Local heroes will be honoured at this year’s Old Amersham Christmas Festival, 4-8pm on Friday, 6th December
Old Amersham will once again offer a warm welcome for the new-look Christmas Festival.
Last year’s highlight was a huge success, attracting more than 5,000 visitors. This year is set to shine even bigger and brighter, offering festive family fun and live music from the Amersham Band and the Barbershop Choir while you shop for gifts. Most stores will offer exclusive offers for one-night-only. Browse the carefully curated collection of local traders in Cooper’s Market, and enjoy mulled wine and foodie treats from the local restaurants, cafes and pubs.
Twinkling Christmas lights are set to illuminate the town with the Christmas tree light switch-on at 6pm from a surprise local celebrity guest. Little ones can meet Father Christmas and his “real life” reindeers. A vintage fair with traditional ferris wheel, swing boats, go-carts and roaming stilt walkers add to the enchanting atmosphere, along with face painting, craft, selfies with Rudolf and pig-petting.
Diana Halley, co-owner of Fabric Boutique which will be open late, says: “This fabulous Christmas Festival provides a platform for local artisans and businesses, and it’s also a gathering for the community to support and celebrate their town. A torch light procession with St Mary’s Primary School pupils will parade from the church to the tree for more festive cheer and carol singing.”
Once again ScannAppeal will run the Golden Tombola and offer hot chocolate upstairs in Market Hall.
Organised by the Amersham & Villages Community Board and sponsored by the Clare Foundation, the Proud of Bucks awards celebrate what makes a community thrive and honours volunteers and groups who have gone above and beyond to make a lasting impact on their community.
Present at the ceremony will be the Countess Howe, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Cllr Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, Mimi Harker OBE, Chairman of Buckinghamshire Council and Arif Hussain, Cabinet Member for Communities at Buckinghamshire Council.
Helen Steel, director of Streamlion Consulting, tells us what she loves most about local life
Q. Hi Helen, tell us about yourself! “I’m 57 and company director of Streamlion Consulting. We help start-ups and scale-ups find funding. We are grant application and start-up loan specialists and business consultants so have our clients’ strategies and goals in focus at all times. I have one son, who’s 16, two stepdaughters, and a partner!”
Q. Where do you live? “Cookham. I’ve been here for 23 years and before that, Maidenhead.”
Q. What pets do you have? “A tortoise called Graham, a corn snake called Seth, and Baxter & Greta, two smooth-haired fox terriers, both 10, who love the local walks in Cookham. We have everything here; the river, woods, fields and beautiful wildflowers. The Quarry Woods are nice and cool on a hot day. Big shout-out to young Cookham entrepreneur Josh Mustard who makes dog biscuits: Baxter and Greta are fans!”
Q. What do you most love about where you live? “The location. I love being so close to London but still in the middle of the countryside. I love the beautiful view over Winter Hill and watching the magical sunset over the river.”
Q. What would you change? “The continuous need to develop housing estates on lovely green farmland. And the river water quality – it’s now so polluted we can’t swim in it safely.”
Q. What are your favourite local pubs or restaurants? “Neps Bistro in Cookham which is under new management. I also really enjoy The Old Swan Uppers, The White Oak & Bel and the Dragon in Cookham. There is also a wonderful Japanese restaurant in Maidenhead called Miyazaki which is amazing plus the Vietnamese called Suum in Marlow.”
Q. What about shops? “I love to mooch round the florist Pink & Perfect in Maidenhead and the café Daisy Love in Cookham. I regularly pop into Michele’s in Flat Harry’s cycle shop in Cookham. Plus Flowerland garden centre in Bourne End is a treasure trove of and the Apple Orchard in Wycombe is also worth a mention!”
Q. What are your favourite local hidden secrets? “Cookham Moor was the inspiration for Wind in the Willows and, of course, we have the Stanley Spencer Gallery and beautiful Victorian cottages along Cookham High Street and Cookham Dean. Victoria Cottages were built in 1850 for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee and Cromwell cottage – as the name suggests, where Cromwell stayed over.”
