Wizards of Oz!

Round & About

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Round & About

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Our wine expert Giles Luckett explores some cool wines from a land down under…

January brings Australia Day and my annual celebration of Aussie wine. I’ve been doing this so long I now can’t recall whether I started in relation to it or the other way around, but this year I’m looking at the cooler side of things with some cracking cool climate Australian Wines.

First up, a Sauvignon, the RedHeads Princess of Thieves Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (£10.49 Laithwaites). A Tasmanian winemaker once told me that Australian Sauvignon was ‘a weed that needs grubbing up’. He obviously hadn’t tried this. Produced in the cool of the Adelaide Hills, this is excellent with great intensity and an arresting purity. It opens with a piercing, zingy bouquet of gooseberries, lemons and flint smoke. In the mouth it’s just as enthusiastic, dropping gooseberry, rhubarb, and lemon fruit bombs across the tongue that leave minerals, lime peel and spearmint in their wake. A great solo sipper, this has the intensity to partner everything from fish pie to a green Thai curry.

Next, the coolest of cool whites from my favourite cool climate region, the Moorooduc Estate Chardonnay 2021 (£25.95 NY Wines) from Mornington Peninsula. Mornington Peninsula is a spit of land that lies to the south of Melbourne which by dint of being surrounded on three sides by water enjoys exceptional growing conditions. Here the McIntyre family produce wines of breath-taking quality that combine New World energy with Old World refinement. The Estate Chardonnay is white gold with a nose of blossoms, lemon, nectarine and peach. On the palate it’s fresh and zesty with a charge of white peach, grapefruit and lemon followed by delicate notes of orange zest, crushed nuts and red pears. Delicious now with fish or roasted fowl, it’s got time on its side.

And so, to the reds, and the queen of grapes in the shape of the Robert Oatley Signature Pinot Noir (£14.30 VINUM). Produced from grapes grown in the Yarra Valley, this is a wonderful example of that rarest of wine gems, an affordable Pinot Noir. Mid-red with a summery nose of wild strawberries, red cherries and spiced raspberries, its soft, velvety body offers a gentle combination of cooked red fruits, cream, and oriental spices. A taste of summer to accompany the wintry nights ahead.

I’ll finish with one of the best Shiraz I’ve had in years. The Mount Langi Ghiran 2021 Cliff Edge (Great Wines Direct £19.60) is a masterclass in cool climate winemaking. Hailing from the Grampians region of New South Wales, it conveys Shiraz’s complexity and concentration without being overwhelmingly powerful. From its beautiful blue-black robe rise notes of zesty cassis and fresh red berries with a touch of menthol, smoky oak, cherry jam and wild herbs. The palate balances freshness and weight with crisp blackcurrants, blackberries, plums and blueberries offset by mint, mineral, and Parma violet hints. A class act, pair this with slow-cooked red meats, tomato-rich pasta dishes, or falafel.

Well, that’s it for now, next month, it’s for the love of wine.

Cheers,
Giles

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Join Alton Runners this new year

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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If ‘start running’ is one of your New Year’s Resolutions, read on! Running coach, Fran Light, from Alton Runners tells us how to get into running and how to keep running 

In seven years coaching beginner runners, one rule I have found to be true is ‘keep it fun and you will continue to run’.  

Websites offer training programmes and valuable tips on techniques, well worth a look, but if you don’t enjoy running, you will stop, so here’s how you can make your running journey a happy, joyful one. 

Every run is a gift

Even on days when you’re not feeling it, a run can add a little joy to your day, perhaps you spot something new, see a particularly adorable dog, a crochet post box topper, or a stunning sunset. You might just enjoy being out in the fresh air or having time to yourself. Look for the positive. Treat every run as a gift, rather than a chore, and you’ll feel enriched and happy.  

Mix it up!

Establishing a running routine is a good idea but can lead to boredom. Add some variety and you’ll be less likely to lose your running mojo. Try different routes. Run your ‘go to’ route in reverse. Add some side roads. If you normally zone out listening to music, leave your headphones at home and engage with your surroundings. Run at a different time of day. Set yourself fun challenges, say a cheery hello to at least five passers-by, or find five different coloured doors.   

