North Ascot writer’s book raises funds for children in Ukraine
Can you spot the twist before the twist gets you? That’s the challenge being laid down by Peter Frost and all for a good cause.
Peter who lives in Blackmoor Wood has sponsored an African child for more than 20 years through the charity World Vision.
When the Ukraine war broke out he was contacted by World Vision asking for donations for Ukraine children, which he did but he also had the idea of publishing a book of stories to help contribute further.
Peter says: “The book of stories, Uncle Chris’s Collection of Crafty Short Stories, came about because I was an Innovation Manager at a company where my role was to come up with neat ideas. I’ve used this thinking to think of clever story twists and have created stories around them.
“The stories are all cosy mysteries and are all very different to each other. The aim is for the reader to have a quick read story (10 minutes) where the story has a twist at the end and the reader has to ‘spot the twist before the twist gets you!”
“My thinking was that instead of donating money, people might donate more if they had something for it, so by buying a book we might get more donations.”
He has told World Vision about the book and that it is mentioned in the back of it, and the aim to raise £500 (more if the book does well!) and they are now looking forward to the further support.
The book has just been published and is on Amazon (as paperback, and soon to be Ebook) and is also available from Waterstones.
Sam Brewster, Trinity Henley’s new vicar, shares his thoughts about his journey as he prepares to take over the friendly flock from Duncan Carter
Two things have filled my Decembers the last few years: Jesus and 5ks. The 5ks have been a more recent addition since my brother-in-law introduced me to the concept: run 5k every day in December. Including Christmas Day. Even when you’re a vicar. Which brings me to the first thing that fills my Decembers: Jesus. I’ve recently been appointed as the vicar of Holy Trinity Church Henley. It’s a dream job: filling my hours with a single task – helping people get to know Jesus better. As you can imagine, there are also quite a few nuts and bolts that need attending to, and it’s strikingly easy for vicars like me to lose track of the big thing we’re meant to be all about. But the heart of the job is clear and glorious.
My journey to Christian faith was a somewhat meandering one. Mum and Dad are Christians and did a wonderful job encouraging us all to church, which I and my two siblings generally loved. But like so many things in life, it’s easy to underappreciate what you have always grown up with. It wasn’t till I attended a summer holiday camp run by Christians that I engaged more personally with Jesus. It dawned on me then that Jesus was real, and was calling me personally to follow him. It also stuck me that Jesus was much better than I had previously realised. He wasn’t an unattainable moral example which I should strive, but always fail, to match. He wasn’t a kindly, but slightly disapproving headteacher figure up above. I encountered a Jesus who pulsated with life, and was constantly giving himself out to others in love. I still remember when the penny dropped about his death on the cross. It wasn’t just an inspiring gesture of self-sacrifice. It was an actual sacrifice for me. Jesus died for me. Such was his love that he effectively said: you’re in a mess you can’t get yourself out of; you’ve rejected God and deserve his rejection. But God loves you, and I’m here to lift you out of the mess, and back into a relationship with God. The only way that can happen is if I die for you. So be it.’
Following Jesus is like seeing the world in colour for the first time. Everything makes sense. But it’s no easy path. Jesus called it ‘the narrow way’. There have been plenty of times I’ve nearly fallen off that narrow way. Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t just set us off along it with a ‘good luck – hope to see you at the end!’ Rather, he walks with us every step of the way: Leading us through times of tragedy and sadness, guiding us back on track when we wander away, and gently reminding us of his love through it all.
For me that pathway led me through some years leading youth work at a church in Leicestershire, a call to get ordained in the Church of England, a happy three years at Wycliffe Hall, a vicar college in Oxford, meeting my wife Lucy who was training to be a teacher at the same time. After five happy years working as a curate at St Mary’s Church Maidenhead, we moved to Henley in 2018, with two small children (three and 18 months at the time), and a vision to launch a new Sunday congregation to reach out to the many families in Henley with the good news of Jesus.
Six years on, and it’s been an amazing journey to look back on. We’ve now got four kids (Amelie – nine, Jojo – seven, Barney – four and Esther two!). Our new congregation, Trinity at Four (meeting each Sunday at 4pm) has grown. We now regularly have 70 adults and 50 children Sunday by Sunday. We have fallen in love with Henley – not just the place, but the people. It’s been a wonderful privilege to help lots of people from lots of different starting points get to know Jesus better. It’s been wonderful to see so many children and young people. It’s been amazing to serve the wider community with mid-week baby and toddler groups and after-school clubs.
