Creation’s Treasure Island & Shakespeare outdoors

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Book your tickets to enjoy As You Like It & Treasure Island thanks to Creation Theatre’s touring productions that stop at Heath Farm near Chipping Norton, Hughenden Manor, The Earth Trust Centre in Little Wittenham and Oxford’s Wycliffe Hall

“The rain, it raineth every day.” It feels that way this summer, doesn’t it?! But the show must go on, at Creation Theatre’s upcoming productions.

They will bring you Treasure Island (from 23rd July to 17th August) and As You Like It (24th July to 17th August) on the South Lawn at Wycliffe Hall in Banbury Road, Oxford.

Their fabulous production of Treasure Island brings Robert Louis Stevenson’s swashbuckling 1883 tale to life with theatrical magic. Whilst retaining the narrative of Stevenson’s classic, with depth, integrity, a dash of thriller and a large amount of silliness, Gari Jones’ adaptation zips along like a wacky race brimming with pirate speak, off-the-wall characters and a whole heap of original sea shanties.

You can also catch it at Heath Farm, near Chipping Norton at 7pm on 18th July, Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe in Bucks at 7pm on 30th July & The Earth Trust Centre, Little Wittenham on 6th August at 6pm.

As You Like It (on tour 12th to 19th July in Oxfordshire and beyond, offers an unforgettable evening as Lucy Pitman-Wallace, the award-winning director of productions for the RSC, Lord Chamberlain’s Men, Nottingham Playhouse, and Salisbury Playhouse, brings a fresh twist to Shakespeare’s beloved comedy.

Transport yourself back to the 1970s, the era of peace, love, and endless summer nights, in an enchanting outdoor setting, a perfect backdrop for this tale of love and laughter.

Take your friends, pack a picnic, and get ready to be transported to a world where romance and revelry reign supreme. As You Like It will be performed on the beautiful lawn in front of Wycliffe Hall, as well as on tour in Oxfordshire and beyond.

Visit Creation Theatre Oxford

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Intriguing theatre in Hampstead highlight: review

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Image by: Marc Brenner

Jonathan Lovett reviews Visit from an Unknown Woman, which is on at Hampstead Theatre until Saturday, 27th July

A young woman in a black dress stands slightly swaying with her back to the audience as we enter. The plays begins, and without a word, she starts to investigate the elegant, minimalist flat which she’s been standing outside and which seems to have transfixed her. To the side, outside of the flat, are a great pile of wilted roses. She exits and is replaced by a slightly older woman in the same black dress who is excitedly chatting to the flat’s owner who is also to be her handsome companion for the night.

It’s an intriguing opening and for the first half of this 70-minute play we’re involved in a graceful guessing game of identity and dances in time.

Image by: Marc Brenner

Image by: Marc Brenner

Based on a Stefan Zweig short story adaptor Christopher Hampton (the author of numerous plays and screenplays including Dangerous Liaisons and Atonement) initially captivates with his imaginative take on this tale of life in Vienna in the early 1930s under the shadow of Nazism. A man and woman meet seemingly for the first time… she returns and tells him they actually met before… he can’t remember and then her story becomes more incredible… and who is the young girl who haunts the action?

The narrative of Zweig’s story is jumbled so the chronology is out of order and the satisfaction of working out the exact timeline is enjoyable. Unfortunately, however, it is too slight. The short running times does not help but I’ve seen wonderful 60-minute plays that are packed with incident and once the central revelation is apparent this feels under-nourished and under-powered. Indeed, in ambition it seems more suited to Hampstead’s smaller Downstairs space.

What I will remember is the direction by Chelsea Walker – the movement, lighting and music often has the quality of a dream – and the central performance by Natalie Simpson as the woman. Simpson effectively contrasts Walker’s direction with a wonderful naturalistic performance in which the audience is swept along by a wave of emotion as her past and reasons for being in this flat are revealed. She is compelling while, ultimately, the material is not.

Hampstead Theatre box office: 020 7722 9301.

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Didcot Divas concert of hope

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A concert in Wantage on July 28th is helping a cause close to members’ hearts and easing the heartache for many more people with funds for Missing People

Didcot Divas will perform a concert at St John Vianney & Sacred Heart Church with heartfelt meaning for members and none more so than one its number, Gill Koch.

Each year the group of ladies ‘of a certain age’ who have been singing together for 14 years chooses a charity to support, this year it is Missing People.