Buddy up

We all have days when a solo run is what we need, but similarly, some days it’s good to chat. Joining a running club (Alton details below) is one way to meet new running buddies. You could also pair up with a friend who runs. It’s unlikely you will both naturally run at exactly the same pace, so agree to run at a pace comfortable for you both. 

Banish negative self-talk

Banish phrases like “I should go for a run”. Start saying “I want to go for a run” instead (even if you don’t) and soon you’ll be feeling it as well as saying it.  

Look after yourself

Running isn’t fun if it hurts, so increase your chances of staying injury and niggle-free by cross-training, taking rest days and doing a warm-up before every run and a cool-down afterwards. Take it slow and steady, and most importantly, just enjoy it! 

About Alton Runners

Alton Runners is a friendly and inclusive running club located in Alton, Hampshire, welcoming runners of all abilities. Whether you’re looking to get fit, achieve a personal best at a parkrun, or train for a marathon, we have something for everyone. 

We participate in the Hampshire Road Race League and the Southern Cross Country League. 

Join us for training sessions twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, typically at Jubilee Fields and Anstey Park.  

Fran’s speciality is teaching beginners via the Club’s Alton Rookie Runners programme. For more information visit the Alton Runners website: Alton Runners

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King’s award for Farnham Repair Café

Karen Neville

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Farnham Repair Café has been honoured for the difference it is making to the community with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Founded in 2015 and gaining charity status in 2017, Farnham Repair Cafe has grown into a vital resource for people seeking to repair broken or faulty items, reducing waste and saving money.  

It repairs household objects including electricals such as irons and kettles, mechanical items, furniture, laptops, bikes, clocks, clothing and textiles.  

The café, which operates monthly at The Spire Church, has welcomed almost 6,000 product owners and successfully repaired more than 2,600 items. Repairing the products has diverted over seven tonnes of waste from landfill, avoided over 68 tonnes of carbon emissions and saved residents an estimated £220,000 in replacement costs.  

Everything FRC does is done by volunteers, from repairs to running the welcome desk, to marketing, fundraising, strategy and everything in between. The current team of volunteers contributes an estimated 2,220 hours a year. The repairers have an amazing set of skills and relish the challenge of some of the trickier items that come in for repair. Between them they have decades of experience in electrical and mechanical engineering, software development, making clothes and furniture and much more.  

Professor Martin Charter, Founder and Chair of FRC, thanked the volunteers’ unwavering commitment. “Our volunteers are the heart and soul of this initiative,” he said. “Their passion for repair not only helps individuals save money but also contributes to the larger goal of reducing CO2 emissions and combating the throwaway culture. We are thrilled to have received this recognition.” 

Clive Handy, long-time volunteer said: “I joined FRC shortly after it started and after I had retired as a jet engineer. For me, the best part is when you’ve fixed a product and you feel the gratitude of the owner and the sense of achievement that something has been saved from landfill. The camaraderie with my ‘fellow fixers’, many of whom have become friends over the years, is also important to me.” 

Satisfied ‘customer’ Mike Baker praised the “excellent service from FRC repairers” he has enjoyed on several occasions including a complicated hi-fi cassette player, adding: “Both me and my daughter were incredibly grateful to FRC textiles team who have brought back to life a teddy bear and Basil Brush.” 

FRC also supports the wider repair movement, welcoming groups from other towns who are setting up their own cafés, to share how they operate as well as initiating a knowledge sharing network of over 20 local repair cafés called the Greater Surrey Repair Café Network. With support from UCA, to help demonstrate its impact, FRC developed its website – frc.cfsd.org.uk – and a repair carbon calculator that is used by more than 100 repair cafés worldwide. 

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Godalming Operatic Society celebrates 100 years

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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Enjoy the splendour of Gilbert and Sullivan with Godalming Operatic Society’s production of The Yeoman of The Guard, February 19th to 23rd at Godalming Borough Hall

Godalming Operatic Society is going back to where it started to celebrate its centenary with its upcoming show The Yeoman of The Guard. 

