See big names and rising stars at this year’s Oxford Comedy Festival

Zoe Gater

We chat to Matthew Chadourne ahead of Oxford Comedy Festival which returns with lots of big names, bold previews and brilliantly intimate shows throughout July.


We all need a laugh about now, don’t you agree? And, if you like your comedy up close, unpredictable and a bit special, Oxford Comedy Festival is your perfect fit.

Running between Wednesday 1 & Friday 31 July 2026 across a mix of intimate venues, this much-loved highlight has quietly become one of the best ways to catch top comedians before they hit the big time… or at least before they head north to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

At the heart of it all is Matthew Chadourne – a stand-up, producer and self-confessed comedy obsessive. A New Jersey native now firmly rooted in east Oxford, he’s spent over a decade in the industry, while raising two kids and, at home, answering to a cat called Commander Sisko. The festival itself started, as many good things do, slightly by accident…

“We are maniacs,” Matthew laughs. “Comedians were asking for preview spots, and instead of doing one or two shows, we thought… why not just make a whole festival?”

Eight years on (with a brief pandemic pause), that spontaneous idea has grown into a staple of the cultural calendar.

What makes it special is the format. These are preview shows – works in progress, fresh material, ideas still being shaped. That means audiences get something rare: a chance to see big names and rising stars in smaller rooms, figuring things out in real time. It’s comedy stripped back and all the better for it.

This year’s line-up includes the likes of Catherine Bohart, Maisie Adam and Matt Forde, alongside a strong mix of emerging voices.

The programme has also expanded, with family-friendly shows at Pegasus Theatre and film screenings at the Ultimate Picture Palace – a venue Matthew is keen to champion as part of ongoing efforts to support it.

There’s also a clear ethos behind the booking. The festival is carefully curated to platform a diverse range of voices, with a focus on comedians from under-represented backgrounds. Tickets are deliberately affordable, too, keeping things open and accessible.

For Matthew, it all comes back to something simple. “The world can feel like a lonely place,” he says. “We just want people to come, have a great time and laugh together – even if it’s only for an hour.”

When he’s not running a festival, you’ll likely find him browsing Caper bookshop or grabbing a jian-bing from Coba Bubble Tea in Cornmarket Street – a hidden gem he swears by. But come July, it’s all about the laughs. And in rooms this small, with talent this big, they tend to land even better.

Visit oxfordcomedyfestival.co.uk for info, to buy tickets & to join the mailing list.

Join Paint Abingdon Pink for a day that proves community spirit really can change lives

Zoe Gater

Paint Abingdon Pink returns this July 2026 with lots of family-friendly music, colour, creativity and community spirit, for Against Breast Cancer.


Abingdon is preparing to turn gloriously pink once again as one of the town’s most uplifting community events returns bigger, brighter and bolder.

Paint Abingdon Pink is back on Saturday 4 July 2026, transforming the Market Square into a sea of colour between 10am and 3pm, all in support of Against Breast Cancer.

Now in its 11th year, the much-loved fundraiser has become a highlight of the local calendar, bringing together residents, performers, businesses, volunteers and community groups for a joyful day with an important purpose.

What to expect

This year’s event promises a packed programme of entertainment, creativity and family fun. Town-centre shops and independent businesses will once again join in by decorating their windows in pink, creating a vibrant trail through the town, while Market Square will come alive with live music, dance, games, crafts and plenty of surprises.

Among the performers helping raise the roof are Abbey Brass, Rock Choir’s Abingdon singers, the uplifting voices of Harmony InSpires, the sparkle of Strawberry Fayre Majorettes, and live favourites The Undercovers.

Visitors can also enjoy face painting, a treasure hunt, a pink-themed “Hook a Ribbon” game, hand massages, tombolas, raffles, delicious homemade bakes and a sizzling barbecue.

Themed dog walks will be hosted by The Dog Spot encouraging four-legged friends to “get their pink on”.

Art lovers can contribute to a collaborative community canvas hosted by Beckrah Studios, while students from Abingdon & Witney College are helping shape the future of the event by designing a brand-new logo set to feature on future posters, banners, merchandise and social media.

A special exhibition at Abingdon County Hall Museum will celebrate the fundraiser’s 11-year journey, while organisers promise “lots, lots more” still to be announced.

