‘No Reading, no Amazon’s!’

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Liz Nicholls asks Matt Thomson, frontman of homegrown heroes The Amazons about local life and music ahead of their hotly anticipated performance at Reading Festival…

Q. We’re loving the new album, Future Dust! Is this your best work so far? “I certainly think so. I think this record is a big step forward in us realising who we are as a band.”

Q. And what’s your favourite track to play live? “We’re having a lot of fun playing our new single Doubt It. We’ve started to jam a song called In My Time of Dying at the end. I heard it first through Led Zeppelin’s version on Physical Graffiti. Then I traced it back to Bob Dylan’s first record and then from there back to Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed, a traditional gospel tune first recorded by Blind Willie Johnson in the 1920s. It’s fun to reflect what we’ve been listening to directly into the live show.”

Q. Well done on continuing to fly the flag for Reading! Is Reading Festival still the iconic live gig for you, as when we last chatted? “I’ve said many times before: No Reading, No Amazons! It’s the biggest event for us this summer that’s for sure. Reading is a very quiet place.. but for three days a year the carnival comes to town and injects the place with colour and excitement. I cannot overstate how influential the festival has been, especially during our formative years.”

Q. How much have you been in Berkshire over the last year & any great nights out? Purple Turtle etc?! “We DJed at the Turtle after our Reading show last month, that was a lot of fun. We truthfully don’t get to come back a lot. You realise through touring the world is big and it’s there for taking. We’ve had our time at home and that’s OK.”

Q. Are there any other local bands you’d love to show some love to/ recommend our readers follow? “I’ve seen Valeras are doing great things at the moment, especially in Europe. I see the Keep Cats pop up all the time too. Plenty of bands coming through, it’ll be interesting to see how it looks in the next couple years…”

Q. Can you tell us more about your love for Howlin’ Wolf & other influences on this new album? “We were really introduced to Wolf and a lot of other blues artists through the bands we first loved, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin etc… We love rock ‘n’ roll and I think when you love something, you want to work out where it came from, what makes it tick, why we’re doing what we’re doing in 2019. We fell down a bit of a rabbit hole and discovered a lot of raw, rich, complex characters. The likes of Little Richard, Muddy Waters, Jerry Lee Lewis. You don’t really get those kind of characters any more and I’ve been interested in why that is.”

Q. August serves our food & drink special so… What are your fave snacks & tipples when on tour? I know everyone asks this but what’s on your rider?! Has it changed? “Our rider is in a state of constant flux. Our drummer Joe is big into his wine so top of the list is good local wine. We like a bit of bourbon and tequila to back that up. Nuts and fruit for snacks. We try to get the promoter to provide some local delicacies, especially in Europe and beyond so you usually get fun cheeses or strange sweets.”

Q. Where are your favourite pubs & restaurants in the county? “I used to work at The Pot Kiln in Yattendon, lovely pub. We’ve always enjoyed Milk in Reading town centre too. We’ve been regulars at the Oakford Social Club for the best part of seven-plus years.”

Q. Go on, tell us what dreams you have & future ambitions on the horizon? Any dream will do! “In terms of Reading, we’re always trying to dream up bigger and bigger shows. Events that can bring the town together. Our show at the Hexagon was a lot of fun and of course the place has a lot of memories attached for everyone. We’re definitely looking at something bigger for possibly next year. Beyond that we’ve just released Future Dust so it’s now about taking it around the world and seeing where we end up.”

Amazons

The Amazons will play the Radio One stage at Reading on the Sunday; www.readingfestival.com. For Amazons news, see their website and follow @theamazons

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Windsor Castle

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Windsor Castle voted one of the nation’s favourite landmarks 

If you’re still in need of things to do in the summer holidays then how about a visit to Windsor Castle? 

The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world has just been named as one of the nation’s favourite landmarks. 

The new study by photo printing specialists CEWE has revealed the top landmarks to visit with the list being topped by Stonehenge. 

Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, Windsor Castle has been the home of 39 monarchs. Work is currently under way to transform the experience of visiting the castle with changes being made to include a café in the original medieval Undercroft, reinstating the Inner Hall and revealing the view of the Long walk to the public for the first time.  

Well worth a visit and if you’re travelling further afield this summer then how about visiting some of the other locations in the top 20? 