Widely regarded as one of the country’s leading Gilbert and Sullivan societies, GOS was founded in 1924 and had its first production, The Yeomen of the Guard, on February 19th, 1925. Now exactly 100 years later, February 19th, 2025, the curtain will rise again. 

Set in the Tower of London, The Yeoman of The Guard tells of the arrival of a travelling troupe of performers sparking forbidden romances, fantastical plots and unrequited love. It’s full of delightful tunes including When a Wooer goes a-Wooing, and Free from his fetters grim. 

Yeomen is considered by many to be Gilbert & Sullivan’s finest work, a view also expressed by both of them. Darker than many of the other G&S operas, the pathos is well balanced by much joyous and colourful music which ‘bubbles with wit and good humour’. 

This special production will be accompanied by a professional orchestra, this year expanded to 24 players, under the direction of Musical Director, David Wright. The production will be fully staged with spectacular costumes and scenery. 

With the exception of the war and Covid, Godalming Operatic Society has put on a major Gilbert and Sullivan production every year, including the more rarely performed works such as The Grand Duke and Utopia Ltd. 

In addition to a fully-staged opera each February, in June or July they put on a smaller scale work, often at a smaller local venue such as the Wilfrid Noyce Centre in Godalming. Previous summer productions range from a concert version of Aida to The Zoo by Arthur Sullivan and most recently the 2019 Summer concert A Night at the Opera featuring a wonderful selection of grand opera arias, ensembles and chorus pieces. 

Over the years the Society has won many awards and accolades from NODA for its productions, costumes and more. 

New members are always very welcome. Previous experience is not necessary – it is enthusiasm that counts! The Society has a very active social side too with regular events and trips to see other shows, supporting other amateur operatic and musical theatre groups in the local area and further afield. The first point of contact is Chairman, Lee Power, at: [email protected] 

To book tickets for Godalming Borough Hall, February 19th to 23rd, please go to Godalming Operatic Society event tickets or call 0333 6663366. 

The Yeomen of the Guard will also run February 27th to March 1st at The Leatherhead Theatre. Visit The Leatherhead Theatre or phone 01372 365141. 

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Tom’s greatest hits at The Coach

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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Tom Kerridge & Sarah Hayward have brought some of their best-loved dishes back to menus to celebrate 10 happy years at The Coach

Behind every great team is (at least one) great woman, to mangle the phrase! And Sarah Hayward, who has worked alongside Tom Kerridge for 10 years, is at the heart of The Coach’s success.  

“The Coach has been my home for so many years and celebrating its 10th anniversary is incredibly special,” says Sarah.  

A selection of the pub’s most loved dishes from the past decade will be incorporated into the main menu throughout the birthday year and will change periodically to bring back a variety of cherished favourites from The Coach’s history. Each dish is embossed with a bespoke 10th anniversary logo. Dishes include potted Cornish crab with smoked paprika butter and cucumber chutney (£16.50), The Coach Chicken Kiev with Cauliflower Cheese (£29) and The Coach profiteroles with soured vanilla cream and dark chocolate sauce (£12.50). 

“This menu is a tribute to our loyal guests and the amazing team who make The Coach what it is,” adds Sarah. “I’m excited to revisit some of our best dishes and share them with everyone.” 

Tom Kerridge has also teamed up with the team at local brewery Rebellion Beer to create an IPA for the occasion called Decade. A local institution since 1993, Rebellion is renowned for its high-quality ales crafted using the Chiltern Hills’ natural resources and have collaborated with The Coach since the opening 10 years ago. A portion of proceeds will be donated to local charity, Meals from Marlow. 

In 2015, Sarah joined The Hand & Flowers, Tom Kerridge’s two-Michelin starred pub and after just three months was promoted to chef de partie. Just two years later in 2017, Sarah joined The Coach as junior sous chef, before promotion to her first head chef role at The Bull & Bear in Manchester’s The Stock Exchange Hotel in 2019. In 2021 Sarah returned to The Coach as head chef where she knows the kitchen inside out. She has led the team, and herself, to achieve prestigious accolades, including being named Michelin Young Chef of the Year 2023, retaining a Michelin Star since 2018, Number 21 in Top 50 Gastro Pubs 2024, and 3 AA Rosettes 2024. 

