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JUNE/JULY 2016 your complimentary copy Home Counties Magazine Buckinghamshire & Berkshire Edition WWW.CHAPLINS.CO.UK

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Enjoy a stroll through history at Woburn Abbey • Explore the award-winning, historic gardens • Treat yourself at the Duchess’ Tea room • New for 2016: Oakley House Doll’s House is on display

FIND US ON www.woburnabbey.co.uk

J2978 WA HC Magazine ad 148x210_May16.indd 1 17/05/2016 10:01 Welcome

Welcome to the summer edition of HC, and what a summer we’ve got lined up.

As I write this, the sun is pouring in the windows British food culture and Paris House’s executive at HCHQ and our staff are becoming restless with chef Phil Fanning about the more ambitious side of excitement for a packed schedule of festivals and ‘molecular’ cuisine. We have a guide to the often summer fun coming up over the next 2 months. It’s confusing styles of beer, as well as a riveting travel taking all of my inner strength to write this paragraph piece from our resident explorer Peter Holthusen. without storming into the office with Super Soakers All this alongside our usual interiors, caring, motors and forcing Pimm’s down my colleagues’ throats like and business features – don’t say we don’t spoil you. a boozy medieval tyrant. Enjoy the gorgeous weather and we’ll be back in Unfortunately my alcohol-and-water-gun fantasies August, when we’ll be freshly revamped and available will have to wait until at least the weekend, but in in some exciting new places. Watch this space. the meantime we’ve put together what is possibly the most lively and encompassing issue of HC yet. Cheers We’ve spoken to international R’n’B star Lemar ahead of his performance at Cornbury Festival, as well as the organisers of Henley’s nostalgic Rewind Jack Rayner Festival which rolls around in August. We’ve spoken to Raymond Blanc about sourcing ingredients and

ASPIRE learn create inspire

SOUTH HILL PARK ARTS CENTRE, BRACKNELL

South Hill Park, Ringmead, www.southhillpark.org.uk/courses Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 7PA

5 Bombay Sapphire invites you behind the doors of our beautiful distillery, to uncover the secrets of our world famous gin. Based at Laverstoke Mill in rural Hampshire, the Bombay Sapphire Distillery showcases the care, skill and artistry behind every drop of Bombay Sapphire.

Book your experience online at: distillery.bombaysapphire.com

A SPECIAL10% OFF your experience for readers of HC Magazine. Use promo code ‘HC123’. Expires 31 Dec 2017. CONTENTS HC magazine JUNE/JULY 2016

IN THIS ISSUE © Guy Farrow

8 What’s On

18 Competitions 10 34 HC meets Lemar 34 40 90 Years of Royal Couture

44 Rewind Festival 2140 47 Summer Food Guide 59

60 St Helena – The Island on the Edge of the World

74 Motoring 65

Editor oxhc.co.uk Jill Rayner twitter.com/oxhcmags Contributors facebook.com/OXHCMags A huge thankyou this issue to: HC Magazine prints and distributes 10,000 copies Peter Holthusen, Sam Bennett, bi-monthly and hand delivers into AB homes in the Jack Rayner & Chrissie Woodward city of Marlow, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross and Amersham. It is also in the bedrooms and reception HC Magazine is a sister title to OX Magazine areas of luxury hotels and spas, in superior golf clubs distributed in Oxford, Woodstock, Witney, and in leading estate agents, and at Oxford Airport. and Wallingford. Copies are also available from our advertisers, or on request by emailing [email protected] and online at HC Magazine www.oxhc.co.uk It has an estimated readership of Fyne Associates Ltd, Unit 4, 40,000 per issue. Ram Court, Wicklesham Farm, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, SN7 7PN 01235 856300 [email protected]

The magazine has copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Manuscripts, photographs and other materials submitted to the magazine are sent at owners risk. Neither the company nor its agents accept any liability for loss or damage.

