Walk under the stars

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Karen Neville

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Join together with hundreds of others to celebrate the lives of those you love and miss

Join the Starlight Hike Thames Valley and take part in Sue Ryder’s biggest fundraising event of the year on Saturday, 5th October.

Walk under the stars at Mapledurham Estate while raising funds in memory of your loved ones in this very special event sponsored by Gravity Personnel and Azego.

Get together with friends and family and challenge yourself to complete the 10k route which wraps around the beautiful grounds of the Estate, with stunning views across the Thames. You’ll have plenty of time to grab yourself refreshments from the Pattie Wagon, enjoy live music by DJ2Play, join in with Michelle’s energetic Zumba warm up, all before setting off on the hike at 6pm.

Near the beginning of the route, you will pass a special remembrance area where you can make a dedication for your loved ones. Around the route you will see stunning light installations, including coloured waves per kilometre marker to help guide you and ensure that you celebrate every step of the way.

Glee choir will be ready to welcome you in harmony at the finish line and you will be handed your well-deserved medal.

By taking part in Sue Ryder Starlight Hike you’re helping ensure people approaching the end of their life or grieving can access the right support at the right time. There is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need, but together we can ensure, no one has to face dying or grief alone.

So, sign up today for a night you won’t forget Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Thames Valley Tickets

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Crime & enjoyment with Chiltern Kills

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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The Chiltern Kills crime writing festival in aid of Centrepoint, returns to Gerrards Cross on Saturday, 5th October, with a stellar line-up including Jeffrey Archer, Louise Minchin, Sir Ian Rankin, Robert Thorogood and more.

Best-selling crime authors and TV detectives are converging on Gerrards Cross for the Chiltern Kills 2024 crime and thriller writing festival on Saturday, 5th October.

Sir Ian Rankin of Rebus fame, storytelling genius Jeffrey Archer, and Peter James of the Roy Grace book and ITV series will be joined by TV crime busters Dempsey and Makepeace and the cast of The Bill, from 9am-11pm at the GX Community Association at the historic Colston Hall on East Common in Gerrards Cross.

It’s the second year of Chiltern Kills with all ticket sales again going to the Centrepoint charity to combat youth homelessness. Sir Ian Rankin says: “Centrepoint is a very special charity whose work is – sadly – more necessary than ever. I’m pleased to be able to support them.”

Tickets cost £40 via https://www.chilternkills.com/ or for a little more, you can book a one-to-one session with top literary agent Nicky Lovick from WGM Atlantic. (And whisper it, she’s looking for new authors to join her list.”

Jeffrey Archer said: “I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at Chiltern Kills on 5th October. I’m a great admirer of the work Centrepoint does.”

Chiltern Kills founders, authors Paul Waters and Tony Kent said: “What makes Chiltern Kills special is that authors. including our patron Fredrick Forsyth, and fans all mingle off-stage, in our luxury food village, in our WhoDunHim Inn – where famous authors will be pulling pints, and at our famous Murder A Song karaoke at the end of the day.”

There will be 60 top authors from across the UK, Ireland, north America, Africa and India, on the Poirot and Marple stages. They include debut crime author and former BBC Breakfast TV star, Louise Minchin, Robert Thorogood the creator of Death In Paradise, Harriet Tyce, Nadine Matheson, Ajay Chowdhury and Sarah Pinborough.

Peter James said: “I’m hugely looking forward to Chiltern Kills. It is so wonderful to support Centrepoint, a brilliant charity that does so much to combat youth homelessness – and all the hopelessness and despair that goes with it.”

Every festival goer gets a free tote bag filled with festival goodies. Last year visitors came from as far away as Scotland, Ireland, Devon, Yorkshire, Kent, Manchester and Birmingham. One said: “What a joyous day I had at Chiltern Kills. The vibe was amazing, the choice of food fabulous, drinks were flowing and author panels exceptional!”

Another festival-goer said: “Impeccably organised, with the feel of a family festival, informal, really interesting panels, relaxed writers, so much goodwill, good food and lots of laughter! Bravo Chiltern Kills.”