The top 20 UK landmarks to visit were voted as:

  1. Stonehenge, Wiltshire

  2. Buckingham Palace, London

  3. White cliffs of Dover

  4. Tower of London

  5. St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall

  6. Tower Bridge

  7. Lake Windermere, Cumbria

  8. The Jurassic Coast, Dorset

  9. Edinburgh Castle

  10. York Minster

  11. The Houses of Parliament

  12. Windsor Castle, Berkshire

  13. Loch Ness, Inverness-shire

  14. St Paul’s Cathedral

  15. The Needles, Isle of White

  16. London Eye

  17. Mount Snowdon, Gwynedd

  18. Lindisfarne, Northumberland

  19. Ben Nevis

  20. Bath’s Roman Baths, Somerset

Clare Moreton, digital marketing director at CEWE, said: “The Uk is spoilt for choice when it comes to beauty spots and this really comes across with our research, from the stunning York bars walls to Windsor Castle and further afield, there’s so much choice and beautiful scenery that the UK has to offer. The hard bit is choosing where to visit first.” 

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Gardening: August

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Many of you will be heading off on hols this month, but with a little bit of planning the garden can still be looking good when you get back.

For those staying at home there’s still plenty to enjoy and get on with in the garden this month. Enjoy these last few weeks of summer.

– Take cuttings of tender perennials such as pelargoniums and penstemons for flowering next year

– Keep watering, feeding and deadheading (I know I say this every month, but it’s so important)

– If we have drought conditions like last year, don’t be tempted to plant anything new until temperatures drop

– To keep rambling roses flowering and under control, thin out one in three of the oldest stems, tie in new shoots and shorten sideshoots by two thirds

– If you’re going away move pots into a shady spot and have a serious dead-heading session before you go. Ask a reliable neighbour to water whilst you’re away, particularly if it’s warm and dry

– An irrigation system on a timer is also  an effective way to keep plants watered in your absence

In the kitchen garden:

• Cordon tomatoes should be ‘stopped’ when they set four trusses outdoors, or six trusses if they’re in the greenhouse – remove the tip of the main stem two leaves above the uppermost truss so that the plant focuses its energy on fruit rather than foliage

• Plant out well rooted strawberry runners in new beds

• Cut out the old canes of summer-fruiting raspberries after fruiting, and tie in new ones

• Lift onions and shallots and dry them off before storing

• Pick herbs regularly to keep the plants productive

• Plant kale and leeks to harvest over the winter

Plants adding a splash of colour to the borders this month:

o Crocosmia ‘Paul’s Best Yellow’
o Echinops ritro ‘Veitch’s Blue’
o Gaura lindheimeri ‘Chiffon’
o Geum ‘Scarlet Tempest’
o Hydrangea aborescens ‘Annabelle’

  Call Hannah Fraser, Bloom Gardens on 07768 041929 or visit Bloom Gardens website

If you're out and about this month with children in tow

these gardens offer something for the whole family:

• Kew Gardens, London – an exciting new children’s garden opened recently, pre-booking online essential

• RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey – fabulous gardens for the grown-ups, trail and fun activities based on the Very Hungry Caterpillar for the kids

• Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey, Hants – a tree house, wooden assault course and pond dipping sessions throughout the summer, not forgetting the Centenary border which should be at it’s best around now

• Waterperry Gardens, Wheatley, Oxon – gorgeous borders and fun family trails

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Kidd pro quo

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Model, racing driver, TV presenter & pub landlady Jodie Kidd, 40, tells us about life, local treasures and her foodie favourites

Q. How are you enjoying being a landlady, of the Half Moon in Kirdford? “I absolutely love it. It’s rewarding but an incredibly tough industry. The local pub is a very important part of rural life. That what the main reason I bought my pub; I’ve seen too many villages lose their pub and them turn into houses. It’s such a great loss for the community.”

Q. You’re on the Big Feastival bill this year; are you excited? “I can’t wait! Combining food and music is such a great thing and what Alex [James] is doing amazing. Raymond Blanc is going to be there. He’s always been a massive inspiration, not only for his amazing cuisine but also because of Le Manoir with its gardens; I’ve based the Half Moon, on a very small scale, on this ‘plot to plate’ model.”

