Multi-award winning comedian, writer, actor and television presenter Griff Rhys Jones is set to embark national stand-up tour this spring – summer with his new show ‘The Cat’s Pyjamas’.
Griff Rhys Jones is truly a force to be reckoned with in the world of comedy and entertainment. His upcoming tour, ‘The Cat’s Pyjamas’, promises to be a rollicking ride through a wide spectrum of comedic subjects, from personal anecdotes to cultural commentary. It’s impressive how he seamlessly weaves together diverse topics, keeping his audience engaged and entertained throughout.
His track record of successful tours, including ‘Jones and Smith’ and ‘Where Was I?’, speaks to his ability to connect with audiences across different countries and cultures. And ‘All Over The Place’ sounds like it was an epic journey before the pandemic hit.
Griff’s extensive career spans television, theatre, and film, with notable roles in iconic shows like ‘Not the Nine O’Clock News’ and ‘Smith and Jones’. His work in theatre, including lead roles for esteemed directors like Alan Ackbourn and Sam Mendes, demonstrates his versatility and skill as an actor.
It’s clear that Griff Rhys Jones has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, earning him numerous awards and accolades along the way. From Oliviers to Baftas to an Emmy, his talent and dedication have been recognized time and time again.
‘The Cat’s Pyjamas’ tour is sure to be another feather in Griff’s cap, showcasing his comedic brilliance and leaving audiences laughing in the aisles.
Support acts announced for elbow at Heritage Live 2024
The line-up for Heritage Live 2024 at Englefield Estate is absolutely stellar! Villagers and Hamish Hawk are both incredible acts that promise to deliver an unforgettable experience alongside elbow.
Villagers’ upcoming album “That Golden Time” sounds like it will be a masterpiece, blending Conor O’Brien’s lyrical prowess with his signature melodic finesse. The inclusion of renowned musicians like Dónal Lunny and Peter Broderick only adds to the anticipation for what promises to be a collection of songs shimmering with vulnerability and authenticity.
And Hamish Hawk’s “Laziest River” EP seems like it will offer a deeply introspective journey through his soulful lyricism and stripped-back instrumentation. His commitment to artistic integrity shines through, making his performance a must-see for anyone attending the concert.
Of course, elbow’s presence is the cherry on top. With their recent number one album “Audio Vertigo” showcasing a departure in style while maintaining their signature sound, fans can expect a dynamic and captivating performance. And classics like “One Day Like This” and “Grounds for Divorce” are sure to get everyone singing along.
Heritage Live 2024 at Englefield Estate is shaping up to be a concert for the ages, blending extraordinary talents and iconic sounds for an evening of music, emotion, and transcendence. It’s an event not to be missed!
When CHAOS (Chipping Norton Amateur Operatic Society) reached their amazing 50 years of performing they decided to go for the iconic musical EVITA by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice to show off their long-established talents.
With director Mandyrae Jessey and musical director Catrin Russ at the helm, they auditioned over four night for the principle roles and were delighted to offer tow Evitas and two mistresses the chance to perform. Che, Peron and Magaldi followed and then chorus, creating Evita’s family, staff, Army and some children, all came together brilliantly.
Taking such an iconic and large cast show to the stage has been exciting and CHAOS is proud to team up again this year with the beautiful CHIPPING NORTON THEATRE who are also celebrating their 50th year.
The director has created a set and props that work for a smaller stage and has added some special moments, including giving out real gifts from Evita for the audiences each night while the songs are sung about giving gifts to the Argentinian people during her marriage to Peron. As far as we know this has never been done before.
The special performances are totally unique to CHAOS, offering an immersive experience for the audience.
The cast, crew and orchestra are all extremely proud of the work everyone has put in.
If you would like to know more about the production and behind the scenes, please contact either: CHOAS Chairman Elizabeth-Rae-Large – [email protected] – +447309 060826 or Director Mandyrae Jessey – [email protected] – +447970925685.
Mandyrae Jessey is also celebrating 50 years of directing this year.
UK’s largest 4×4 show – get ready for an exhilarating action packed family weekend, full of off-road adventures and automotive excellence!
From 29th-30th June the show will see over 100 trade and autojumble stands already signed up with many new traders coming for the first time this year. A fabulous food and drink area with a wide variety of cuisine, beer tent, live music and plenty to keep the family entertained throughout the weekend.