After last year’s festival, Centrepoint said: “A big thank you to everyone involved with Chiltern Kills for helping us support more young people to reclaim their dreams and build a future beyond homelessness.”

Chiltern Kills 2024 is on Saturday 5th October at Colston Hall on East Common in Gerrards Cross. Tickets via https://www.chilternkills.com/. It would be a crime to miss it!

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Chiltern Toy Bank: could you help?

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Could you donate new & (giftable quality) pre-loved toys – between 28th September & 6th October – to bring Christmas cheer to local families in need?

Thanks to the hard work of between 30 & 50 dedicated local volunteers (“Elves”), Chiltern Toy Bank has been providing free toys and gifts at Christmas to children, aged 0-18, living in parts of the Chilterns who would otherwise not receive anything due to financial hardship or other disadvantages of their parents or guardians.

They have operated in and around Chesham, Amersham and Prestwood for over a decade formally became a registered charity in 2018-2019.

Their aim is to make sure that no child will go without a gift over the festive period.

What can I donate?

Any new or pre-loved toys and gifts that are clean, complete and in good condition are welcome. If you wouldn’t gift it to a child in your family for Christmas then they can’t take it. Chiltern Toy Bank particularly needs: arts, crafts and creative kits for ages 8+, science kits for ages 8+, gifts for teenagers aged 13+ (like make-up, toiletries, hats, scarves etc).

They cannot accept soft toys without their CE label attached, any games with missing pieces, books that are scribbled in or have missing pages, colouring and activity books or make-up and arts supplied that are used.

Where can I drop gifts?

Chesham:
• White Hill Centre, White Hill
• Post Office, High Street
• Chesham Town Hall, Parsonage Lane

Prestwood:
• Hildreths Garden Centre
• Wye Country Estate Agent, High Street
• The Pantry at 51
• (All subject to individual opening times)

Amersham:
• Chiltern Lifestyle Centre
• Amersham Common Village Hall, Saturday 28th Sept & Saturday 5th Oct 2-5pm
• King’s Church, Raans Road, Mon 30th Sept – Fri 4th Oct, 9.30am-12pm

To find out more about the charity, or offer to help, or request help, visit Chiltern Toy Bank – Christmas 2023

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Sir Cliff Richard visits Thames Hospice

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Last Saturday, music legend Sir Cliff Richard paid a heartfelt visit to Thames Hospice, where he met patients, staff and volunteers, spreading joy and happiness to all.

Sir Cliff Richard took the opportunity to tour the facilities, engage with those receiving care and offer his support for the hospice’s vital work in the community. He shared wonderful stories and provided words of comfort, creating very special moments for patients, loved ones, staff, as well as many life-long fans.

Last weekend’s visit was made possible through Thames Hospice Ambassador Sunita Arora, who is a close friend of Sir Cliff. Sunita is one of the co-founders and an executive director of The Arora Group who have been supporting the Hospice since 2021, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Jane Symmons, director of fundraising at Thames Hospice, said: “We are incredibly thankful to Sir Cliff Richard for taking the time to visit us. His kindness and genuine care for our patients, families and staff have left a lasting impression. We also extend our thanks to Sunita Arora for her ongoing support and for making this wonderful day possible.

“Thames Hospice provides vital care and support to individuals with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Visit like this are a meaningful reminder of ensuring patients receive not only medical care, but also emotional support during their time at the Hospice.”

Sir Cliff also donated one of his iconic jackets to help raise funds for the Hospice. The jacket, personally signed by the singer, is a treasured piece from his personal collection and will be used in upcoming fundraising efforts, with all proceeds going towards supporting the charity. Further details about how supporters can get involved in the fundraiser and bid for this special item will be announced soon.

Sir Cliff said: “It was my pleasure to visit Thames Hospice and meet all the lovely staff and volunteers who work so hard to provide amazing care. Meeting some of their patients reminded me how important hospice care is. I hope they can raise a lot from my jacket, is a favourite of mine. I watched Andy Murray win Wimbledon while wearing it!”

