Keep burglars in the dark

Karen Neville

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Home & Garden

Thames Valley Police has some invaluable advice as the winter nights close in

Take steps to help avoid becoming a victim of burglary this winter with these tips from Thames Valley Police.

Make your home look occupied by using timer switches on lights and radios, which can also help conserve energy and save money.

Illuminate your front door with energy saving dusk to dawn lightbulbs that come on automatically.

Consider installing a video doorbell, house alarm or CCTV system.

Close and double lock all doors and windows when going out.

Always double lock doors and windows at night and when you go to bed.

Keep valuables and keys out of sight and away from doors, windows and letterboxes.

When not in use, store electronic car key fobs in a signal blocking pouch to help prevent them being scanned by thieves to open and steal your car.

If you have a key safe, ensure it’s not visible to people passing by, but anyone tampering with it can be seen.

Ensure laptops and electronic equipment are not on view.

Ensure your sheds and garages are locked and secure.

We wish you a healthy and happy holiday season, but please:

Don’t leave any presents on view or advertise them on social media.

Don’t leave packaging next to your bin.

Don’t advertise you’re away from home on social media. Ask a trusted friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your property.

Ensure you security mark and register your new presents and gifts online at www.immobilise.com

You can find further crime prevention advice at www.thamesvalley.police.uk

Please contact us if you have information relating to burglary in your neighbourhood. Report online, call us on 101 and always dial 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on free phone 0800 555 111.

Register for Thames Valley Alert at: www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk to receive free crime updates and information from Thames Valley Police.

Consider joining a local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, visit www.ourwatch.org.uk

Follow us on social media for regular crime updates and find out what your local policing teams are up to: Facebook: TVP Bracknell & Wokingham and Twitter: @TVP_Wokingham

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Cyclamen confusion

Round & About

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Cathie Welch explains how to distinguish between the types of Cyclamens available

It’s that time of year again when the garden centres are bombarding us with a beautiful array of houseplants for the festive season. Every year it’s the same and I find myself having to clarify to students and clients how to distinguish between the types of Cyclamens available, so here goes…

Cyclamen hederifolium

These little beauties are 100% hardy and tolerate our climate outside. They’re fabulous for colonising shady areas particularly under trees. They grow from corms and ants help to disperse the seeds. Coming in various shades of pink and white and the leaves vary their variegation between plants. This species is fairly vigorous if it likes its location and flowers in late Summer and Autumn. Ivy is Hedera and these Cyclamen have leaves like ivy forming a beautiful green carpet once the flowers have finished.

Cyclamen coum

These are another species of hardy Cyclamen although a little less vigorous than hederifolium. They flower in the Spring followed by little round leaves, also varying slightly between plants. Shades of pink and white too and similar in their cultivation requirements. Grow the two species in separate swathes or you’ll find that the C. hederifoium takes over. You can see both types growing successfully in many public gardens.

Cyclamen persicum

These are the ones that are in the houseplant section. They can be grown outside briefly but aren’t frost hardy and don’t like our wet winters. Very rarely will they survive outside. I’m tempted by the gorgeous array of colours on offer but that can only be grown in cool conditions inside. A porch or protected area outside is perfect but water carefully!

It’s in the name!

I hope this helps to unravel the confusion. The clue is in the name. They are all in the Cyclamen genus, but the species differ.

Points of sale aren’t always specific but if you’re buying something from a greenhouse or polytunnel at this time of year, check before you plant it in the garden. The hardy Cyclamen will be outside with the perennials whatever the weather. They’re all gorgeous but like I say to my students, you need to do your homework! Happy shopping!

Cathie’s Gardening School Services

Pruning is the skill I am asked most about so I will be running pruning courses and master classes throughout the Summer and Autumn next year. Please come and meet me at Ashdene to discuss your gardening requirements and join in the learning, it’s addictive!