Camping spaces are filling up quickly. Day tickets are available online at a special discounted price.
The infamous Off Road Courses will be open all weekend for people to drive. Both The Riverside Course and The Lakeside Course offer a range of testing water sections, steep gradients, technical sections and of course some mud! The course is designed to be suitable for beginners as well as experience drivers so don’t hold back…
For more information and to purchase tickets visit the website.
We’ve teamed up with Adam Henson to invite you to send us pictures of the wildlife in your garden – or local park – and win seeds to help improve biodiversity
One of the UK’s best-known farmers and TV presenter Adam Henson has launched a range of British Wildflower Seeds, the first product line to launch from his new online store, Wildscape.
Developed in collaboration with leading experts in ecology and sustainable agriculture, Wildscape promise to create beautiful spaces, bringing joy to all those who experience them and creating essential habitats to foster biodiversity.
“I believe everyone should consider growing wildflowers,” says Adam, “not only are they beautiful native British blooms, but they also support local biodiversity. No matter if it’s a small pot in an urban setting or large garden, wildflowers create a mini ecosystem right outside your window, attracting a variety of birds, insects, and other delightful creatures.”
Someone who is doing their bit for nature and enjoying it is Chris Waymouth who has shared some pictures of some creatures in his Buckinghamshire garden.
“I was brought up in a small village in Northamptonshire and my father was a lover of wildlife and the outdoors,” Chris tells us. “I used to roam the fields beside the River Nene, absorbing all that the countryside had to offer.
“I used to roam the fields beside the River Nene, absorbing all that the countryside had to offer.”
“As a youngster I wasn’t allowed to touch my father’s prized Rolleiflex camera. I had to make do with a Kodak Brownie, until I was given a simple Agfa for my 21st birthday and this really kickstarted my lifelong interest in photography.
“When I met my wife she had some pro-quality Canon kit and this took me to another level. Digital cameras arrived on the scene and this was another step forward. Finally, three or four years ago, I became pretty serious about my hobby and invested in a mirrorless camera with extremely high resolution and I’ve expanded my range of lenses to seven. These include macro for close-ups of insects and flowers etc, and very long telephoto lenses for bird and wildlife shots.
“My garden in Jordans backs on to beech woods. It is not a showpiece; I prefer a more natural look including a wild area at the back. It is through here that my four-legged visitors arrive: muntjac, roe deer, fox, badger, hedgehog, not to mention the two or three rabbits who are usually trimming my lawn when I pull back the curtains in the morning. Plus, of course, the squirrels. I enjoy stretching my longest lenses to maximum reach to get full-face shots of all of these.
“Then there are the birds. Lots of them! I have half a dozen feeders in the front garden and a couple at the back and clearly the word is out among our feathered friends that this place is good for a meal or two. The list of regulars include all the usual garden birds: robin, blackbird, song thrush, chaffinch, bullfinch, blue tit, great tit, long-tailed tit, dunnock, wren, jay, green and great spotted woodpeckers and just recently a brambling, not to mention the ever-present woodpigeon, collar dove, magpie, jackdaw, crow, green parakeet and the red kite circling majestically overhead.
“Although I do not have a huge array of flowers, there are plenty to attract bees and a variety of bugs and this is where the macro lens comes into its own, capturing the subject at 1.4x life size. With the high resolution of the camera (a Canon EOS R5) I can then “crop” (zoom into) the photo once it is on my computer and end up with some highly detailed, sharp images.
“I have something like 35,000 photos on my computer – here are just a few for you to enjoy.”
To enter, upload your pictures to Instagram or Facebook and tag @roundandaboutmag with the hashtag #RAphotocompetition to be involved and we’ll choose a winner to receive the seeds. The competition ends June 1st.
For our May vox pop, Sophie Davenport, managing director of Widmer End-based SFE Services, shares her favourite things about local life
Q. Hello Sophie! Could you tell us a bit about yourself? “I am a mum of two daughters aged 13 and eight. We’ve lived in Holmer Green with my husband Grant for five years now. I’m originally from Maidenhead, and Grant is from High Wycombe.”
Q. What does your company do & what do you have on the horizon? “SFE Services Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Ltd serves commercial and residential clients in Bucks. This year we’ll be sponsoring and attending the Holmer Green Sports Association Beer Festival, continuing our sponsorship with Wycombe Wanderers Football Club and supporting events for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care charity.”