Every penny raised supports life-changing breast cancer research, helping fund earlier diagnosis, better treatments and hope for future generations.

So dig out something pink, gather friends and family, and join Abingdon for a day that proves community spirit really can change lives.

To donate

To find out more or donate, visit against breastcancer.org.uk/charity-news/paint-abingdon-pink-this-july.

Discover unique, limited-edition pieces and meet the makers at Handmade Oxford

Zoe Gater

Handmade Oxford returns to Waterperry Gardens for its sixth edition in June 2026.


Presented by Handmade in Britain, the event has become one of the UK’s most respected craft fairs, bringing together more than 175 carefully curated designer-makers from across the country.

Spanning disciplines including ceramics, jewellery, furniture, textiles, glass and sculpture, the showcase highlights both established names and emerging talent shaping the future of British craft.

Set against the backdrop of one of Oxfordshire’s most picturesque garden venues – familiar to many from the BBC series Make it to Market – the festival offers far more than a traditional exhibition.

Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the creative process through live demonstrations, hands-on workshops and a programme of live music, alongside a thoughtfully selected line-up of regional food and drink producers.

“This sixth edition will be our most ambitious to date,” says founder Piyush Suri. “We’re bringing together an outstanding selection of hand-picked makers, celebrating excellence in contemporary craft and design.”

At its heart, Handmade Oxford is about connection – linking makers directly with collectors, design enthusiasts and curious visitors. Each piece on display reflects a commitment to skill, sustainability and individuality, offering an antidote to mass production and throwaway culture.

The event continues its partnership with the Ashmolean Museum, which will award a prize to an exhibitor, providing a rare opportunity to retail within the museum shop. Additional awards from leading craft and interiors organisations further recognise innovation and excellence across the show.

With early bird tickets now available, visitors can choose from festival-only entry or combined garden access, with VIP options offering added perks including priority entry and reserved parking.

Blending craftsmanship, culture and the beauty of the gardens in full bloom, Handmade Oxford offers a destination day out – one where visitors can discover unique, limited-edition pieces and meet the makers behind them.

Book your tickets at handmadeinbritain.co.uk/event/handmade-oxford.

See world-class recitals, masterclasses and more during Oxford International Song Festival’s silver anniversary celebration

Zoe Gater

The Oxford International Song Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this October 2026.


One of Oxford’s most treasured cultural events is preparing to celebrate a milestone year, as the Oxford International Song Festival marks its 25th anniversary this autumn with an ambitious programme exploring one timeless theme… love.

Running from Friday 9 to Saturday 24 October 2026, this year’s festival presents 59 events inspired by love in all its forms, from romance and devotion to heartbreak, longing and creative passion.

Audiences can expect world-class recitals, intimate lunchtime concerts, late-night performances, talks, masterclasses and special premieres across some of Oxford’s most iconic venues.

At the heart of the celebrations is Artistic Director Sholto Kynoch, who has curated a rich and varied programme bringing together some of the biggest names in classical song.

Opening night sees celebrated mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly perform at Oxford’s newly opened Schwarzman Centre, marking the festival’s first event in the striking new venue.

The following evening, acclaimed baritone Matthias Goerne makes his festival debut with a performance of Winterreise, one of classical music’s most powerful explorations of love and loss.

Other star names across the fortnight include Roderick Williams, Alice Coote, Carolyn Sampson and Dame Imogen Cooper, performing in venues including the historic Holywell Music Room, Europe’s oldest purpose-built concert hall.

The festival also looks firmly to the future, with several world premieres from emerging composers and a dedicated New Generation Day in partnership with BBC Radio 3, showcasing rising stars of the classical world.

A central weekend on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October is devoted to Franz Schubert, marking 200 years since the composer’s final creative period, with performances, discussions and masterclasses celebrating his extraordinary song legacy.

Accessibility remains at the heart of the festival’s mission, with thousands of tickets priced under £20 and £10 tickets available for under-35s.

Whether you are a lifelong classical music lover or simply curious to experience something extraordinary, Oxford’s silver anniversary festival promises two unforgettable weeks of music, poetry and emotion.

Public booking opens on Wednesday 20 May 2026.

Visit oxfordsong.org.