To find out more about the charity’s work, make a donation, access services or join the amazing team of staff and volunteers, please visit Thames Hospice

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All-round support

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Karen Neville

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Join The Big Oxford Hike of Menopause and Cancer this month

Dig out your hiking boots and get outdoors this September, all for a good cause. Menopause and Cancer’s Big Oxford Hike is back!

Join the Move with Menopause and Cancer Challenge for a two-day marathon hike through the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, raising money and making friends along the way.

The hike will start at Aynho Wharf and finish in Oxford – everyone is welcome and you can join for both days or just one on 28th and 29th September.

The hike will raise money to support the thousands of UK women each year who experience cancer-induced menopause. Many women experience debilitating mental and physical symptoms and many say they have had no help in managing this.

One in two women get a cancer diagnosis at some point in their lives. For 90% of women over 40 and 40% of those under 40, cancer treatment will push them into menopause.

Menopause and Cancer helps to ensure no one goes through this alone and works to help improve cancer survivors’ quality of life and health outcomes.

The patient-support organisation helps to support the thousands of UK women each year who experience cancer-induced menopause. It was founded in 2022 by Dani Binnington after she was pushed into a surgically-induced menopause at 39 as a result of her cancer treatment. She quickly realised that there was little or no support available.

They partner with Macmillan, Maggie’s, Breast Cancer Now, Trekstock, FutureDreams and Peaches.

Find out more and book your tickets on Menopause and Cancer’s website: Menopause and Cancer with Dani Binnington

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Float along to Oxford Canal Festival

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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Oxford’s residents are proud to announce the line-up for this year’s free-to-visit Oxford Canal Festival, 11am-6pm on Saturday, 21st September

Head along and enjoy a community day of festival fun on the Aristotle Lane Recreation Ground, OX2 – entry is free!

Proceeds will go to ‘The Kilsby Theatre Boat Project’ – the 108-year-old narrowboat being rescued to become a new community theatre boat for Oxford’s waterways.

The music line up included the Jericho Singers, Ben Avison & Three Idle Women, Weekend Warriors, The Dirty Big Canal Dance Band, Mambo Panthers, Papa Nui, and Senegalese kora musician Jali Fily Cissokho.

Visit the Spoken Word Tent for a fantastic literary experience with Sir Philip Pullman reading live on stage, Roy MacFarlane, our Canal Laureate announcing the winning performances from this year’s poetry competition and the hugely fun University Challenged quiz with local teams taking on Oxford University finest brains!

Enjoy stalls selling jewellery, clothing, treats and local crafts on the Oxford canal running alongside the Aristotle Rec. There will be fun activities running all day for children including: face painting, art, a bouncy castle, a Canal Olympics, Arts and Crafts projects, and a Cinema showing local history short films.

Visitors can also enter a fun dog show – a hugely entertaining and impressive competition with our winners taking home fantastic canine prizes.

Craft beers and non-alcoholic drinks will be available in the bar tent, and a big selection of food vendors will be on site offering international cuisines.

The Kilsby Boat Project is rescuing and restoring a 1912 canal boat, reinventing it as a community venue for storytelling, music and boat trips. Kilsby is moored at Tooley’s historic boatyard awaiting restoration works that will enable her to make the trip back home to Oxford.

The canal festival is free to enter. For more information please visit Oxford Canal Festival 2024

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Become a nature sleuth with SWT

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Image by: Danny Green

Karen Neville

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Get a free Wildlife Recording Kit and monitor local green spaces

Want to know what wildlife might be making its home on ground you own, manage or work on with a community group?

Help is at hand thanks to Surrey Wildlife Trust’s new Wildlife Recording Kits – boxes filled with surveying equipment to help community groups undertake species monitoring on sites from gardens and recreation grounds to local woodland.

The kits are available free of charge from Guildford and Godalming Libraries and directly from the Trust’s head office in Pirbright, and can be reserved for one or two weeks at a time.