Gill is just one of those who is only too aware of the charity’s work and support. After 20 years she has no idea where her beloved son Gareth is. In 2004, the 24-year-old flew to Kathmandu in Nepal for a four-week trekking holiday with the aim of reaching the base camp of Mount Everest. Travelling with an older work colleague who had been previously and equipped with maps and a strict itinerary, they set off. That was the last time Gill and husband David saw Gareth. They tell their story:

“Gareth was due back in the country on 20th March 2004 but when he failed to contact us to let us know he had arrived safely we initially assumed that he had taken a later flight.

“We were somewhat bemused to discover that his work colleague had returned a week earlier than planned and had left Gareth in Nepal. Both the Embassy in Nepal and Thames Valley Police were contacted and Gareth was now officially a missing person. A search was organised by the Embassy in the hope of tracing him or at the very least where he was last seen. Unfortunately, the Embassy failed to organise a proper search and used a local guide who could not speak or read English, had no photograph of Gareth or even a copy of his handwriting.

“After a local fundraising event in September 2004 we flew out to Nepal in the hope of finding Gareth or at the very least, some trace of him. We spent four weeks trekking in the foothills of the Himalayas, reaching Chhukung, just below Base Camp. Although we did not find Gareth we did discover where he had stayed as he had signed into one of the tea lodges.

“Since then there have not been any other sightings or information as to what may have happened to him.

“We are very grateful to Missing People, a national charity which has been, and continues to be extremely supportive to us and other families who have family members who have gone missing both here in the UK and abroad.”

Tickets will be £10, no concessions. Cash only. Children and students free. Contact Judith for ticket enquiries on 07557 940801 and via email at [email protected]

There will also be donation buckets at the concert.

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Rebus Theatre Group fundraiser

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Enjoy an evening’s entertainment with Rebus Theatre Group and help raise funds for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice rebuild. Ian Wilson-Soppitt invites us to take our seats and have a laugh

Rebus Theatre Group was formed 20 years ago for the purpose of performing original murder mystery plays for charities.

The man behind the idea was well known local actor, author and playwright, Alan Macland. Alan wrote a handful of entertaining plays with colourful characters and intriguing plots. They were performed by a small and very professional cast of local players.

The concept behind Rebus has always been that all proceeds go directly to the charity being supported and we work closely with sponsors to make sure we maximise their contribution. In the early days we supported local Rotary and Lions groups and their charities. We have more recently performed for Alzheimer’s Society, Cardiac Rehab, Citizen’s Advice, Cruse, Elstead Village Hall, Homestart and Prostate Cancer Research.

After the pandemic, we reformed and, as Alan Macland is no longer waiting, engaged another local author – in this case Alan Goodchild – to write some golf-themed murder mysteries which we performed at local golf clubs, once again for their selected charities.

With Alan and Mandy Macland’s blessing and keeping charity fundraising as our rasion d’etre, we are now in rehearsal for two one act comedies by yet another Alan-Ayckbourn of West End and Scarborough fame, Mother Figure and Between Mouthfuls.

We are looking forward to welcoming audiences to Shackleford’s charming Village Hall on July 26th and 27th. On this occasion we are raising funds for Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, in particular for their rebuilding project.

Tickets can be booked through the website Ticket-Office at £16 each to include a glass of Prosecco and cheese and biscuits in the interval.

It will be most enjoyable and entertaining evening. We look forward to welcoming you.

Ian Wilson-Soppitt

Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice rebuild

The purpose-built hospice will be larger and better equipped than the building it will replace. It will have a specialist 18 bedded unit, to care for those with the most intensive medical and nursing needs and will also include a therapy suite and treatment rooms, an education suite, café, a rehabilitation suite and counselling rooms. All wrapped by beautiful gardens to improve wellbeing.

The state-of-the-art facility will offer inpatient and outpatient care and will support men and women, young and old, with cancer and other terminal and advanced illnesses as well as supporting local families and children through their grief and bereavement.