Q. Where else do you enjoy eating out or a drink? “There are some really beautiful pubs along the river in Putney.”

Q. When did your love of horses start? “My love of horses started from my family who have always had horses. I grew up on a stud farm in Surrey. My father was an international showjumper and polo player, my brother is a polo player and my sister is a dressage rider. So, it’s in the blood!”

Q. Have you always been a foodie? “I was never really a foodie. It only changed when I did MasterChef and I understood the beauty of food rather than just fuel. It changed my whole outlook.”

Q. What are your favourite ingredients? “Anything grown in the pub garden and used as a herb or in a dish will evoke huge happiness in me.”

Q. Are you working harder now than ever? “It’s a very tough industry with business rates, beer tax and other things like that. The margins are small. But if you’ve got the right people around you, you can do it and it’s very different from modelling and sports! I’m running a team now instead of doing things by myself; that’s been the real difference!”

Q. Is there anything you don’t eat? And couldn’t live without? “I don’t eat Brussels sprouts and I have an obsession with wine!”

Q. What do you drive? “A BMW I8 Roadster & X5.”

Q. What’s your favourite book, film, piece of music and artist? “Shantaram [by Gregory David Roberts], The Shawshank Redemption, The Pearl Fishers Duet and Picasso.”

Big Feastival:

Jodie Kidd is one of the stars at The Big Feastival in Kingham, Oxfordshire, 23rd-25th August. See below for tickets & details.

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Homegrown heroes

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We raise a toast to the many local producers, foodies and restaurateurs across our readership patch wowing the world with their food & drink offerings

“We understand all too well that snails are not your typical everyday dish. Perhaps we should have played it safe and reared pigs, cows, or chickens..? But we never do things by halves!” So say Victoria and Penelope Stibbs of their eco-friendly snail farm Chiltern L’Escargots. Their mission began in 2017 in a three-bed terraced house in south Bucks with just a handful of snails and an idea. “We’re beaming with pride at what we’ve already achieved in just 18 months,” says Victoria. “We truly believe there’s a gap in the food market for escargots. Don’t believe us? Just ask Heston Blumenthal, whose signature dish, Snail Porridge, at his multi-Michelin starred restaurant, The Fat Duck, is considered to be one of the most exquisite dishes in the world. People nowadays don’t just want food; they want their dish to have a great back story. We whole-heartedly encourage chefs, caterers, or inquisitive individuals to come and visit, and to see how we harvest and breed 250,000 snails. If you’ve never seen a snail farm, trust us, it is worth a visit!” Visit www.chilternescargots.com or call 07733 421499.

The future’s orange… if inspiring young baker Kitty Tait is anything to go by. The 15-year-old Watlington foodie is an Instagram sensation after launching The Real Orange Bakery with her dad, who are spreading foodie joy baking bread, pastries and the occasional cake or two. “Our goal is to get people enjoying authentic and genuine bread,” says Kitty, “which is why our loaves contain just four ingredients; flour, water, yeast and salt.” Visit www.theorangebakery.org and follow @therealorangebakery

Do you love your ale local and your welcome warm? Check out KEG Craft Beer near Bourne End (SL8 5QN) which has a tasting bar and an ever-changing stock of beers to sup on. Follow @kegbythethames on Twitter for updates.

Using grapes lovingly grown on their chalky, flinty Marlow vineyard, the Harrow & Hope team are making waves, winning plaudits from wine experts. The family team offer tasting tours to sample the sparking wines produced using traditional methods and the precious fruit from these relatively young vines. Visit www.harrowandhope.com

Looking for inspiration? Feast your eyes on the gorgeous recipes and creations by Marlow foodie Louise Hurst. For Nordic Kitchen culinary adventures visit www.nordickitchenstories.co.uk and follow @nordickitchenstories on Instagram.

And we also raise a toast to the community heroes behind Rebellion Beer Company, based at Bencombe Farm in Marlow Bottom, SL7 3LT.