Image by: Jon Hawkins

With one-third of local species in trouble, Surrey Wildlife Trust is on a mission to encourage more people to take action to protect and provide homes for native plants and animals – and these kits will help people identify what wildlife, from minibeasts to moths to small mammals, is present, enabling them to make better informed land management decisions to benefit nature. Actions could include putting up signage to encourage people not to walk on wildflowers, installing bird feeders filled with suitable food for a particular species, installing bat boxes, planting hedgerows to support butterflies and moths or creating ponds for newts.

The Trust currently has the following equipment available:

• Bat kit including high-viz jackets for working at night, a bat detector and call frequency guide.

• Pond kit including nets, trays for specimens and identification guides for a range of species.

• Minibeasts kit including magnifying pots, equipment for handling specimens and ID guides.

• Small mammals kit including footprint tunnels and plates, feeding kit and ‘tracks and signs’ ID guide.

• Soil kit with a corer and tester kit to establish soil chemistry.

• Plant kit including quadrats, magnifiers and ID guides for a huge range of local native flora.

• For those with a cinematic bent, a trail camera kit is also available. This can be set up to record badgers, foxes, hedgehogs, birds, mice and other creatures that might visit when you are not present.

Once people have completed their surveys, the Trust is encouraging users to report their findings to the Surrey Biodiversity Information Centre (SBIC) to help it gain important information on the distribution and abundance of species and habitats across the county.

SWT’s Community Engagement Manager Claire Harris says: “You don’t have to be a professional to contribute to science and conversation. SWT is proud to work with a broad range of community organisations across the county, but we want even more people to get involved in mapping, understanding and restoring the natural world. It’s great the local Libraries of Things are working with us to help people find out more about what lives on their doorsteps. If we all play our part, we can open minds, transform local areas and ultimately create a much wilder environment for everyone to enjoy.”

More information about how to book kit, and the equipment hire agreement is at Wildlife Recording Kits | Surrey Wildlife Trust

SWT also runs courses that enable people to learn more about species and habitats in Surrey. Any adult can register to attend here. The Trust also offers a limited number of FREE places to Surrey-based community groups, who are signed up to its Wilder Communities programme.

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Bid in OxTrail auction

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Karen Neville

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Oxfordshire’s oxen are set to go under the hammer on September 13th to raise funds for Sobell House Hospice

More than 130 oxen decorated the county with people discovering hidden ox designs across the area, but now it’s time to herd them up and auction them off.

The auction will be held online and in person at the Saïd Business School, Oxford on Friday, 13th September at 7.30pm. The sale will feature a stunning selection of life-sized ox sculptures and mini oxen, all available for online bidding.

The event will be hosted by celebrity auctioneer, Bargain Hunt’s Thomas Forrester. Those looking to attend can check out the online auction via the digital catalogue and register their interest today.

Thomas said: “I simply can’t wait to wield my gavel like am American cowboy in the mid-west driving my herd to an ox-tounding sale at auction, raising such much needed and valuable funds for Sobell Hospice!”

Among those at auction is Children’s illustrator KorKy Paul with his “Winne and Wilbur” inspired ox, and international artist, Amanda Quellin’s design inspired by the stained glass found in Oxford’s architecture. Both with starting bids at £2,500.

The much talked about BBC Radio Oxford ox has also gone up for auction. This sculpture features hundreds of crocheted segments stitched together representing the ‘colourful and diverse’ communities of Oxfordshire. Starting the bids at £1,300, this special Ox is named ‘Tony’ after the artist Yarnsy’s Grandad, who was cared for at Sobell House.

And those looking for a celebrity treat, the trail’s scribed mini ‘Post-ox’ is also starting at £1,300 in the auction house. As part of the ‘moo-vement’, Postb-ox features doodles and signatures from over 20 famous faces – including Dame Judi Dench, Dame Prue Leith, Ben Shephard, Radiohead and Miriam Margoyles.

Director of Fundraising, Beth Marsh from Sobell House Hospice, said: “The auction provides a fantastic opportunity to own a unique piece of art while supporting the vital work we do at the hospice. We are very excited for the sale, it’s the perfect opportunity to purchase one of the moo-jestic ox sculptures and share in the legacy of OxTrail 2024.”

Those who wish to bid on oxen in September can purchase £50 tickets, they include drinks, canapés, and entry. Alternatively, bidders can register online, and place their offers ahead of the auction.