And now, a new chapter, as Trinity Church’s much loved and long-standing vicar, Duncan retires, and I step into the role. As well as continues to lead our 4pm congregation, I’m now also lead our 10am service and take responsibility for ministry in the parish as a whole. I’m excited to keep doing what I’ve always been most passionate about: helping people get to know Jesus better. I hope that Trinity Church Henley will be a place full of the life and love of Jesus, and where many more people in and around Henley, young and old, can get to know Jesus better themselves. Why not come join us one of these days? We’d love to see you! And now I’d better get on with today’s 5k.
Christmas Services 2024
Sunday, 15th December, 4pm – Community Carols
Sunday, 22nd December, 10am – All Age Carol Service. 7pm – Candlelit Carols
Wednesday, 25th December, 10am – Christmas All Age Celebration
All services will be held at Holy Trinity Church, RG9 1SE. No booking required.
Follow the Star 2024
Take a magical journey through the first Christmas story. An interactive, immersive experience for the whole family, 13th-14th December. Book your free place today at Christmas 2024 | Trinity at Four.
From Saturday, 30th November, until Christmas, children can transform their old teddies into new ones at Eden Shopping Centre
Mrs Claus and her eco elves are back at Eden, ready to welcome little ones into a world of enchantment.
Children can transform their old teddies into new ones and experience the magic of giving in a festive and eco-friendly way.
In the spirit of giving, all pre-loved teddies will be donated to Stokenchurch Dog Rescue, where they’ll help bring Christmas cheer to rescue dogs waiting for a loving home. And to make this season of goodwill even brighter, 100% of ticket sales will go to local charities, with support from Heart of Bucks.
Rebecca Gomme, marketing manager at Eden Shopping Centre, said: “We’re thrilled to bring back our Eco Elves. Building on the success of last year’s Eco Elves Tree-Cycle, where children transformed magic beans into miniature Christmas trees; this year the focus is on upcycling teddies. Mrs Claus can’t wait to welcome all the children and giving them a fun and engaging way to learn about sustainability and showing that even small actions – like repurposing toys – can make a big difference.”
For those without a teddy to trade, a selection of spares will be available, ensuring every child leaves with a special friend dressed in a cosy Christmas jumper.
Tickets for Eden’s Eco Elves Teddy Trade are £3.50 & booking fee and must be pre-booked and are available via the Eden Shopping Centre website. 100% of sales will go to charities, with support from Heart of Bucks.
Treloar’s Winter Appeal launches on Giving Tuesday, December 3rd. Can you contribute to their fundraising?
This year’s Treloar’s Winter Appeal will focus on raising funds to replace 54 hoists across the school.
Hoists are a life-changing piece of equipment that allow individuals to maintain their independence and dignity, by safely manoeuvring them within their classrooms, learning areas and residential houses.
The Maxi Sky 600 hoists used across Treloar’s are coming to the end of their working lives and will become obsolete by December 2025. The school currently has 154 of these hoists – all of which are in constant daily use. Each new hoist costs £910.
The school is urgently fundraising to replace the remaining 54 hoists. Over the years, the complexity of Treloar’s students’ needs has increased, and today all students are wheelchair-users. The majority have a sensory impairment and over half use assisted speech technology to communicate. For nearly all students, getting out of their wheelchair is impossible without assistance. Having hoists enables students to get out of their wheelchairs in their classrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, swimming pool and leisure areas.
Clare Bradford, Joint Head of Physiotherapy at Treloar’s said: “Given our students’ complexities, hoists are an absolute necessity for safely manoeuvring our students within their classrooms and learning areas and in the residential houses. The hoists also enable students to access a variety of equipment and environments. This includes being able to get onto their trikes or access the trampoline, swimming pool and soft play. Hoists are found in all common rooms, physiotherapy rooms and in students’ bedrooms and bathrooms. Having hoists available in each room plays a huge role in unlocking the potential in our students and enabling them a greater level of independence, choice and comfort. If you are able, please help us provide hoists for all our students by donating to our winter Appeal.”
Treloar’s Student, Leon, said: “It’s nice to be out of my wheelchair. I had never been hoisted before I got to Treloar’s so it’s nice to not be sitting down all day now. I like getting out of my chair – it’s not good to be in it all day so it’s good to do other stuff.”
Another student added: “Having a hoist in class is marvellous, I can now do walking and standing with my friends and not miss out on anything else.”
Earlier this year we featured Thomas Newport’s book Binoclarity charting his journey along the River Thames, the characters and stories bringing it to life and now Thomas is offering the chance to win a copy and limited edition artwork
Author Thomas Newport writes: You may well recall the double page feature called ‘Riveting Riverside Life‘ about Binoclarity book that ran in August’s issue of R&A Magazine.