Tom Kerridge adds: “The Coach has always been about serving high-quality food in a relaxed and welcoming environment, and Sarah embodies that vision perfectly. I’m so proud of what the team has achieved and can’t wait to see how we continue to evolve in the years ahead.” 

For more info, the menu or to book please visit The Coach Marlow

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Pia Gill’s burnt peach design inspo

Liz Nicholls

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Pia Gill, who is a local mum, graphic designer & founder of burnt peach design, tells us what she loves about Bucks life

Graphic artist, mum and self-proclaimed type addict Pia Gill cites her boys as inspiration for her creative portraits & gifts collection. 

After decades in the design and advertising world, Pia couldn’t find affordable wall art that suited her style…“That’s when I had my ‘aha’ moment and created burnt peach design,” she says. “My daily inspiration and exhaustion comes from my boys. They sparked the Little Peach Portraits collection. What began as a few portraits transformed into thousands of unique pieces sold worldwide. As the business expanded from my kitchen table, my customers grew from friends to celebrities. Soon, the portraits were featured in magazines and on popular gift guides. 

“As time went on, I decided to revisit my typography obsession (which started back in university!), and expanded my wall art offerings. Enter My Type Of…, a massive collection of designs that includes bold statement prints, graphic tees, cosy sweatshirts, cards, and so soon to me much more. My friends and family always joke that if you say a good quote in my presence, there’s a chance I’ll jot it down and turn it into something!” 

Pia, who lives in Haddenham with her boys aged nine and 10 and their cockapoo Lola, grew up in Chearsley. A freelance designer creating branding and logo design for businesses, Pia loves Bucks life, setting up burnt peach design after leaving London 12 years ago. “Our little Lola thinks she’s human!” she adds. “She always gets the best seat on the sofa! Our favourite walk is Haddenham to Dinton, ending in the Seven Stars Pub. We love lots of walks in the Chilterns, normally ending in a pub! 

“I’m a charity shop fanatic, so I love Thame, Haddenham, Princess Risborough and Marlow; all have fantastic charity shops where you can find amazing treasures. I love nothing more than a good rummage! My home is an eclectic mix of modern and vintage, as as my wardrobe.  

“As for food & drink, Cabin in Haddenham is run by my husband who’s an award-winning chef. We also love Arbequina in Oxford as well as the Magdalen Arms in Oxford.  

“I’m studying interior design and have slowly done up our bungalow over the years to make it a cosy home. I love sitting in our courtyard with a glass of wine! What I love most about this area is it’s so nostalgic from growing up here. I love being surrounded by the countryside. 

“The clothing has been selling really well at burnt peach so that’s something that I’m expanding. Still the focus is the artwork, customisable portraits and prints to create meaningful statement pieces for the home. I’m always coming up with new print ideas!”  

Pia has supported several children’s charities, including The Honey Pot Children’s Charity and Solving Kids’ Cancer and Pia sponsors a room at Centrepoint, providing shelter and hope for vulnerable youths facing homelessness.  

Visit Burnt Peach – burnt peach.

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Beauty is more than skin deep

Liz Nicholls

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Tess Corcoran followed her dream to train in beauty and, after a spell at Champneys, is loving welcoming clients at White Sage in her home village of Princes Risborough

Home is where the heart is for Tess Corcoran who, at the tender age of 22, has a laser-like vision for the TLC her customers deserve.  

Tess, an alumna of Longwick School and Lord Bills, took on a hotel apprenticeship in London, then followed her passion in health and beauty, retraining with Champneys, before working at The Oxfordshire and Susannah Nicholas as a therapist, finally buying the salon from Sue. “It’s always been a dream to have my own salon and now I am living that dream!” says Tess. “It’s lovely to welcome clients for pampering in a calming atmosphere. We’re surrounded by the beautiful countryside. My lovely springer spaniel called Misty is 11 and full of life. We love going for walks through the Chiltern hills. My favourite local pet food brand is Tribal, based in Bledlow Ridge. 