Q. What highlights are you looking forward to next year? “The Gravity Grand Prix is always great fun, held in Crookham Dean in September. I’m also looking forward to the late summer/autumn fairs and harvest celebrations. The local winter markets are also great.”
Q. Are you a member of any local groups? “I’m an avid networker and attend several local groups. I’m also a member of rowing groups.”
Q. If you could make one wish for the world, what would it be? “My one wish for the world would be to remember that everyone is intrinsically good – approach life with a positive outlook. Look for the best in people and you will reap greater life and business rewards.”
Jacob Dixon scales new heights at the brand new Clip & Climb at Eden Shopping Centre
Climbing the walls at home? Looking for somewhere where little high achievers can let off some steam? The new Clip ‘n Climb features 22 challenges and 27 climbing lines tailored to all ages and abilities.
No climbing experience required: newbies are welcome here! Clip ‘n Climb – considered “the Mini Golf of Climbing” – promises fun for everyone in a safe, colourful environment.
The centre at the Eden centre features 22 challenges and 27 climbing lines tailored to all ages and abilities and is one of many upcoming retail and entertainment openings at Eden Shopping Centre.
Our young tester Jacob says he had a great time on the Stairway to Heaven and the epic Drop Slide, both of which are popular in the company’s other centres, including the one in reading run by the same franchisees Chris, Chambers and Jon Robinson.
The centre offers birthday party packages as well as SEN sessions with the friendly, attentive, patient and encouraging staff, with reduced music.
These sessions are a great way to introduce your little one to climbing with safe and fun sessions that will enhance motor skills.
The multi-million-selling British singer songwriter Gary Barlow is the latest act announced for next summer’s Nocturne Live concert series in June
The Take That star will headline the series on Friday, 20th June, alongside a selection of soon-to-be-announced special guests.
As a member and lead songwriter of Take That, one of the biggest British boy bands of all time, Gary Barlow has sold over 45 million records, over eight million concert tickets and won eight BRIT awards. Gary has also enjoyed a hugely successful solo career with three number one singles, six top-ten singles and three number one albums. He is one of the most successful British songwriters in history having written a total of 14 number one singles as well as being a six-time recipient of an Ivor Novello Award.
Gary joins the line-up for next summer’s Nocturne Live series alongside Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft, Lightning Seeds and The Zutons, who perform on Thursday June 19th 2025. More acts for the series will be announced in due course.
Nocturne Live transforms Blenheim Palace’s Great Court into a spectacular 10,000-capacity open-air concert venue and since its inception in 2015 has gone on to become one of the UK’s most popular stately home concert experiences. Over the years the series has presented shows from a host of huge international stars including the likes of Lionel Ritchie, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Nile Rodgers, Lauryn Hill, Noel Gallagher, Gregory Porter, Van Morrison, Tears for Fears, Gladys Knight, Elvis Costello, Simple Minds and Ennio Morricone amongst many others.
Nocturne Live 2025 runs from Wednesday 18th to Sunday June 22nd. Tickets for Gary Barlow start at £54 and go on sale at 9am on Friday November 29th. Pre-sale is available to those signed up to the Nocturne Live mailing list and begins at 9am on Tuesday, 26th November.
Tickets, along with a limited number of VIP packages – which provide an exclusive opportunity to dine in the State Rooms of Blenheim Palace – are available fromnocturnelive.com.
Janey Wall tells us how Sustainable Amersham’s volunteers saved more items from landfill at the last café, which had a joyful animal theme!
Christmas was on some customers’ minds at the recent Amersham Repair Café. Among the first through the door was Sarah Osborne, with a decorative outdoor animated deer which, during the festive season, graces the front of her Amersham home, to the delight of passing schoolchildren.
The deer is a fawn, which used to ‘graze’, moving its head up and down, alongside its ‘grazing’ mother… Well, the fawn still lit up but refused to budge its head. Volunteer repairer Paul found the motor gears were seized up after years of winter weather. The issue was accessing the motor casing, which – being designed for outdoor use – was glued. Paul tried spraying WD40 where he could try to loosen any rust and lubricate seized parts but without success. Fellow repairer John, who, it seemed, had ‘reindeer experience’ was consulted. But the verdict was that a replacement motor was required, which Sarah said she would source, before returning to the Repair Café in January. Alas, Bambi will go hungry this Christmas.
Quite an animal theme developed at the latest Repair Café. One who came in with her owner, Judith, was Molly the ‘choodle’ or a cross between a chihuahua and a miniature poodle. The little dog herself did not require repair. Rather a solution was needed to help Molly travel comfortably in Judith’s rollator walker, when they’re on the move. The issue dogging Molly was the tendency of the compartment lid where she sits – which doubles up as a seat – to shut on her. A simple solution was found: a ribbon attaching the lid to the rollator frame, which can easily be untied.
Another creature needing attention was a ceramic and brass owl with a broken left leg. The bird had long kept watch over Sylvia Lawson’s kitchen from a perch on a shelf, after she picked it up in Mexico decades ago. The owl is a beautiful example of hand-painted Tonala Mexican folk art. Wise owl repairer Judi not only had the leg splinted and glued within minutes, but also gave it a polish. Sylvia’s verdict: “He’s looking a million times better.”
The Sustainable Amersham Repair Café can be a hoot, attracting many repeat customers. It’s free, with a free cuppa and cake while you wait (two items per person). The latest café also featured a popular cable drop; these are full of copper which can be recycled and reused. 22 items were fixed and saved.
The next Amersham Repair Cafe is 10am-1pm on 4th January at St Michael’s in Sycamore Road.
Australian brand R.M.Williams has a stylish new store in Marlow showcasing the brand’s footwear & accessories
Marlow is literally half a world away from the rugged Aussie outback. However, this well-heeled town might well be the perfect stomping ground for R.M.Williams, the heritage footwear, apparel and accessories brand.
Founded 92 years ago, Reginald Murray Williams’ vision was to craft high quality, durable boots and leather goods, built to last in the Australian landscape. Renowned for signature one piece of leather construction, R.M.William’s technique not only enhances the boot’s durability and integrity but also creates a seamless look that’s stylish and functional, at home in the countryside and a busy city office.
“The UK has been part of the R.M.Williams story for many decades,” says Paul Grosmann, the brand’s CEO, “and we’re thrilled that our next chapter of UK investment is spearheaded by the impressive new Marlow opening. Marlow’s heritage and character makes the town an ideal setting for introducing the brand’s handcrafted products to a community who appreciate quality authenticity.”
Located at 46 High Street, the 1,700sq ft store features R.M.Williams’ new retail design concept, first introduced at the brand’s global flagship store in Sydney last December. The new store embraces the skills of local British craftspeople, set against a backdrop of leading-edge retail innovation. In terms of product, the Marlow store will include new season boots, apparel and accessories, a Marine Blue Comfort Craftsman, exclusive to the Marlow store and the brand’s largest women’s offering in the UK.
Among the British craftspeople R.M.Williams has partnered with for the Marlow opening are furniture makers Timberwoolf and Morgan and Rush Matters, the Bedfordshire creator of the Marlow window plinths and in-store risers, woven from British rush, harvested by hand.
R.M.Williams operates two London stores in New Bond Street and Berwick Street, Soho, and sells through 90 wholesale partners nationwide. A second new R.M.Williams store will launch in Cambridge in December in line with the brand’s strategy to target UK towns with a high concentration of consumers who value quality, craft, and timeless heritage.
Pop by the store, open seven days a week, for Christmas shopping!Visit Marlow | R.M.Williams®
Local creative & cover artist Debbie Shrimpton created her first illustration during lockdown. Today, her joyful portraits make heartfelt gifts
For 20 years mother-of-two Debbie Shrimpton worked as a childrenswear fashion designer. After more than a decade with M&S, she’d gone freelance and was comfortably set in her career, working with retailers all over the world. But then the coronavirus hit… “All retailers stopped using freelance designers due to excess stock and an enforced change to their in-house systems,” she recalls.
“During lockdown I was home schooling my children Poppy and Rosie with the added pressure of having no income for us.
“I had to find a way to diversify and generate an income fast. My friend’s birthday was approaching and as I couldn’t choose a gift in a shop I decided to draw her home, pop it in a frame I already had and give her a present saying: ‘Sorry this is the best I could come up with’. My friend was so delighted with her house portrait that she encouraged me to advertise on the local Facebook groups offering house portraits.”
That first Facebook advert in 2020 revealed a market. “Within two weeks I had received 18 orders for house portraits for people I didn’t know,” says Debbie. “This gave me confidence that I had created something people (other than my friends!) wanted to buy.”
Because house portraits were only saleable to one customer, Debbie decided to build a portfolio of Loved Local Landmark illustrations starting with all her favourites. She has an ongoing series of High Street illustrations of beloved market towns, including Amersham, Chesham, Wendover and Great Missenden. “One of my favourite places to illustrate has been the Sunflower Fields near Wigginton,” says Debbie. “This was inspired by visits to the PYO sunflower fields with my children: it’s such a mesmerising, happy sight and I believe I’ve captured this happiness in my illustration. It’s proved to be one of my best-selling illustrations along with the stunning bluebell woods, another of my favourite local scenes.”
Her illustrations can take anything from four hours to several days – and Debbie now has quite a collection. “I have now drawn more than 400 houses, 200 cars and campervans, more than 75 wedding venues, 100+ business premises, 14 aeroplanes, many pubs and 35 Loved Local Landmarks,” she smiles.
“I’ve done many unusual bespoke commissions for customers including a scaffold yard as a memento before demolition, a wild swimming pond, a treasured beach hut, a football ground, a memorable cricket match, an aeroplane flying over a donkey, and even a spot where a customer proposed to capture that memory.
“I’ve been asked to do draw people but have declined as how people look is much more subjective… Buildings, vehicles and landscapes are more straightforward! I sometimes include silhouettes of people with their dogs walking in their favourite locations or pets outside homes but don’t like to draw detailed portraits of faces.”
Thus far about 70% of Debbie’s commissions have been in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire but she continues to grow her portfolio. “This year I bought a Debbie Shrimpton Illustrates branded gazebo and I’ve done numerous markets and shows, including the St Francis Hospice Classic Car Show, Hyde Heath village fete & car show, Ashridge House Garden Party, Redbourn Classic Car Show, Lucky Duck Makers Market, Peterley Manor Farm Christmas market and Chiltern Made, to name just a few.”
The latest string to Debbie’s bow has been hosting illustration workshops in primary schools as a visiting local artist. She has inspired children with her story of resilience and adapting to change and taught step-by-step classes to draw landmarks, encouraging confidence in creativity and giving an example of a career created out of something she loves.
“The positive response I’ve had has been overwhelming. The support from my local community, especially to promote me and commission me has been incredible. But the biggest surprise has been how grateful and complimentary my customers have been. After so many years working in the fast- paced world of fashion, I’m used to working under pressure, to tight deadlines churning out designs without seeing the joy on the customer’s face when they purchase. Meeting my customers has been fantastically rewarding and motivating. The feedback I get is heart-warming. Some of my illustrations have even brought tears to the recipient’s eyes.”
Here’s our choice of family-friendly pantomimes, shows & great days out for Bucks readers
Locals don’t get more vocal than La Voix. So it’s cheering to know that the red-headed Bucks beauty, who first found fame on Britain’s Got Talent, is back to star in the Wycombe Swan pantomime.
“Darlings… Brace yourselves!” says La Voix, who will dazzle alongside Vernon Kay (see our Q&A) in Aladdin, 13th December to 5th January. “I can’t wait to get back on that stage, with stunning costumes, side-splitting comedy, powerhouse vocals… and I’m sure the other cast members will add something to the show too.” Book your tickets at wycombeswan.co.uk
Volunteers have worked hard to craft beautiful scenery, costumes, and props for The Storyteller at Aylesbury’s Queens Park Arts Centre, 13th to 29th December. Expect a mixture of sing-along songs, riotous slapstick & dazzling dances, with affordable tickets and relaxed & BSL shows. queensparkarts.com
Meanwhile, the wonderful Berko Panto will grant your Christmas wishes, with Cinderella 19th to 31st December. Join Cinders in this rags to riches tale of bravery, courage and determination, starring RuPaul’s Drag Race star Veronica Green as The Wicked Baroness and ventriloquist Chris “Krisgar” Garside as Buttons. Berkhamsted’s first ever professional pantomime at the Centenary Theatre will be a real cracker! Please visit berkopanto.co.uk
There’s nothing as heart-warming as seeing excited little faces all lit up. And The Realms of Mystica lantern festival walkat the Dinosaur & Farm Park in Milton Keynes, MK15 0DT, has been earning glowing reviews! There are magical photo points across the trail and dog-friendly nights; visit miltonkeynes.landoflights.co.uk. You can also enjoy a festive family adventure with rides, a Santa’s grotto & gifts up to 23rd December at Gulliver’s Land, MK15 0DT. Visit gulliverslandresort.co.uk
Don coats or brollies for The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, 6th December to 5th January. This family favourite will have you hooked, thanks to an epic water fight and stars Bradley Riches, Andy Collins & Mark Moraghan. aylesburywatersidetheatre.co.uk
The Elgiva Theatre in Chesham is always a treasurebox of family fun. You’d better be quick to book tickets for Aladdin 7th to 13th December. Visit elgiva.comfor more goodies.
Henley’s Kenton Theatre will welcome you for Snow White 14th to 30th December with dazzling costumes, spectacular dance routines, a hilarious script & more; thekenton.org.uk
And Father Christmas will star at the Jack & The Beanstalk Panto Express at Bucks Railway Museum in Quainton; bucksrailcentre.org
The Merry Marlow Christmas Fair on 7th December will offer lots of festive fun, with local artisans selling pottery, cards, Crochet, photos, memory bears, glass art, pebble art and much more!
Looking for unique Christmas presents? A group of creative Marlow crafters have joined forces to create their second craft fair – this one with a Christmas theme – at All Saints Church Hall in The Causeway, SL7 2AA, from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, 7th December.
These include Debs Rayner who has been painting custom artworks for more than 20 years, in a variety of themes, subjects, and landscapes using a glass, ceramic and canvas. You can find out more about her seasonal work at debsglassart.com. John Baughn will showcase his pebble art and you can also enjoy crochet crafted by Sam Sutton.
They’ll be selling quality crafts including fused glass, greeting cards, pottery, preserved and dried flowers, crocheted items, pebble art, environmentally friendly bags, pens, memory bears landscape prints and most importantly, Christmas goodies, as well as lots more.
You’ll also find a charity stand selling items which are specifically raising money for charity. Hot drinks and cakes are on offer too – also being sold in aid of charity.
Spread the word, head along to see what’s on offer and enjoy a cup of tea and slice of cake.
Well done to Amersham A Cappella whose musical members won the gold medal at the recent national competition for the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) in Bournemouth
Musical director Helen Lappert says: “We are thrilled, not only to have scooped the gold medal, but to have scored the highest ever marks in the history of the competition!”
The Amersham women’s chorus, made up of more than 70 members, wowed the judges at the annual National Convention beating 26 other choruses from all around the country.
They sang two bespoke arrangements of iconic Queen songs. An upbeat quirky rendition of Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy and an extremely moving and haunting version of Who Wants to Live Forever.
Returning from Bournemouth the chorus has hit the ground running rehearsing Christmas repertoire, a new song and preparing for corporate workshops and events during the Christmas period.
The chorus are going places and are preparing to head to Denver in USA in July to represent the UK and compete in the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS) International Convention against groups from all around the world.
They are busy fundraising to help get them there and looking for sponsorship from local businesses. Could you help?
You can see them performing locally at Christmas on Sunday 15th December at the Chiltern Lifestyle Centre in Amersham. Keep an eye on their website for tickets and more information.