How independent Oxfordshire business Be Golden is supporting the revival of physical photo albums

Zoe Gater

We chat to Bobby Adams, owner of Be Golden on Howbery Park in Crowmarsh, about her mission to help us all make the most of our best memories.


In a world where our photos live in “the cloud”, buried in camera rolls or lost behind forgotten passwords, the humble photo album is making a quiet but meaningful return.

No longer just a place to store pictures, today’s albums are becoming modern heirlooms – carefully curated, deeply personal and designed to last for generations.

“People don’t just want storage – they want to curate their photos to tell the story of their life’s big events,” says Bobby Adams, founder of Be Golden.

“We all take thousands of photos a year, but most of them never get seen again. Adding them to an album preserves your best moments for posterity.”

This is a shift that speaks to something more tactile, more human. Here at Round & About we love printed products. While digital galleries are convenient, they rarely invite connection in the same way.

“You don’t gather the family around a phone,” adds Bobby. “But you absolutely gather around an album. That’s when stories unfold – grandparents reminiscing, children asking questions. It becomes an experience, and not just a collection.”

Founded 15 years ago, Be Golden began with a mission to bring colour and individuality to the stationery market. Today, the family-run business has honed its focus, specialising in beautifully hand-bound photo albums and guest books, all made using traditional techniques.

Each piece is crafted by hand in the UK, from binding through to printing. Covers are pressed using hot foil on traditional machines – eschewing digital methods in favour of a process that creates a crisp, tactile finish you can feel beneath your fingertips.

Materials range from recycled leather to soft linen and shimmering “jewel” bookcloth, offering a spectrum of textures and styles to suit every occasion.

And it is occasions – big and small – that sit at the heart of the brand. While summer brings a surge in wedding albums and guest books, Be Golden’s creations mark everything from new arrivals and milestone birthdays to retirements and remembrances.

At its core, the appeal is simple: permanence. In an age of endless scrolling, these albums offer something more intentional.

They are objects to hold, revisit and pass on – investments not just in photographs, but in the stories they tell.

For more info, visit begolden.co.uk.

Astrology & Tarot for June 2026

Zoe Gater

What’s in store for you in June 2026? Melanie Harding, founder of Soul Healing Guidance, offers her new monthly guides for all signs…


Aries (March 21–April 19)

Financial matters begin to gain traction this month as Mars moves through your money sector, encouraging you to take a more active approach to income and spending.

This is a constructive period for directing funds into long-term projects such as home improvements, creative work, or practical summer plans.

From the 13th, Venus shifts the tone towards pleasure and connection, softening priorities and increasing the desire to enjoy what you are working for. This may show up as greater generosity in love, shared experiences, or meaningful time spent on romantic or social plans.

The New Moon on the 14th highlights the importance of stepping outside your usual environment. A short journey or change of scenery could bring a sense of perspective and emotional reset, especially if shared with someone close.

From the 21st, attention turns more firmly towards home and family life. Responsibilities may increase, or there may be a need to address practical domestic matters that require patience and steady focus.

As the month closes, Mars enters your short travel and communication sector on the 28th, bringing movement, pace, and a tendency towards quick decisions or spontaneous plans.

Jupiter adds optimism and momentum here, although Mercury retrograde from the 29th suggests double-checking details, particularly around travel and household costs.

The Full Moon on the 29th may bring closure to a work situation or project, allowing you to release what has reached completion and make space for something new.

Jupiter’s entry into Leo on the 30th begins a longer cycle of creative expansion.

Over the coming year, themes of self-expression, joy, and romance become more prominent, encouraging you to reconnect with what feels inspired and alive.

Tarot card – Seven of Cups

Too many directions open at once. Energy scatters easily this month, so clarity matters more than ambition. Not everything calling your attention is meant for action.

Taurus (April 20–May 20)

A financial opportunity may emerge around the 14th, offering a moment to reassess what is becoming available to you and how you wish to use it. There is a sense of building momentum around resources this month, although discernment will be important.

At the start of June, Mars in your sign brings energy, drive, and determination. This can support major progress in work or personal projects, particularly those requiring sustained effort or physical commitment.

Finances are highlighted by the Sun’s presence in your money sector, and the New Moon on the 14th may open the door to a new income possibility or practical opportunity that feels timely and useful.

