Zoe Gater, Author at Round & About Magazine • Page 9 of 17

Experience a thoughtfully curated cancer wellness festival – with expert talks and healing sessions

Zoe Gater

February 27, 2026February 27, 2026

Designed for anyone affected by cancer, Brave Crab & Friends 2026 is a thoughtfully curated wellness festival in Wokingham featuring leading oncology specialists and restorative wellbeing sessions to help you feel informed, supported and empowered.

Brave Crab & Friends is a one-day Wisdom & Wellness Cancer Festival created for individuals touched by cancer — whether currently in treatment, navigating life post-treatment, or supporting someone they love.

Curated by Vicky Carroll, the festival is intentionally designed to provide care, attention, and meaningful support.

Taking place on Sunday 8 March 2026 at the scenic Easthampstead Park Hotel in Wokingham, the festival offers a welcoming space where attendees can feel seen, supported, and understood, surrounded by others walking a similar path.

The event features talks from expert oncology practitioners addressing common challenges during and after treatment, including sleep and fatigue, sexual health, lymphatic care, pain management, and more.

In addition to the informative talks, attendees can enjoy small-group wellbeing sessions such as cacao ceremonies, gong baths, and breathwork, all carefully selected to help regulate the nervous system, cultivate calm, and foster a sense of centeredness. These experiences provide moments of pause, reconnection, and restoration.

Keynote speakers include Helen Addis MBE (Titty Gritty), whose storytelling brings heart, humour, and hope; Rosamund Dean, journalist and author, offering practical guidance for navigating cancer care and maximizing support from medical teams; and Dr Nina Fuller-Shavel, an integrative medical doctor, presenting evidence-based insights on safely combining integrative approaches with standard oncology care.

The festival supports attendees as whole individuals, addressing physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of the cancer experience. By the end of the day, participants can leave feeling lighter, more informed, and more hopeful, equipped with practices and insights that support calm, empowerment, and resilience beyond the festival.

The experience is highly personal: attendees select the sessions that resonate most, allowing each person to shape a day that meets their unique needs.

A No-Risk Promise ensures peace of mind: if illness prevents attendance, tickets are fully refunded with no questions asked.

Tickets are priced from £60 to £80, offering the flexibility to design a personal and meaningful day.

For further details and bookings, visit bravecrab.co.uk.

Rare water voles return to River Thame after decades

Zoe Gater

February 27, 2026March 2, 2026

Rare water voles, celebrated in Wind In The Willows, have been spotted the River Thame catchment area for the first time in decades.

For the first time in decades, water voles have been confirmed living in the River Thame catchment, offering a hopeful boost for one of Britain’s fastest-declining mammals.

Known to generations of readers as Ratty in The Wind in the Willows – written by Henley resident Kenneth Grahame – the real-life return of this much-loved riverside character feels especially poignant locally.

Volunteer monitors from the River Thame Conservation Trust captured video evidence of water voles at two sites – on the River Thame near Chearsley and Chalgrove Brook in Stadhampton– using motion-sensor wildlife cameras, earning a mention on Radio 4’s Today programme.

The discovery marks a milestone in the charity’s long-running monitoring across the catchment.

“It’s a fantastic affirmation of hard work by all the volunteers and landowners,” says Hilary Phillips of the trust. “These findings remind us how vital it is to protect and improve river and floodplain habitats, so we don’t lose any more precious wildlife.”

One of the first clips showed a heron catching water voles, dramatic footage that, while difficult to watch, confirmed their previously undetected presence. Soon after, further video revealed a water vole swimming past a mink monitoring raft, clear evidence that at least one animal is actively using the river system.

Water voles were once common along British waterways but have declined by more than 90% since the 1990s, largely due to habitat loss and predation by invasive American mink.

Since 2023, the trust has been working with BBOWT as part of a landscape-scale mink control programme, funded through Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme.

Conservation experts say the sharp drop in mink detection is encouraging and may be giving water voles the breathing space they need to recover.

The rediscovery signals renewed hope that these charismatic mammals could once again become a familiar sight.

Find out more at riverthame.org.

Enjoy an uplifting evening of sacred choral music from one of the region’s leading chamber choirs

Zoe Gater

February 26, 2026February 26, 2026

Wooburn Singers invite you to enjoy their spring concert at All Saints’ Church in Maidenhead, this March 2026.

The Wooburn Singers Spring Concert 2026 promises an uplifting evening of sacred choral music on Saturday 28 March 2026 at All Saints’ Church in Maidenhead, beginning at 7.30pm.