Q. What do you most love about where you live? “Holmer Green has a lovely village feel. The common has a fantastic playground and is great for the kids to play and for a picnic in the summer. Having shops in the village and close by in Hazlemere is so convenient and saves trips into town.”
Q. What pets do you have? “A British Bulldog, Lola, a Boerboel called Kion and my daughter has a pony, Jim. Our favourite places to walk or ride are the fields in Little Missenden, Penn Woods and West Wycombe. We take our dogs to Posh Paws in Widmer End and I recommend The Barking Barbers in Stokenchurch.”
Q. What are your favourite restaurants or pubs? “Old Oak in Holmer Green for the best Sunday roasts! The Hit or Miss in Penn Street, Old Queen’s Head in Penn. Browns & Prelibato in Beaconsfield and Zaza in Amersham.”
Q. What about star businesses? “Nathan’s fruit & veg in Holmer Green; the staff are super-friendly, and it has a great selection of quality produce. Hildreth Garden Centre in Prestwood is my go-to for a mooch and has a lovely café. The Square café in Holmer Green has the best hot chocolate. I go to Mulberry’s in Beaconsfield when I need pure relaxation! B2 Chalfont Clinic also deserves a shout-out: acupuncturist Kate is second to none.”
Q. Any hidden local gems? “The bluebells in Penn Woods and Common Wood are a must-see. And the trip wouldn’t be complete without a stop at The Squirrel or Hit or Miss.”
“The bluebells in Penn Woods and Common Wood are a must-see.”
Q. What highlights are you looking forward to later this year? “Holmer Green Sports Association’s beer festivals in May & August and garage night in September. Hell Fire Caves at Halloween is great fun. Then, at Christmas, visiting Waddesdon Manor with the family.”
Q. Are you a member of any groups? “BoB [Business Over Breakfast] Club in Wycombe, run by Tina Duggan from Oven Loving. I’ve met so many talented local business owners.”
Q. If you could make one wish for the world, what would it be? “Id wish for a world free from judgment and full of empathy, where individuals are celebrated for their uniqueness rather than condemned for their differences.”
Immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of art and entertainment at the Chesham Fringe Festival this late May bank holiday weekend.
The inaugural Chesham Fringe Festival is set to be a jubilant celebration of both local and international talent, bringing together artists from diverse background to create an unforgettable cultural extravaganza. From May 25th to 27th, Chesham will come alive with over 100 acts spread across ten central venues, offering a wide array of performances to suit every taste.
This exciting event not only showcases the vibrant creativity of the Chesham community but also welcomes talent from around the world, mirroring the spirit of renowned festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe. Whether you’re a fan of music, comedy, poetry, cabaret, or theatre, there’s something for everyone at the Chesham Fringe Festival.
Local venues, including Chesham United Football Club and the Elgiva Theatre, will host performances alongside independent cafes and pubs, providing a platform for artists to share their talents with enthusiastic audiences. The festival also aims to support the innovative spirit of Chesham by raising funds for local charities and organizations further strengthening community ties.
Attendees can look forward to an eclectic lineup featuring disco/soul legends, tribute bands, pop icons, jazz performers, and acclaimed comedians, promising a weekend filled with laughter, music, and entertainment. In addition to ticketed events, the festival includes ‘Free Fringe’ performances, ensuring accessibility for all members of the community.
One of the festival’s unique features is its family-friendly atmosphere, with selected venues open to attendees of all ages until 9pm. This allows families to introduce their children to the magic of live music and theatre, fostering a love for the arts from a young age.
Chesham’s picturesque surroundings and vibrant atmosphere make it the perfect setting for such a dynamic and culturally enriching event. By showcasing the best of local talent alongside acts from around the world, the Chesham Fringe Festival aims to establish the town as a hub for arts and entertainment, further enhancing its reputation as a creative destination in the Chilterns.
Minster Mill is just located 15 miles from the dreaming spires of Oxford & 11 miles from Blenheim palace. The charming Cotswold stone building and barns are flanked by 65 acres of idyllic grounds, set in the picture-perfect Oxfordshire village of minster lovell.
