Jacob Dixon scales new heights at the brand new Clip & Climb at Eden Shopping Centre
Climbing the walls at home? Looking for somewhere where little high achievers can let off some steam? The new Clip ‘n Climb features 22 challenges and 27 climbing lines tailored to all ages and abilities.
No climbing experience required: newbies are welcome here! Clip ‘n Climb – considered “the Mini Golf of Climbing” – promises fun for everyone in a safe, colourful environment.
The centre at the Eden centre features 22 challenges and 27 climbing lines tailored to all ages and abilities and is one of many upcoming retail and entertainment openings at Eden Shopping Centre.
Our young tester Jacob says he had a great time on the Stairway to Heaven and the epic Drop Slide, both of which are popular in the company’s other centres, including the one in reading run by the same franchisees Chris, Chambers and Jon Robinson.
The centre offers birthday party packages as well as SEN sessions with the friendly, attentive, patient and encouraging staff, with reduced music.
These sessions are a great way to introduce your little one to climbing with safe and fun sessions that will enhance motor skills.
Here the Good Hotel Guide invites you to explore 10 of the top hotels in Hampshire. From the wild beauty of the New Forest to the historic haunts of Southampton, country house hotels to bijoux retreats, these are hotels that are destinations in their own right.
A restaurant-with-rooms in the village on Beaulieu Water, the Montague Arms offers traditional architecture and contemporary hospitality. On the banks of the Beaulieu river, the wisteria-clad Victorian hotel is popular for its food, offering both a fine-dining restaurant and a pub called Monty’s Inn. Many of the rooms overlook an enchanting garden, allowing you to wake to a view of wild ponies wandering by. There are also dog-friendly, open-plan courtyard studios in the grounds, each with a private terrace, and there’s a general atmosphere of relaxation to ease you into your stay.
A five-star hotel in the New Forest, Lime Wood is an idyllic combination of natural beauty, heritage architecture and modern style. The country house hotel is the ultimate retreat, just a 90-minute drive from London, and surrounded by ancient woodland. It’s also home to The Herb House Spa – a dedicated space for wellbeing, complete with forest views from the sauna and hydro pool. A luxury retreat set within the grounds, facilities include a mud house, outdoor hot pool, rooftop techno gym, ozone-treated lap pool with glass doors to the garden, and a manicure and pedicure room.
A five-star country house hotel and spa, Chewton Glen combines heritage elegance with modern hospitality. There are stylish rooms and suites to choose from in the main house, all with traditional decoration and sumptuous furnishings, as well as unique treehouse suites that make the most of their enchanting New Forest location. They allow you to wake amongst the treetops, watch deer roam by, and an extra layer of connectivity with nature.
Named because pigs have foraged in these parts since the Norman Conquest, The Pig in the Forest is a popular member of Robin Hutson’s collection of piglets. There’s a variety of rooms to stay in, from hideaway suites in the stable yard, to lodges and a forest hut at the bottom of the garden. Food is a feast for sit senses using ingredients from the kitchen garden or grown and reared close by. Dishes might include wild garlic tagliatelle, goat’s cheese and walnuts, or venison loin with artichokes and smoked yoghurt.
Following an extensive refurbishment by the new owners, Stanwell House is a Georgian hotel in a New Forest yachting town on the edge of the Solent. A family-friendly, dog-friendly bolthole, it’s chic but warm, with each room offering its own unique charm. There are heritage influences to the interiors, a glass orangery for lunch, and a decadent restaurant, Samphire, with exuberant pink and purple Colefax & Fowler floral wallpaper and a lavish menu.
Surrounded by free-roaming ponies and donkeys, Daisybank Cottage is an Arts and Crafts-style single-storey house in the magical surroundings of the New Forest. A family home turned boutique B&B, attention to detail is paramount. All rooms have an espresso machine, mini-fridge, Roberts radio and Bramley toiletries, while the spectacular Marryat Suite (named after Captain Frederick Marryat, author of The Children of the New Forest) is complete with a private entrance, patio area, barbecue and heater. Place your breakfast order in a flowerpot outside your door at night with options including American pancakes, homemade granola and soda bread, local free-range eggs, kombucha, kimchi and microgreens.