The feature recounted how this fascinating Thames-Valley focused true-life book covers everything worth knowing about the River Thames, from the many world-changing innovations, eccentrics, large plane crashes, little-known histories, caped crusaders, dimwitted robbers, highwaymen, local business barons, eccentrics, marauding escaped exotic animals, through to a shocking recent rural serial murder epidemic and much much more! Binoclarity is available on Amazon as ebook or paperback.
To enter for a chance of winning a free signed copy or a Limited Edition signed artwork by the author, then please answer this question – which of the following Thames Valley places (clue-there is only one) do not feature extensively in the book? Thames Head, Cricklade, Lechlade, Swindon, Snowdonia, Oxford, Abingdon, Sonning, Marlow, Wargrave, Henley-on-Thames, Cookham, Maidenhead, Bray, Windsor, Wraysbury, Staines-upon-Thames, London.
The top prizes are two signed and numbered ‘Chip Butty Bread’ artworks by the author Thomas Newport. These breads made from genuine solid travertine stone, feature two wooden chips per piece and are the first limited edition works of art associated with this book! The Chippy Butty Breads offered here are from a strictly limited edition of only 10 pieces in total. Each bread is mounted on an attractive solid wooden base. There are two runners up prizes of signed copies of Binoclarity book. All prizes will be sent by post to the winners.
The closing date for the competition is December 31st.
Sobell House Hospice Charity have launched a new challenge for young people in Oxfordshire to develop and showcase their entrepreneurial skills
The Sobell Accumulator is an enterprise project for secondary schools, colleges, guiding and scouting groups running from Thursday, 16th January until Thursday, 22nd May.
Participating organisations will be given a seed fund of £50 that their young people will re-invest to raise money for Sobell House Hospice, until they reach their chosen fundraising target. The deadline to register is Monday, 2nd December 2024.
Activate Learning were one of the first to sign up. Aino Halla said: “Participating in the Sobell Accumulator is a fantastic opportunity for Activate Learning students to make a meaningful impact while developing their skills. This philanthropic project aims to raise funds for a local hospice that supports individuals with life-limiting illnesses. By participating, students will gain invaluable experience and face an ambitious challenge that complements their studies. Led by our Student Leadership Team, this initiative promises to be immensely rewarding, offering all students the chance to contribute to a noble cause and enhance their personal and professional growth.”
There’s lots of benefits for students and organisations to take part, including developing skills such as managing money, fundraising, leadership, creativity, project management and teamwork. They will also get the opportunity to work with a business mentor, benefit from networking opportunities with other participants and business mentors and selected students from the winning organisations will get to go on air with Get Radio!
There are only 30 places available with Abingdon School, Abingdon & Witney College, Activate Learning, The Cherwell School, Cheney School and The Iffley Academy already signing up. It’s a brilliant opportunity for any group of students who want to dive further into the world of business, fundraising or project management.
Peter McLoughlin tells us how Amersham Rotarians recently learned how Ukrainian heritage & culture is being protected thanks to community support
The Rotary Club of Amersham was delighted to welcome Inna Hryhorovych MBE, the Headteacher of St Mary’s Ukrainian Schools and the CEO of Ukrainian St Mary’s Trust in London and Tanya Orlova, her colleague who is a clinical psychologist, chair of school PTA, psychologist and a founder of 2BWell.
Inna offered a brief history of St Mary’s Ukrainian school, based in Holland Park, London, which was founded in 1955.While it initially had only one location, the school has grown to 14 locations across the London area and Glasgow since 2022.
To meet the needs of the many displaced Ukrainian children now living in the Amersham area, St Mary’s has set up a local location. Every Sunday morning between 9.30am and 12.30pm, a group of 92 Ukrainian children meet at The Amersham School. They learn about Ukrainian history and culture as well as maintaining their language skills.
These are children whose parents – in most cases only their mothers – have fled the Putin attack on Ukraine. Although safely settled in the Chilterns and the majority in mainstream schools these children clearly need to safeguard their Ukrainian culture and heritage because at some future date they wish to return.
St Mary’s, in addition to providing cultural support, is also able to provide psychological support for children who may have suffered direct or indirect trauma as a result of the assault on their homeland.
Rotary in Amersham has already supported Ukrainian children in local schools by providing Ipads with a programme to help with their understanding of English.
Last year one Amersham Rotarian organised a screening of Paddington Bear in Ukrainian at the National Film School in Beaconsfield. Over 100 parents and children attended. The surprise was that the voiceover was done by a Ukrainian actor who is now the President of Ukraine!
After the presentation the Rotary Club made a donation of £500 to St Mary’s.
Breast cancer thriver and cancer carer Charmian D’Aubosson has launched The Thrive Tribe, a new supportive community gathering for women aged 18-50, impacted by cancer
The inaugural meeting of The Thrive Tribe was held at Cassidy’s Bar in Alton in October, we asked Charmian to tell us more about The Thrive Tribe, what the thinking is behind it, who it’s for and how women can benefit from it.