Contact

Website www.cathiesgardeningschool.co.uk

Email [email protected]

Facebook CathiesGardeningSchool

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Chobham’s ‘King of Chelsea’ Mark Gregory

Ellie Cox

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Home & Garden

Mark Gregory returns to RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 with a “Plot To Plate” haven for Savills

“King of Chelsea”, Mark Gregory, is set to return to the RHS highlight for 2023 with a “plot to plate” garden for Savills. 

The Savills Garden will be his 108th Chelsea show garden and marks his return to design in his 34th consecutive year. The Savills Garden is set within the grounds of a country hotel. Revealing an intimate walled seasonal potager, with the show’s first ever working kitchen at its heart.

“The garden will be a feast both for the eyes and for the palette”

Mark said: “I am incredibly proud to have designed this garden for Savills.  I think it will speak to a lot of people and has, at its core, elements that are very close to my heart. A beautiful space, created considerately, that brings people together to enjoy fantastic food and great times.  The garden will be a feast both for the eyes and for the palette, demonstrating that productive gardens can be both elegant and delightful.”

Designed to demonstrate an “edimental” planting theme, combining edibles and ornamental planting, the garden provides inspiration for a “plot-to-plate” alfresco dining experience.  Ingredients will be foraged from the surrounding living larder and used to prepare delicious meals for the guests to enjoy in the adjoining dining area. Cementing the relationship between grower, guests and chef.

Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in this tranquil retreat, resting beneath a mature tree, taking time to reconnect with nature, enjoying the formal planting, whilst anticipating the taste experience to come.  The aim of the space is to help change the way we think about our gardens, the way we eat and source our food. And to share ideas and knowledge that can be introduced into even the smallest of plots.

This evocative and aromatic garden will capture the sights, smells and tastes of a productive garden while also delivering a beautiful, elegant space and a haven for wildlife.

Following the show, in keeping with its sustainability commitment, Savills will work with the Shaw Trust, a national charity running employability programmes and complementary services for people with complex needs, to relocate the garden. It will be replanted at Meadow View House in Nottinghamshire for their residents to enjoy.

Additionally, Savills will work with existing charity partner Rethink Food, an organisation focused on educating school children on food security, to share learnings from the garden.

Richard Rees, Savills MD, said: “We are excited to be returning to Chelsea with a garden design that touches on so many themes that are core to the future success of our industry and gives us the opportunity to bring to life our commitment to promoting sustainable development. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of nature in our lived environment. Whether in an urban or rural setting, and Mark Gregory, five times Chelsea Gold Medal winner, has designed a garden that will be both stunning to the eye and packed full of learnings for us all.

“I look forward to seeing the garden relocated post show in conjunction with the Shaw Trust. An organisation committed to challenging inequality and breaking down barriers to enable social mobility. We also welcome the opportunity to further develop our employee engagement with Rethink Food, and to exploring with them issues around food production and food miles, sustainability and the learning and sharing of knowledge.”

For more information about Landform Consultants please visit landformconsultants.co.uk

For more information about Savills please visit Savills.co.uk

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Chilterns Walking Festival October highlights

Liz Nicholls

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Home & Garden

Enjoy walk, foraging, local & literary history, cream tea, garden tours and more as part of Chilterns Walking Festival, 15th-30th October.

The tenth Chilterns Walking Festival features a programme of more than 50 walks and local events to help you enjoy the autumn splendour, the golden beech trees and hedgerows bursting with colour.

Highlights include Pipsticks walks on the day before All Hallows Eve for a spooky walk along the River Thames and lots of ghostly tales from the riverbank! Or take a Walk on the Dark Side with an exhilarating stroll through Bones Wood and Crowsley Park, tuning into the sounds and sights of the night, and ending at the pub for hot chocolate.

50 walks and local events to help you enjoy the autumn splendour

There’s also a foraging walk among the magnificent sweet chestnut trees to learn about and enjoy the bountiful autumn fruits of the forest. Literary walk discovering” in south Oxfordshire including the house where he once lived.

Discover and walk some of the ancient routes which criss-cross the Chilterns, exploring Drovers routes and the Slow Ways historic routes. There’s a nature walk at Aston Rowant to celebrate the 70th anniversary of National Nature Reserves. Join the rangers to see the wildlife that makes them so special, finishing with tea & cake.