As one of south Buckinghamshire’s leading chamber choirs, Wooburn Singers bring together about 50 dedicated voices for concerts that span a wide range of repertoire, from early music to contemporary works, often with rich orchestral collaboration and guest soloists.

Founded in 1967 by the late Richard Hickox, Wooburn Singers have built a strong reputation for musical excellence and community engagement in the Chilterns and Thames Valley.

Known for performing both large choral masterpieces and more intimate works, the choir rehearses in Beaconsfield and regularly presents concerts across the region.

The Spring Concert is a highlight of their season and typically showcases music that moves and inspires. In previous seasons this has included stunning sacred repertoire alongside instrumental pieces.

The choir’s performances are notable for their expressive depth, technical precision and heartfelt engagement with both performers and audiences. Whether you are a long–time supporter of choral music or new to the genre, this concert offers an opportunity to experience uplifting music in the beautiful setting of All Saints’ Church.

Tickets are available direct from Wooburn Singers and on the door, offering a welcoming evening of live music that brings the community together in harmony. For full concert details and future dates, visit the Wooburn Singers website.

Tickets: £22 in advance; £25 on the door; under 18s free
available via TicketSource, 07739 184 258, from members, or on the door – if not sold out beforehand.

For more information, visit wooburnsingers.org.uk.

A third Fearless Girls Club has launched in Surrey’s Knaphill

Zoe Gater

February 26, 2026

Helping young girls gain self-belief and resilience that lasts into adulthood, a third Fearless Girls Club has opened in Knaphill.

More young girls will “have smiles on their faces” with the addition of another Fearless Girls Club, thanks to two local mums.

Adding to the provision in Chobham and Sunninghill run by Elle Wilks and Kate Cooper, girls aged 8-12 are given the tools to be “unapologetically themselves”.

Through a unique curriculum of Club Quests – fun, research-based activities that help girls embrace their boldness and learn to know and love who they are – they become ‘fearless’.

Quest areas include Knowing Myself, Leadership, Being Bold, Resilience, Speaking Up, Critical Thinking, Mind & Body, Friendships and Digital World.

Sessions are supported by older girls from local secondary schools called Quest Leaders, who volunteer their time to role model fearlessness and leadership to club members.

Since launching the first of the not-for-profit clubs in January 2025, demand has soared, with waiting lists and grateful parents praising the ethos and the effect it has had on their daughters.

Elle said: “Fearless Girls Club gives them space to explore who they are, to ask questions, take up space and learn to feel proud of themselves.

“We’re helping them build the kind of self-belief and resilience that lasts into adulthood, so when life gets tough, they know how to handle it. Club is a place where they can learn to be and love themselves, and know they’re not alone.”

The club meets at Knaphill Methodist Church Hall on Tuesday, from 5.30pm to 7pm.

To book, visit fearlessgirlsclub.co.uk/bookings.

To join the club or to find out more, please visit www.fearlessgirlsclub.co.uk or email clubhouse@fearlessgirlsclub.co.uk.

Discover fascinating Living History Festivals at West Horsley Place in 2026

Zoe Gater

February 26, 2026February 26, 2026

Travel through the years at West Horsley Place and experience living history, fabulous events and much more.

West Horsley Place invites you to step back through centuries of history this year with four living history festivals.

Lose yourself (or not, hopefully) in an immersive escape-room-style experience in Escape The Manor on Thursday 2 April 2026, solving clues and uncovering the hidden secrets of the past before time runs out. Fans of Ghosts can get spooked on a BBC Ghosts inspired guided tour on Tuesday 7 April – with multiple additional dates available – exploring the real Button House.

Put your best foot forward and have your dance card at the ready for the Starlit Soirée: Regency Ball on Friday 10 April. And Historians Day on Sunday 12 April will feature talks from Simon Jenkins, Gareth Russell and Daisy Dunn.

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A post shared by West Horsley Place (@westhorsleyplace)

The deep dive into our culture, heritage and nature continues with Regency Revels on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April, where you can mingle with costumed re-enactors, enjoy music and dancing, talks, crafts and family-friendly activities bringing the early 19th century to life.

Fans of the great outdoors can discover the estate during Bluebells and Badgers: Nature Day on Sunday 26 April, with guided walks and seasonal talks celebrating the natural world.

Following the popularity of their guided tours, including Nooks & Crannies Tours and Filming Favourites, West Horsley Place has introduced a brand-new guided experience for 2026: Tudor Traces.