From the 13th, Venus settles into your home and domestic sphere, encouraging comfort, beauty, and investment in your environment. This is a favourable period for decorating, gardening, or creating more ease within your living space.

However, around the 17th, Venus in contact with Pluto suggests caution around spending or home-related decisions. Impulsiveness may lead to choices that feel heavier later, so slow consideration is advised.

From the 21st, attention turns towards travel, planning, and widening your perspective. Organising ahead will support a smoother experience during the busier weeks ahead.

On the 28th, Mars moves into your income sector, bringing both drive and expenditure into sharper focus. The following day, Mercury retrograde may create complications around travel or logistics, requiring flexibility and patience.

The Full Moon on the 29th encourages expansion through experience, possibly through travel or learning, though simplicity will support a more grounded outcome.

Jupiter’s move into Leo on the 30th begins a longer cycle of growth connected to home, family, and foundations. Over the coming year, opportunities may arise around property, relocation, or strengthening your sense of stability and belonging.

Tarot cards – Three of Pentacles

Support comes through collaboration. You’re not meant to do everything alone, even if that’s your default setting. Shared effort builds something stronger than solo strain.

Gemini (May 20–June 21)

The month begins with a renewed sense of visibility as the Sun moves through your sign, drawing attention towards your presence, ideas, and personal direction.

There is a feeling of momentum building, particularly in how you present yourself and the opportunities that begin to form around you.

Venus shifts into your creative and expressive sector on the 13th, softening your outlook and bringing inspiration into everyday life. This may show up through artistic interests, home-based creativity, or a renewed enjoyment of simple pleasures.

The New Moon on the 14th supports personal renewal. This is a strong moment for change in
appearance, lifestyle, or the way you choose to express yourself, allowing for a fresh sense of
identity to emerge.

From the 21st, financial matters come into sharper focus. This is a time to consider longer-term security, with opportunities arising to improve income or make more intentional choices around spending and value.

Mars enters your sign on the 28th, bringing energy, motivation, and a surge of momentum that lasts into the coming weeks. This can feel invigorating, although it may also increase restlessness if direction is not clearly defined.

Mercury, your ruling planet, stations retrograde on the 29th, which may bring delays, mixed messages, or a need to revisit decisions. It is a useful period for reflection rather than immediate action.

The Full Moon on the 29th highlights financial closure or resolution, helping you bring clarity to money matters or commitments that have reached their natural conclusion.

Jupiter’s move into Leo on the 30th begins a longer cycle of movement, learning, and exchange. Over the coming year, travel, study, and communication become more significant themes, opening doors to broader perspectives and new connections.

Tarot card – Ten of Swords

A mental cycle reaches its limit. This isn’t collapse so much as saturation. Once something is fully seen for what it is, it naturally stops having power over you.

Cancer (June 21–July 22)

This month brings a quiet strengthening of your position in the eyes of others, as several supportive planetary influences gather in your sign.

There is a sense of being seen more clearly, both personally and professionally, which helps you hold your ground with greater confidence.

Financial matters begin to improve from the 13th, as Venus moves into your income sector, softening financial flow and encouraging a steadier sense of value. This can be a useful period for attracting support or recognising what is already working in your favour.

The New Moon on the 14th offers a restorative pause. This is an ideal moment to step back, tend to your wellbeing, and allow space for physical and emotional replenishment. Gentle care for yourself will have lasting impact.

From the 21st, your own season begins as the Sun enters Cancer, bringing renewed energy, visibility, and a gradual rebuilding of confidence over the coming weeks. There is a return to personal focus and a clearer sense of direction.

Mars enters your private sector on the 28th, encouraging withdrawal from external demands. This is a useful period for behind-the-scenes work, reflection, or preparation, rather than pushing forward publicly.

Mercury retrograde on the 29th may bring misunderstandings or heightened sensitivity in communication. It is important to choose words carefully and allow space for clarity to emerge rather than forcing immediate resolution.

The Full Moon on the 29th supports closure, particularly in emotional or relational matters, helping you release what is complete or no longer aligned.

Jupiter’s move into Leo on the 30th begins a longer cycle focused on financial growth and resource development.

Over the coming year, opportunities may arise to build greater stability, increase income, or strengthen our material foundations in a more sustainable way.