Tour guide Bobbie Latter will take you on a guided walk around historic Marlow, followed by a hands-on lace-making experience and a delicious afternoon tea. Plus there are map reading courses, pub walks, local produce tasting, historic garden tours and much more.

Find out more

For full info please visit visitchilterns.co.uk/walkingfest

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Art, design, your garden & you!

Karen Neville

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Home & Garden

Broadlands in Romsey is the setting for The Garden Show from September 30th to October 2nd

The Garden Show is set to bloom again this autumn at Broadlands and although there will be fewer plants than in the spring and summer shows, it is the perfect time for planting trees, shrubs, bulbs, winter flowering plants as well as finding indoor plants to enhance the winter home.

It’s a great opportunity to source new talent, designers and artisans and browse more than 160 stands showcasing the latest specialist plants, garden and home accessories, art, design, sculpture, fashion, toys and a multitude of lovely goodies with tempting foods and wines in the Country Food marquee. There is something at the show that will appeal to everyone. It’s a good chance to do some early Christmas shopping and support the smaller businesses.

Apart from the extensive selection of retail companies there are many other attractions. Expert advice daily from ‘The Environmentalists, Jules & Lance, who apart from helping gardens thrive will be specifically providing the solution to any pruning confusion plus holding a daily Walk & Talk on The Hidden Life of Trees.

There is something at the show that will appeal to everyone. It’s a good chance to do some early Christmas shopping and support the smaller businesses.

On Friday Dr Ian Bedford, entomologist, will be running the Pest Clinic and can identify any bug samples brought along and how to rid your garden of them in as friendly a way as possible and he will discuss Britain’s Nature Recovery Plan. The show welcomes, Ben Cross from Crosslands Nursery who on Sunday will be extolling the British Cut Flower Industry … British Flowers Rock!

It’s not all about gardening: there are plenty of activities on site to keep all the family occupied including The Giant Tombola, a chance to win amazing prizes donated by The Garden Show exhibitors in support of the show’s chosen charity Jane Scarth House https://www.janescarthhouse.co.uk

There are fun times to be had with the children’s entertainer Crazee Hazee, learning circus skills and watching his hilarious Punch and Judy shows.

There will be ongoing artisan demonstrations along with musical entertainment from The Jazz Trio who will be wandering around delighting all with their evocative music of times past … all this and so much more to enjoy … including Huxley Birds of Prey who will thrill spectators as they soar to the skies.

Buy your tickets

Ticket prices on the gate –  adults £10, concessions £8, child £4 (4yrs and under FOC), family £26 (2A & 4C) Pre-book your tickets online 15% discounted!

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National Trust top 10 in Sussex

Round & About

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Home & Garden

Enjoy colour, walks and craft this autumn at National Trust properties in Sussex

Top 10...

1. Autumn colour

Enjoy Sheffield Park as the autumn colours ignite the trees and cast picture perfect reflections in the lakes. Famous for its autumn colour, this is the season that Sheffield Park and Garden was planted for. Take in the natural beauty as the trees glow with brilliant displays of reds, oranges, purples and greens. Children’s spotter sheets and colour wheel installations encourage young families to spend time noticing the variety in nature’s palette.

The South African flower borders at Nymans carry on flowering into late October, sometimes even longer. Salvias are beautiful in autumn, particularly those surrounding the rose garden. Walking in the woodland and garden at Nymans, you can see magnificent colour especially from hickory, liquidambar and acer trees.

Spot deer and wildlife in the woodland, watch mist settle over the boating lake from the shelter of the bird hide. Enjoy views across the Weald, which are particularly striking in autumn with a blend of earthy colours transforming the landscape.

2. Nature walks

Fall under autumn’s spell with immersive walks in the South Downs. Nature is busy in September, from migrating birds and fruiting fungi, to butterflies on the wing. On autumn walks at Black Cap and Slindon in South Downs, you can find open views, fungi, blackberries and hazelnuts for foraging and swallows congregating for their migration to sub-saharan Africa. In September there are clouded yellow and dark green fritillary butterflies. In October and November the trees turn brilliant shades of amber and gold.