A city-centre bolthole and the smallest of The Pig hotels, the Pig in the Wall is as stylish as its siblings but unique in every way. Tucked away in the medieval walls of Southampton, the historic building welcomes you into the world of rustic wooden table and chairs, low sofa seating, a roaring log burner and cosy corners. There’s a deli-bar serving food sourced from the kitchen garden at The Pig, Brockenhurst, and homely rooms with plush bedding and elegant furnishings.
A little gem dating back to 1822, The Grosvenor sits proudly at the heart of Stockbridge, the smallest town in England. A town that’s home to the world famous chalk stream River Test, it’s a popular spot for fly fishing, shooting, walking and cycling, with guests returning to the immaculate retreat for rest and relaxation afterwards. Dog-friendly (dogs beds available), you can stay in a choice of rooms within the main building, as well as The Tap two-storey cottage adjacent to the hotel. There are also multiple dining areas, each with its own decadent style, from the Market Room restaurant with its intricate chandeliers and a stunning verre églomisé mirror, and the stylish 1822 Bar – perfect for coffee and cake or drinks and nibbles.
A country house hotel and spa, Burley Manor is a New Forest retreat with a contemporary eclectic twist. The property dates to 1852, and is a spectacular baronial-style manor house set within an 800 year old estate. It’s also just a few minutes’ walk from the picture-perfect village of Burley. Rooms are split between the main house and the garden wing, all individually designed with thoughtful details. Imaginative menus champion local ingredients, and are served in an elegant dining room. Meanwhile, wellbeing is enhanced with a treatment room where they offer TEMPLESPA therapies to rebalance and restore.
Part of the Luxury Family Hotels group, New Park Manor is a stylish and welcoming retreat in the heart of the New Forest. A hideaway for nature lovers, it’s surrounded by woodland trails and opportunities to watch resident deer and ponies go about their day. Rooms offer contemporary comfort and easy going style, while dining is a feast of seasonal menus in The Vinery Restaurant, complete with family-friendly amenities such as games like Dobble, Bugaboo Giraffe highchairs, and a children’s menu. Completing the experience, the spa is an adult-only haven with two outdoor hot tubs and forest views, an indoor pool, sauna, steam room and Somadome technology-enabled meditation pod.
The multi-million-selling British singer songwriter Gary Barlow is the latest act announced for next summer’s Nocturne Live concert series in June
The Take That star will headline the series on Friday, 20th June, alongside a selection of soon-to-be-announced special guests.
As a member and lead songwriter of Take That, one of the biggest British boy bands of all time, Gary Barlow has sold over 45 million records, over eight million concert tickets and won eight BRIT awards. Gary has also enjoyed a hugely successful solo career with three number one singles, six top-ten singles and three number one albums. He is one of the most successful British songwriters in history having written a total of 14 number one singles as well as being a six-time recipient of an Ivor Novello Award.
Gary joins the line-up for next summer’s Nocturne Live series alongside Verve frontman Richard Ashcroft, Lightning Seeds and The Zutons, who perform on Thursday June 19th 2025. More acts for the series will be announced in due course.
Nocturne Live transforms Blenheim Palace’s Great Court into a spectacular 10,000-capacity open-air concert venue and since its inception in 2015 has gone on to become one of the UK’s most popular stately home concert experiences. Over the years the series has presented shows from a host of huge international stars including the likes of Lionel Ritchie, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Nile Rodgers, Lauryn Hill, Noel Gallagher, Gregory Porter, Van Morrison, Tears for Fears, Gladys Knight, Elvis Costello, Simple Minds and Ennio Morricone amongst many others.
Nocturne Live 2025 runs from Wednesday 18th to Sunday June 22nd. Tickets for Gary Barlow start at £54 and go on sale at 9am on Friday November 29th. Pre-sale is available to those signed up to the Nocturne Live mailing list and begins at 9am on Tuesday, 26th November.
Tickets, along with a limited number of VIP packages – which provide an exclusive opportunity to dine in the State Rooms of Blenheim Palace – are available fromnocturnelive.com.
Bring your friends and family and enjoy the magic of Christmas at The Shed, Bordon
Embrace the holiday spirit with enchanting festivities across the big Christmas weekend at The Shed starting with the Christmas party on Saturday, 7th December.
Get your glad rags on and head over to The Shed for a night of Christmas tunes from the Lee Aaron band from 7.30pm. The Lee Aaron band are an explosive energetic cover party band with a difference with a repertoire that includes music both old and new, this is a Christmas party with a rock twist. Think The Doobie Brothers, The Killers, David Bowie, Wings, Bryan Adams, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Weekend, U2, James Brown, Van Halen, Andy Williams, The Who, Stevie Wonder, Billy Idol, Muse, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper… just to name a few! This is a free event so just bring yourself, your friends, your moves and festive cheer.
Enjoy The Shed’s annual Christmas Market on 8th December from 12-6pm. With live music, local treats and a naughty elf causing mischief, it’s the perfect excuse to wrap up warm, grab a hot chocolate or toddy and get in the festive spirit!
With over 30 stalls this year, The Shed’s Christmas Market will be bigger than ever! From crocheted goods and boardgames, jewellery, ceramics and handmade carvings, to traybakes, chilli sauces, home cook meal kits and fresh fruit and veg boxes, the market will be packed full of gift ideas and local fayre.
From 12pm-2.30pm the kids will be overjoyed to pet, groom and enjoy story time with the donkeys of Pony Pals, then explore Santa’s magical grotto to meet the man himself. And Santa Paws will be providing Christmas treats for your four-legged friends, meaning all the family members, even the furry ones, are welcome at the Market.
The festive soundtracks for the day will be provided by Chris Roberts from 12.15-1.15pm, followed by Life Spring Church singing Christmas carols from 1.30-2.30pm. As the evening draws in, Dixon Duo will be heralding visitors with Christmas covers from 4.00-4.45pm and to bring the Market to a close from 5.00-6.00pm we’ll have the dulcet tones of vintage 1940s singer Stephanie Belle.
Showcase your vocal talents in a special Christmas themed open mic night on 19th December where local performers will sing a cover, or their very own Christmas original! Discover new local talent and have a very festive evening at The Shed.
Calling all performers! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a budding singer-songwriter, you’re invited to join The Shed’s open mic night event. Sign up starts at 7.45pm with 15 minute slots available. Get ready to showcase your talent at our upcoming Christmas themed night, and don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to share your music with a supportive and welcoming audience.
With a rush of new businesses opening in time for Christmas there is plenty of fresh food and more to explore at The Shed. WBRC is looking forward to welcoming you to this December, as well as providing a central community hub where people of all ages can meet up to enjoy activities and some great food across the festive period.
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.
Grief can feel especially acute at this time of year. Celebrant and founder of Abingdon Compassionate Café Fiona Mac shares her tips to help you be kind to yourself
As Oxfordshire author Clare Mackintosh shares in her best-selling novel I Promise It Won’t Always Hurt Like This, “Grief is universal. Our experiences of death are different, so, too, are the emotions that follow. Your grief is as unique as you are – as unique as your relationship was, with the person you’ve lost. We all grieve in our own way.”
This is no more apparent than during the festive season. Experience has taught me that everyone’s grief is unique, there is no right way or wrong way to feel. It can be a daily challenge, so when the festive season comes along, emotions can run high and we can experience different and difficult feelings, feelings out of sync with everyone else.
In Clare’s book she also writes: “Some people draw comfort from turning anniversary days into something positive. I don’t think this can be forced, and you shouldn’t put pressure on to celebrate someone’s life when you are still struggling with their death, but you might be able to think of small ways to bring colour to these difficult days.”
Here are some thoughts and ideas that may help this upcoming festive season:
It’s OK not to be feeling OK, it is important to prioritise your needs, both emotionally, practically and physically.
I want to be alone: and that’s OK too. Just make sure you try and make time and plan for regular meals and movement (some much-needed self-care). Last Christmas after losing her parent, one friend treated herself to her favourite meal (she had cooked the week before), got up early and walked with the dog for three hours, returned home, got into her PJs, had her meal and got cosy for the rest of the day. Indulge in a bit of self-love.
Being in nature: A walk in the fresh air can do wonders.
Plan a comfortable Christmas: Rather than do what you and others think you should be doing, make sure you plan what you want to do. You can still embrace some traditions if that feels right, step away from them for this year, or create your own.
A time for heightened emotions, so avoid overdoing it: All emotions use up valuable energy, so try not to ‘overdo’ things and get over tired.
Take a social media/TV break: If you’re finding things difficult, take a break from TV, social media, or Christmas films.
If you are with family or friends: Talk about your loved one often, think of a way of talking about them, lighting a candle at mealtimes, making a toast to them, watching old videos, or preparing a photo book to look through photos together after the festive lunch or dinner.
Spend the day volunteering – many charities are calling out for help over the festive season, and it can fill the day and leave you with a sense of wellbeing.
Ditch the turkey – one friend shared their first Christmas without her Dad. They ate his favourite meal instead! La Loop (soup of the day) and spaghetti on your knees (Spaghetti Bolognaise) finished off with roly poly and custard!! They shared stories, laughed, cried and said how much he would have loved it! Followed by of course a toast… with Scotch Whisky.
Personally, we light a candle Christmas Eve and light it every meal we share together over the festive season and think of our loved ones. Inspired by these words from Howard Thurman: “I will light a candle this Christmas, Candles of joy despite the sadness:
Candles of hope, where despair keeps watch, Candles of courage for fears ever present:
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days; candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living, Candles that will burn all year long.”
And lastly, reach out for support: You can call Samaritans for free, call 116123, Shout text “SHOUT” to 85258 or “YM” if you are under 19. Child Bereavement UK (up to 25 years) call 0800 02 888 40.
Join us at the Abingdon Compassionate Café, 10am to 12 noon on 20th December at St Ethelwold’s House and leave a memory label for your loved one on our Christmas Memory Tree.
Join Opera Anywhere for The Pirates of Penzance in Camberley and you’ll enjoy a memorable night and come out humming the tunes
A very special performance of Gilbert’s & Sullivan’s The Pirate of Penzance will be held in Camberley, to celebrate Surrey Heath’s 50th anniversary.
This concert at Kings International College, GU15 2PQ on Friday, 6th December honours the borough’s most notable figure, Sir Arthur Sullivan, the composer behind The Pirates of Penzance and the beloved Savoy operas. Sullivan spent part of his childhood in Camberley, residing in a cottage on London Road – sadly now a fast food drive-thru – while his father served as bandmaster at Sandhurst Military College nearby.
Beginning Tuesday 3rd, Opera Anywhere – one of the UK’s premier professional touring companies specialising in Gilbert & Sullivan – will work with Kings International students to join the chorus in The Pirates of Penzance.
An unfortunate case of mishearing initiates the plot for The Pirates of Penzance, resulting in a dramatic change of direction for Frederic who sets a course to become a pirate rather than a ‘pilot’! The twists and turns of this classic operetta, written in 1879, unfold with ingenious characters, sublime lyrics and some of the best-known songs in opera including the very familiar Major General’s Song.
Opera Anywhere is passionate about producing accessible, innovative and entertaining opera and operetta for all ages. Their mission is to make joyous, family-friendly, high-quality live music available to as many people as possible. They believe music is for everyone, and have a strong tradition of outreach work, community events (including come-and-sing performances) and educational projects. Opera Anywhere love to collaborate with music clubs and choral societies, schools and orchestras for combined performances.
The team of professional singers and instruments give over 65 opera performances throughout the UK every year. You’ll find them in theatres, schools, galleries and museums, at festivals, on punts, and even in the woods!
This production of The Pirates of Penzance is generously supported by Frimley Fuel Allotments, Surrey Heath Council, and Camberley Rotary.
Friends Karl and Ed from Ascot are preparing to set off for the Canary Islands, but their trip will be no holiday as the pair get set to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic
Spare a thought for Karl Austen and Ed Shaw as you tuck into your turkey and enjoy Christmas with family and friends, the intrepid duo will be crossing the Atlantic as part of the World’s Toughest Row.
The friends are embarking on the 3,000 mile challenge from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to English Harbour in Antigua, starting on December 12th with the aim of raising funds for Dementia UK and Prostate Cancer UK, which have special meaning for the pair. Both have parents suffering from these awful diseases.
Their boat has now shipped to the start point and Karl and Ed, as team 2Stroke, will join her on November 30th. They have spent most of the summer travelling up and down to Portland for on water training while much of the last few weeks have been spent preparing and packing the boat – food, clothing and equipment – and going through extensive lists to make sure they have everything covered.
“As the race draws near it is all very ‘real’ now but we’re actually not nervous,” says Karl. “As we have spent over 250 hours on the boat training we feel well prepared. As they say, ‘Confidence is built through evidence’. We can’t wait to get out to La Gomera where we will have lots of briefings, safety meetings, kit inspections and then final packing of the boat. We will also take the boat out in the Atlantic waters for final safety checks post shipping before we set off.”
Both Karl and Ed will take turns on the oars, two hours on and two hours off, undertaking their two hour shifts for a minimum of 12 hours per day each, and never sleeping for more than two hours at a time. “Our only contact with the world will be via a satellite phone, as the race is completely unassisted and we will carry everything we need for up to two months at sea in our Rannoch R25 rowing vessel. From the dangers of 40ft waves and sea sickness, to Marlin strikes and salt sores, The World’s Toughest Row is the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance!
“The challenge will strip us of all the comforts of modern life and test every part of our mental and physical resilience; it is the ultimate test.”
They’ll be posting regular updates and wills end small video and voice notes via satellite to their ground crew. Follow their progress on Instagram @2stroke.team
Janey Wall tells us how Sustainable Amersham’s volunteers saved more items from landfill at the last café, which had a joyful animal theme!
Christmas was on some customers’ minds at the recent Amersham Repair Café. Among the first through the door was Sarah Osborne, with a decorative outdoor animated deer which, during the festive season, graces the front of her Amersham home, to the delight of passing schoolchildren.
The deer is a fawn, which used to ‘graze’, moving its head up and down, alongside its ‘grazing’ mother… Well, the fawn still lit up but refused to budge its head. Volunteer repairer Paul found the motor gears were seized up after years of winter weather. The issue was accessing the motor casing, which – being designed for outdoor use – was glued. Paul tried spraying WD40 where he could try to loosen any rust and lubricate seized parts but without success. Fellow repairer John, who, it seemed, had ‘reindeer experience’ was consulted. But the verdict was that a replacement motor was required, which Sarah said she would source, before returning to the Repair Café in January. Alas, Bambi will go hungry this Christmas.
Quite an animal theme developed at the latest Repair Café. One who came in with her owner, Judith, was Molly the ‘choodle’ or a cross between a chihuahua and a miniature poodle. The little dog herself did not require repair. Rather a solution was needed to help Molly travel comfortably in Judith’s rollator walker, when they’re on the move. The issue dogging Molly was the tendency of the compartment lid where she sits – which doubles up as a seat – to shut on her. A simple solution was found: a ribbon attaching the lid to the rollator frame, which can easily be untied.