This area is also in good spirits thanks to Chalgrove Artisan Distillery which uses juniper berries, coriander seed, angelica root, cardamon and black peppercorns, honed in an alembic copper still, to create their OX44 Gin; visit www.chalgroveartisandistillery.com. Local “gintrepreneurs” Camilla Brown and Liz Beswick’s Collagin; visit www.collagin.co.uk

A passion for beer, a respect for the community and a disregard for convention… no not just the values of the team here at Round & About but the mission statement of the team behind the founders of West Berkshire Brewery. Since 1995 the team have been working hard to produce sustainable beer and their taproom and kitchen in Yattendon (RG18 0XT) is well worth a visit or brewery tour. Their newest pub, The Grapes in Oxford’s George Street, is a cosy refit of an 1820 inn serving up ales from 13 keg taps and seven cask lines. Visit www.wbbrew.com and www.grapesoxford.co.uk

There’s always something going on in or around the Lovibonds tasting room in Henley’s Market Place. Pioneers in the UK craft beer movement, the team have been brewing award-winning American style craft beer since 2005. Visit www.lovibonds.com for more information and events.

Fellow foodies, are you looking for a different summer dining experience? Running since 2012 the Lavender Hen Supper Club in Virginia Water provides a unique experience. You can dine in the idyllic summerhouse and take your own wine (no corkage charge). For August dates onwards, visit www.thelavenderhen.co.uk

Woking’s Danielle Bekker is co-founder and head brewer for Good Living Brewing whose binary botanical ale has won plaudits from industry experts and is stocked by Ocado and local shops. “We set out to create a new style of beer to appeal to wine-lovers and people who think they don’t like beer,” she says. “After months of development we’ve crafted a sophisticated lighter beer which is perfect with food and a great low-alcohol cocktail mixer.” Most beers use hop cones, but binary botanical is infused with organic leaves from Sovereign and First Gold hop bines (the name for the hop plant’s stems). Binary botanical is lower in alcohol and calories than wine, and is vegan and gluten and sugar-free. To find out more, visit www.binarybotanical.com and follow @binarybotanical

Also flying the flag for local tipples of the highest quality, Distillers of Surrey is a Ripley-based distillery whose solstice and nautical edition gins, alongside the team’s award-winning aromatic edition, you can sample at Woking Food & Drink Festival this month. You can also try tipples from Vineyards of the Surrey Hills a new collaboration between Albury, Denbies, Greyfriars, High Clandon and Chilworth Manor. This group of picturesque vineyards produce outstanding wines including sparkling, still white, rosé and sumptuous sweet wine. www.distillersofsurrey.co.uk

Thanks to its gorgeous terroir on the Hog’s Back in Puttenham, the Greyfriars Vineyard team produce award-winning English sparkling wines. Want to try some? The team arrange tours and tastings; visit www.greyfriarsvineyard.co.uk

Drawn by a common passion for craft distilling, a group of friends came together to form Silent Pool, producing handcrafted, artisan spirits of uncompromising quality on the Albury Estate. For tours, tastings and products, visit www.silentpooldistillers.com .

If you love beer, check out Frensham Brewery’s taproom; a beer lover’s labour of love near Farnham; www.craftbrews.uk

Parents, do you ever wish your children, especially teenage ones, would take more of an interest in cooking? Well, if you go down to the woods today (on the Priory Farm estate in Nutfield, to be precise), you’re in for a big surprise… Surrounded by the crackle and pop of fires, teenagers and children enjoy a masterclass in outdoor cookery thanks to a partnership between The Salt Box and Surrey Art School. Throughout August & September you can book in to drop off your six-11-year-olds for a workshop to master the basic steps of fire lighting to learning how to manage your fires, at these hands-on classes guests will learn to make a collection of dishes in a relaxed and informative environment, surrounded by the crackle and pop of fires. All of the dishes covered are designed to be cooked over an open fire, but are equally as achievable as in a conventional kitchen at home. Visit www.wearethesaltbox.co.uk

Two Hoots Cheese is a small family business based in Barkham producing award-winning handmade blue cheese,
made in the traditional way with pasteurised cow and ewe milk. Husband-and-wife team Sandy and Andy Rose have been making cheese since 2003, recently been joined by their daughter Nia. Their most popular, Barkham Blue, has won many prizes. www.twohootscheese.co.uk

Reading-based Mortimer Chocolate Company produces award-winning chocolate and cocoa powders for drinks, cooking and fondues (mmmm!). There’s a café where you can indulge in their delicious products, made with the best raw ingredients, and great recipes too – visit www.mortimerchocolate.co.uk