“Another favourite local business is Godwins Bakery in Princes Risborough; fresh food served daily and wonderful staff! I also love Fullers Flowers for wonderful bouquets and displays. My favourite restaurant is Radhuni: the best Indian restaurant in Princes Risborough! They serve fantastic, high-quality food and have a great atmosphere with welcoming and friendly staff.” 

Please visit White Sage Health & Beauty Princes Risborough

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Pubs – how to use them

Round & About

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Music. Fires. Positioning. We’ll cover it all here says Robbie James in his last column for 2024

Hello and welcome to the time of the year where it’s acceptable to set up shop in your Local at 3pm on a Tuesday – the most wonderful time of the year (apart from summer). I’m aware that not everyone manages to insert pub play time into their schedules throughout the year as much as I do, so below is some advice if you’re planning a visit with friends, family, or just you to a public house this festive season.

I’ll get the boring one out the way. Know the good pubs. Do a quick recce if you need to. You don’t want to have spent three hours in some tobacco-smelling establishment with high ceilings to then walk fifty metres down the road, and spot something resembling a pub from a Richard Curtis film.

They have a DJ starting at 8pm do they? Leave. Dua Lipa should overrun many places, but not a pub. We’re happy to accept the following instruments: Guitar (acoustic, electrics will be considered on a case-by-case basis), Violin, Banjo, Accordion, Cello, and of course, a Hurdy-gurdy.

If you have the ability to roam, the ability to stand, do it. Under only the most extreme circumstances should you settle around a table. What happens if, in your mad and often awkward scramble to find a seat, you end up between your overly political uncle and your grumpy teenage niece? Game over.

Make sure to position yourself in the standing area, lean on a ledge if you like, or even better, encircle a barrel. This will allow you to adapt your socialising through the art of the pivot. If one conversation ends, simply pivot and find another. Want to invite someone else into the conversation? Sure, just enlarge the circle. A barrel will allow for a more structured version of this, while giving you somewhere to place your lime and soda while you show everyone the size of your Christmas Tree (head out of the gutter please).

Small talk is at a premium at this time of year. Use the pub to your advantage. Find one that has a selection of walking sticks on the ceiling (The Wykeham Arms, Winchester), or an old cricket scorecard by the bar (Bat & Ball, Hambledon). There’s a good chance this will buy you three minutes of valuable discussion.

The fire; a common misconception surrounds the fire. Sitting around one sounds wholesome doesn’t it, Christmas card stuff. However, thanks to our old foe greenhouse gasses, freezing temperatures are not likely. Putting yourself directly next to the fire is only going to set you up for a sweaty night. You’ll ‘’ooooo’’ and ‘’cwoaar that’s nice’’ your way through your first half a Guinness, and then the heat will set in, and you’ll realise your knitted jumper is clinging to you as if it were a modern day rugby shirt. Ensure the fire is always in sight and you can jump in with a ‘’doesn’t the fire look lovely’’ or ‘’ooop, someone needs to put another log on that! Go on Gary hahaha’’, but give yourself at least a three metre gap.

Finally, don’t ask why someone isn’t drinking. There could be any host of reasons, but ultimately it makes no difference to your life, apart from probably making your round considerably cheaper. Pubs are not great because of alcohol, they’re great because they offer a glimpse into life before any of us were born, and a rare opportunity in the modern world to feel part of a community.

Finally, use the pub. They’re one of the only things the UK actually does really well. Before I was born my grandparents owned a pub in Bursledon, and I know the joy they got from providing a space for the community to meet one another. They worked tirelessly to ensure everyone felt welcome and happy to mix. You don’t have to drink, and you don’t need to have pre planned company – in a good pub, those that don’t know you will talk to you.

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Limited edition Christmas macaron gift boxes

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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Treat your loved ones to the gift of festive macarons from Giselle Richardson – the most delicious way to celebrate Christmas this year.

The hunt for the perfect last-minute Christmas gift just got a whole lot sweeter. Giselle Richardson, the acclaimed macaron brand, has unveiled the irresistible flavours for this year’s Limited Edition Christmas Macaron Gift Boxes.

These festive treats, made with the finest British seasonal ingredients, offer a truly unique edible gift that’s perfect for the holiday season.