This small-group tour invites visitors to explore the Manor House through a focused journey into its Tudor history, uncovering stories of royal connections, Tudor architecture and the lives lived within its walls during one of the most fascinating periods of the house’s past. Available to book on various dates — check the website for details.

Explore your creative side throughout the year with a range of hands-on workshops: try soap-making, discover Stories the House Could Tell at a creative writing workshop, join a Medicinal Plant and Foraging Walk, create moss-covered hanging houseplants in a Kokedama workshop, or try your hand at Art Deco pottery and Japanese bookbinding.

Later in the year, the living history celebrations continue with Hosting Henry VIII Tudor Festival in July, Saxon Saga Fire Festival in October and Crewe’s Christmas towards the end of November.

The Grade I listed medieval manor house and estate dates from 1425, and the West Horsley Place Trust aims to bring the house, gardens, 400-acre estate and outbuildings back into good repair to improve wellbeing through culture, heritage and nature.

For full details on all the events at the house and to book please visit westhorsleyplace.org.

‘We are stronger together’ – how one Surrey charity is supporting children facing mental health challenges

Zoe Gater

February 26, 2026

The Bee-lieve Foundation is supporting children in north west Surrey facing mental health challenges – and Laura Butler tells us more about its work.

The nation is facing a growing mental health crisis, with young people among the hardest hit.

Over half a million children and young people are currently on waiting lists for support, often struggling long before help becomes available.

Launched in July 2020, Bee-lieve Foundation is a registered UK charity dedicated to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of young people and their families.

The charity’s work is rooted in prevention, early intervention, and the belief that strong, connected communities can make a lasting difference.

Their vision: A future where children and young people are empowered to achieve positive emotional well-being and mental health.

Their mission: To educate and empower young people with the knowledge, skills and strategies they need to navigate today’s world with resilience and confidence, helping to prevent difficulties from escalating and enabling them to thrive, not just survive.

Bee-lieve works closely with schools, clubs, parents and professional partners to deliver teaching programmes, whole-staff training, early-intervention therapies and workshops.

By breaking down barriers and challenging stigma through open conversation, they help ensure young people feel confident seeking support when they need it most.

One of their most important initiatives is ‘Make a Difference for Molly’, a flagship programme for 2026.

Created in memory of Molly, a much-loved young woman who tragically took her own life in 2023, aged just 21, the project is at the heart of everything they do.

“Molly was funny, kind and creative, lighting up every room she entered, yet she struggled with her mental health for many years. Her legacy drives our determination to ensure other families don’t face the same heartbreak.”

‘The Molly Project’ brings schools, families and communities together to create safe, supportive spaces where young people feel seen, heard and valued.

The pilot programme across Woking and northwest Surrey is already supporting over 450 school staff and more than 4,000 young people and their families.

As a not-for-profit organisation, their work relies entirely on the generosity of the wider community. Donations of any size make a real difference.

In 2026, Bee-lieve will once again take part in the Woking Lions Martian Race on June 21st – to run for Team Bee-lieve sign up at: go.wokinglions.org.uk/bee-lieve.

“Bee-lieve isn’t just a name, it’s our story, our symbol and our promise to future generations.”

Find out more at beelievefoundation.co.uk

Farnham Literary Festival brings 60+ unmissable events to Surrey

Zoe Gater

February 25, 2026February 25, 2026

As spring arrives in Surrey, Farnham Literary Festival 2026 is ready to unfold.

Farnham’s fifth annual Literary Festival, coordinated by Farnham Town Council, is a vibrant celebration of literature in all its forms with over 60 events programmed across a dozen venues in 11 days.

From Thursday 5 to Sunday 15 March 2026, the festival welcomes you to immerse yourself in the world of books, novels, spoken word, theatre, film, illustration and creative writing.

Storytelling remains at the heart of the festival. Journalist and broadcaster Reeta Chakrabarti discusses her debut novel, Finding Belle, with former BBC Arts correspondent Rebecca Jones. Younger readers can embark on an interactive quest with Alexander Armstrong, host of BBC One’s Pointless, as he introduces Evenfall: The Tempest Stone, his epic second children’s book. Expect an evening of romance and dance as Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse shares insights into her debut novel as she reflects on her writing journey and explores the fiery allure of Latin ballroom.