Another creature needing attention was a ceramic and brass owl with a broken left leg. The bird had long kept watch over Sylvia Lawson’s kitchen from a perch on a shelf, after she picked it up in Mexico decades ago. The owl is a beautiful example of hand-painted Tonala Mexican folk art. Wise owl repairer Judi not only had the leg splinted and glued within minutes, but also gave it a polish. Sylvia’s verdict: “He’s looking a million times better.”
The Sustainable Amersham Repair Café can be a hoot, attracting many repeat customers. It’s free, with a free cuppa and cake while you wait (two items per person). The latest café also featured a popular cable drop; these are full of copper which can be recycled and reused. 22 items were fixed and saved.
The next Amersham Repair Cafe is 10am-1pm on 4th January at St Michael’s in Sycamore Road.
Hi Vernon! What’s your first panto memory? “I didn’t go as a kid, although I loved doing the Christmas play at school. But we made a point of taking our kids to the pantomime and we came here to see Shane Ritchie a few years back in Dick Whittington… Shane loves Dick! I didn’t need convincing to do panto, but Shane nudged me, he always said, ‘oh, you’ll love it, it’s hard work, but it’s the best’. And he’s right! When I did Cinderella two years ago, I had so much fun. It’s nerve-wracking at first, but then you get addicted to it. Panto is a pivotal part of people’s Christmas calendars.”
Q. How does it affect your Christmas plans? “Well Christmas kind of goes on hold with pantomime because you only get Christmas Day off. Two years ago I spent all afternoon in bed because I was so tired. I love Christmas dinner, though, so I won’t be missing that! No, I won’t be getting a takeaway instead, we’ll just do the prep the night before. So, if we get a chance, I’ll be peeling spuds and carrots when I get back, to have it all ready for Christmas Day. But we do go all in: the whole shebang – we really enjoy Christmas, it’s good fun.”
Q. You’ve got two dogs? “Yes: a Chihuahua and a Maltese Shih Tzu. They’re awesome! It’s strange if you lie on the sofa and a dog doesn’t come and nuzzle you, all snuggly.”
Q. Did you listen to the radio growing up? “Yeah, my dad’s a lorry driver so the radio was always on! My dad was also in a band so he always learning songs too. I’ve got fun memories of listening to Steve Wright. And then from my late teenage years, it was always Chris Evans. I loved his rock and roll attitude of screw it, let’s do it. This is always at the forefront of my mind at work now!”
Q. Do you love life in Bucks? “Yeah, even if we’re out much less than when we first moved here 20 years ago. It’s less big nights out in the Crazy Bear now & more a lovely Sunday roast at the pub! So many good ones round here…”
Q. Do you still love the Bolton Wanderers? “Yeah, big fan! There’s always a couple of jokes in the panto because we have the Wycombe Wanderers, too. Yeah, I do like my football.”
Q. Who was your hero growing up? And now? “My dad’s always been pretty cool, and mum. In more recent years, maybe Tom Brady, the American footballer who used to play for the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I think he’s got this perfect mindset. He’s the closest athlete that I’ve found who’s discovered the formula to winning, which I think is pretty special. It’s all about mindset and focus, which I admire.”
Q. Do you feel good about 2025? “2025 is going to be a really good year, because of the Oasis reunion. The energy we had in the 1990s, with a bit of rock and roll thrown in there, I think there’s going to be that attitude among the young people of Great Britain. Hopefully we’ll get some of that rebellion back that we’re renowned for! It’s funny but the reunion of these two estranged brothers means a lot. The government have said there are tough times ahead. But I think 2025 socially will bring a good tide of change. And as for me personally, yes – just more of the same, please!”
Q. If you could rub your magic Christmas lamp, what would you wish for? “More good news for everyone. We’re submerged in so much bad news, in negativity, and I think just people deserve more good news and hope, please, that’s all. More happy vibes.”
