugging directly into a standard domestic socket.

In addition to their innovative designs and commitment to customer service, Stiltz Homelifts continuously seeks to improve and expand their offerings, staying ahead of industry trends and customer needs. 

As more families recognise the importance of accessibility and comfort within their homes, Stiltz Homelifts can provide a product and a pathway to a more enjoyable and independent lifestyle.

For more information, visit stiltz.co.uk.

In partnership with Stiltz Homelifts

Stiltz designs, manufactures and installs homelifts which enable users to move safely and comfortably between floors. These lifts fit easily into almost any home, and help you continue living in the home you love instead of downsizing, or moving into later living apartments.

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Abba, Take That & jazz nights head to D’Oyly Carte Island this summer

Zoe Gater

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The splendid surroundings of D’Oyly Carte Island welcome you to enjoy lavish seasonal celebrations from 1–5 July 2026.

D’Oyly Carte Island was the weekend retreat where the great and good went to be entertained and now it’s your turn with the Summer Concerts.

With exquisite food and drink, a line-up of talented musicians performing some of the most well-known songs of our time from Abba and Take That tributes along with yacht rock, soul, R&B and jazz, you’re sure to find something to entertain you.

The five-day extravaganza launches with Abba tribute band Fabbagirls with their disco chic blending brilliantly choreographed routines, stunning costumes, Swedish accents, first-class musicians and a saucy but brilliantly subtle sense of humour.

There’s a change of tempo for the second night courtesy of The Yacht Brothers who bring the smooth, feel-good sounds of the late 70s and early 80s blending jazz, R&B, and rock into mellow tunes perfect for a sun-soaked evening on a private island on the River Thames.

Dance the night away on Friday 3rd with Flo Collective, returning after hit performances in 2024 and 2025 on the island with everything from the 50s right through to some of today’s best known hits.

Could Saturday 4th be the Greatest Day? Re-Take That hope so when the Take That tribute hit the stage with hit after hit, high energy dance routines, stage craft, costumes and more as the ‘world comes alive’.

The hugely talented Lance Ellington, known as a singer from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, and his seven-piece band will close the 2026 D’Oyly Carte Island Summer Concerts singing everything from George Benson to a remix of Pharrell Williams.

The heritage of the island is preserved with a day of Gilbert & Sullivan music on Friday 3 July with a miscellany of their favourites performed by four talented soloists, followed by two family days on Saturday and Sunday, which include four different contemporary music performances from the very best local talent.

Family fun includes free games to win prizes – a coconut shy, splat the rat, ball in bucket, football in a hole and roller ball – and face painting too.

For full details and to book tickets, visit doylycarteisland.com/summer-concerts-2026.

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Inside Nathalie Pymm’s creative world ahead of Bucks Art Weeks

Zoe Gater

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Local artist Nathalie Pymm tells us about printmaking, puppies & opening her studio for Bucks Art Weeks this June.

Art has always been woven into Nathalie’s life. Growing up with an architect father and a freelance artist mother, she developed an early fascination with the built world – watching drawings transform into buildings sparked a lifelong appreciation for structure, detail and creativity.

Now based in Amersham, where she’s lived for 30+ years, Nathalie is a self-taught printmaker and mixed media painter whose work celebrates the colour, texture and the beauty of everyday moments. Working across vibrant lino prints and richly layered paintings, she brings the same energy and curiosity to each piece.

Her creative career, however, wasn’t always full-time. After more than three decades working as a nurse, a period of spinal surgery prompted a life shift that allowed her to fully embrace her artistic path.

It’s a transition she clearly relishes, spending her days in a garden studio, now shared with her newest companion, Bella, a puppy in training as her “studio assistant.”

When she’s not creating, Nathalie can often be found exploring the local countryside, walking from Amersham through woods towards Chesham and Old Amersham. Stops at favourite cafés are part of the routine, with Bella warmly welcomed along the way.

Nathalie will once again open her studio as part of Bucks Art Weeks (Saturday 6 to Sunday 14 June), alongside ceramicist and sculptor Caroline Selvey and jewellery designer Heidi Fenn. Visitors can expect a vibrant, immersive space, with artwork displayed from floor to ceiling and the chance to chat directly with the artists about their process and inspiration.

