Blue Collar Corner’s 1st birthday weekend

Karen Neville

Genre

Viral festival favourites The Showhawk Duo announced for celebration at Reading’s popular street food and drinks arena

On Friday 10th March, Reading’s popular street food and drinks arena Blue Collar Corner is celebrating 12 months as a permanent site in Hosier Street with a big free entry birthday bash.

Headlining the event will be viral sensation acoustic rave pioneers The Showhawk Duo, festival favourites famous for playing all the best dance/rave songs we know and love on two acoustic guitars, with millions of YouTube views.

Joining The Showhawk Duo on the night will be Rum & Donuts DJs, a trio of Blue Collar Corner resident DJs that know a thing or two about filling dancefloors, having recently warmed up for Grandmaster Flash and provided the soundtrack for Double Barrelled Brewery’s fourth birthday party last October. The party begins at 5pm and continues until midnight with Blue Collar bars serving celebratory booze all evening and Sarv’s Slice, El Asado and YouBao serving delicious street food until 10pm.

Blue Collar’s Glen Dinning said: “After the year of our lives, of summer boozing, next level street food, rotating beers and cocktails, a winter refurb, a cost of living crisis, World Cup screenings, massive DJ sets and live music, our baby will celebrate it’s first birthday on Friday 10th March.

“We’ll be going big that weekend,” Glen continues, “starting on Thursday 9th with the return of Thursday DJs and the launch of a special first birthday beer from Double Barrelled Brewery. On Friday it’s the big birthday bash with The Showhawk Duo & Rum & Donuts DJs. Saturday starts with an Indie Brunch followed by Six Nations rugby on our big screens then a party set from DJ Acronym.

“On Sunday 12th, we are raising funds for homelessness prevention charity, Launchpad, one of our partner charities, alongside local indie band Third Lung. Between 12-5pm we’ll have a stripped down live set from Third Lung, Loveless, Reliant & Who Ate All The Crayons.”

More events take place at Blue Collar Corner throughout March including the return of Big Jay’s Big Drag Brunch on Saturday 25th March. Reading Vintage Flea Market launches on Sunday 26th March, bringing a host of stalls from local dealers specialising in affordable original vintage, mid-century furniture, decor, home ware, clothing, signs, art and posters to the venue.

Full listings for DJs and events at Blue Collar Corner in March can be found below. More info on separate events is available at blue.collar | Facebook | Linktree

Thu 9th March – Feel Good Thursdays w/DJ Rich Sloman

Fri 10th March – 1st Birthday Party w/Showhawk Duo + Rum & Donuts DJs

Sat 11th March – Indie Brunch + Six Nations: England v France + DJ Acronym

Sun 12th March – Launchpad Fundraiser w/Third Lung (Stripped down) + guests

Thu 16th March – Feel Good Thursdays w/DJ Mark Fitzpatrick

Sat 18th March – Six Nations: Super Saturday + DJ Fajita Funk

Sun 19th March – Mother’s Day Specials

Thu 23rd March – Feel Good Thursdays w/DJ Rich Sloman

Fri 24th March – DJ Ryan MacGregor

Sat 25th March – Big Jay’s Big Drag Brunch + Rum & Donuts DJs + DJs Elle Cee & Kingpinn

Sun 26th March – Reading Vintage Flea Market + Boat Race Screening

Thu 30th March – Feel Good Thursdays w/DJ Rich Sloman

Fri 31st March – DJ Acronym

Good year for the rosés

Round & About

Genre

Our wine columnist Giles Luckett invites us to enjoy all things pink

Hello. You’ll have to excuse the punning on that famous Elvis Costello song in the headline… But given Elvis’s predilection for all things boozy back then, I’m sure wine played a part in creating his 1981 album. Surely he’d had to have had a few to think doing a country and western album was a good idea for a follow up to his Motown-inspired Get Happy!

Anyway, rosé wines have certainly been on my mind of late. The warmth of the early spring sunshine always gives me a craving for rosé, and a recent trawl past many a tasting table has introduced me to some glorious new wines, ones that will ensure that 2023 will be a good year for the rosés.

First up, the Moulin de Pontfract Rosé 2021 (Laithwaites £8.99). This is a Provençal-style rosé from the neighbouring department of Var. If it was from Provence, it would probably come in a bottle that Jean Paul Gautier rejected for being outrageous and have a similarly outlandish price tag. This is a lovely, gentle rosé that offers a softly scented nose of red berries and blossom, while the palate is suffused with notes of strawberries, cranberries, and a hint of citrus on finish – just the thing for a spring lunch aperitif.

Next, a wine from Chile. Chilean wines offer an amazing combination of value and quality, and while the reds often steal the show, the rosés can be sublime. Take the Phantom River Sauvignon Blanc Rosé (Sainsbury’s £5.25). As you might expect from a Sauvignon, this is bright, zesty, fresh, and full of grapefruit and citrus. The addition of Shiraz (hence the colour) lends it weight and depth and imparts a satisfying note of blackcurrants to proceedings. Try this with green salads and roasted poultry or baked fish.

Spain is another good source of outstanding rosés – or rosados. Over the years, I’ve tasted hundreds, and rarely have I been disappointed. Recently I tried a new wine from a classic producer. Freixenet is best known for their excellent range of Cavas (more of those soon…), but they are also dab hands at still wines. Take their excellent Freixenet Rosado (Slurp £10). Garnacha-based, this is disarmingly pretty in pink but packs a punch. Bright strawberry and raspberry tones are joined by flavours of red cherry, orange and a touch of spice. Lovely on its own, I think this would partner well with rice dishes and cured meats.

As regular readers of this column may have gathered, I’m something of a fizz fan, in the same way that pandas are partial to bamboo. I recently had another encounter with an English sparkling wine with which we toasted the Queen’s Jubilee, the Balfour Brut Rosé (Waitrose £39.99). I recall being struck by how harmonious and refined this was when I first tried it and revisiting it; it’s even better. Bold strawberry, raspberry, and red currant notes tinted with creamy yeast, a lively, fresh mid-palate, and a long, salted digestive biscuit finish make this a class act.

“I’m something of a fizz fan, in the same way that pandas are partial to bamboo”

When most people think of Sancerre, their thoughts turn to gloriously leafy Sauvignons with their dry, mineral-rich finishes. Sancerre also comes in red and rosé styles which are produced using that most noble of vines, Pinot Noir. These tend to be more expensive and can be quite hard to find, so I was surprised to find an affordable example at Tesco, their Finest Sancerre Rosé (as opposed to their non-existent ‘ordinary’ or ‘value’ Sancerre Rosé – £13). This retains the classic Sancerre freshness and minerality, but with raspberry, strawberry, beetroot, black cherry, and pepper touches. This is fresh enough to be enjoyed on it’s own, but it would go brilliantly with pork or salmon.

And to finish, how about something indulgent, refined, and utterly exquisite? The Champagne Billecart-Salmon, Rosé (Mr. Wheeler £62.50) is all these things and more. This is one of the best rosé Champagnes I’ve ever had – and believe me, I’ve gone miles out of my way over the years to try as many as I can. The magic of this wine is how they manage to combine intensity with grace and generosity. This is a stunning wine offering layer upon layer of ripe strawberry, tangy blackberry, creamy yeast, soft apricot , and a dash of leafy blackcurrant. I’ve been fortunate enough to try this beautiful wine in various formats; the halves sit perfectly in the secret pocket of a Barber when you fancy a cheeky rinse at the cricket, and in magnum, it shows how well Champagne can age and develop. In any size bottle, this is a wine every wine lover should try.

Well, there’s a bottle of Freixenet Rosado in the fridge needing my attention, so I must away. Next time out, I’ll dive deeply into my favourite red wine region, Rioja.

Sports Marketing In The Digital Age

Round & About

Genre

The digital age has brought about a significant change in the way sports marketing operates. Sports brands, events, and athletes have had to adapt to the new digital landscape to reach their audiences effectively. The challenges and opportunities of sports marketing in the digital age are many and varied, and the following article will explore them in detail.

Cheltenham Racing Festival

One example of the challenges and opportunities of sports marketing in the digital age is the Cheltenham Racing Festival. This annual event, held at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, England, is one of the most significant events in the horse racing calendar. The festival takes place over four days, with the Cheltenham racing dates set for March 14-17. The festival attracts a wide audience, including horse racing enthusiasts, punters and causal observers.

One of the biggest challenges facing sports marketers at the Cheltenham Racing Festival is the sheer scale of the event. With tens of thousands of people in attendance and millions more watching online and on TV, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd and make an impact. However, with careful planning and a strategic approach, there are many opportunities to engage with fans and create memorable experiences.

Social Media

One way that sports marketers can take advantage of the digital age is by leveraging social media to connect with fans before, during, and after the event. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram provide a powerful way to build buzz, share news and updates, and engage with fans in real time. By creating compelling content and leveraging influencer partnerships, sports marketers can generate excitement and drive engagement in the run-up to the event.

During the event itself, sports marketers can use a variety of tactics to create memorable experiences for fans. For example, offering free merchandise, exclusive access, or VIP experiences can help to build loyalty and create positive associations with brands. Live streaming and social media activations can also be effective in engaging fans who are unable to attend in person.

Tradition and Innovation

Another challenge facing sports marketers at the Cheltenham Racing Festival is the need to balance tradition and innovation. While horse racing has a rich history and culture, sports marketers must also embrace new technologies and trends to stay relevant and engaging. For example, using augmented reality or virtual reality experiences can help to bring the excitement of the races to live in new and innovative ways.

Finally, sports marketers must also be mindful of the importance of data and analytics in the digital age. By tracking engagement metrics, analysing audience behaviour, and monitoring sentiment, sports marketers can gain valuable insights into what is working and what is not. This can help to inform future campaigns and improve the overall effectiveness of sports marketing efforts.

Bottom Line

Sports marketing in digital age presents both challenges and opportunities for marketers looking to promote their brands and products at events like the Cheltenham Racing Festival. By leveraging social media, creating memorable experiences, embracing innovation, and using data and analytics, sports marketers can engage with fans in new and exciting ways and drive long-term brand loyalty. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the key to success will be staying flexible, adaptable, and always willing to try new things.

Perfect roast at The Oarsman Marlow

Liz Nicholls

Genre

Meat-lovers (and even secret carnivores) are sure of sublime old-school classics & service at this perfect bistropub which is hosting a series of special guest chefs

With the weather still stubbornly wintry, and mojo levels decidedly lacking, the perfect roast is exactly what the doctor ordered. But where to find this mythical beast?

I had heard amazing things about The Oarsman, right in the heart of Marlow (the foodies’ favourite, with its pick of delicious delicatessens and boui bistros) and was delighted to find myself here last Sunday, with a leisurely lunchtime at my disposal as well as a similarly food-obsessed pal.

The indulgent interior of this gastro gem does not disappoint, with its arse-friendly banquettes and copper details glowing with promise at the pass. Last month saw the launch of The Oarsman’s special guest chef series creating one-off collaborative menus with head chef Scott Smith.

I had left my (mostly) vegetarian household far behind me for the day to indulge in some hearty doses of fresh meat… and it more than lived up to the hype. One of Scott’s classics (which apparently won the hearts and minds of the pub’s gaffers Nigel Sutcliffe and James McLean, and has stayed on the menu ever since) is bacon & trotters which we just had to try. This savoury joy more than delivers on its promise, as did the simply stunning classic fish soup with rouille and lacy cheesy croutons. After a refreshing marmalade martini, the main event, the holy grail of the perfect roast was then delivered not once but twice.

The perfectly pink entrecote of beef was matched by a towering Yorkshire pud and layered fondant tatties and spiced carrot that sang with the rich meaty gravy. Gina was genial enough to go swapsies halfway through, and it was a toss-up as to whether the porchetta, wrapped in the crispiest crackling of your foodiest dreams and cabbage (with a ladylike wodge of that dreamy potato again) was even better.

The staff seem rightly proud of everything served here and it was their warm praise of Scott’s Ecclefechan tart (a festive, fruity Scottish fave) with an impossibly gleamy and creamy artisan cheese that persuaded us to take a swerve from our usual chocolate choice that served us well.

I had to have a lie down after our feast – I haven’t felt that indulged since my post Christmas game-induced meat sweats. Hearty, old-school and satisfying, the Oarsman deserves a whole afternoon and a designated driver to do its offering the full justice.

The next star chefs to take the pass in the series are Simon Bonwick, Ben Tish and Daniel Smith. To book, call 01628 617755 or visit theoarsman.co.uk to find out more and check out the menu.

Ask Mastermind9, guru Peter Mols

Round & About

Genre

Local business hero & dad Peter Mols, named the nationwide Networker of the Year and champion of small businesses, answers some questions to help locals in his community

Q. Hi Mastermind9, I’m struggling to generate new leads for my business. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not out of business and I have some very loyal customers. But with the current rate of inflation, and cost of living, my current clients can’t sustain me. And if things carry on this way, I might have no choice but to completely shut down, or find paid employment to subsidise my income.

I’m working hard; I’m active on social media, I have a newsletter and I’m attending networking events, but I haven’t had a single new client in the last 3 months. My pipeline is dry, and I don’t know what to do. Have you got any advice? Sincerely, AE.

A: Hi AE,

Lack of leads is a really common problem affecting most small business owners. You have to keep feeding the pipeline, and you have to find ways to do this constantly. We think one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is to have only a couple of ways to generate leads. That’s just not enough.

“You have to keep feeding the pipeline”

We would take a closer look at your social media, how often you’re posting, what’s the quality of your content. Are you adding real value to your audience? The same goes for your newsletter. What quality are you offering your readers, and how relevant is your content to them? Are you collecting feedback? These are a few questions you need to ask yourself.

And secondly, if you want to keep your pipeline running, don’t just rely on organic social media posts. Success in 2023 will come down to proactivity.

We’d consider the following:

• Get really clear on your customer avatar (here’s how)
• Creating a top 30 (a list of the 30 companies you’d like to work with)
• Getting a Google business profile and working hard to get lots of testimonials.
• Sending prospects in the post
• Creating downloadable content that speaks to your avatars pains or desires
• Create blog posts with Calls to Action
• Asking for referrals from your best customers
• Advertising in places that your avatar hangs out (ahem… such as Round & About)
• Attending trade shows or business expos.
• Doing more networking

We’re sure that by mixing up the different approaches to lead generation, you’re bound to start attracting some new customers.

We hope that this answers your question and gives you some new ideas or inspiration. Onwards and upwards my friend!

Mastermind9 provides mastermind groups for business owners who want to grow. We bring together groups of diverse and skilled business owners under Non disclosure agreement to create powerful trusting and supportive communities. Visit www.Mastermind9.com

Angela’s a hot mess!

Round & About

Genre

Bruce Dessau chats to comedian Angela Barnes ahead of her tour which takes in Oxford’s North Wall Arts Centre on 3rd March, Chipping Norton Theatre on 22nd April, Bracknell’s South Hill Park Arts Centre on 27th April, Winchester’s The Arc on 4th May & Aldershot’s West End Centre on 27th May

You will know Angela Barnes from Live at the Apollo, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and as a regular panellist on Mock The Week. She is a fabulous, flame-haired comedian, never short of a snappy quip, positively bursting with stories and jokes.

In her new show, Hot Mess, Barnes reflects on marriage, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and the pandemic. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I spoke to Barnes about all of this, plus her love of bunkers – not the golfing variety – and more.

For all dates and tickets go to: www.angelabarnescomedy.co.uk

Tell us about Hot Mess.

It was originally about ADHD, but, ironically, I got distracted. The title of the show was conceived before the diagnosis. I’ve always been ditzy and forgetful, someone that people roll their eyes at all the time. So the show started off being about trying to get things right and often failing, but then so much happened it ended up being about something quite different, about friendship and loss.

Your boyfriend Matt proposed when lockdown started…

He tried to propose earlier. We’d gone on holiday to Norfolk. He ordered the ring online and they sent the wrong one. It was like a tiny child’s ring so he didn’t do it. Then my brother announced that he’d got engaged so it was like we can’t do it now, it looks like I’m just doing it because he’s done it. Then we were supposed to be going to Islay in Scotland in March 2020. So Matt thought he’ll do it there. And of course that got cancelled because of Covid. My diary just emptied and I was really miserable, so he just thought ‘I’ll do it now’.

Were you able to have a proper wedding?

We married in September 2021. It was just after the restrictions were lifted on weddings. We had our reception in a field so people felt safe. And it was great because it was the first party anyone had been to for a year and a half so the atmosphere was brilliant. Everyone was ready for a party. That’s my wedding tip – have a wedding at the end of a global pandemic. People are really up for it.

Lots of comedians have ADHD – Aisling Bea, Shaparak Khorsandi, Simon Brodkin, you. It can’t be a coincidence can it?

I think there’s a reason we get drawn into this life. We’re constantly looking for that dopamine hit. What better way than stand in front of a room of strangers? It’s not normal to drive to Cardiff for no money to do ten minutes then drive back. Also, I think we’re quite socially awkward. I’ve never been good in social situations with people I don’t know. I’m more comfortable onstage in front of a crowd in the dark. I’m more surprised by stand ups that don’t have ADHD. Why are they doing it?

Mock The Week has ended after 17 years. How was it for you?

I did 38 episodes, the most for any woman and seventh on the list overall. I did my first one in 2014 and thought ‘what am I doing here?’ but by the end I felt I belonged. I owe a lot to it. If it wasn’t for Mock The Week I wouldn’t be doing a tour of this size. It’s nice to not have to write jokes about the news for a bit though. I looked at my notes from my first episode recently and the top story then was that David Cameron had gone on holiday to Cornwall and couldn’t get phone reception. It was a glorious time by comparison.

Was it a good showcase for female acts?

It took a while to realise that ‘woman’ wasn’t a genre of comedy. I think they were worried that women were doing the same subject matter. But my material is more similar to male observational comics than it is to, say, Sara Pascoe. Once they got their head around that I think it changed the show. And once they started having more than one woman on you could tell the difference in energy. I think it started as comedy as combat, having to get your elbows out and get in and became an ensemble piece.

You started stand-up after training as a nurse and working in social care?

I was in my early 30s, I think you realise that comedy doesn’t really matter that much when you’ve come from doing a job where people’s lives matter. During the pandemic we found out who was essential and comedians weren’t essential. Nurses and doctors were. So we’re sort of a luxury item.

But comedy can be good for people’s mental health?

Sometimes people write to you after shows and say ‘I’ve just been through this terrible thing and I was able to forget about it for an hour’. It does have the power to do that. But I think we can take ourselves too seriously. I think we’re entertainers primarily, we’re the court jesters poking fun.

How do you relax? I heard your hobby is visiting nuclear bunkers

I had my hen do in a nuclear bunker in Dundee. I’m fascinated by them. I visit them when I can. If I had my way, every episode of our We Are History podcast (which Barnes co-hosts with comedy writer John O’Farrell) would be about the Cold War, but we try to cover other periods as well.

At the start of the pandemic I bought a sewing machine, boxing gloves and roller boots and went a bit mad. But I do like sewing and learnt how to crochet.

Your tour stretchers from Glasgow to Penzance – do you like life on the road?

I love it. There’s just something about live comedy. People have bought a ticket to see you and that’s a really nice feeling. I’m always amazed as well that people come. I’m just like, why are they here? I’m glad you have but why?

You were the first person to win five consecutive episodes on Richard Osman’s House of Games. Are you competitive?

I am with certain things. Weirdly not in my career particularly, but I definitely am with board games. My family won’t even play with me now. I don’t like it when people don’t take it seriously.

What would you like audiences to take away from Hot Mess?

The bottom line is, it’s jokes, it’s a funny show. But it’s got a bit of heart as well.

Broad smiles on Broad Street

Karen Neville

Genre

Launchpad’s annual pancake day race raises almost £8,000 as teams batter it out for glory

A total of £7,900, and counting, has been raised at Launchpad’s annual Pancake Race which saw teams batter it out on Broad Street on Shrove Tuesday, 21st February.

A team from creative agency TMW saw off all competition and took home the coveted frying pan trophy. Now in its 26th year, the race was sponsored by Reading based technology solutions company, TIEVA and Reading Town Centre BID (part of REDA, Reading’s Economy & Destination Agency). All the money raised will help fund Launchpad’s vital services for people who are homeless, or at risk of losing their home.

Teams of four from businesses across Reading raced in fancy dress after a lively warm up at Broad Street Mall – led by fitness instructor, Maggie Watkins. Teams then paraded to Broad Street where they flipped pancakes as they relay raced through knock-out races, semi-finals, and a gripping final, all compered by Gavin Harris from B Radio in front of an egg-static crowd of spectators, including the Mayor of Reading, Rachel Eden.

The final was a hotly contested race with teams from planning and development consultancy, Lichfields, creative agency TMW and IT company, Air IT giving their all to win top prize.

Our winners, TMW received the first prize of a Cocktail Masterclass for four at The Roseate, and runners up, Air IT were given vouchers to spend at Shed cafe. Vouchers for Blue Collar Corner Bar and Street Food were awarded to Lichfields for third place. The team from Aldermore raised over £400 and won a Revolución de Cuba voucher for the highest fundraising total.

Davis Tate – who raced as characters from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – won best fancy dress and received cocktails for four at High Spirits. Metro Bank won the award for best team spirit, with a prize of cocktails for four at Novotel.

Kirsti Wilson, Head of Fundraising and Marketing, said: “It’s so wonderful that the pancake race has been embraced by the local business community – 36 teams signed up this year and we had more on a waiting list! The costumes were as incredible as ever, with Peaky Blinders rubbing shoulders with Oompa-Loompas and astronauts. We’re also grateful to the hundreds of people that cheered on the runners – the race just wouldn’t be the same without them. Our joyful and silly event has a very serious purpose – to raise essential funds and awareness that we are here for anyone that has become homeless, or is threatened by homelessness, regardless of their personal circumstances. In these challenging times this is a vital message.”

For more information about Launchpad and to donate, visit Home – Launchpad.

James Haskell stand-up tour visits Oxford

Round & About

Genre

The #1 podcaster & author of bestseller What A Flanker will deliver his debut comedy show at Oxford’s O2 Academy on 16th March

James, the star of The Good, the Bad and the Rugby podcast, is back on the road again with his new stage show Sex, Tries and Videotape.

This show chart James’ journey from his early days as mischievous schoolboy through his time as a professional rugby player, having played around the world including at Wasps, Northampton, Stade Francais, The Ricoh Black Rams, and The Highlanders.

“The idea to do a full tour came about after I did a five-date run and really enjoyed it, basically,” he says. “I’ve had lots of adventures in my career, which was very colourful to say the least. I worked under five different England managers, played in multiple different countries, I’m married to Richard and Judy’s daughter, I’m a DJ and producer, I host multiple different podcasts and obviously I’ve gotten myself into a fair bit of scandal over the years, so there’s quite a lot to talk about I think! So it’s a nice opportunity to entertain people and make them laugh. It’s not meant to be overly serious, but it’s a true reflection on my career, but just focusing on the funny bits!

“A lot of me setting the record straight was done in the book, to be honest. Obviously I’m going to touch on the fact that I’m a new dad, that I live with my in-laws and that I’ve been a victim of the media at times and I’ve caused trouble with them myself at times. So I’m not lecturing, I’m just giving people an idea of what I’m like. The real life stories might be shocking and even unbelievable, but they actually all happened and that’s what I’ll be telling people about.

“I do a lot of speaking and I’ve always been fascinated by comedians, so any time I talk I’m usually trying to make people laugh. There was an opportunity to do this podcast, which would be ten episodes and an eight-minute stand up, then followed by another series of ten and do a 20-minute warm-up for Russel Kane in a comedy club, so I was really keen to do it. It was quite scary, but not completely out of the realm of what I’ve already been doing. Obviously if you’re recording the whole journey, it makes it a bit harder as if you end up failing and you bomb, which happens to all of us at some point, it’s out there for everyone to see, but it’s went really well so far. I’ve just started the second season and it’s been a great adventure, but it’s also been the most nervous I’ve been to do anything for a long time, which makes you feel alive!”

Tickets and VIP packages are on sale with prices starting from £26.50 via James Haskell – Sex, Tries and Videotape Tour 2023

The big garden climate challenge!

Round & About

Genre

Cathie Welch from Cathie’s Gardening School looks at how we can grow and maintain happy plants in our ever changing climates

Last time I sat to write this article I wrote about not giving up the challenge of growing vegetables. Following on from the blistering summer heat we then had Permafrost followed by rain and flooding. This is a challenge for everyone but particular growers, farmers and gardeners. Although I am at a loss as to what to do I am also in a position to find it quite interesting from a horticultural point of view.

The extremes of temperature

There is a lot of information around about gardening in a changing climate but often focusses on the hot summers. There is also a plethora of advice on the plants that tolerate frost, indeed there is a scale of temperature tolerance. We can work out what plants like damp soils, dry soils, sun, shade and indeed those that grow in water.
BUT… and it’s a big one! We are now looking at plants that have survived the 40 degree heat, the minus 12 followed by floods. And it’s not even that straightforward because just as we think it’s got milder and plants start to grow again more extreme events happen. It is a minefield and so many people are asking me what to do with their plants that look dead.

The plants that thrived and then died

Phormiums have been beautiful statements in my garden for years, evergreen, colourful, interesting in winter and all the year round, little maintenance, thrive in a sandy soil with little water thrived in the heat and died in the cold. Pittosporums which I have used widely in my garden and others have all defoliated. Another evergreen providing winter structure to replace the box decimated by caterpillar and blight. These are both New Zealand plants that have always been bulletproof!

The plants that thrived and survived

Now this is where it gets interesting. My Trachycarpus fortuneii (hardy palm) have thrived in the heat and not suffered too much in the extensive frosts and flooding. Another surprise is the Yucca (century plant) another tropical looking feature in the garden is laughing in the face of adversity! Roses, dogwoods, willows. Tew, fruit trees etc are looking fine too.

The plants that were damaged but will recover

I was again surprised that my Lonicera hedge took such a battering but encouraged that the same thing had happened at Wisley. I am assuming that once it starts growing in the spring I’ll be able to cut back to healthy shoots. Many evergreens were badly scorched like Choisya, Pseudopanax, Fatsia, Daphne, Euonymous, Skimmia, Hebe and so on which again I will leave until the Spring before pruning. If cut now it can stimulate early growth which can still be damaged by frost. The jury is out on the Phormiums and Cordylines which may grow back from the ground but I’ve cut off all the squishy bits because I don’t want to look at them.

Learn from this

It is important to know your plants, where they come from and what has killed them. This is new to all us experts and it’s a bit of a waiting game. Hopefully the weather will warm up soon but not too much! I’d love to hear your observations and stories.

Cathie’s Gardening School Services

I am running pruning courses throughout summer and autumn. You can join the class and we can come and prune in your garden. Please get in touch, come for a coffee and join in!

Website Cathie’s Gardening School

Email [email protected]

Arlene & Oti: The Cher Show

Round & About

Genre

The Cher Show, directed by Arlene Phillips & choreographed by Oti Mabuse lands at Oxford’s New Theatre, 21st-25th February

From a young child with big dreams, the shy daughter of an Armenian American truck driver, to the dizzying heights of global stardom, The Cher Show tells the incredible story of Cher’s meteoric rise to fame.

Cher takes the audience by the hand and introduces them to the influential people in her life, from her mother and Sonny Bono to fashion designer and costumier Bob Mackie. It shows how she battled the men who underestimated her, fought the conventions and, above all, was a trailblazer for independence.

The musical is packed with 35 of her biggest hits, including If I Could Turn Back Time, I Got You Babe, Strong Enough, The Shoop Shoop Song and Believe.

With more than 100 million record sales, an Academy Award®, an Emmy®, a Grammy®, three Golden Globes® and an award from The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Cher has influenced popular culture more than most. Her on-screen career started in 1971 with her weekly television show that attracted 30 million viewers a week, and went on to include starring roles in iconic films from Moonstruck, for which she won the Oscar for Best Actress, to Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!, which prompted the New York Magazine to realise “every single move – no matter how flawless – would be infinitely better if it included Cher.” Her ‘Farewell Tour’ became the highest grossing music tour in history – in true Cher fashion, she followed up her ‘Farewell Tour’ with two further sell-out, worldwide arena tours. She is the only artist in history to have a number one hit in the Billboard chart for six consecutive decades; an achievement that caused Vogue to deem her “eternally relevant and the ruler of outré reinvention.” She became known as the Queen of Reinvention.

In the 1990s, she established The Cher Charitable Foundation to support causes around the world. She has been a long-time donor and supporter of Habitat from Humanity, The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and Keep A Child Alive, an organisation that helps to combat the AIDs epidemic. Most recently, she co-founded Free the Wild to help rescue Kaavan the Asian elephant from Islamabad zoo.

Written by Tony Award-winning Rick Elice, The Cher Show made its debut on Broadway in 2018 in a production that earned two Tony Awards and delighted fans from around the world. This new production will be the European premiere.

“I loved Cher’s music from the first time I heard it, but it’s more than that; Cher is an icon,” says Arlene.

“Cher is a woman who right from the star of her career was ahead of her time. She’s had hits in every decade, she’s a great actress and she’s whip-smart. She has also been a great pioneer for women’s rights. If there’s something to shout about then Cher shouts about it.

“There is a great story running through as she looks back at the moments where she made an impact, whether through a relationship, a hit, a movie or fashion. We want the audience to embrace her story and have a good time. Oti’s choreography is SO exciting! She is really gifted and people are going to see something that hasn’t been seen before.”

Oti adds: “I grew up with a family that always listened to music and we all loved Cher’s music. Her songs have stories behind them and I LOVE choreography that has a story behind it! It has an intention you can then give to the movement. It makes everyone in the theatre part of the story. And everyone connects to Cher’s music because it is timeless. SHE is timeless!”

To book your tickets, call Oxford New Theatre on 0844 871 7615 or visit New Theatre Oxford Box Office.