Thriller fans can look forward to a standout panel as Ruth Ware, author of The Woman in Cabin 10 (now a major Netflix adaptation), joins international bestselling authors Ava Glass and Elly Griffiths to explore what draws them to such dark, twisting plots. Audiences can also join three leading voices in historical fiction, Matthew Sweet, S.J. Parris and Anna Mazzola, as they discuss why the genre continues to captivate readers.

Aspiring writers can take advantage of a varied selection of workshops, from crafting chilling ghost stories to exploring poetry of heritage and identity and sessions that demystify the publishing industry.

Beyond the page, the Museum of Farnham unveils Farnham’s Literary Landscapes, a new exhibition honouring the town’s contribution to literature and illustration and a groundbreaking Tate Britain exhibition adds a cultural highlight with a screening of Exhibition on Screen: Turner & Constable, marking the 250th anniversary of both artists’ births.

The festival welcomes major political heavyweights, with Lord Heseltine, Sir Jeremy Hunt and Sir Vince Cable, each offering their perspectives on Britain’s past, present and future.

BBC Antiques Roadshow presenter Steven Moore is bringing his trademark charm to Farnham and local authors will be celebrated at a special event hosted by Farnham Library.

A major addition for 2026 is the introduction of Farnham Film Festival, organised in partnership with the University for the Creative Art, and is set to feature a series of film-based events including an unmissable appearance from Merlin Crossingham, BAFTA‑winning Art Director at Aardman Animations, the studio behind Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.

Visit www.farnhamliteraryfestival.co.uk for full details and keep up to date on festival news by following @farnhamlitfest on Instagram and Facebook.

Bestselling Farnham spy novelist Ava Glass releases new book

Zoe Gater

February 25, 2026February 25, 2026

Written by Farnham spy novelist, Ava Glass’s new book, The Hiding Season, promises to have you on the edge of your seat.

“She’s seen too much. Now nowhere is safe.” Got you hooked? Find out more in the latest spy thriller from ‘insider’ Ava Glass.

Ava has sold more than two million copies of her books about the world of female spies based on her firsthand experiences having worked in British intelligence for almost a decade.

Dubbed the “female heir to James Bond” by James Patterson and “the Queen of spy fiction” by The Guardian, this fourth novel explores the damage spies do to those who accidentally cross their path.

The Hiding Season follows an ordinary woman running for her life after she witnesses the murder of one of America’s most powerful senators.

Escaping from a broken marriage, Maya Landry moves to the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, working at an exclusive private ski resort in the off-season. Her new quiet life is going well until she stumbles across a dead body.

She races down the mountain to get help but when she returns with the police, the body is gone and no-one believes her. A call later from an FBI agent tells her that if she doesn’t leave the state tonight, she’ll be dead by morning. But can she trust those she thinks are helping her?

Ava (not her real name) worked with MI6, MI5 and the FBI, has signed the official secrets act, been befriended, vetted and duped by spies, seen everything from the real Bond Girls – Britain’s brigade of female spies, participated in terrorist simulations on British soil where the British Government blow up more buildings than a Mission Impossible film so spies can practice for the real thing; and has some brilliant stories to share from the secret spy nod, secret spy doors, to why not to tussle with a spy in public.

Prior to working with MI5 and MI6, Glass had a career as a crime reporter in the USA covering murders and kidnappings alongside the FBI and has written for the New York Times and Reuters. Ava also frequently appears on BBC Radio 4 and Sky News covering the latest spy stories.

The Hiding Season follows her successful Emma Makepeace series, which included The Chase, The Trap, and her critically acclaimed 2023 thriller The Traitor, which was a Grazia Book of the Month, a Washington Post Book of the Year, a Cosmopolitan Book of the Year and a Richard and Judy Book Club pick.

Film rights to The Chase and The Traitor series have been acquired.

How one Buckinghamshire charity is helping those facing redundancy

Zoe Gater

February 24, 2026February 24, 2026

After the shock of redundancy, Bucks charity Careers Springboard could help with the next step in your career.

For many senior managers in their late 40s and 50s, being made redundant can make them feel like the rug has been pulled from under their feet.

Alongside the financial impact, losing a long-held role can very often trigger a sense of uncertainty about your career path, your professional identity, and what comes next.

IT professional Paul Christopher knows this experience all too well.

“Redundancy is no picnic,” he says. “With its financial and professional impact, it has been one of the toughest periods of my life.”

Like many experienced managers, he initially returned to familiar methods – updating an old CV and applying for roles the way he had years before. Progress was slow, and doubt began to creep in.