Devil’s Dyke & Cradle Valley is home to wildflowers such as devil’s bit scabious and weird and wonderful fungi: including cobalt crust, parasols, waxcaps, shaggy inkcaps and King Alfred’s cakes.

See swathes of heather in flower at Black Down and the blue sky reflected in heathland ponds. At Harting Down and Slindon, listen out for the deer rut in the distance.

3. Crafts & creativity

Take inspiration from Virginia Woolf’s writing lodge in the garden at Monk’s House. Nestled in the heart of rural Sussex, Monk’s House is a tranquil 16th-century weatherboarded cottage inhabited by Leonard and the novelist Virginia Woolf from 1919 until Leonard’s death in 1969. Get to know Leonard and Virginia Woolf and the wider Bloomsbury Group by visiting Monk’s House. Full of their favourite things, the house appears as if they just stepped out for a walk. Open Fridays and Saturdays for pre-booked visits only until 29 October.

It’s impossible to ‘leaf swish’ without a smile on your face.

4 .The deer rut

At Petworth Park, hear the guttural calls of the fallow deer, echoing across the landscape and spot powerful antlers among the hillocks and long grass. Deer rut guided walks are one of nature’s greatest spectacles as bucks compete to attract the females by battling it out with their antlers. Visitors can join a deer rut guided walk led by a knowledgeable guide and learn more about the fallow deer in this historic parkland setting. If you’ve got binoculars bring them along so that you can observe the deer’s behaviour. There’ll be an element of hiding and waiting too. Walks will run on October 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 17th, 19th & 21st. Pre-book.

5. Harvest

The blackberries started early this year but there’s plenty more harvest in the National Trust’s walled gardens, orchards and hedgerows in Sussex. See the fruits of the Kitchen Garden’s harvest at Standen this autumn. Plus there are guided walks on the history of the garden demonstrations of how to spin wool, by the East Grinstead Spinners.

Visit Woolbeding Gardens and see mature apple tree cordons, grown in an intricate lattice pattern on the garden wall. This horticultural haven is bursting with colourful planting and innovation. Open Thursdays and Fridays until September 30th. Book a ticket in advance and travel via minibus from Midhurst town centre.

Take inspiration in the cottage garden at Alfriston Clergy House, with its raised kitchen garden beds on a domestic scale. With traditional apple tree varieties in the orchard laden with fruit and pumpkins peeking through their cover of leaves, this is a gentle place to rest and reflect as the days draw in. Open Wednesdays and Thursdays.

6. Golden light

The golden light of autumn afternoons gives everything a warm glow that’s tinged with nostalgia for the summer just gone and a tingle of excitement for the crisp days to come. The slanting sun bathes houses, gardens, landscapes and faces in a honeyed light, nowhere more so than Petworth Park amongst the wavy gold grassland, with views of the grand house bathed in soft afternoon light or how about a cappuccino on the mezzanine floor of Nymans’ new Riding House tearoom, with views of the Weald from the top windows. At the top of the acer steps in Standen’s Arts and Crafts garden as they turn red and golden in early autumn. In Nymans’ new Garden in the Ruins – among the gothic stone window spaces and warm rust coloured planters .

7. Leaf swishing

Whether it’s a high-kick to watch the leaves tumble, or the flat-footed swish-swish to enjoy the rhythmic crackle and whoosh of the dry leaves, there are no half measures. It’s impossible to ‘leaf swish’ without a smile on your face. Try these spots:

Tunnels of beech leaves, down the deep lanes on the Slindon estate.

The woods at Nymans, in late autumn, as the golden leaves form native trees fall to the ground, including beech, field maple, hornbeam and veteran oaks.

Discover Walk Wood at Sheffield Park and Garden: this peaceful area of woodland is steeped in history, with an abundance of wildlife and natural art sculptures.