Beautiful gardens, you can find wildflower meadows, woodland and in the summer months enjoy fishing, walking croquet and tennis. As the winter comes you can enjoy the hearty food and cosy interiors enjoyed by the roasting fire.
You have so many locations near-by: • Witney Lakes Golf Course – 6 min drive • Crocodiles of the World – 8 min drive • Cogges Manor Farm – 9 min drive • Cotswold Wildlife Park – 10 min drive • Blenheim Palace – 22 min drive
Drinking and Dining with impressive, vaulted ceilings and original oak beams, the three AA rosette Mill Restaurant & Bar provides a wonderfully atmospheric backdrop for exceptional seasonal food and drink.
The garden spa – wash away your worries in this tranquil heaven, set in the heart of our landscape’s grounds. Including a plunge pool, Rock sauna, Aroma steam room, ice fountain and tropical rain forest showers. Highly recommend the Unique RASUL mud therapy. A traditional, ancient, Middle Eastern ritual where mineral-rich mud, heat and steam will leave your skin beautifully soft. This indulgent treatment will awaken your senses. Mineral muds are presented to smooth onto the body and face, steam infused with relaxing aromas is then gently introduced to the room to help soothe tense muscles and open the pores, allowing the enriched muds to condition your entire body. After approximately 20 minutes enjoy the induction of a warm mist as it descends within your rasul to gently soften and help wash away the remaining mud, leaving your skin feeling conditioned and your mind clear.
Overnight stays at Minster Mill start from £170 per room, two sharing including breakfast. There are also packages regularly offered, including delicious meals, spa experiences or treats, so do keep an eye on the website for the latest offers. Minster Mill / 01993 774 441
Fans of Strictly Come Dancing will surely be eager to secure their tickets for the Professionals Tour across the UK
This May, a dozen of pro dancers from the hit BBC One show; Strictly Come Dancing, hit the road for the 2024 UK tour. Under the direction of Jason Gilkison, known for his creativity and vision, the tour promises to showcase the exceptional talent of the professional dancers. From phenomenal dance numbers to dazzling costumes, the show will undoubtedly capture the essence of Strictly Come Dancing and its beloved magic.
The kickoff of the UK tour in Oxford on May 1st marks the beginning of an extraordinary journey across the country. The dancers are Dianne Buswell, Vito Coppola, Graziano Di Prima, Carlos Gu, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal and Nancy Xu.
With live performances by singers and a band, the atmosphere is sure to be electric, enhancing the experience for audience members. And with a tour schedule spanning 36 dates across various cities in the UK, fans from all over will have the opportunity to witness the spectacle first-hand.
Overall, it’s clear that the Strictly Come Dancing The Professionals UK Tour for May 2024 will be a must-see event for fans of dance and entertainment alike.
Wine columnist Giles Luckett gives us his recommendations for spring red wines. From Pinot Noir to Malbec, these red wines will put a spring in your step
Hello. Having delved into some spring whites last time, I thought I’d plump for some spring reds as, like wine, I’m all about balance. As the weather continues to break all records for all the wrong reasons, I’ve plumped for wines that will work as well with cool evening suppers as sunny day solo sippers. So, whatever the weather brings, with these you’ll be full of the joys of spring.
First up one of four Pinot Noirs. I could happily have filled this, and several other columns, with recommendations of great Pinots. But out of concern for R&A’s bandwidth, not to mention my liver, I’ll stick with these pretty Pinots for now.
Hurrah Pinot Noir
I’ve often said that Chile is a vine’s idea of heaven; not too hot, not too cold, with ocean views and poor, well-drained soils. OK, so it’s not my idea of heaven, but I’m not a vine. Put its location together with one of the most talented winemaking teams in the southern hemisphere and you have somewhere that even this notoriously fickle grape can feel at home.
The Errazuriz Reserva Pinot Noir (Amazon £11.90) is a great example of how good Chilean Pinot Noir can be. Mid-red, the bouquet offers fresh strawberries and raspberries with a hint of jam, rose petals, and mint. Medium-bodied, but with good intensity, there are plenty of red berry fruits with highlights of citrus and underlying oaky creaminess that’s punctuated by pepper and spices. This was lovely with lamb, but I can see it working well with everything from pizza to pasta, or as a solo sipper with salty nibbles.
I’ll stay in the southern hemisphere for my second choice, the Vila Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir (Tesco £13). This hails from Marlborough, a region best known for its thrilling Sauvignon Blancs, and while this is a very different kettle of fish/bottle of wine, the region’s signatures are in evidence. Rose petal red, the nose is zesty, fresh and positively leaps out of the glass in its eagerness to please. On the palate, this energy continues to show as an abundance of summer berries, rhubarb, and cherries burst forth, followed by pepper and savoury minerals. This is great fun and for the money, it’s great value. Serve this with red meats, pork or pink fish – the acidity means it will work as well as a white.
Staying in New Zealand but heading south we come to Central Otago. Central Otago was the world’s most southerly wine region for many years, but that crown’s been lost to Chubut in Argentine Patagonia. What hasn’t been lost is Central Otago’s ability to craft world-class Pinots such as the Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 (Adnams £19.99). Getting a Pinot of this quality with some bottle age at this price is a real find. Deeply coloured with a nose that’s dominated by brambles, with touches of black cherry and vanilla smoke, it has a lovely mouthfeel with plenty of glycerine. The dominant tones are blackberry, and boysenberry, with sour cherries and spices coming in at the finish. They’ve not tried to force the extraction, and that gives it a lovely flow and a refined, elegant profile.
France knows a thing or two about great Pinot Noir. And while the wines of Burgundy can fetch eye-watering sums – Leroy’s Musigny 2015 is £144,000 a bottle – brilliantly compelling examples can be enjoyed by us mortals too. Take the Châteaude la Terriere Pinot Noir Sauvage 2019 (Edencroft Fine Wines £24.35). This full-throttle Pinot Noir, with great depth of flavour that comes from the Coteaux Bourguignons (Burgundy Hills). Strawberries, black cherries, loganberries and savoury-tinted raspberries are all on show, as is a touch of liquorice, spices and cream to the finish. It also contains no added sulphur, which is good for people for whom red wine can give them headaches.
Marvellous Malbec
It was world Malbec Day on the 17th April – so I thought I’d suggest a couple of Malbecs that have recently brought a smile to my lips. The first is the Adnams Malbec (Adnams £8.49). The thing I like about this is that it’s a stripped-down, fresh honest representation of Malbec. It’s not been oaked into submission, they haven’t tried to over-extract it or do something clever, rather they’ve let the grape do the talking. Plump black cherries, damsons, blackberries and an overtone of violets make for a joyful glassful.
My second Malbec is the Los Olivos from Malbec masters, Zuccardi (Taurus Wines £13.75). The weighty bottle is a forerunner of what’s to come. Very dark and inky, the nose offers classic Malbec aromas of blackcherries, damsons, and white pepper. The powerful palate is saturated with stewed black fruits with lowlights of prune and mulberry, given a lift by cranberry, raspberry liqueur, vanilla, and a long, smoky finish. I had this with a steak and it was excellent, but it would be lovely with cheese or roasted vegetables.
Old and New World Classics
As you may know, France is quite a big place. I looked it up on Google Maps the other day, and it completely filled the scree, it’s that big. Being big it can fit a lot of wine regions into it, some of the lesser known of which can yield fantastic wines for sensible money. Take the Châteaude Sabazan 2018 (The Wine Society £16.50). This hails from Saint Mont – turn left at Toulouse, you can’t miss it – and is made from Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinenc. The light, sandy soils give elegant wines full of refinement and nuance which need some time to open up. This is just starting to blossom and is showing blackcurrant and bramble fruit with a touch of leaf tea and brown spices. Give this a couple of hours open and serve with the Sunday joint, mushroom roast, or a cassoulet.
I’ll end with a vintage of a wine that’s become a staple in our house, it’s the Yalumba Old Bush Vine Grenache (Latitude £18.50). Australian Grenache has come a long way in the past few years. Once planted for its love of heat and ability to produce abundant harvest, by giving this noble variety the respect it deserves, quality-focused producers such as Yalumba have unlocked Grenache’s fine wine potential. Mid-red, with a lovely, intricate bouquet of red cherries, raspberries and cedar, this soft, yet rich wine, is full of cherry and strawberry fruit, with violets and almonds adding complexity. As good on its own as it is with dishes such as spaghetti Bolognese, falafel salad, or a pizza, it never fails to impress.
Well, that’s it for now. Next time out I’ll be talking fizz with a producer profile of the mighty Graham Beck.