Living locally, Paul was aware of Careers Springboard, a Bucks-based charity supporting jobseekers across the Home Counties. Initially sceptical, he eventually attended a weekly Zoom introduction session.

“Immediately, it was helpful to speak with other people facing similar challenges,” he says. “The session gave me a clear perspective on how to present myself professionally and think strategically about my next move.”

Working one-to-one with a volunteer adviser, Paul not only refined his CV but also learned how to position himself for senior roles and focus on the kind of opportunity that would advance his career.

Beyond practical advice, Careers Springboards structured webinars and networking sessions gave him clarity and reassurance about his direction.

The results were clear. After months of slow progress, Paul landed multiple interviews and two job offers in one week.

“Careers Springboard helped me move forward and secure the role that was the next step in my career,” he says.

Careers Springboard is run by highly qualified volunteers and offers free career coaching, CV development, mock interviews, LinkedIn guidance and networking opportunities, both virtual and face-to-face.

Senior managers facing redundancy don’t have to navigate it alone.

To find out more, please visit careersspringboard.org.uk

Discover the stories behind Britain’s gardens with historian Advolly Richmond

Zoe Gater

February 24, 2026March 3, 2026

Whether you are a seasoned gardener, a history enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys the quiet beauty of a well-tended landscape, this event offers a window into the fascinating intersections of plants, people and society.

Gardens are more than greenery; they are stories written in soil, plants and human hands – and this March 2026, Aylesbury will host a unique opportunity to explore this when plant, garden and social historian Advolly Richmond presents ‘A Quick Introduction to the Plants and People that Influenced Garden History’ at Aylesbury Methodist Church.

From the introduction of exotic species to the evolution of Britain’s garden styles, the plants we nurture and the people who champion them have shaped the landscapes we cherish today.

And on Saturday 14 March 2026 from 2.30pm, Advolly Richmond invites audiences to travel through centuries of garden history, uncovering the individuals whose curiosity, creativity and daring changed the face of gardens forever.

Each plant has a story, each garden a lineage, and each style a reflection of society’s tastes, ambitions and ideas.

Based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Advolly brings a wealth of expertise to this talk. She is a Fellow of the Linnean Society, a Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Champion, and lectures on garden history at the University of Oxford’s Department for Continuing Education.

Her work spans from the social and cultural history of Italian Renaissance gardens to the life and legacy of plant collectors and gardeners who introduced remarkable species to British soil.

Advolly also produces The Garden History Podcast, presents features for BBC Gardeners’ World, and is the author of A Short History of Flowers: The Stories That Make Our Gardens, published in March 2024.

This talk is designed for anyone who has ever paused to admire a garden, wondered about the plants within it, or considered the people who brought those spaces to life.

By understanding the history of gardens, Advolly argues, we gain the knowledge needed to preserve them, ensuring that our parks, cemeteries, historic landscapes and private gardens continue to inspire and nurture future generations.

Tickets are available through Ticketsource, costing £10 for members, £12.50 for non-members.

Concessions apply to members of the Gardens Trust and affiliated county trusts.

Doors open at 2pm for refreshments, and the talk starts promptly at 2.30pm.

Limited blue badge parking is available upon request.

For more information or to book tickets, visit https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/buckinghamshire-gardens-trust.

Designed for anyone affected by cancer, Brave Crab & Friends 2026 is a thoughtfully curated wellness festival in Wokingham featuring leading oncology specialists and restorative wellbeing sessions to help you feel informed, supported and empowered.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Rare water voles, celebrated in Wind In The Willows, have been spotted the River Thame catchment area for the first time in decades.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Wooburn Singers invite you to enjoy their spring concert at All Saints’ Church in Maidenhead, this March 2026.

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Helping young girls gain self-belief and resilience that lasts into adulthood, a third Fearless Girls Club has opened in Knaphill.

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Travel through the years at West Horsley Place and experience living history, fabulous events and much more.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

The Bee-lieve Foundation is supporting children in north west Surrey facing mental health challenges – and Laura Butler tells us more about its work.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

As spring arrives in Surrey, Farnham Literary Festival 2026 is ready to unfold.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Written by Farnham spy novelist, Ava Glass’s new book, The Hiding Season, promises to have you on the edge of your seat.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

After the shock of redundancy, Bucks charity Careers Springboard could help with the next step in your career.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Whether you are a seasoned gardener, a history enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys the quiet beauty of a well-tended landscape, this event offers a window into the fascinating intersections of plants, people and society.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox