Go nuts for PeCAN’s tree project

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Karen Neville

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Get your trees for Petersfield Climate Action Network’s Fruit Tree in Every Garden project

Petersfield Climate Action Network’s project encouraging people to plant fruit trees in their garden is back for a fifth year and the first round of orders is open now!

Over the last four years PeCAN has distributed nearly 2,000 fruit trees for gardens across East Hampshire as part of its Fruit Tree in Every Garden scheme.

This year choose from apple, pear, plum, greengage, cherry, apricot and filbert (cobnut). There is a limited stock of each variety – so get in quick to secure your top choice! Each fruit tree costs just £12.50 and comes with a stake and instructions on how to plant. These trees usually cost between £25-£35, but thanks to East Hampshire District Council (this project has received funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund) you can buy them at a heavily subsidised price.

On Saturday 22nd February you will be able to collect your fruit trees from collection points in Alton, Liphook, Petersfield and Rowlands Castle. At Petersfield Community Garden you will also benefit from free expert advice, workshops on how to plant, train and prune your tree, and activities for the whole family – at a Festival of Trees. You can select your preferred pick-up point when you place your order and PeCAN request that you please order a maximum of five fruit trees per household.

Trees provide nesting places and materials, food sources and cover for wildlife – so by planting a tree in your garden you can have a positive impact on local populations and increase our collective resilience in the face of climate change.   

To order your subsidised fruit trees (before Thursday, 6th February or until stocks last), go to: petersfieldcan.org/projects/trees   

Petersfield Climate Action Network (PeCAN) is an environmental charity, set up in 2020 by local residents. PeCAN’s aims are to reduce carbon emissions in Petersfield and the surrounding villages, mitigate the effects of climate change on the natural environment, and increase biodiversity, which they do by leading and supporting decarbonisation and nature projects in the community.   

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King’s award for Farnham Repair Café

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Karen Neville

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Farnham Repair Café has been honoured for the difference it is making to the community with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Founded in 2015 and gaining charity status in 2017, Farnham Repair Cafe has grown into a vital resource for people seeking to repair broken or faulty items, reducing waste and saving money.  

It repairs household objects including electricals such as irons and kettles, mechanical items, furniture, laptops, bikes, clocks, clothing and textiles.  

The café, which operates monthly at The Spire Church, has welcomed almost 6,000 product owners and successfully repaired more than 2,600 items. Repairing the products has diverted over seven tonnes of waste from landfill, avoided over 68 tonnes of carbon emissions and saved residents an estimated £220,000 in replacement costs.  

Everything FRC does is done by volunteers, from repairs to running the welcome desk, to marketing, fundraising, strategy and everything in between. The current team of volunteers contributes an estimated 2,220 hours a year. The repairers have an amazing set of skills and relish the challenge of some of the trickier items that come in for repair. Between them they have decades of experience in electrical and mechanical engineering, software development, making clothes and furniture and much more.  

Professor Martin Charter, Founder and Chair of FRC, thanked the volunteers’ unwavering commitment. “Our volunteers are the heart and soul of this initiative,” he said. “Their passion for repair not only helps individuals save money but also contributes to the larger goal of reducing CO2 emissions and combating the throwaway culture. We are thrilled to have received this recognition.” 

Clive Handy, long-time volunteer said: “I joined FRC shortly after it started and after I had retired as a jet engineer. For me, the best part is when you’ve fixed a product and you feel the gratitude of the owner and the sense of achievement that something has been saved from landfill. The camaraderie with my ‘fellow fixers’, many of whom have become friends over the years, is also important to me.” 

Satisfied ‘customer’ Mike Baker praised the “excellent service from FRC repairers” he has enjoyed on several occasions including a complicated hi-fi cassette player, adding: “Both me and my daughter were incredibly grateful to FRC textiles team who have brought back to life a teddy bear and Basil Brush.” 

FRC also supports the wider repair movement, welcoming groups from other towns who are setting up their own cafés, to share how they operate as well as initiating a knowledge sharing network of over 20 local repair cafés called the Greater Surrey Repair Café Network. With support from UCA, to help demonstrate its impact, FRC developed its website – frc.cfsd.org.uk – and a repair carbon calculator that is used by more than 100 repair cafés worldwide. 

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Pia Gill’s burnt peach design inspo

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Pia Gill, who is a local mum, graphic designer & founder of burnt peach design, tells us what she loves about Bucks life

Graphic artist, mum and self-proclaimed type addict Pia Gill cites her boys as inspiration for her creative portraits & gifts collection. 

After decades in the design and advertising world, Pia couldn’t find affordable wall art that suited her style…“That’s when I had my ‘aha’ moment and created burnt peach design,” she says. “My daily inspiration and exhaustion comes from my boys. They sparked the Little Peach Portraits collection. What began as a few portraits transformed into thousands of unique pieces sold worldwide. As the business expanded from my kitchen table, my customers grew from friends to celebrities. Soon, the portraits were featured in magazines and on popular gift guides. 

“As time went on, I decided to revisit my typography obsession (which started back in university!), and expanded my wall art offerings. Enter My Type Of…, a massive collection of designs that includes bold statement prints, graphic tees, cosy sweatshirts, cards, and so soon to me much more. My friends and family always joke that if you say a good quote in my presence, there’s a chance I’ll jot it down and turn it into something!” 

Pia, who lives in Haddenham with her boys aged nine and 10 and their cockapoo Lola, grew up in Chearsley. A freelance designer creating branding and logo design for businesses, Pia loves Bucks life, setting up burnt peach design after leaving London 12 years ago. “Our little Lola thinks she’s human!” she adds. “She always gets the best seat on the sofa! Our favourite walk is Haddenham to Dinton, ending in the Seven Stars Pub. We love lots of walks in the Chilterns, normally ending in a pub! 

“I’m a charity shop fanatic, so I love Thame, Haddenham, Princess Risborough and Marlow; all have fantastic charity shops where you can find amazing treasures. I love nothing more than a good rummage! My home is an eclectic mix of modern and vintage, as as my wardrobe.  

“As for food & drink, Cabin in Haddenham is run by my husband who’s an award-winning chef. We also love Arbequina in Oxford as well as the Magdalen Arms in Oxford.  

“I’m studying interior design and have slowly done up our bungalow over the years to make it a cosy home. I love sitting in our courtyard with a glass of wine! What I love most about this area is it’s so nostalgic from growing up here. I love being surrounded by the countryside. 

“The clothing has been selling really well at burnt peach so that’s something that I’m expanding. Still the focus is the artwork, customisable portraits and prints to create meaningful statement pieces for the home. I’m always coming up with new print ideas!”  

Pia has supported several children’s charities, including The Honey Pot Children’s Charity and Solving Kids’ Cancer and Pia sponsors a room at Centrepoint, providing shelter and hope for vulnerable youths facing homelessness.  

Visit Burnt Peach – burnt peach.

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Beauty is more than skin deep

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Tess Corcoran followed her dream to train in beauty and, after a spell at Champneys, is loving welcoming clients at White Sage in her home village of Princes Risborough

Home is where the heart is for Tess Corcoran who, at the tender age of 22, has a laser-like vision for the TLC her customers deserve.  

Tess, an alumna of Longwick School and Lord Bills, took on a hotel apprenticeship in London, then followed her passion in health and beauty, retraining with Champneys, before working at The Oxfordshire and Susannah Nicholas as a therapist, finally buying the salon from Sue. “It’s always been a dream to have my own salon and now I am living that dream!” says Tess. “It’s lovely to welcome clients for pampering in a calming atmosphere. We’re surrounded by the beautiful countryside. My lovely springer spaniel called Misty is 11 and full of life. We love going for walks through the Chiltern hills. My favourite local pet food brand is Tribal, based in Bledlow Ridge. 

“Another favourite local business is Godwins Bakery in Princes Risborough; fresh food served daily and wonderful staff! I also love Fullers Flowers for wonderful bouquets and displays. My favourite restaurant is Radhuni: the best Indian restaurant in Princes Risborough! They serve fantastic, high-quality food and have a great atmosphere with welcoming and friendly staff.” 

Please visit White Sage Health & Beauty Princes Risborough

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Twelve wild days of Christmas

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Fox © Jon Hawkins

Karen Neville

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12 Days Wild is the festive challenge by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife (BBOWT), from 25th December to 5th January.

Are you up for the challenge of doing one wild thing every day or night…?

Sign up at 12 Days Wild (2024) | Berks Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust and you’ll receive daily inspirational emails packed with fun ideas to help you embrace winter walks in nature or the magic of night-time star gazing – to lift your mood and much more!

Illustration © Corinne Welch

You could:

• Track animals by looking for footprints in the mud or snow
• Go star gazing on a clear night
• Go winter wildlife watching on a walk at a nature reserve
• Or even volunteer at a nature reserve – nature will appreciate it
• Make a New Year’s resolution to help nature. What will you do in 2025?

BBC TV presenter and Wildlife Trust Vice President Iolo Williams, says: “From dawn to dusk, winter wildlife is busy all around us. Otters are always up early and if you see a trail of bubbles in the water, you’ll know they’ve spotted you first. Night-hunting barn owls venture out on cold winter days to find extra food and will woosh past you in the winter sun. Then, at dusk, starlings gather in the sky forming ever-shifting shapes and patterns known as murmurations. There are so many wildlife adventures to be had during 12 Days Wild – I hope you enjoy them.”

Liz Shearer, Community Engagement Director at BBOWT says: “To mark 12 Day Wild this year I’ll be pledging to connect with nature for at least 10 minutes every day. Whether it be a walk amongst the winter trees, watching birds in a tree across a cold and frosty park, or noticing the clouds on a bright day, I often find that stepping outside and taking a moment to connect with wildlife is a powerful way to recharge my batteries. 12 Days Wild is a great opportunity to create some space for yourself, which at this time of year can feel like a real gift.

“Committing to something manageable will make it even more enjoyable. Observe how weather changes the landscapes and check in with yourself – how do you feel within them? Noticing our own relationship with the natural world is the first step to taking action to safeguard it. So, I encourage you to stop for a moment, listen, and see what wild means to you.”

Spending time in nature – night or day – is proven to help people feel happier and healthier. A Wildlife Trusts’ survey found that participants of the 30 Days Wild summer challenge felt 56% more connected to nature after taking part, and that it boosted the health of participants by an average of 30%.*

There’s more information on the challenge at: 12 Days Wild | The Wildlife Trusts

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Metroland magic with Simon Pollock book

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Author Simon Pollock tells us about the bits of Bucks & beyond that inspired his book, I Love Suburbia: The Joys of Life on London’s Outskirts

Suburbia used to have a bad name (especially if you were a teenager looking for fun). But Simon Pollock’s book I Love Suburbia, celebrating iconic landmarks on the fringes of the Tube map has proved one of the year’s runaway hits. Daisy May Cooper calls it: “Brilliant. A glorious celebration that will leave a big smile on your face.”

From stations that wouldn’t be out of place in Miami Beach to cinemas converted to mega churches, I Love Suburbia brings to life the joys outside Zone 1. Simon, creator of Instagram’s @LondonSuburbia, has revisited simpler days in the suburbs to discover the pioneering interwar architects who brought modernism to Britain, and delight in the elegance of Art Deco buildings given a new lease of life. Filled with stories of the people who live, work and play in the outskirts of London, this full-colour book over 200 original photos is an exploration of the capital’s overlooked everyday treasures.

“Without any Green Belt in place, London’s suburbs were expanding almost unchecked in the 1930s,” says Simon. “New railways and trunk roads were being built all around the city and, along the newly placed commuter routes, huge estates of semi-detached cottages sprang up. Nowhere was more famous for this rapid growth than Metroland, a vast area of rural villages and towns of northwest of London, heading from places like Wembley and Harrow and spreading outwards towards Buckinghamshire. Although the Metropolitan railway reached as far as Aylesbury back then, the sprawling suburbs never really made it much beyond Uxbridge before the war slowed everything down and gave the powers that be the chance to draw up the plans for the Green Belt, stopping the march of the semi just before the borders of Buckinghamshire.

“That’s not to say that Bucks is without its own interwar architectural gems. Indeed one of the buildings that inspired some of the coolest art deco houses in London’s suburbs sits high on a hill in Amersham. Built way back in 1931, the High And Over is considered one of the most important modernist homes in Britain with its white walls, flat roofs, sun decks and sweeping spiral staircases. Just down the road are the Sun Houses, a group of smaller modernist homes that are no less beautiful to look at.

“But to me, if you want the ultimate 1930s experience then you can’t beat an afternoon out at Bekonscot model village in Beaconsfield. Started in the 1920s in Roland Callingham’s back garden it grew to become one of the quaintest tourist attractions in the South East. Frozen in time and reflecting life in Britain just before the war you can find everything there, from tiny figures playing village cricket surrounded by thatched houses to pastiches of ultra modern buildings of the day, such as the Hoover Factory, Charles Holden’s tube stations and even a tiny art deco Odeon.

“Of course the Metropolitan Line is still there, even though it now only gets as far as Amersham, but it’s well worth taking a trip deep into Metroland.”

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Sleeping Beauty panto in Gerrards Cross

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Take the family to GXCA (AKA the Memorial Centre), SL9 7AD, to enjoy Sleeping Beauty on Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd of December, in aid of a great cause!

Giggles the Jester & friends invite you to enjoy this magical tale retold by The Panto Company in an amazing touring production.

King Humphrey and Queen Bea are so delighted at the birth of their daughter Aurora that they throw the biggest party the kingdom has ever seen! However, when they forget to invite the land’s most powerful sorceress, Vestra, their happiness soon turns sour.

Vestra casts a spell on the baby, proclaiming that, upon her 18th birthday, she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die. The spell is so strong that the comical Fairy Nuff’s only salvation is her spell to reduce its power by declaring that Aurora will fall asleep for 100 years. But how will she be woken?

“We are so excited to be performing again at the amazing GXCA in Gerrards Cross this year with our version of Sleeping Beauty,” says director Darren Mills. “Panto is a great time for all the family to get together and enjoy a great laugh, a superb sing-along and get wrapped into the love and adventure of the tale that is Sleeping Beauty!

“The show is suitable for everyone from the age of three to 93, and everyone can take part in booing at the evil Vestra and cheer the Prince into finding our sleeping Aurora.”

Shows are at 11am & 3pm. Tickets are £16pp, children £12pp, with under-twos free and family tickets £50, and all proceeds to the GXCA charity. Book at Community Events l Venue Hire l GXCA or you can call 01753 883759.

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Film in memory of loved ones

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Film-makers David & Debra Rixon invite you to watch Footloose in Iceland in aid of hospice charities on Thursday, 12th December, in memory of much-missed daughter Zoe & David’s first wife Alison

Zoe Rixon followed in her father’s footsteps, enjoying a career with the BBC. So, while local film-makers David & Debra have been coming to terms with losing her, a film fundraiser for her, & also her late mother, seemed especially fitting.

Debra and Dave have made more than 30 travel films for Amazon Prime. Both widowed with two daughters and a son between them, they married in their 40s and formed Grindelwald Productions to make their own productions after David’s retirement.

This year they made the film Footloose in Iceland in the aftermath of the loss of daughter Zoe at the age of 44, from bowel cancer. Debra says: “We decided to show the new film in Zoe’s memory as she died one year ago. But also it will mark the 30th anniversary of the passing of David’s first wife Alison at the age of 40, from breast cancer.

“The Risborough Brushwood Suite feels like the perfect place to premiere the film to friends, neighbours and locals; Dave was born and bred in the town. “Zoe, along with her sister Emma, went to Brownies and roller skating in the community centre in Princes Risborough. Later she followed her father into the BBC to carve out her own career in broadcasting.”

Footloose in Iceland is dedicated to the memory of Zoe and Alison. The screening at 7pm on Thursday, 12th December, will raise funds for the Rennie Grove cancer nurses who looked after Alison at home and supported the family, and the Meadow House Hospice team at Ealing Hospital, who cared for Zoe so personally. Debra adds: “Dave and the family lost Alison in 1994, and the Rennie Grove nurses were a tremendous support. We support both charities throughout the year, but thought we could use our latest film as a fundraiser – it will also help promote this new(ish) venue in our home town, Princes Risborough!”

The two-hour film will be shown at 7pm on Thursday, 12th December, in the Brushwood Suite of the Community Centre at Wades Park, HP27 9AX, with an intermission to visit the bar. Tickets £5pp, cash only, from the Crew Cafe at the community centre, and on the door on the night, with all proceeds to charity.

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Have a ball to help youngsters

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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The Marlborough Guild’s 2025 Charity Ball on 25th January at Marlborough Town Hall will benefit Julia’s House and Bridge for Young People.

The 2025 Charity Ball welcomes all community members for an enjoyable evening featuring signature cocktails courtesy of James at The Marlborough Tap, a delicious two-course dinner catered by Rachel at Square Root events, the fantastic live ceilidh band Bowreed and more.

100% of the profits from the event will be split between the two charities. Julia’s House provides essential support to families of children with life-limiting conditions, while Bridge for Young People offers safe housing and guidance to young adults facing homelessness or transitioning out of foster care, helping them build a more stable future.

“We are delighted to host this event for Julia’s House and Bridge for Young People,” said Jenny Quinlan, founder of The Marlborough Guild and Design Director of Studio JQ Ltd. “Both charities have a huge impact in the lives of children and young adults and we’re hopeful that our community will join us in showing their support.”

Tickets for the event, 6.30pm – midnight are £55pp or £495 for a table of ten. Further info at The 2025 Charity Ball Tickets, Sat, Jan 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM | Eventbrite.

Ticket booking: email [email protected] or call 01672 560236.

Businesses interested in sponsoring or supporting the event are encouraged to contact the organiser for details: email [email protected] or call 
01672 560236. 

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Join Ben’s hike to support veterans

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Ben Scurr is stepping up to help the military charity Walking With The Wounded to raise funds for veterans and their families. Could you join him?

An Oxfordshire wellbeing and physical fitness business specialising in outdoor fitness and adventures, led by local man Ben Scurr, is taking part in the Walking Home Campaign this winter to raise funds for veterans and their families.

The initiative aims to raise funds to support WWTW’s vital mental health, employment, and social care services for veterans. Project Active will host walks on 1st December and 1st January and invites anyone in the local community to join them.

Ben says: “My grandparents served in World War Two, and other family members have been in military service over the years, so I’ve always had the utmost respect and gratitude for those who dedicate themselves to something greater than them. I was keen to pursue a career in the military myself, but unfortunately due to an injury that dream was not realised, so I instead embarked on an alternative path, which led me to become an Outdoor Fitness and Neuro-Linguistic Programming coach, and I now operate Project Active. Project Active is all about helping people relaunch and rediscover themselves through both mental and physical approaches, and our mission aligns perfectly with the work of Walking With The Wounded, so signing up to Walking Home felt like a natural step.

“We’re organising two walks that we invite people to join us for, one on the 1st December and one on 1st January, both in Woodstock. We are really proud to be supporting this cause, so we hope to get as many people as possible joining us and donating to Walking With The Wounded.”

The Walking Home campaign was launched by former Army Reservist and presenter of the BBC’s Escape to the Country, Jules Hudson. Jules took part in a sponsored walk at Monmouth Castle where his former regiment, the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers, is stationed. Alongside him were local cadets from Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force and Monmouth School Combined Cadet Force.

Latest research commissioned by WWTW shows six out of 10 veterans at least sometimes experience feelings of loneliness, a 10% increase on the same statistic for the general public. As daylight hours decrease during winter, it’s common for feelings of loneliness to increase, meaning now is the time to show support for our veterans.

As well as combating loneliness, this year’s motto of Let’s Talk looks to encourage conversations about mental health more widely. The research highlighted outdoor exercise as veterans’ most popular mental health boosting activity, a contrast to the general public which showed socialising with friends and family as its primary mental health booster. Data also showed 90% of veterans agree that the key to improving mental health is spending sufficient time outdoors.

Jules says: “I am immensely proud to be supporting such a worthy fundraising campaign. Veterans are rightly admired for their courage in serving our country yet the mental, physical, and social challenges they face when returning to civilian life can easily be lost on us as the general public.
“By taking part in this year’s Walking Home fundraiser, I hope to inspire as many Brits as possible to follow suit in contributing to the excellent work Walking With The Wounded continues to do for our veterans.”

Tony Hulton, WWTC CEO, added: “The festive season is an ideal time for friends, families, and service members to come together to tackle the winter blues, enjoy the outdoors, and take on a sponsored walk to support those who served. This year’s Walking Home. Let’s Talk campaign encourages everyone to break the silence around mental health and start meaningful conversations. A huge thank you to all who have already signed up for Walking Home. Your support will help transform the lives of veterans and their family members.”

As well as supporting veterans with mental health, physical health, and social support, another key focus is to educate the general public on the often misunderstood struggles veterans’ face post-service. Over half (54%) of the general public feel upholding mental health is the biggest challenge facing veterans when returning to civilian life.

Yet, when asked on whether they feel veterans receive the appropriate level of mental health support, just 21% of the general public agreed, highlighting how this year’s Walking Home fundraising effort is the ideal time to take part in supporting our veterans this winter.

To add to the more than £2 million raised in the past decade of the annual Walking Home fundraisers, 2024’s participants are invited to once again take on a sponsored walk alongside friends, family, or colleagues. There is no minimum distance or fundraising target.

Sign-up today at Walking Home – Lets Talk

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