Beth added: “We give people the chance to live well in the time they have left and provide them with compassionate and dignified end of life care. Please place your bids and make an ox-tra big difference this September.”

For more information on OxTrail visit Home – OxTrail 2024

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Curtain-up on a new film season!

Liz Nicholls

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Community & Charity

Liz Nicholls

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The Jordans Picture House team look forward to welcoming you back, with September’s super screenings: A Man Called Otto and Jojo Rabbit

Starring Tom Hanks; Marian Trevino & Rachel Keller and directed by Marc Forster, A Man Called Otto (15) will be screened at Jordans Picture House on Friday, 13th September. Doors open at the new time of 6.45pm and the programme start at 7.30pm.

Otto is a grump who has given up on life, following the loss of his wife. He’s ready to end it all but his plans are interrupted when a lively young family moves in next door and he meets his match in quick-witted Marisol. She challenges him to see life differently, leading to an unlikely friendship which turns his world around. This is a heart-warming and funny story about love, loss and life, showing that family can be found in the most unexpected places.

“This is the perfect vehicle for Tom Hanks and he makes the most of the opportunity,” says one IMDB user. “Well written and well-acted this is great entertainment moving seamlessly from comedy to drama and ultimately packs an emotional punch that makes it memorable and pushes it into one of the best movies of the year. A great reminder of why Tom Hanks has been at the top for so long.”

On Friday, 27th September, Jordans Picture House will screen Jojo Rabbit 12A (6.45pm for 7.30pm).

Starring Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie & Scarlett Johannsen and directed by Taika Waititi, it tells the story of a young German boy in the Hitler Youth whose hero and imaginary friend is the country’s dictator is shocked to discover that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home.

“Jojo Rabbit demonstrates that there is hope, both for humanity and Hollywood,” says one reviewer. “The characters are charming and quirky, the dialogue clever and the plot wisely confines itself to telling an intensely personal story rather than one of the war itself. The young male star is perfect.”

Book your tickets now: £8pp or £5 under-15s. Visit Jordans Picture House, or call Gill on 01494 678050.

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Sole mates on Pangbourne High Street!

Karen Neville

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Community & Charity

Karen Neville

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Pangbourne High Street is becoming even more of a must-visit destination for locals & visitors. We’re celebrating this boom, including two new boutiques for style-lovers…

Already home to beloved establishments such as Cheese Etc, Kiki & Bow Interiors, The Rhubarb Tree, Nino’s Deli and Artichoke Café, the high street is now welcoming two exciting new boutiques to enhance its charm and appeal.

In April, Amy Grace, who has a background in footwear buying and design at renowned high street brands, launched Grace. This chic boutique offers a distinctive shopping experience, featuring her own footwear brands, Grace, and Feather & Sole. Additionally, the store showcases a thoughtfully curated selection of accessories sourced from Europe and the UK, making it a go-to spot for fashion enthusiasts seeking unique and stylish pieces.

“I’ve lived here for seven years, originally as it was on the commuter line into London and I wanted the village vibe with easy access to the city,” Amy tells us. “I’ve stayed because I love this quaint little spot. We get quite a few people coming here to picnic by the river in the summer and it seems to be a meeting point for surrounding villages due to the cafes, shops and strolls by the river.”

“I’ve stayed because I love this quaint little spot”

Adding to the vibrant mix, bespoke jeweller Nicola Bannister opened her atelier in July. Known for her exquisite craftsmanship, Nicola offers one-of-a-kind, handcrafted jewellery that caters to those with a discerning eye for quality and elegance. Her atelier has already been attracting jewellery-lovers and provides a personalised shopping experience that’s both memorable and luxurious alongside a repairs and remodelling service. Nicola also offers workshops such as wedding-ring making for couples making their vows.

While Pangbourne has always been great for the foodie spots and Kiki & Bow interiors is a great asset, having more shops open has given people more reason to visit. Pangbourne High Street is nor just a shopping destination but a thriving hub of unique retail and culinary experiences, perfect for an afternoon mooch.

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