8. Try something new

Sheffield Park autumn photography workshop – The natural beauty of the gardens offers spectacular autumn colour and walks and a popular autumn photography workshop (Friday, 30th September, Monday, 10th & Thursday, 20th October, 8.30am-12.30pm). An outdoor photography workshop is the perfect opportunity to learn how to capture the beautiful colours of autumn. Adult £35, includes hot drink and cake.

9. Rainy days

A rainy day in autumn is a great excuse to leave the dog at home and prioritise an exploration of the huge variety of grand, stately and quirky houses and collections that we look after in Sussex.

Before they’re put to bed for the year, visit:

Flower Power at Standen – Step back to 1972 with Flower Power, a new programme at Standen. To mark the 50-year anniversary of being in the care of the National Trust, Standen is paying homage to this era. From fondues to fuzzy felts, enjoy a snapshot of life in the 70s, against the backdrop of Standen’s trendy Morris & Co designed walls and textiles. Inside the house is a recreated 1970s room set by Morris & Co, with their ground breaking Triad collection, plus a contemporary design space until October 30th.

Rising from the ashes: the story of Nymans’ fire. A new exhibition which tells the story of how the Messel family overcame the fire at Nymans, until October 30th.

10. comfort food

The National Trust’s cafés in Sussex know a thing or two about serving up a soothing pumpkin soup or delicious slice of spiced apple cake. Pop along to Nymans, Standen, Petworth House, Birling Gap or Sheffield Park for an autumnal walk and a teatime treat.

Find out more

See the National Trust’s website www.nationaltrust.org.uk

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Plans for homes at Valley Park

Round & About

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Taylor Wimpey is inviting Didcot and Harwell residents to see the latest plans for the first phase of new homes at Valley Park during a public exhibition in November.

Valley Park will comprise up to 4,254 new homes, south of the A4130 and west of Great Western Park. The development will include 1,489 affordable homes as well as community facilities including two new primary schools, a Special Education Needs school, shops, sports facilities, playing fields, allotments and open spaces.

Outline planning permission for Valley Park was granted by the Vale of White Horse District Council in July 2021. The first phase, to be known as Primrose at Valley Park, will comprise 293 homes, of which 103 will be classed as affordable housing.

Taylor Wimpey is holding a public exhibition at the District Community Centre at Great Western Park from 12.30pm to 7.30pm on Friday, 12th November. People will be able to see the latest plans for Primrose ahead of the submission of a reserved matters planning application in the new year.

Gary Needham, Land and Planning Manager for Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire, said: “Valley Park is a major development for the Didcot and Harwell area and we are excited to be able to show off our detailed plans for the first phase of new homes, which will be known as Primrose.

“We’ve seen through our neighbouring Great Western Park development, which is almost sold out, that having a range of great facilities on the doorstep creates a brilliant community, and we know that Valley Park will be no different. We’re eager to meet people in person, talk them through our designs for Primrose and give a real feel for what this new development will be like to live on.”

The public exhibition for Primrose at Valley Park will take place in the Apple Room at the District Community Centre, 1 Gentian Mews, Great Western Park, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 6GR, between 2pm and 7pm on Friday 12th November 2021. People can also visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/new-homes/didcot/valley-park to find out more about the plans and register their interest in a new home.

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Local photography competition

Liz Nicholls

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Home & Garden

Berkeley Invites Community to Take Part in Photo Competition Celebrating Nature:

Award-winning local housebuilder Berkeley Homes has launched a photography and drawing competition open to all residents local to the Woodhurst Park development in Warfield for a chance to win a Polaroid instant camera.

The competition aims to celebrate landscapes and nature as the season changes, encouraging families to explore local nature trails and capture what they see.

The winners of the competition will win an Instax or Polaroid instant camera, which will be handed over at a prize ceremony at the Woodhurst Park Sales and Marketing Suite, where the best pictures will be on display for the public to see. Two runners up of each of the three age categories (11 years and under, 12 to 17 years and 18 years and over) will receive a £25 Amazon voucher.