7 C CALENDAR June-August 2016

Until 2nd July Until 1st January 2017 It Runs in the Family at the Mill Shakespeare in Windsor Dr. David Mortimore, renowned neurologist, is about Castle Royal Library to deliver the most important lecture of his life. A Marking the 400th anniversary of the death of knighthood is certainly within reach! William Shakespeare, this display draws on When into his hospital sanctuary comes Jane Tate material in the Royal Library, including works – ex-nurse and ex-girlfriend – with shocking news of Shakespeare collected by the royal family, as to why she departed so hastily 16 years and nine accounts of performances at Windsor Castle, and months ago. Not only is Dr. Mortimore the father of art by members of the royal family inspired by her son Leslie, but the strapping teenager is now in Shakespeare’s plays. reception baying to see his long lost parent! It examines aspects of the playwright’s life, work and Trying to hold both his career and marriage together, influence, and celebrate his longstanding connection there is only one solution for Dr. Mortimore – send for with Windsor and the royal court. faithful friend Dr. Bonney. Windsor Castle, Windsor, SL4 1NJ What ensues is a dangerous web of expanding lies www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle and manic cover-ups involving a Police Sergeant, Dr. Mortimore’s wife, a severe hospital Matron and Dr. Bonney’s mother. It Runs in the Family is ‘A Rolls-Royce of a Farce’ by Ray Cooney, spinning deliriously out of control and tickling the funny bones in traditional Cooney fashion. You mustn’t miss it! The Mill at Sonning Theatre Ltd, Sonning Eye, RG4 6TY 0118 969 8000 www.millatsonning.com Louis Haghe, A performance of Macbeth in the Rubens Room, Windsor Castle, 4th February 1853. Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

SUMMER FAIR £3 entry for adults and £1 entry for under 16’s Sunday 10th July 2016 11am to 3pm In aid of Rennie Grove Hospice Care. In memory of Martin Brown * * *

8 SUMMER FETE — SUNDAY 26TH JUNE 2016 | 11AM - 5PM | FREE ENTRY

This June, we’re welcoming summer in style at Burnham Beeches Hotel. Come along to enjoy a fun-filled day with family & friends at our Summer Fete. Browse a unique range of stalls & join in with arts, crafts & games, before washing great BBQ food down with an ice cold drink.

PLENTY OF FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY

- Stall holders with lots of lovely products to buy - Burgers & hotdogs cooked by our executive Head Chef, 12-4pm - Raffle at 4pm, with stunning prizes to be won - Children’s area with a bouncy castle & games - 150 limited car parking spaces - Run alongside our indoor Wedding Fayre (11am-3pm) which guests are able to visit for wedding or private event purposes & to meet with suppliers

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU

E: [email protected] | T: 01628 429 955

WWW.CORUSHOTELS.COM/BURNHAM

9 C CALENDAR June-August 2016

3rd-4th June Northern Ballet: Jane Eyre at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Join Northern Ballet, a company renowned for transforming well known stories into brilliant dance theatre, as they present Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. The ultimate heroine, Jane Eyre’s journey to overcome the odds is one of literature’s finest love stories. Coinciding with the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Brontë’s birth, Northern Ballet will bring to life the ultimate dramatic tale of romance, jealousy and dark secrets. Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG 0844 871 7607 www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury

Dreda Blow and Isaac Lee-Baker in Jane Eyre © Guy Farrow

15th-18th June Bad Girls – The Musical 16th June-23rd July Presented by Woodley Light Operatic Society Watership Down at the Watermill Bad Girls – The Musical takes as its starting point the This stirring tale of courage and survival original core characters from the first three series of against the odds has become one of the best- Bad Girls on TV. loved adventures of all time. Set in the fictional HMP Larkhall, it’s the story of A gripping adaptation of Richard Adams’ new idealistic Wing Governor Helen Stewart and her Watership Down by critically acclaimed battles with the entrenched old guard of Officer Jim playwright Rona Munro at The Watermill Fenner and his sidekick Sylvia Hollamby. Theatre, Newbury, will make for a special It also follows the love story that develops between theatrical experience. The nearby countryside Helen and charismatic inmate Nikki Wade. Other inspired the classic tale of a small band of featured characters include Shell Dockley and rabbits in search of a safe home, whose long her runner Denny Blood, old-timer Noreen Biggs, and perilous journey finally leads them to The Two Julies and the ultimate Top Dog, King-of- Watership Down. Gangland’s missus, Yvonne Atkins. “We’ve assembled a multi-talented cast and A tragic death on the wing – in which Jim Fenner a vibrant team of theatre’s hottest creative is implicated – leads to an angry protest from the talents to tell this epic adventure story through women, and forces Helen and Nikki to their opposite movement, music and puppetry,” says director sides of the bars. But when it’s clear that Helen stands Adam Penford. Born and raised near Newbury, to lose her job over Jim Fenner’s misdeeds, the race is Richard Adams’ tale is partly a love letter to on for the women to nail Jim once and for all. the local countryside. The Number One likes a quiet life and has always felt “Appealing to adults and children alike, it’s that the “old boys network” is the best way of sorting exciting, funny and moving,” Adam says. “A things out to his satisfaction. The appointment of tribute to Berkshire’s world-famous tale of Helen Stewart as Wing Governor has been imposed protagonist Hazel and his band of brothers.” upon him and grudgingly accepted. But it wouldn’t The show is suitable for ages eight and over, take much briefing against her for him to recommend although parental guidance is advised. her swift removal from Larkhall. Ticket price: £15-£26.50 The Kenton Theatre New Street, Henley-on-Thames, The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury, RG20 8AE Oxfordshire, RG9 2BP www.watermill.org.uk www.kentontheatre.co.uk www.wlos.co.uk

10 June-August 2016 CALENDAR C

17th June-24th July Crowne Plaza Marlow The Comedy Club Friday 17th June, 7pm Who let the Dads out? The perfect Father’s Day Gift! A night of comedy, with chicken and chips in a basket, followed by disco until 12.30am. £29.00 per adult, over 18s only, £19.00 Comedy only (no food) Book a table of 10 and receive half a bottle of wine per person for your table whilst dining. Comedy play and stay | £119.00 | Includes Comedy, accommodation and full English breakfast for two (subject to availability) Charity Family Fun Day Sunday 24th July, from 12pm Celebrate the end of the school year at our Family Fun Day. Join us for a day of family fun on the lawns. Live Music, BBQ, bouncy castles, face painting, games on the lawn and much more. What’s new at Woburn Safari Park this summer? Raising money for CLIC Sargent. This summer at Woburn Safari Park is the perfect Free admission. chance for visitors to see the two gorgeous Crowne Plaza Marlow, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, new arrivals in Kingdom of Carnivores: a pair of Buckinghamshire, SL7 1LU endangered Amur tiger cubs. The two additions join 01628 496800 over 1,000 other wild animals in Woburn’s beautiful www.cpmarlow.co.uk parkland reserves for your adventure in the Road Safari. Visit on Father’s Day – Sunday 19th June – for a 17th-26th June big BBQ with giant garden games and the amazing Woburn Safari Park chance to win a VIP experience in our prize draw. Bob’s Safari Adventures It’s a big weekend for the giraffe herd on the 25th- Friday 17th June 26th June as keepers raise money for the Giraffe Take a guided tour behind the scenes at Woburn Conservation Foundation charity and offer you a Safari Park. super chance to meet the tallest animals at the park close up on a mini VIP trip. Step into the world of the animals and their keepers... with a very special guided tour of Woburn Furthermore, you can meet the Gruffalo who’ll be Safari Park with the one and only Bob the Ranger. visiting fans at the park on Sunday 26th June; or Woburn opens its doors to visitors for a unique make a date to come for an educational day out and chance to explore the animal houses with Bob and learn plenty about the animals living at the park at get amazingly close to the lions, rhino and elephants, the fascinating daily talks and demonstrations with often meeting them face to face. Woburn’s charming elephants, sea lions, monkeys, penguins, and lemurs! Bob the Ranger will be taking his lucky guests on a In Animal Encounters, you can discover the new grand tour of the park and giving a rare insight into tortoise habitat – Chelonia Pathways and meet the individual animals; their care, behaviours and Albert, Flo, Ken, Harold and Gordon the charismatic personalities, conservation efforts and the keepers’ Aldabra tortoises. Check the website for news of our daily routines. You must be aged 16 years or over to new Bush Dogs enclosure, where you’ll be able to take part. spot these canines having a swim! Catch the brilliant new 3D mini-movie in Sea Lion Cove – ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ in Sea Lion Cove 3D Cinema, and don’t forget to bounce over to the new Tiny Tots Safari Trail bouncy castle for under 5’s. It’s a fun packed day getting up close to some of the most magnificent and endangered animals in the world, including lions, rhino, bears, monkeys, giraffes and don’t forget little star – Tarli the elephant calf!