It will serve a community of over 500,000 people across Surrey and Hampshire. The hospice will not receive any government help to fund the £6million needed. Find details at Phyllis Tuckwell – Building a new hospice | Phyllis Tuckwell (pth.org.uk)

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Towersey Festival Q&A with Billy Bragg

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls chats to singer songwriter and activist Billy Bragg who will star at the last ever Bucks highlight Towersey Festival – the 60th highlight – from 23rd to 26th August, and urges you to book your tickets

Q. Hi Billy, how are you?
“Not too bad thank you. I wish the weather was a bit better! As we’re into festival season and it’s a bit worrying. The likes of Glastonbury [where Billy helps curate the Leftfield stage] is always fine as they’re sort-of recession-proof but it’s the smaller festivals like Towersey which are hard hit. Near me where I live there’s the Tolpuddle Martrys festival in Dorset and it was cancelled because of torrential rain. The damage that does to the logistics of a small festival run by people who love music like Towersey is huge. I feel for the volunteers and audience too. I’ve been doing festivals for 40 years and it has to be climate change. The folk audience are generous, and the ones that have a tradition going, you’re coming together with people who maybe only see each other once a year. The nice thing about a folk festival is you can wander round, get a pasty and a beer and people are groovy about it. It’s not like some mad festival where people are charging around to the next mosh pit: the worst thing that can happen to you is you might get knocked over by some Morris dancers… but you generally hear them because they’ve got bells on. Let’s give Towersey a great send-off, shall we?!”

Q. What’s your first memory of music?
“We went to Blackpool for a holiday and stayed with a cousin of my dad’s, this has to be 1963/64 judging by the photos, as my brother was a baby. They had a record player which we didn’t have at home, and a record called The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen, which I was obsessed with, and played over and over again! It’s a dreadful old song but it kind of connected with me in some deep emotional place, and from then on I was really into music and my parents recognised this. When I was 12 they bought me a reel-to-reel tape machine for Christmas so I could tape stuff off the radio.”

Q. You read a poem out at school didn’t you?
“Yes, I read a poem out in English language and got called out of class by the teacher: they asked my parents if I’d copied it out of a book! So I wrote to a local radio station and it was the first time I thought ‘this is something I could actually do’.”

Q. What’s your favourite lyric…
“And take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind, Down the foggy ruins of time, Far past the frozen leaves, The haunted frightened trees, Out to the windy beach, Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow, Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky, With one hand waving free, Silhouetted by the sea, Circled by the circus sands, With all memory and fate, Driven deep beneath the waves, Let me forget about today until tomorrow... Yeah Mr Tambourine Man [by Bob Dylan] really brought me into the idea that poetry and songwriting was the same thing. That stayed with me for a long time.”

Q. You love Woody Guthrie too don’t you?
“Yeah, he was a massive influence on Bob Dylan. Until I was 14 or 15 you couldn’t really find Woody’s records… in Barking anyway. Eventually I picked up a cassette. It wasn’t until I went to America 40 years ago that I was finally able to really connect with Woody and hear his voice clearly, rather than second hand from people who covered his songs.”

Q. Do you have a big vinyl collection?
“I have loads of vinyl but no record player. It’s a terrible thing to admit but my son took the record player when he moved out which is fair enough. But if I get the urge to listen to a song I can usually find it online, on one of the streaming services. I’m never without music!”

Q. Do you and your son share any musical tastes?
“Yeah, he does turn me on to people like Jamie Webster. And he and I shared a lot of musical loves when he was younger. When we went to college in Yeovil and came back and said ‘Dad, tell me, why has nobody at college heard of The Skids?’ And I thought oh, damn, I wonder if I’ve given him a musical education that’s not quite age-specific for him, the poor lad! He’s a huge Ramones fan, and because he’s out on the circuit he sees a lot of brands and he does trip me up to some of that.”

Q. Who was your hero growing up?
“In those times it was music that had the ability to articulate the ideas that could bring about change. The people I was listening to were people like Marvin Gaye, the Clash, the Jam to some extent… That seemed to be a time when change was very much in the air. Are there bands like that now? I’m not sure but then again music is no longer the vanguard medium of youth culture. Back in the late 20th century music was the only medium available to us if we wanted to talk about the way the world was. It allowed us to talk to our parents’ generation as well, let the world know how you feel. Now, if you want to let the world know how you feel there are social media platforms, you can make a film with your phone. I don’t think people now immediately think of writing songs as the route to get their voice heard. I don’t think music has that dominant role any more. It still has a role to play but it doesn’t sum up the feelings of an entire generation the way it used to.”

Q. Do you have a favourite book?
“Yeah, I do: The Lion and the Unicorn by George Orwell. It was written during the second world war, and Orwell struggles to reconcile his left-wing beliefs and socialism with the patriotic necessity of winning the war. He has to come to terms with that and ask himself what he loves about England. The subtitle of the book is Socialism and the English Genius and I first read it in the 1980s and since then I’ve gone back to it many times. 1984 is another book that you can keep going back to. Every decade I have a run-in with it and realise it’s about something else. Is it really about spin rather than dictatorship? Is it about fake news? It is isn’t it!? The way that truth has become untethered from fact, which is what we’ve seen in the last few years, with the Johnson premiership and Trump in America. It resonated with me in a way it hadn’t before. A great novel can do that, it can change with the times.”

Q. If you had a magic wand what would you wish for?
“I’d like to see Arsenal relegated. I’d like to live long enough to see that, yeah! That would really cheer me up.”

Q. Haha! What would you do if you were education minister?
“Pay teachers more. They do a great job, teachers. For some reason I get a lot of them at my gigs. Young people, if they recognise me, which they seldom do, they say ‘oh my teacher says you’re great’. I much admire teachers. I think they have a much greater chance of changing the world than I will ever have as a musician. So investment in teachers is an investment in our future, in our young people. Teachers now are not only having to deal with education, they’re also having to deal with helping young people with their anxieties or mental health problems. They’re almost like glorified social workers. We need a much greater social care regime. The police the same, they spend so much time doing things that we as a society should undertake, looking after people who’ve fallen through the gaps of the system. The police should be able to be out chasing criminals instead of helping people who can no longer cope in our society. Those people have always been there but there are more now. I do a bit of work sometimes getting guitars into prisons. Prison is the last place that can’t say no. Hospitals can say no, schools can say no and expel you. Social care can say no. Prison can’t, that’s why they’re over-full. That’s not a society that’s healthy. It needs a lot of thought about how we do something about that to help.”

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GUTS-y challenge

Karen Neville

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This year marks the 21st anniversary of the GUTS Motor Tour with veteran, vintage, historic, classic and modern classic cars taking to the roads of Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex on September 15th to raise vital fund for GUTS – Fighting Bowel Cancer

Classic cars, beautiful country roads and stunning scenery all make for a wonderful day of motoring and camaraderie while helping to save lives.

The GUTS Motor Tour is a relaxing and leisurely 60-mile drive on picturesque country roads around the three counties. There’s no element of driving competition and no special qualifications are needed to take part.

The route, secret until the day, is defined by easy-to-follow tulip diagrams and a picture quiz along the way adds to the fun of the Tour. This year’s route will take the participants from Haskins Forest Lodge Garden Centre, Holt Pound, Farnham, where you’ll enjoy a breakfast snack before embarking on the 50-60 mile tour on an attractive route with a mid-morning coffee halt at an unusual and interesting location. Back on the scenic route, this year’s destination is Hollycombe Working Steam Museum in the South Downs National Park, near Liphook in Hampshire, home to Britain’s largest collection of working steam, the largest traditional fairground, as well as steam railways and a steam farm. Aside from a fascinating dive into history, rides are available on authentic steam-driven Victorian and Edwardian fairground attractions and the narrow-gauge quarry railway.

The entry fee for the 2024 GUTS Motor Tour remains at £99 for a car, driver and one passenger. Extra passengers are £15 per person. This includes tea/coffee and breakfast snack at the start, a souvenir car plate, event pack and free entry to Hollycombe with attraction rides included. Among the awards on the day are the Car of the Tour – as voted by the participants – the Spirit of the Tour, which is awarded to the crew epitomising the values of the GUTS Motor Tour, and the winners of the Picture Quiz.

For more information and a booking form, please email [email protected] to secure your place by 31st July. You and your car can make a difference to this life-saving charity. And if you’re not taking part, look out for the cars en route or greet as they reach Hollycombe Steam at the end.

GUTS (Guildford Undetected Tumour Screening), established in 1983 at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, is a registered charity supporting the early detection, treatment and research into bowel cancer. It relies solely on donations to help fund equipment and training to improve care, and its annual Motor Tour helps to raise funds that enable the charity to continue its work. These stories tell how it helps:

Martin’s story

Martin was recently treated for bowel cancer at the Royal Surrey, He and his wife were so grateful for the excellent care and treatment he received – thanks in no small part to equipment and facilities funded by GUTS – that he used a special celebration to fundraise for the charity, asking for donations in lieu of gifts.

He says: “I was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer three and a half years ago. It was a very scary time and I found it hard to accept how my life might change. However, with the medical skills and technology available, I have recovered well and am able to enjoy life to the full once again. I will always be thankful for the treatment and care I received. Our party was a celebration of 40 years marriage, an opportunity to say thank you to al our friends and family that supported us and the chance to raise funds for such a personal cause.”

Doris’s story

When she was in her mid-60s, Doris was diagnosed with bowel cancer. She was swiftly diagnosed and successfully underwent surgery under the care of GUTS founder Professor Chris Marks. From that day onwards says Hayley Gallagher of the charity, both my grandmother and mother were forever grateful and did as much as they could to champion the work of GUTs. “To say the path of Doris’s life changed immeasurably is an understatement; she lived to be a happy, glamourous and active 105-year-old!”

Marie’s story

Marie became a GUTS supporter when her mother was diagnosed and successfully treated by GUTS founder Professor Chris Marks. At that time, GUTS ran its own pioneering screening programme for bowel cancer, providing screening for thousands of patients in Surrey and surrounding counties. Then – as now – early diagnosis offered the best chance of successful treatment for bowl cancer. The GUTS screening programme was later absorbed into the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, which started in 2006.

Marie’s mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer 24 years ago at the age of 68. She would need a colostomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She says: “I was 38 and it was the first time cancer had touched my family and I was devastated. I didn’t even know you could get cancer in your bottom. Mum survived her bowel cancer.

“I then channelled my energies into raising money for GUTs. We’ve had a lot of fun with barn dances, line dances, a raft race, cycle rides, point to point, rattling tins outside stores etc etc. I’m now 62 and mum, who still lives independently at home, is 92.”

Marie received her screening kit at home and sent it back. She takes up her story: “Results ‘abnormal’ and the second test also came back abnormal. Within a week I was invited to speak with a specialist nurse about going forward with a colonoscopy. A sinister mass was picked up and biopsies taken, CT scan booked and the appointment to discuss my results.

“I am delighted to say that because of the screening programme my tumour, although cancerous, was caught early and contained. I am booked to have a bowel resection by keyhole surgery and feel like the luckiest woman in the world.”

Marie’s story illustrates the importance of taking part in the screening programme. Information about bowel cancer screening, symptoms and treatment can be found at Bowel Cancer Charity | GUTS FBC

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Enjoy later life

Karen Neville

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Later life gives much to embrace and much to consider but it can also be a worrying time, help is at hand whatever your needs

With a variety of options available how do you choose the care which is right for you and yours? Broadly speaking there are three main options: domiciliary, live-in and residential.

Domiciliary care allows you to stay in your own home with visits from a carer. The intensity and frequency of domiciliary care visits will be determined by your needs, it maybe that short-term ‘dom care’ will suffice after a hospital stay for example, but it may be that more regular care is needed albeit for relatively low-level care needs. You may find that just an hour or two a day is sufficient to meet your needs which may include just daily care and essential tasks.

Dom care allows you to maintain easy contact with family and friends and grants a degree of independence where possible.

If your care needs are more acute but you would still like to stay in your own home then live-in care may be suitable. You’ll benefit from one-to-one care from a professional caregiver focussing on your needs and giving you and your loved ones peace of mind. This increasingly popular option is more financially viable than residential care. Some care assistants live in all the time whilst others work on a rota system.

There are a wide number of residential care homes providing comfortable living specifically for elderly care. Many are purpose-built to account for a wide range of circumstances with one of many people’s key deciding factors being the social aspect they offer with the chance to live alongside others on a day-to-day basis and enjoy a variety of activities.

Residential care is designed for those needing round the clock care and can also provide practical, emotional and personal support. Residents can keep their independence but also enjoy help with tasks such as bathing and house keeping.

Whatever your living circumstances in later life, staying in touch with friends and family are essential for your wellbeing. According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, half a million older people go at least five or six days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone. Technology can help connect people and provide access to essential services online.

Two devices are tailor made for seniors. GrandPad is an eight-inch tablet which has a touch sensitive screen and includes simple one-touch buttons to access video chats. Families can create a secure social network that only includes approved contacts who can communicate with the GrandPad and share photos and emails. They can also be customised to suit the user’s needs.

KOMP is a one-button computer designed by No Isolation specifically for video chats with loved ones. Looking like an old-style TV with a large screen it has just one button.

KOMP is a receiving device and loved ones will need to download an app to start a video conversation.

The Amazon Echo Show also allows video calls. The latest version includes an interactive screen that rotates with you as you move or interact with it.

There are many kinds of smart devices that can make a big difference to quality of life and help keep you connected with essential services and loved ones.

Smart heating controls can help ensure the home isn’t being heated when it needn’t be and will help save money. Most devices can be fitted to a boiler or heating system and linked to an app. Smart lighting and plug controls can also be activated automatically. Voice activated devices can also help control heating and lighting and can be set up with a ‘trigger word’. Most devices can also make voice phone calls with just a command, vital in an emergency or if not near a phone. Camera doorbells are also worth considering for added peace of mind, especially if you live alone.

How to spot and prevent scams

It’s a sad fact of life that as you age you are often more susceptible to cruel scams and ruthless fraudsters trying to trick you out of your money. It’s perfectly normal to feel worried about these scams but there is plenty of advice to help you spot and avoid scams.

On average, four people aged 50+ are scammed in England and Wales every minute. Age UK has embarked on the Scams Prevention and Support Programme with the aim of helping older people be more aware and to help avoid them.

There are various methods of being scammed to be aware of: Phone scams and cold calls, postal scams, doorstep scams, email scams, investment scams and pension scams.

In all cases, the old adage “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” should be paramount. Being scammed can be very distressing, and the impact is often emotional as well as financial. There is support available.

Call the police on 101 if it’s not an emergency or 999 if you feel threatened. If you notice any unusual activity on your bank account get in touch as soon as possible, you’ll find a contact number for your bank on the back of your card.

There are various other support services out there too – Action Fraud: Action Fraud or call on 0300 123 2040. Victim Support provides 24/7 free and confidential support to victims and witnesses of crime. Find out more at Victim Support or call 08 08 16 89 11.

Contact Citizens Advice for information and advice about how to avoid scams and fraud. Their consumer services also provide information and advice on consumer issues by telephone and online, Citizens Advice.

For more advice and support visit Scams advice – How to spot and avoid scams | Age UK or call the free advice line on 0800 678 1602.

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Bear Grylls praises Woodley 1st Scouts

Liz Nicholls

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Chief Scout Bear Grylls OBE has written to praise the 1st Woodley Scout Group who, in the last 18 months, have opened a second Scout troop and a second Beaver colony. Here’s his letter to us…

I can’t believe it’s already been 18 months since 1st Woodley Scout Group opened in their second Scout troop. What an amazing team they are, and I couldn’t be prouder of everything they’ve achieved.

In that time, they’ve welcomed over 20 young people. They’ve equipped them with skills for life – helping them play their part in the local community. They’ve learnt the power of believing in themselves and others and how together they can do so much more.

They’ve camped together, cooked together, learn digital skills; discovered more about their area and helped bring the community closer together too. They’ve met new and different people outside their school and local area helping them gain new perspectives. Scouts has given them the courage to learn more, do more and be more.

I’m so proud of everything 1st Woodley has achieved – not least the incredible kindness and generosity of our adult volunteers who make it possible. These are ordinary people from local communities who make an extraordinary difference. They have also opened a new Beaver colony.

To be a volunteer in Scouts you don’t need incredible outdoor skills or know how to use a map and compass. We can teach you all that. What’s really needed is a smile, patience and willingness to share a little time to help others. I promise you’ll get back ten times what you put in – including new skills, new friends and renewed sense of the difference we can make when we work together.

The team at 1st Woodley have already done so much in just 18 months. But just think what they can do in another year! They’re unstoppable and I’ll be cheering them on every step of the way. Be part of this amazing success story and volunteer today.

Congratulations and very well done to all our Scouts and volunteers (past, present and future!)

Bear Grylls OBE
Chief Scout

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The Flora Lab & Sophie’s choices

Liz Nicholls

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Sophie Parker, 33, the Bucks founder of gorgeous home fragrance company The Flora Lab shares her love for local life

Q. Hi Sophie! Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
“Hello! Yes: I’m the proud owner of The Flora Lab, which champions the use of plant-based wax. I’ve only got one boss, and that’s the CDO (chief doggy officer), a mini poodle cross called Leulah.”

Q. What’s your mission with The Flora Lab?
“We specialise in hand-poured natural-wax candles that are just a little bit Floralabulous. Championing the use of plant-based wax, stand-out botanical packaging and an unwavering commitment to both scent experience and sustainability, The Flora Lab aims to sprinkle a little bit of magic into every day! Using nature as a backdrop, and inspired by life’s little moments, our seasonal scents run across the fragrance wheel, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Now stocked in more than 60 independent stores and at The Flora Lab, we hope the Flora Lab becomes a household name in the world of home fragrances in both the UK and Ireland.”

Q. Did you grow up locally?
“I’m Bucks born and raised, initially in High Wycombe before moving to Beaconsfield about 10 years ago. I was lucky enough to go to three fabulous schools; Great Kingshill Combined School, Holmer Green Senior School, where I met most of my friends whom I’m still in touch with today, before studying my A-levels at Wycombe High.”

Q. Tell us more about your ‘boss’ Leulah!
“Leulah is my world. As a self-employed person, the days can get a little lonely. Thankfully, Leulah is always by my side to provide confidence, cuddles and lots of love!”

Q. What are your favourite local walks?
“I love nothing more than a walk through the trees at Burnham Beeches and Marlow has a special spell over me, especially during these wonderful dusky summer nights.”

Q. What are your favourite local pubs or restaurants?
“I always take people to the Royal Standard of Beaconsfield, just for the ‘wow’ factor (although their pub quiz is far too hard!) I also love Melody Mint in Beaconsfield – the standard of coffee is fantastic and it was exactly what the old town needed.”

Q. What are your local highlights?
“My favourite is always strawberry picking at Peterley. It’s something I’ve done since I was a child and it still makes me happy to this day.”

Q. What do you most love about where you live?
“The ability to have one step in the country, one in the city.”

Q. Are you a member of any local groups?
“I’m a member of David Lloyd and I thoroughly recommend it (although it is very expensive).”

Q. Finally, if you could make one wish for the world, what would it be?
“It’s not for the world, but specifically for the UK. Loneliness is something we all suffer with, let’s not worry too much about what we think other people will think and simply open up for a chat.”

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Weyfest, a festival like no other

Karen Neville

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Round and About

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The award-winning Weyfest music festival is back to rock Tilford from 15th to 18th August, writes Adaleigh Buckrell

Music lovers from one to one hundred flock to Weyfest year after year to enjoy its lively, safe and family-friendly atmosphere, to discover new artists and delight in nostalgic throwbacks and they’re eagerly getting ready for this year’s extravaganza.

This year’s incredible headliners span an eclectic mix of musical genres. Acid jazz band Incognito seamlessly blend hip-hop, funk and soul elements, while Bristol-based electronic group Kosheen will bring DnB to the stage. For rock and pop fans, Lightning Seeds and The Feeling are unmissable. Local stalls will be on hand to keep those dancing fuelled with delicious, high-quality and well priced food and drink.

Image by: Martin Bamford

Image by: Martin Bamford

Axe throwing, scaling the climbing wall and getting party with neon and glitter makeovers are just some of the other activities to take part in. Kids and adults alike can meet their favourite characters from the Dr Who and Star Wars universes in the legendary sci-fi zone. After escaping from Daleks, relax with healing therapies and yoga, or find magical clothes, jewellery, accessories and crystals for sale amongst the fairy lights.

Weyfest is ideal for festival first-timers, or those who want to avoid the mud, dirty loos and rowdy behaviour often associated with such events. The toilets are constantly cleaned and restocked and air cadets roam the site to pick up litter. The hard-working stewards are volunteers too who give up their time to keep the festival they love running smoothly.  

You will be having so much fun you won’t want to leave, so book to bring your own tent or motorhome to camp overnight or stay in a luxury canvas glamping tent, equipped with airbeds, solar lights and rugs. There are even hot showers and a breakfast bar for the morning. 

Curated by four friends driven by the desire to keep the spirit of live music flourishing in the local community, and with impeccable taste due to their musical backgrounds, it is of little surprise that Weyfest won the UK Best Small Festival award in 2019. 

Weyfest’s four stages are set up in the grounds of the Rural Life Living Museum, the largest countryside museum in southern England, which is home to around 40,000 artefacts displayed in beautiful historic buildings. Festival guests are welcome to wander around the collection, or take the dog for a walk in the exquisite surrounding woodland of the Surrey Hills. All attractions are within walking distance, or why not hop aboard the steam train to catch a backstage view? 

For more information and to book tickets visit weyfest.co.uk and call the ticket helpline on 03333 01 01 01.  

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