 

The King Stone Dairy team, based in Little Rollright near Chipping Norton, produce two farmhouse cheeses using milk from 30 cows. Rollright is a washed rind soft cheese, banded in spruce bark, and Evenlode is a washed rind semi-soft cheese. You can try both and meet the team at The Big Feastival later this month. Visit www.kingstonedairy.com

Wallingford’s Brightwell Vineyard produces white, rosé, red and sparkling wines which frequently win medals in regional, national and international competitions as well as one of the first English brandies. Visit www.brightwellvineyard.co.uk

Oxfordshire is also in good spirits thanks to Chalgrove Artisan Distillery which uses juniper berries, coriander seed, angelica root, cardamon and black peppercorns, honed in an alembic copper still, to create their OX44 Gin; visit www.chalgroveartisandistillery.com. Local “gintrepreneurs” Camilla Brown and Liz Beswick’s Collagin; visit www.collagin.co.uk. Toad in Oxford craft artisan spirits from their “still on the hill” in Headington.  Book in for a behind-the-scenes tour to see the grain-to-glass process. Visit www.spiritoftoad.com

Developed to deliver a sophisticated taste “which allows the fruit to be the shining stars”, The Wiltshire Liqueur Company’s products are a joy to behold. This small, family-run Marlborough-based company concoct their stunning range right here in Wiltshire which are then enjoyed throughout the UK and as far away as Japan and the Arctic Circle. In March 2014 Theo Paphitis added his support by choosing the company for a Small Business Sunday Award. Visit www.wiltshireliqueur.com to find out more!

Marshalls Bakery in Pewsey was founded in about 1870 by Charles Marshall. Charles is believed to have started out making bread for himself but it soon became popular with friends and he decided to open a bakery. Today the bakery and is run by fourth generation baker Richard Marshall along with his dad John. Producing a wide range of bread, cakes and confectionery, try local favourites such as lardy cake or healthy products such as honey and spelt bread. Pop into the bakery at 36 North Street, SN9 5EX, or visit www.marshallsbakery.co.uk. A Wiltshire speciality worth trying, by the way, is the Marlborough Bun.

Want to unleash your creative side? Try a cookery course at Woodspeen Cookery School; offering a wide range of courses www.thewoodspeen.com

Hobbs House Bakery was established in the 1920s and is a true family business with five generations (the sixth is rising to the challenge now!) of baking experience. When Tom and Henry Herbert aren’t at the frontline of the bakery you may see these Fabulous Baker Brothers on television or at events, including The Big Feastival later this month. These brothers have been bringing the ultimate bread and meat combinations to you since 2012. “We believe handmade bread should be available to everyone,” they say. At their bakery in Chipping Sodbury the expert team produce an exceptional range of high quality breads, pastries and confectionery. Visit www.hobbshousebakery.co.uk to find out about courses, recipes and the Sourdough Nation!

Founded in 1902, Bibury Trout Farm is one of England’s oldest working trout farms set in this historic village (GL7 5NL). Fresh trout is available to buy from the farm all year and the team can supply whole, filleted or smoked brown or rainbow trout. The catch-your-own fishery lets beginners and children catch their fishy supper or get hooked on a new hobby. The terrace cafe is open daily serving treats for all tastes, including vegetarian and gluten-free dishes available. Visit
www.biburytroutfarm.co.uk or call 01285 740215 or 01285 740212.

Set in the heart of the North Wiltshire Wessex Downs area of outstanding natural beauty, Ramsbury Estates are bisected by the River Kennet, a classic chalk stream which rises a few miles west of Marlborough and joins the Thames at Woolhampton. The spirit distillery and brewery are well worth a visit and the pub, The Bell, won AA pub of the year in 2017. Visit www.ramsburyestates.co.uk

Christian Alba’s Traditional Butchers in Hungerford High Street, RG17, 0DN, is a meat-lover’s dream (trust us, we’ve tried his homemade sausages). Christian is a proud believer of supporting the English farmer as well as the highest standards in animal welfare. He sells free-range pork and lamb, beef and chickens.” The butcher’s shop is open Tuesdays to Fridays, 8am to 5pm and Saturdays, 8am to 3pm. Call the shop on 01488 680970.