Woburn Safari Park, Woburn Park, Bedfordshire, MK17 9QN For discounted tickets go to www.woburnsafari.co.uk

11 12 27 June-August 2016 CALENDAR C

Muthmedia GmbH

23rd-26th June A true visionary, who over the course of an illustrious Nocturne Live at Blenheim Palace five-decade career has sold over 300 million albums, Elton John will be making his Blenheim Palace debut World-class acts and 10,000 seats…Nocturne is on 26th June, performing a hit-laden set with his turning The Great Court at Blenheim Palace into a band drawing on classic songs from his extensive grand arena, as befits the birthplace of Sir Winston back catalogue as well as music from John’s 33rd Churchill. studio album ‘Wonderful Crazy Night.’ We are making our mark on the summer music map. Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, OX20 1PP Nocturne can be an all-day affair with VIP dining www.blenheimpalace.com in the famous State Rooms, a stroll in the palace’s www.nocturnelive.com vast grounds or a waterside picnic. It can also be an evening gig for those who just want to buy a ticket to hear their favourite live music, and nothing else. Nocturne is immensely proud to announce that fresh off the back of his Golden Globe, Bafta and now Oscar win for the score of Quentin Tarantino’s ‘The Hateful Eight’, legendary composer Ennio Morricone will take to the Great Court stage on 23rd June for his first ever UK show outside of London.

Following their recent triumph of an album, ‘White © Henley Royal Regatta Light’, The Corrs will appear at Nocturne on Friday 29th June-3rd July 24th June, with support from special guest Jack Henley Royal Regatta Savoretti. Henley Royal Regatta is undoubtedly the best known Further, presented by former Bond girl Fiona regatta in the world and is both one of the highlights Fullerton (‘A View To A Kill’), The Royal Philharmonic of the summer sporting calendar and the social Concert Orchestra, plus guest vocalists, will perform season. an explosive program of classic Bond music to leave you shaken, not stirred, on Saturday 25th June. It attracts thousands of visitors over a five-day period The Great Court, where scenes from ‘Spectre’ were and spectators will be thrilled by over 200 races of recently filmed, will provide the backdrop for over 50 an international standard, including Olympians and years of iconic Bond music including ‘Goldfinger’, crews new to the event. ‘From Russia With Love’, ‘Live & Let Die’, ‘License to Aside from the rowing, visitors can take in the Kill’, ‘Casino Royale’ and the acclaimed score from ambience enjoying the facilities within the enclosures. ‘Skyfall’. www.hrr.co.uk