It follows a busy year that has seen Nathalie exhibit widely, including having her lino print Quintet in Red selected for the Royal Society of British Artists exhibition at the Mall Galleries. She has also shown work locally and continues to be an active part of the thriving Chilterns arts scene.

Alongside her own practice, Nathalie co-organises Amersham Art Unlocked, a much-loved showcase of regional talent spanning painting, jewellery, ceramics and more. This year’s event takes place on Saturday 31 October and Monday 1 November.

For Nathalie, art is more than a profession – it’s a form of connection, creativity and calm.

She said: “If I had one wish, it would be for everyone to find an art form they love.”

Find more info at nathaliepymm.com.

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Rare garden Open Day in Cocking to raise funds for Dogs for Autism

Zoe Gater

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Sculptor Philip Jackson opens his private garden to the public for one day in support of Dogs for Autism.

Enjoy a rare opportunity to explore the stunning private gardens of renowned sculptor Philip Jackson with a limited number of guided tours at his home in Cocking on Saturday 13 June 2026.

Set in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, the Jackson family are opening their grounds in support of Beech-based Dogs for Autism.

This special open garden event invites visitors to enjoy a relaxed afternoon surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, while helping to raise vital funds for a cause close to the family’s heart. 

Philip and wife Jean, who have long been passionate dog lovers, were deeply moved by the work of Dogs for Autism, a pioneering charity that provides highly trained life-changing autism assistance dogs to children and adults, completely free of charge. 

These remarkable dogs offer far more than companionship. They are trained to carry out specific tasks that support their autistic partners, from keeping them safe in public spaces to helping reduce anxiety and build confidence, opening up opportunities that might otherwise feel out of reach. 

Visitors will be able to: 

• Wander through the gardens at their own pace  
• Enjoy homemade refreshments and cakes  
• Meet some of the charity’s dogs and volunteers  
• Take part in a raffle featuring a selection of unique prizes  
• Follow a sculpture trail designed especially for children  

Philip Jackson will also be offering a limited number of guided tours during the day at his home in Mill Lane (GU29 0HJ), giving a unique insight into the gardens and the inspiration behind them. 

Laura McCreadie, Fundraising Manager at Dogs for Autism, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Jackson family for opening their gardens and supporting our work in this way. Every pound raised helps us continue training and supporting our dogs, creating partnerships that can truly change lives.” 

Dogs for Autism currently supports families across the UK, with each partnership costing around £25,000 from puppyhood through to retirement. Demand for these dogs continues to grow, making community support and fundraising events like this more important than ever. 

The event runs from 11.30am to 4pm, with all proceeds going directly towards supporting Dogs for Autism. 

Tickets cost £6 per person, under 5s free, and further information are available at: dogsforautism.org.uk/philipjackson.

Tickets will also be available on the day with parking at Cocking Village Hall.

Well-behaved dogs on leads are also welcome, making this a truly inclusive event for the family. 

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Surrey Hills’ Fircroft Art Exhibition celebrates 30 years of creativity

Zoe Gater

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This year marks the 30th anniversary of The Fircroft Art Exhibition on Albury Heath.

You are invited to a ‘gem of an exhibition’, a large and varied display of new work by more than 50 gifted artists from near and far, chosen and assembled by artist and former art school head Frank Taylor and his wife Christine. 

The works are displayed in their early Victorian home Fircroft, off New Road, Albury Heath GU5 9DD, and its wooded gardens in the beautiful Surrey Hills. 

Many of the artists are well-known in their part of the country, some are nationally and internationally recognised, whilst others are still at the outset of their careers.

This year’s artists

There are new works by eminent St Ives potter John Bedding as well as equally established ceramicists Jane Silk from Sussex, Lise B Moorcroft from Stoke on Trent, Pru Green and her son Simon Sharp both of whom work in East Anglia. 

Sophie Smith and Derek Matthews show new collections of their quirky ceramic pots and sculptures, each telling their own story.

On the walls are paintings by two artists new to Fircroft – Tinx Newton and Eloise Harvey, who embellishes her paintings with embroidery, as well as Frank Taylor’s paintings and prints.