Upton Smokery Shop near Burford (OX18 4LY) is a foodie Mecca. Grab a free coffee while you browse the fine selection of smoked and cured meats, game, fish, seasonal vegetables, garlic and more, or shop online; www.uptonsmokery.co.uk

Made by Bob bistro & deli, in the heart of Cirencester, was established in 2008 and has won plaudits from customers and the Michelin Guide for its great food and service (it also won a Bib Gourmand). www.foodmadebybob.com

Beer fans are spoilt for choice here in the Cotswolds thanks to a wealth of refreshing local tipple producers. North Cotswold Brewery is a family-run craft brewery on the Fosseway a few miles outside Moreton in Marsh, established in 1999. For tours and more, visit www.northcotswoldbrewery.co.uk. For tours, tastings and hearty ales, also check out Wychwood Brewery (www.wychwood.co.uk), Cirencester’s Corinium Ales (www.coriniumales.co.uk) and Chipping Norton’s Hook Norton Brewery – www.hooky.co.uk

Distilling delicious blends since 2014, Cotswolds Distillery is the home of artisanal single malt whiskey, gins and liqueurs, and offers a tour to discover how these tasty local spirits are crafted. Visit www.cotswoldsdistillery.com

Learn about artisan bread making, nose-to-tail butchery and ferments to eat and drink by enrolling on a course at The Cookery School at Daylesford on its thoroughly idyllic 2,350-acre organic farm. www.daylesford.com

Working exclusively with local and independent producers, the team behind Lynwood & Co are great community ambassadors. They’ve won a loyal following, supplementing their original Lechlade café with two more in Fairford and Burford. Their breakfasts, by the way, are truly legendary! Visit www.lynwoodandco.com

Cake expectations

Just as Parisians often claim they’ve never climbed the Eiffel Tower and Londoners never seem to find the time to visit the Houses of Parliament, many of us just don’t get around to visiting Blenheim Palace as often as we’d like, despite it being so close. Well, foodies, this summer is the perfect opportunity! Not only are the gardens in full bloom, Searcys has launched a stunning new afternoon menu, with all the classics and a few curve balls. Within the wonderful settings of the palace, the Orangery by Searcys is the perfect spot to enjoy treats by much-loved chocolatier William Curley (the youngest pastry chef ever to work at The Savoy Hotel) has devised the menu.

Savouries include finger sandwiches with tasty fillings like smoked salmon and Coronation chicken, as well as a courgette and ricotta tart. These are followed by light and fluffy buttermilk scones, and then a glorious selection of individual afternoon teacakes. Highlights include pistachio and raspberry financiers, chocolate Sachertorte (inspired by the original Viennese recipe), lemon and earl grey macarons and a vintage revival black forest tart. The showstopper is the cake table, a Roald Dahl fantasy with a vast array of beautifully crafted cakes like chocolate & cherry, lemon drizzle and chestnut and rum. If you really want to feel like Marie Antoinette, you can pair your afternoon tea with Laurent-Perrier’s Harmony Champagne, chosen by William to match his creations.

While you’re there, have a wander around the 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland and Formal Gardens, home of the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. Visit www.searcys.co.uk

Summer is here:

As ever, we’re hungry for your recommendations of great places to eat and drink as well as tempting local titbits.

We’re always excited to bring you our food & drink special and celebrate the people who work in this unremitting industry… Our cover star Jodie Kidd confirms this: she’s found her previous jobs in the fast-paced modelling and sports worlds are nothing compared to being a pub landlady.. but she’s loving every minute and we applaud her!

So, does your local deserve a toast? Is there a restaurant or farm shop near you that deserves recognition? We want to help celebrate the best food & drink pioneers and grafters out there, fuelled by you.

Vote here

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Talking Point: Will Young

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Eat Food Festival

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eat Food Festival

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Children’s Hospice Week

Round & About

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Show you care during Children’s Hospice Week

There are 49,000 children in the UK living with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition and that number is growing.

Today (Monday 17th) marks the start of Children’s Hospice Week which is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for children’s hospice and palliative care services across the UK.

The theme of this year’s campaign is Moments That Matter focussing on services and ways in which families create special memories and moments in their lives.

Moments That Matter can be anything from the first family swim to a more poignant time when a hospice has helped.

There are 54 children’s hospices in the UK all providing vital care and support to families at the toughest times, providing help to meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of children, young people and their families.

There are various ways you can help support their work and raise money – hold a sweepstake using the Flutter Buy Sweepstake sheet or hold a fundraiser. Why not try a ‘give it up’ challenge, use the fundraising recipe card for ideas and once you’ve decided what to do, spread the word using the empty belly poster.

Hospices across our areas – Helen & Douglas House, Oxford; Alexander Devine, Maidenhead; Christopher’s, Guildford; Naomi House & Jacksplace, Winchester and Julia’s House, Devizes – are doing vital work 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

  Show your support by going to Together for short lives

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Independent Bookshop Week

Karen Neville

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It’s Independent Bookshop Week – read all about it! 

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!”

To use a classic quote from a classic author (and one of my favourites)

To use a classic quote from a classic author (and one of my favourites) “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!”

Jane Austen’s line from Pride and Prejudice will have been encountered by millions of readers all around the world since she wrote it more than 200 years ago and never is it truer than today as Independent Bookshop Week starts today (15th).

Events, celebrations, reading groups, storytelling, author signings and literary lunches are all part of the week encouraging you to support your local store.

There are so many independent bookshops across our area there really is no excuse not to visit one, many are getting fully involved in Independent Bookshop Week with a variety of events.

One of these joining in is Mostly Books in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. It is hosting a variety of events from 15th to 22nd June starting with a party and author takeover. Kim Sherwood will be talking about Testament on 18th; debut author Joanna Glen will be sharing her experiences on 19th, best-selling author Ben Aaronovitch will be signing copies of the Rivers of London series on 20th and Katherine Rundell will talk to Lucy Manghan about why we should be reading more children’s books. For details of all these events visit Mostly Books

Check out your local indie and see what they’ve got going on and fall in love with reading and books.

  To find out more visit Indie Bookshop Week

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Talking Point: George Clarke

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Home truths: Liz Nicholls asks architect, dad and TV star George Clarke, 47 about life & loves ahead of hosting Blenheim Flower Show this month

Q. What one piece of advice would you give to anyone looking to improve their home?
“Make it very personal and beautiful. I see so many homes that just look like any other and most are simply attempts to copy an interior design magazine. There is such a large number of bland global styles out there that sometimes I can hardly tell which country the house is actually situated. Of course, they are beautifully designed, but that’s it: they are a designed objects often devoid of personal charm or character. I get bored of that. Your home is like an extended member of your family, unique and personal and its design should reflect that. Make it about you and the people around you… not about what’s popular.”

Q. I know you love shopping – what’s your weakness?
“I love cameras. I’ve taken photographs since I bought my first camera at 14 years old (a second-hand SLR Chinon from a shop in Sunderland which is still there). I now have a bit of a camera collection. My favourite camera is my Leica CL. It’s a compact camera and it goes everywhere with me. I know there are great camera phones out there these days but taking a photograph with a beautiful camera that has an amazing lens on it feels completely different. I don’t keep a written diary, but I take photographs as a visual diary and they say a picture says a thousand words.”

Q. Do you know Oxfordshire?
“I love Oxfordshire. It’s a fantastic escape from London. And Oxford itself is the most wonderful city. My favourite place to visit is the Augustus Pitt Rivers museum. What an incredible collector he was. Oh… and a small part of me wishes I’d gone to Oxford University. I didn’t apply because I didn’t think I’d get in.”

Q. Please tell us your favourite aspects of your home in Notting Hill – it sounds amazing! And what are your fave hang-outs/ pubs/ walks in SW London?
“I love my home. It actually a 1960s modernist house that I’ve fully refurbished. It’s not a big house, but it has everything I need. My garden studio has to be my favourite part of it. It’s my escape. I’m never happier than when I’m in that space… whether working, reading, sketching or watching the tv. It contains most of my books on architecture and design as well as many architectural models of beautiful buildings from around the world. My studio goes some way to proving that even the simplest and smallest of structures can be truly life changing. I love living in west London because it has such a creative buzz. There are some truly amazing people living there. I’m within a short walk of Portobello Road market and Golbourne Road. Porto, the infamous Portuguese cafe, is my favourite place for a coffee and breakfast. My favourite pub is The Cow. Ive being going there since I moved to London in 1996. It always reminds me of the pub in Cheers because everyone knows everyone and no matter who you are, or what you do, everyone treats everyone exactly the same. “You want to go where everybody knows your name”. The Cow is an institution.

Q. Do you consider yourself healthy? Is there anything you eat / don’t eat?
“I’m pretty healthy, but I don’t exercise anywhere near the amount I’d like to. There is always an excuse for not keeping fit, but my schedule doesn’t lend itself to a regular routine. Very early starts and late finishes when filming and travelling so much isn’t great. Everyday I’m on a plane or a long train journey. I think I’m the only person I know who gets fitter, healthier and slimmer when on holiday. I exercise every day and eat a lot of salad and fish when on holiday. I never eat sweets, cake or milk chocolate because I basically don’t like them, which people find very weird. I’m lucky as I don’t have a sweet tooth at all.”

Q. What advice would you give to any budding musicians?
“I’m always jealous of anyone who has put in the hard work and education to learn how to play an instrument beautifully. I gave too much time to architecture, design and sport to learn an instrument properly. But beautiful music has the power to move you more than architecture does. Architecture has brought me to tears a number of times, but not as much as music has. I’m not qualified to give any musician any advice other than carry on what you’re doing and enjoy every moment making beautiful sounds. Everyone should listen to Delilah Montagu. She’s a 20-year-old singer songwriter from London. She’s at the very beginning of an exciting adventure in music. A super talent.”

Q. What’s on your horizon?
“I want to go to Alaska. It’s at the very top of my bucket list.”

Q. What’s your favourite book, artist and film and piece of music?
“Master & Margarita by Mikhaial Bulgakov. Turner’s my favourite artist. I’m a sucker for any James Bond film; Spectre is up there. I never thought Daniel Craig would ever be my favourite Bond but he’s there now. He’s brilliant.”

Q …And piece of music?
“Here Comes the Sun by George Harrison. Simplicity and beauty personified.”

Q. Who would be your dream party guests, living or dead, real or fictional?
“George Best, Will Alsop (architect), David Attenborough, Elvis, Pink, Charlize Theron, James Bond (Daniel Craig) and my wife Katie. It would be a great night!”

Q. What’s the best lesson parenthood has taught you?
“Firstly, that parenthood is the greatest thing on earth… nothing else matters once you have kids… secondly that love is completely unconditional.”

Q. What are your three favourite buildings in Britain, do you think, and why?
“That’s a tough first question! I have too many favourites. I think my first would be Durham cathedral. I went there for the first rime when I was 8 years old and I couldn’t believe that something so beautiful and so big could be built over 1000 years ago. I’m not a religious person (my only religion is that everyone on the planet should be kind to each other) but I love beautiful, peaceful spaces and Durham was building I would spend hours in, enjoying the peace and tranquillity and doing a few sketches along the way. Durham was the building that made me fall in love with architecture.

Second would be Sir John Shane’s house in Lincoln’s-in-Fields…one of the most incredible homes in the world. When Soane joined the 3 existing houses together and refurbished them in the 19th century they must have been a magical wonder like no other. My third should be my own home…as your own home is the most important piece of architecture in your life. But I can’t have a top three and not choose an Edwin Lutyens house. I’d go for Goddards in Surrey. It is owned by the Landmark Trust and I’m a very proud patron. I was lucky enough to stay at Goddards in 2002 and it blew me away. The beauty and craftsmanship of the arts and crafts movement, leading into the Edwardian age, is one of my favourite periods of architecture. Lutyens is my favourite British architect and Gertrude Jekyll my favourite garden designer. Their collaboration at Lindisfarne in Northumberland would be my next favourite……see that’s five favourites…not three! I told you it’s too tough a first question”

Q. What would you wish for if you had a magic wand to change the world?
I’d reverse climate change so that everything we did made a positive contribution to the environment rather than a detrimental one. I genuinely worry everyday about the impact we are having on Mother Nature. If we don’t get our act together soon we are really going to screw things up…if we haven’t already. Everyone knows what is going on, but it’s going to require a massive change in the way the way we live on this planet for us to sort it out. That’s a depressing end to a nice interview. Sorry!”

  Read more of our Star Q&A’s

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