Presented in exclusive, limited-edition packaging designed by the talented illustrator Anna German, the macarons come in a vibrant Twelve Days of Christmas theme, adding an extra festive flair to your gift. From nostalgic Christmas classics to exciting seasonal gifts, each macaron is a testament to Giselle Richardson’s dedication to creating mouth-watering flavours that everyone will love.

“Our Christmas macarons are all about celebrating the season’s best flavours,” says Giselle Richardson, the pastry chef behind the brand. “I’ve worked hard to bring together the best of British produce and festive favourites in these macarons. From the rich indulgence of chocolate caramel sea salt to the refreshing zing of apple bergamot, every bite is a little taste of Christmas joy.”

This Year’s Christmas Macaron Flavours Include:

• Chocolate
• Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt
• Apple Bergamot
• Gingerbread Orange
• Brandy-Caramel Poached Clementine (contains alcohol)
• Snowball (contains alcohol)
• Caramelised Pecan Cranberry
• White Chocolate Pomegranate Peppermint

Pre-order now to ensure your macarons arrive in time for Christmas. Orders will be dispatched on Saturday 21st December via Royal Mail Track 24, with delivery available UK-wide. Alternatively, you can collect your gift box directly from Giselle Richardson’s London kitchen or visit one of their markets across the capital.

The festive packaging features a two-sided design, with playful illustrations inspired by the Twelve Days of Christmas, such as 3 French Hens and 7 Swans-a-Swimming. Choose your preferred design, or even opt for last year’s whimsical 9 Ladies Dancing or 10 Lords-a-Leaping designs.

For those gifting directly, you can also personalise your order with a note to add that extra special touch.

To order your Christmas Macaron Gift Box, visit CHRISTMAS MACARON GIFT BOX | PRE-ORDER NOW FOR XMAS DELIVERY – Giselle Richardson and pre-order today.

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Join Newbury’s Festival of Light

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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The illuminated parade takes to the streets of the town on Sunday, 15th December from 4pm in Market Place

The Corn Exchange Newbury is set to light up the streets of the town on Sunday 15th December, as their annual Festival of Light returns for another year to unite local people in an incredible illuminated procession.

From the terrific lantern making workshops, to opportunities to lead this phenomenal parade as part of their community Samba band, everyone is welcome to come together to celebrate the festive season.

The Festival of Light has seen over 30,000 people engage in the festival over the past 12 years, with 9,600 people having participated in the parade during that time. The parade will travel along Northbrook Street before arriving in the Market Place where locals can expect catchy live music.

The Corn Exchange have been running lantern making workshops at 101 Outdoor Arts and in local schools so pupils can ignite their creativity for the festive celebration.

Workshops have also been held for the community Samba band inviting as many people as possible to take part. Led by Reading based Music Charity Readipop featuring experienced drummers from Beatroots Bateria, they have guided participants through the process of learning the samba instruments, rehearsing the patterns and routines and forming a marching drumming troupe to perform at the magical winter parade.

Based on a former US nuclear airbase outside Newbury, 101 Outdoor Arts has grown to be a unique powerhouse for creativity, supporting the creation of hundreds of performances and installations destined to be showcased at festivals, major arts events and cultural programmes both across the UK and internationally. Whilst the Corn Exchange Newbury have been presenting outdoor events in Newbury for over 12 years, this year marks ten year since they opened the 101 National Centre for Arts in Public Space. With the support of Arts Council England and Greenham Trust, they host hundreds of artists every year in the centre’s unique facility, which includes residential accommodation and scenic fabrication facilities, and where the lanterns and festival programme will be created ready for the procession on the 15th December.

101 Outdoor Arts produces a year-round, free programme of national and international outdoor arts performances with the Corn Exchange Newbury, engaging thousands of audiences annually, and striving to involve thousands of local participants, volunteers and community groups across Newbury to widen the scope for creative engagement in the arts.

Corn Exchange Newbury’s Director, Jessica Jhundoo-Evans comments, The Festival of Light is always a highlight of the year for us; bringing together local people and volunteers to create beautiful lanterns and bringing our community together in an illuminated procession. It is a joy to see families and friends gather to enjoy this magical event and to know that people love it enough to keep it fixed in their calendars.

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