Entries will remain open until Tuesday 16th November and should be submitted to [email protected]. Entries can also be submitted in person to the sales and marketing suite at Woodhurst Park, or on Instagram with the hashtag #StepIntoWHP and by tagging @berkeley_group.

Submissions will be judged by local photographer Karen Bennett and the Berkeley Homes Sales and Marketing Director.

Please note competition terms and conditions below:

  1. The competition is only open to residents of the United Kingdom.
  2. There is no entry fee or purchase necessary to enter this competition.
  3. All entrants under 18 must have permission of a responsible adult over 18.
  4. Only one entry will be accepted per person.
  5. Closing date is the 16th November 2021, after this date no further entries to the competition will be permitted.
  6. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for reasons out of our control.
  7. Berkeley Homes reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice, but any changes to the competition/offer will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
  8. Berkeley Homes is not responsible for inaccurate prize/offer details supplied to entrants by any third party.
  9. The prize is as stated no cash or other alternatives will be offered. Prizes are subject to availability and Berkeley Homes reserves the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without giving notice.
  10. Prizes are not transferable and cannot be resold.
  11. Competition winners will be selected by Berkeley Homes from all entries received.
  12. All entrants must be willing to provide full name, contact details and address and to have these details passed to the suppliers of the prizes.
  13. Any competition winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material, including on the Berkeley Homes website and social media. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.
  14. Entry into the competition gives Berkeley Homes permission to use submitted entries in any future promotional materials, on their website and on social media.
  15. Entry into the competition will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.

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Build your dream home

Round & About

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A visit to Build It Live this month will help you create a home as individual as you

Are you planning an extension to your home? Or perhaps you even have aspirations to build a new home from scratch? Whatever your plan for a dream home, make sure you pay a visit to the Build It Live show coming soon to Bicester on October 2nd and 3rd.

The exhibition aims to provide a stress-free route to creating a truly individual home with the opportunity to meet a wide range of suppliers plus a host of independent experts who can provide invaluable (free!) advice and top tips on your own self-build or home renovation project.

Architects and other experts will be offering one-to-one advice on how to turn a project into reality including how to find land, what is possible with and without planning permission and how to ensure you have the right design.

At the show there will be a number of specialist areas including a Heating Advice Clinic, glazing manufacturers displaying a huge range of bifold and sliding doors, French doors, windows, contemporary and traditional front doors, and rooflights – plus a Build Cost Clinic to help you understand how much it will cost to build the home of your dreams.

We have 100 pairs of free tickets worth £24 to giveaway.
Simply visit www.builditlive.co.uk and use promo code ROUND100.

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Instil Design runs for award

Round & About

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Martina Landhed, from Oxford business InStil Design Ltd, has been nominated as a finalist for the prestigious kbbreview Retail & Design Awards for the third time.

This time in the category; Bathroom Designer of the Year, projects costing over £25,000 category. The kbbreview Retail & Design Awards are a celebration of the very best retailers, designers and manufacturers in the kitchen and bathroom industry nationwide, celebrating their 27th year in 2021.

InStil Design Ltd Managing Director Martina said: “Being announced as a finalist among several hundreds of national designers is fantastic news, and I am delighted to be down to the final four.

“My desire is to always inspire and help my clients to realise the potential in their bathrooms. I aim to take their dreams and turn them into reality, whilst offering as personal service as possible.”

Martina has previously won the kbbreview Award Bathroom Designer of the year 2013, project costing up to £10k, and in 2017 Bathroom Designer of the year project cost £10 to £25k. She’s been running InStil Design with her knowledgeable and service-minded team from a boutique style showroom just outside Oxford since 2013.

The next stage of the 2021 competition sees the finalists present their designs via video presentation to the KBB panel of judges who will then determine who has best met the competition brief. The criteria include aesthetics, problem solving, product and material choice, uniqueness of idea, design initiative, and value for money.

The winner will be announced at the kbbreview Retail & Design Awards 2021 event that this year will take place on September 15th at Liverpool’s St Georges Hall, and promises to be the biggest industry post-lockdown party of the year.

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