Tarot card – Knight of Cups

Emotional movement returns. Something or someone approaches with softer energy, or you reconnect with what feels meaningful. Follow what feels genuine, not idealised.

Leo (July 23–August 22)

The month begins with a quieter, more inward tone, as life asks for rest, reflection, and time away from the demands of constant visibility. There is a sense of preparation unfolding beneath the surface, even if it is not yet fully visible to others.

From the 13th, Venus moves into your sign, bringing warmth, magnetism, and a gentle return of confidence. This is a period where you may feel more naturally drawn towards connection, enjoyment, and expressing yourself more freely.

The New Moon on the 14th supports social renewal and reconnection with friends or wider networks. This can be a meaningful time for gathering, sharing ideas, or simply feeling part of something larger than yourself.

From the 21st, your focus begins to shift inward again, encouraging rest and emotional processing. Although there may be a desire to withdraw, Mars in your social sector keeps life active, drawing you towards community, events, or shared experiences.

Mercury retrograde on the 29th suggests a need to slow down mentally. Miscommunication or overthinking may arise, particularly around friendships or group plans, so clarity and patience are essential.

The Full Moon on the 29th brings a sense of completion, helping you release a long-standing work or responsibility that has reached its natural conclusion, creating space for rest or change of direction.

Jupiter’s move into your sign on the 30th marks the beginning of a powerful new cycle. Over the coming year, confidence builds steadily, opportunities expand, and your sense of identity becomes stronger and more visible. This is a period of renewal, growth, and returning to your own centre of purpose.

Tarot card – Five of Wands

A bit of friction, competition, or internal restlessness. Not everything is smooth, but this energy sharpens you. It’s more about stimulation than actual conflict.

Virgo (August 23–September 22)

This month brings a steady focus on career direction and long-term ambition, with opportunities gradually unfolding through consistent effort rather than sudden change. There is a sense of refinement taking place in how you approach your goals.

From the 13th, Venus moves into your social sector, softening professional intensity and bringing support through friends or networks. This can be a helpful period for collaboration, encouragement, or reconnecting with people who understand your path.

The New Moon on the 14th highlights career development. A new opportunity may emerge, or a shift in direction may begin to take shape, offering a chance to step forward into something more aligned.

From the 21st, attention turns towards community, friendships, and shared experiences. Work-life balance becomes more important, and you may find yourself more involved in group activities or social commitments.

Mars enters your career sector on the 28th, bringing increased drive and ambition. This is a productive but demanding influence, pushing you to take initiative and move projects forward with determination.

Mercury retrograde on the 29th may bring misunderstandings within friendships or professional circles, making it important to clarify intentions and avoid assumptions.

The Full Moon on the 29th supports romantic or emotional connection, offering a moment of warmth and clarity in matters of the heart.

Jupiter’s move into Leo on the 30th begins a quieter but meaningful cycle of inner growth. Over the coming year, this influence supports reflection, healing, and spiritual development, helping you strengthen your inner foundation and trust your intuition more deeply.

Tarot card – Page of Pentacles

A small but important beginning. Something practical is forming, a plan, skill, or opportunity. It’s early stage energy, but worth committing to properly.

Libra (September 23–October 22)

This month brings a widening of perspective, with a strong emphasis on travel, learning, and longterm direction. There is a sense of opening up to new experiences, even if the full shape of what is emerging is not yet clear.

From the 13th, Venus moves into your social and community sector, encouraging connection, collaboration, and a more easeful flow within friendships or group settings. Support may come through shared ideas or collective plans.

The New Moon on the 14th is especially favourable for travel or stepping into unfamiliar territory. This may mark the beginning of a journey, either literal or symbolic, that helps shift your outlook and refresh your sense of possibility.

From the 21st, attention turns towards your public and professional life. A leadership role or increased visibility may begin to take shape, asking you to step forward with greater confidence and clarity.

On the 25th, Venus in harmony with Saturn brings a stabilising influence to relationships, offering commitment, clarity, or a meaningful deepening of connection. This can be a grounding moment
within both personal and social bonds.

Mars enters your travel and exploration sector on the 28th, increasing momentum around movement, plans, and expansion. However, Mercury retrograde from the 29th suggests delays or adjustments may be necessary, particularly around logistics.

The Full Moon on the 29th highlights home and domestic matters, bringing completion or resolution within your living situation or family dynamics.

Jupiter’s move into Leo on the 30th begins a longer cycle of social expansion.

Over the coming year, friendships, networks, and collective opportunities grow significantly, opening doors to new communities and shared aspirations.

Tarot card – Nine of Swords

Overthinking rises when you try to hold too many outcomes at once. The mind runs ahead of reality. Relief comes through grounding, not more analysis.

Scorpio (October 23–November 21)

This month brings a gradual shift in focus towards financial matters, shared resources, and long-term security. There is a need to stay attentive to practical details, particularly where money is tied to other people or wider obligations.

From the 13th, Venus moves into your professional sector, softening your public image and opening doors for recognition or support within your work life. This can be a favourable period for reputation-building or being appreciated for your efforts.

The New Moon on the 14th highlights a financial opportunity or shift, particularly connected to income, benefits, or shared resources. This may mark the beginning of a new financial cycle or a helpful adjustment in circumstances.

From the 21st, attention turns towards travel, study, and broader perspective. There is a pull towards expansion, whether through physical journeys or a renewed focus on learning and understanding.

Mars enters your joint finances sector on the 28th, intensifying focus on money matters, shared
commitments, or financial negotiations. This can be productive, but it also requires careful handling of resources and boundaries.

Mercury retrograde on the 29th may bring delays or misunderstandings around travel, contracts,
or long-distance plans. It is important to double-check details and avoid assumptions.

The Full Moon on the 29th highlights communication and decision-making, bringing clarity or
closure around a conversation, agreement, or piece of information.

Jupiter’s move into Leo on the 30th begins a longer cycle of professional expansion. Over the
coming year, your visibility increases, and opportunities for advancement, recognition, or meaningful career growth begin to unfold in a more sustained way.

Tarot card – Six of Cups

The past has a quiet pull. Memories, people, or old emotional patterns resurface. This isn’t regression, it’s recognition of something still emotionally active.

Sagittarius (November 22–December 21)

This month brings a stronger emphasis on relationships and shared direction, with a need to balance independence with cooperation. There is a sense of growth unfolding through connection, though it may require patience and honest communication.

From the 13th, Venus moves into your travel and expansion sector, encouraging movement, exploration, and a widening of emotional and intellectual horizons. This can be a favourable period for journeys taken with a partner or meaningful shared experiences.

The New Moon on the 14th highlights new beginnings within relationships. This may bring the start of a significant connection, a renewed chapter within an existing partnership, or a fresh commitment to working alongside someone important in your life.

From the 21st, attention turns towards shared finances, commitments, and deeper emotional
entanglements. Themes of trust and resource-sharing become more prominent, asking for clarity
and careful consideration.

Mars enters your relationship sector on the 28th, bringing increased passion and momentum into partnerships. While this can deepen attraction and engagement, it may also heighten sensitivity or friction if communication is unclear.

Mercury retrograde on the 29th suggests misunderstandings around money or shared resources. It is important to slow decisions and revisit details rather than rushing agreements.

The Full Moon on the 29th brings focus to personal finances, highlighting a point of culmination or
realisation around income, spending, or self-worth.

Jupiter’s move into Leo on the 30th begins a longer cycle of expansion through travel, learning, and life experience. Over the coming year, opportunities open to explore further afield, broaden your understanding, and reconnect with a sense of adventure and possibility.

Tarot card – Four of Pentacles

Energy tightens around security, money, or control. There may be a tendency to hold on more than usual. Awareness is key so it doesn’t become restriction.

Capricorn (December 22–January 19)

This month places emphasis on relationships, commitments, and the way you share responsibility
with others. There is a sense of reassessing balance, particularly where support, effort, and emotional exchange need to feel more even.

From the 13th, Venus moves into your shared resources sector, softening financial matters linked to others and encouraging more ease in trust, intimacy, and practical arrangements. This can be a helpful time for resolving shared money matters or strengthening bonds.

The New Moon on the 14th highlights a new beginning within relationships. This may mark the start of a significant connection, a fresh phase within an existing partnership, or a decision to redefine how you relate to someone important.

From the 21st, attention turns more deeply towards one-to-one connections. Relationships become more central, and there may be a need to show up with greater presence, care, or accountability.

Mars enters your daily work and wellbeing sector on the 28th, increasing workload and pace. While this brings productivity, it also highlights the importance of managing energy and avoiding burnout through better rhythm and rest.

Mercury retrograde on the 29th may bring miscommunication within relationships or contracts, making it important to slow down conversations and ensure mutual understanding before committing.

The Full Moon on the 29th brings personal culmination, highlighting emotional clarity and a stronger sense of where you stand within yourself and your relationships.

Jupiter’s move into Leo on the 30th begins a longer cycle of financial growth through shared resources.

Over the coming year, opportunities may arise through investments, support from others, or deeper financial restructuring that strengthens long-term stability.

Tarot card – Ace of Swords

A clear decision point arrives. Something becomes obvious, even if it requires courage to acknowledge. Mental clarity cuts through uncertainty this month.

Aquarius (January 20–February 18)

This month brings a steady focus on relationships, daily responsibilities, and the balance between personal needs and shared commitments. There is a sense of learning how to pace yourself more effectively, particularly where other people’s expectations are involved.

From the 13th, Venus moves into your relationship sector, softening dynamics within close partnerships and encouraging greater understanding and emotional openness. This can be a supportive period for reconciliation, deepening connection, or simply enjoying more ease with others.

The New Moon on the 14th highlights a fresh start in relationships or agreements. This may bring a new connection into your life, a renewed chapter with an existing partner, or a clearer sense of what you need from one-to-one dynamics.

From the 21st, attention turns towards work, routine, and wellbeing. Practical matters come into sharper focus, and there may be a need to reorganise schedules or take better care of your physical and mental energy.

Mars enters your creativity and pleasure sector on the 28th, bringing increased passion, inspiration, and drive towards enjoyment. This can be a lively and expressive influence, though it may also heighten emotional intensity in romantic matters.

Mercury retrograde on the 29th suggests confusion or delays within daily routines or work arrangements. It is important to double-check details and allow extra time for adjustments.

The Full Moon on the 29th brings a quieter moment of closure, encouraging rest, reflection, and release of what is no longer visible or consciously active in your life.

Jupiter’s move into Leo on the 30th begins a longer cycle of expansion within relationships. Over the coming year, partnerships may grow, deepen, or shift significantly, with new opportunities for connection and shared direction becoming more prominent.

Tarot card – Eight of Wands

Fast-moving developments. Communication, plans, or events accelerate quickly. Things unfold in bursts rather than steady pacing.

Pisces (February 19–March 20)

This month brings a stronger focus on work, wellbeing, and the structure of your daily life. There is a sense of needing to refine routines, while also making space for rest and emotional replenishment where it is required.

From the 13th, Venus moves into your daily work and wellbeing sector, softening pressures and bringing more ease into practical matters. This can be a supportive time for improving working relationships or finding greater satisfaction in everyday tasks.

The New Moon on the 14th highlights a fresh beginning around routine, work, or health. This may mark the start of a new role, a change in habits, or a more intentional approach to your wellbeing.

From the 21st, attention turns towards joy, creativity, and emotional expression. Life begins to feel lighter, with more emphasis on connection, pleasure, and activities that restore a sense of inspiration.

Mars enters your home and family sector on the 28th, increasing activity within your domestic life. This may bring renovation energy, family responsibilities, or a stronger focus on sorting out your living environment.

Mercury retrograde on the 29th suggests misunderstandings in romantic or creative matters, making it important to communicate clearly and avoid assumptions where emotions are involved.

The Full Moon on the 29th brings clarity within friendships or wider networks, highlighting where connections feel aligned and where distance may naturally form.

Jupiter’s move into Leo on the 30th begins a longer cycle of improvement in work, wellbeing, and daily structure. Over the coming year, opportunities arise to expand your skills, improve health, and build routines that feel more sustainable and supportive.

Tarot card – Seven of Swords

Not everything is fully transparent, in yourself or others. This is about discernment, not paranoia. Choose where your energy goes carefully and quietly.

How Stiltz Homelifts is transforming accessibility in modern homes

Zoe Gater

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.

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

Zoe Gater

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.

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

Zoe Gater

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.

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

Zoe Gater

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.