Dorset painter Paul Jones, whose exhibits were so admired last year, returns with a small selection of new mixed media works.

Plus, a large selection of handmade jewellery by several silversmiths and jewellers is on show, along with colourful glass vessels and lamps.

Fircroft’s garden was planned and planted in Victorian times, and contains many coniferous and deciduous trees, including a Giant Redwood, an Atlantic Pine, a Douglas Fir, Yews, Oaks, and several more species.

The lawns and re-wilded areas provide excellent spaces to display the amazing reclaimed steel animal sculptures of George Hider from Somerset, wonderful bird sculptures by Paul Harvey, large metal plant forms by Nicci Fairbank and small ones by Stanger Moore, as well as distinctive steel abstracts by Richard Farrington.

How to book

Entry to the exhibition is free and a warm welcome awaits you daily from 11am to 5pm.

Further information including directions and a map are on the website fircroft.info.

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Macular Society volunteer supports Cranleigh sight loss group

Zoe Gater

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Regan Ruther is a retired ophthalmic nurse now volunteering to help others in Cranleigh with the biggest cause of sight loss.

Have you heard of macular disease? It’s the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, and as with any visual impairment, it can lead to loneliness and isolation in people of all ages.

National charity the Macular Society runs support groups including one in Cranleigh where Regan Ruther helps to oversee the monthly get-togethers.

Regan, 75, was as an ophthalmic nurse for 44 years which inspired her to volunteer in the sight loss charity sector when she retired.

She knows all too well then impact it has after being diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 2023 after visiting her optician having noticed small print was getting harder to read.

Regan says:

“I always found eyes so fascinating and their link to our overall health. It’s true when people say the eyes are the window to your soul, you can tell a lot about someone’s health through their eyes.

“Volunteering was a natural progression for me, wanting to help people once they’re outside of the clinic, going from that hospital setting to being in the community; knowing you could help with a little bit of background knowledge and signposting people where they needed to go for further help.”

“I enjoy bringing people together so they aren’t isolated, seeing them have fun because it doesn’t need to be all doom and gloom with sight loss. It’s important they mix with other people with similar conditions, they can have a chat, make friendships and therefore understand their diagnosis more.

“When people first come to the group, that alone is a big step for them. It’s being able to speak to other people who you can then open up to and relate with because you all have similar or the same sight issues. That’s when people begin to feel more confident, they buddy up and rediscover their confidence again because that is something easily lost after you get a diagnosis.”

Regan believes being positive will stand her in good stead should her sight change in the future.

Part of that comes down to knowledge and she encourages others to find out as much as they can about their own diagnosis, to help them on their own journey which is where the Macular Society helps.

Nearly 1.5 million people are currently affected and many more are at risk.

It leaves many unable to drive, read or see faces. There is still no cure, and most types of the disease are not treatable.

Contact details

The Macular Society Cranleigh Support Group gets together on the last Tuesday of every month, 2-4pm at The Manor, Elmbridge Village, GU6 8TR.

If you would like to become a volunteer with the Cranleigh group, please contact Jo Fishwick on 07542 505 127 or email jo.fishwick@macularsociety.org.

For more information about the Macular Society, please call 0300 3030 111, email help@macularsociety.org or visit macularsociety.org.

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How a Farnham dog choir is turning singing into a social lifeline

Zoe Gater

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Expect rounds of ap-paws all round at the end of get togethers in Farnham where Dogs Choir is bringing together singers with two legs and those with four.

Puppy Love, Who Let the Dogs Out, Hound Dog – you’d expect them all to be on the set list for members of a very special choir in Farnham.

Jeanine founded Singing with Dogs UK in 2020 which has since led to its subsidiary Dogs Choir UK. The choir welcomes dog lovers, dog owners and dog carers of all ages, from 11 upwards with an adult, with the simple idea of reducing loneliness.

“One issue for dog owners is that much of the time, they can’t bring their dogs to classes, which creates a barrier. It can also be quite isolating to have a dog, so Dogs Choir brings together ‘dog people’ – owners and carers – to do something they love,” Jeanine explains.

“The dogs sometimes vocalise, but mainly enjoy the music, bond with their owners, and are also helped to socialise with other dogs. We are going to be starting the Howlelujah Chorus soon, as an ongoing project.”

Dogs Choir runs every Sunday in Farnham and a portion of any profits is donated to nominated dog rescues, and as a grassroots choir will continue to grow.

Dogs must be kept on their leads, and everyone coming has to bring a dog, due to licensing. 

Having moved to Farnham last year, Jeanine is keen to grow her roots there too as a descendant of the Hack family stretching back to 1520 and says she “definitely feels a tangible connection with the Wrecclesham area” adding that she recently found her ancestral graves after months of looking in Green Lane Cemetery.

“My great grandfather was the cemetery caretaker when George Sturt passed away, so he would have buried him. I found my great, great, great grandparents’ house (who had 15 children) recently, in Middle Bourne Lane, and the owner’s tennis coach is George Sturt’s descendant. So it’s a very small world!

“My ancestral churches are St Thomas on the Bourne (they all got christened and married on the former site), St Andrew’s Farnham (around the 1700s was the Hack’s church) and St Peter’s Wrecclesham. There is a Hack plot there, and I am trying to find my grandad’s first wife, Florence Amy Wilkinson, who died young.

“The Hack family were hop growers and farmers, but were also strong and carved gravestones (my grandad) – who is mentioned in one of George Sturt’s history books as a young boy in petticoats!”

Jeanine is also an actor and is exploring the possibility of a youth theatre project about her history and the history of Wrecclesham and the Bourne which she thinks is important younger people know about.

Anyone interested should email her at hello@grammaticarts.com.

For more on the choir contact Jeanine on dogschoiruk@hotmail.com and see more at facebook.com/DogsChoirUKSingwithYourDog.

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Nail It DIY seeks new venues to expand women’s confidence workshops cross Berkshire

Zoe Gater

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Women’s DIY workshops are growing in popularity and Nail It DIY is on the hunt for more venues near you.

Nail It DIY is about so much more than hammering nails and using a screwdriver; women attending the workshops are learning confidence and self-belief as they drill.

Founded by Justine Wortman and Sarah Bolger who combined their practical skills and experience – Justine’s in running creative workshops and events and Sarah’s as a qualified electrician – they deliver engaging, hands on sessions sharing their knowledge.

Born from Sarah helping Justine with DIY jobs at home, the pair realised many women were relying on others for basic home tasks, not because they can’t do then, but because they’ve never been shown how.

“We wanted to create a space where women could learn those skills in a relaxed, supportive environment.”

And the women who attend are getting so much more than just the useful life skills – especially confidence – as Justine explains:

“There’s a real shift that happens when someone uses a drill or changes a fitting for the first time and realises they can do it. It’s not just about the task – it’s about independence and feeling more capable in your own space and in life generally.

“Many women simply haven’t been encouraged to try DIY, or they’ve been made to feel it’s something too technical or just ‘not for them’. Once that barrier has been removed, they’re more capable. We’ve seen that time and again.”

Lots of women arrive at the sessions feeling nervous but leave having done things they never thought they could, some go straight home and tackle projects – including one who hung a cabinet she’d been looking at every day for months.

“Another woman attending via our subsidised scheme was able to hang a mirror in her bathroom. This person has experienced some particularly challenging personal circumstances recently and is now feeling so excited knowing she is capable of doing so much to make her house a home.”

Justine’s message for those who think they can’t do DIY:

“You absolutely can – you just haven’t been shown how yet.

“Like anything, it’s about having the right guidance and a chance to try. Women that attend get chatty straight away over tea and biscuits, realising they’ve got loads in common and settling in. That shared learning environment makes a huge difference, and people leave not just with new skills, but feeling more confident and connected.”

Established in the Reading area, they are looking to extend to younger audiences too including an upcoming session with Cubs.

Nail It DIY runs workshops across Berkshire with plans to continue expanding into new locations.

They are looking for venues in the Sunningdale, Ascot, Virginia Water, Lightwater and Chobham area.

If you can help and to find out more, please visit facebook.com/Nail.It.DIY/.

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Haslemere Museum celebrates 100 years with 1920s-themed summer fair

Zoe Gater

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This summer, Haslemere Museum invites the community to step back in time while it celebrates 100 years on the High Street.

A 1920s-themed summer fair and two special exhibitions bring Haslemere’s rich history vividly to life in June 2026.

The Summer Fair stands as the highlight of the celebrations and takes place on Saturday 27 June. The museum first moved into its current home during that decade, and the gardens will fill with stalls, games, and entertainment. The event features live music from the Haslemere Town Band, along with cream teas, Pimm’s, and a display of vintage 1920s cars that create an authentic atmosphere.

The fair runs from 11am to 4pm, and organisers encourage everyone to join the spirit of the era. Visitors are encouraged to wear 1920s attire, with the museum awarding a prize for the best-dressed guest.

After the fair, a family-friendly exhibition opens on Tuesday 30 June and explores life in the town over the past century. It welcomes all ages and includes hands-on activities for children, alongside recorded memories from residents that give a personal view of the town’s changing story.

Another exhibition in the museum’s Terrace Room runs throughout summer and celebrates its century-long role in the community, showcasing objects added to the collection over the past 100 years.

The collection spans natural and social history, educational scientific equipment, and the oldest hand-made item in the building, offering something for every visitor.

The museum purchased its Georgian building in 1925, when it carried the name The Lodge. The Hesse family had owned the building since 1848. Over the following months, workers converted it from a private home into a public museum space.

The former museum off East Street closed on 20 May 1926.

Local carrier Mr Smithers and his sons transported its contents to 78 High Street, where they filled the new galleries and display spaces. The museum officially opened at its current site on 27 August 1926 – 100 years ago.

The museum’s survival over the past century depends on the efforts of dedicated people. Staff and volunteers continue to support its work in the community and beyond.

And a special display in the gallery spotlight area will recognise some of the early contributors who helped shape the museum’s history.

Plus, as part of its centenary celebrations, the museum has launched a fundraising appeal to support the upkeep of its Grade II listed building and ensure it remains a vibrant community space for the next 100 years.

Find out more about the Summer Fair, exhibitions, and fundraising appeal on the Haslemere Museum website.

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Fizz Fest returns to Hambledon Wine Estate with tastings, tours and English wine celebration

Zoe Gater

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Hampshire’s flagship wine celebration returns to Hambledon in June with tastings, tours and summer sparkle.

Wine lovers, this one’s for you – Hampshire’s much-loved Fizz Fest returns on Sunday 28 June 2026, bringing a full day of tasting, learning and celebration to the stunning Hambledon Wine Estate.

Hosted by Vineyards of Hampshire, the annual flagship event shines a spotlight on the county’s thriving wine scene – now recognised as one of the most exciting in the UK.

Set among rolling vines at the historic estate, widely regarded as the birthplace of modern English wine, Fizz Fest offers the perfect blend of relaxed summer atmosphere and premium wine experiences.

Across the day, guests can explore 20+ exceptional still and sparkling wines, with producers from eight leading vineyards including Hattingley Valley, Exton Park and Louis Pommery England.

A dedicated tasting marquee gives visitors the chance to sample, compare and chat with the winemakers behind the bottles. Beyond the glass, there’s plenty to savour.

Ticketed brunch and lunch sittings at the estate’s Michelin Guide-listed restaurant offer a more indulgent experience, while artisan food stalls and live entertainment create a lively festival feel throughout the grounds.

A highlight of the day is the programme of masterclasses, including sessions hosted by food and drink expert Andy Clarke. From Behind the Bubbles to food and wine pairing and cocktail inspiration, these sessions offer deeper insight into the craft and creativity of modern English wine-making.

Visitors can also join guided vineyard tours, exploring the landscape and learning more about the processes that make Hampshire wines so distinctive.

Taking place during English Wine Week, Fizz Fest is perfectly timed to celebrate the region’s growing reputation for quality and innovation. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or simply curious to discover something new, this is a sparkling summer day out not to be missed.

For more information or to book tickets, visit vineyardsofhampshire.co.uk/our-events.

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