“I set up The Thrive Tribe with the sole purpose of providing a safe, caring community for other women impacted by cancer, something I didn’t have access to when I was going through cancer. The aim is to be a different kind of cancer peer support group by creating a welcoming, safe space run by women, for women where we can come together to laugh, enjoy fun activities and focus on the brighter moments (even finding humour in the darker ones). I believe that when we can be our authentic selves, with people who truly understand, it’s like a huge weight has been lifted.
“Rather than sitting quietly discussing our diagnoses there’ll be fun stuff such as quizzes, craft workshops, mocktail tastings, wellness events and more. There’ll also be the opportunity to chat, get support and be around others going through similar experiences.
“Wherever a person is on their cancer journey, they’ll be welcomed into the group and invited to be part of a caring, non-judgemental and fun community.
“Cassidy’s Bar is kindly hosting our monthly meetings where attendance is free, just buy a drink and/or a snack. Workshop events might incur a charge from the workshop host which will be communicated in advance. Attendance at monthly meetings or events is without obligation. We look forward to welcoming new members to our community so please do share with anyone you know who’d benefit.”
Charmian holds an Accredited Diploma as a Transformative Life Coach and is an Associate of the International Coaching Federation. She has a passion for supporting individuals going through cancer so that they feel supported, heard and empowered each step of the way. Charmian also partners with organisations to support them to work better with cancer, improving the wellbeing of those impacted by cancer in the workplace.
In addition to coaching, Charmian works as a yoga teacher in the local community and offers private yoga for cancer classes. In her spare time, she loves being out in nature either walking or cycling and her happy place is anywhere in the mountains. Charmian lives in Alton with her husband and two dogs.
If you’d like to know more, if you have any questions about The Thrive Tribe, or you’d like to sign up to join one of the monthly meetings, please visit: Charmian D’Aubosson | Transformative Life Coaching
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.”
Help Surrey’s nature bounce back this Christmas – world-beating heathland habitats need your help and every donation will be doubled this December
Wildlife lovers in Surrey can make a gift with double the impact this Christmas, thanks to an appeal by Surrey Wildlife Trust with the backing on the philanthropic Big Give Christmas Challenge.
Surrey Wildlife Trust’s 100 for Heathlands Campaign – part of its urgent Save Surrey’s Nature appeal – is aiming to raise £100,000 for our county’s rare and threatened heathland environments – habitats that support a huge range of animal and plant life that can’t thrive elsewhere, from Nightjars and Sand Lizards to wildflowers, butterflies and the small-but-ferocious Heath Tiger Beetle.
Image: Nick Upton
From midday on Tuesday 3rd December to midday on Tuesday 10th December, contributions from members of the public up to a total of £25,000 will be doubled by a match funding pot of £25,000, made up of £12,500 from Big Give Champions and £12,5000 from pledgers Kia UK – potentially enabling SWT to raise a total of £50,000 towards its target.
Sadly, more than 86 per cent of Surrey’s lowland heathlands have been lost in the last two centuries, with those that remain requiring careful management to survive the impact of climate change, pollution, the over-growth of dominant plants and excessive development. As well as working with volunteers, conservation experts and local communities to keep Surrey’s heaths in top condition, SWT wants to create new corridors of good habitat to make Surrey’s landscapes more resilient, help wildlife find safe places to live and prevent the fragmentation of these special places.
The Trust is even exploring the reintroduction of native species like Beavers, Black Grouse and Red Deer to restore heathland ecosystems to their full potential for wildlife and people, and plans to carry thorough studies to assess the feasibility of these initiatives.
Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Director of Reserves Management James Herd, who leads conservation work on heaths including Barossa, Pirbright Ranges, Whitmoor Common and Chobham Common says: “Helping protect our beautiful local heathlands is a great way to create some good news this Christmas. Nature faces immense challenges, but we have big plans to turn things around. If we all do what we can for the places we care about, we can ensure that wildlife has a secure home for generations to come – and that will be good for every one of us.”
What your donation can do:
£10 helps maintain areas of bare ground on heathland reserves to benefit insects and reptiles.
£25 pays for a conservation grazing animal to graze a site for a week, keeping it in good condition for nature.
£36 will pay for a habitat survey to ensure we are doing the right thing for particular species.
£165 pays for one hectare of heathland management on Whitmoor common.
£300 pays for a tree popper, an important piece of equipment for scrub clearance used by Reserve officers and volunteer groups.
£1,200 pays for 4 hectares of heathland restoration and management on Chobham common.