13 C CALENDAR June-August 2016

6th-10th July Henley Festival 5th-7th August Supernormal Featuring Elton John, Elvis Costello, Bryn Terfel, Will Young, Reginald D Hunter, Al Murray, Nina Conti, the Supernormal is a three-day, experimental arts Ronnie Scott’s All-Stars, and Dame Shirley Bassey. and music festival taking place at Braziers Park. It offers a platform for artists, performers and Henley Festival is a boutique cultural experience musicians to work collaboratively and creatively which takes place over five days, celebrating the best for a new kind of audience seeking experiences of international and UK music, art, food and comedy out of the mainstream. It is determinedly small at a quintessentially British location. and intimate with an audience of 1,500 and It’s a place to soak up the atmosphere and be has been born from a place that values the entertained whilst experiencing a vibrant programme currency of ideas and imagination rather than from pop to world music, classical to jazz, blues commercialism and profit. to cutting edge new musicians, where art and Supernormal allows the exploration of the gastronomy share equal billing with music. Visual and unspoilt and extraordinary grounds of Braziers performance art is supplied this year by the likes of Park; an eco-site with fresh running water, eco Alan Perriman, Beth Forrester, Frederick Mahn and toilets and hot outdoor showers set within a more. glorious wooded camping area. Fine sparkling wine is provided by Van du Vin and Braziers Park, Ipsden, near Wallingford, OX10 6AN the Crooked Billet and Barco are just a couple of www.supernormalfestival.co.uk restaurants setting up camp at the festival in 2016. Henley Festival began as an idea, by a few, in 1983, to bring music and culture to the town of Henley. In 2016 this extraordinary Festival brings artists of the highest calibre from all over the world, and draws an audience in excess of 30,000 to the most magical festival setting they will ever experience. Henley Festival, River & Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley on Thames, RG9 1BF www.henley-festival.co.uk

Discover WINDSOR & ROYAL BOROUGH MUSEUM

Discover our local history museum and hear stories of people who lived and worked in the Royal Borough.

Follow our audio-visual tour, try our costumes, pillory and fun activities.

Find out more by calling: 01628 685686

or find us at: www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/museum.htm

14 LIVE AT BLENHEIM PALACE OXFORDSHIRE SUNDAY 26 JUNE 2016 ELTON JOHN AND HIS BAND

SATURDAY 25 JUNE 2016

THE MUSIC FROM

PERFORMED BY ROYAL PHILHARMONIC CONCERT ORCHESTRA

FRIDAY 24 JUNE 2016

THE CORRS plus special guest JACK SAVORETTI THURSDAY 23 JUNE 2016

ENNIO MORRICONE LIVE WITH 200 MUSICIANS AND SINGERS

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM NOCTURNELIVE.COM 0844 888 999115 VIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE C CALENDAR June-August 2016

19th-21st August Rewind The World’s Biggest 80s Festival is back with a bang. Rewind attracts 40,000 festival-goers and has sold out in advance during the last three years. As with the previous star-studded Rewind Festivals, this year’s Henley weekend extravaganza features another outstanding line-up of iconic 80s recording artists and performers.

12th-14th August This year promises to boast the biggest 80s knees-up to date, with Saturday’s headliners Andy Bell from Retro Festival Erasure and Sunday’s headliners Adam Ant. This August Newbury Showground will see 14 new acts make their debut performances at the the biggest and best retro festival anywhere in festival, including Leo Sayer, Lloyd Cole and The the UK. Over 1,000 classic vehicles will be on Leopards, Living in A Box and The Trevor Horn Band. show and 3 live music marquees will keep you Horn has produced massive hits for The Buggles, boogie-ing. Along with over 200 vintage stalls SEAL and Grace Jones to name but a few. and a 100 year old fair there really is everything for the family. With it being our 10th Anniversary But that’s not all! The weekend will also play host to the Guinness Book of Records are in attendance a number of iconic, star-studded performances from as we try and break the world record for the the likes of Rick Astley, Marc Almond, Earth, Wind & number of vintage caravans in one place, PLUS Fire Experience, Heather Small, Jimmy Somerville, The Chris Bromham will be attempting to jump over Beat, plus Tony Hadley performing for the first time 20 double decker buses on a motorcycle. In with a full Orchestra accompaniment at a festival. the air we will have a fly over by a Spitfire and One of the biggest highlights at this year’s Rewind a stationary Spitfire on the ground the whole South is the return of the British Electric Foundation. weekend. Plus also dropping in will be the Falcon B.E.F. is the brainchild of Heaven 17’s Martyn Display Team! Ware, and will showcase a unique and dazzling Newbury Showground, RG18 9QZ performance featuring a raft of legendary pop artists. www.retrofestival.co.uk Temple Island Meadows, Henley-on-Thames www.rewindfestival.com VISIT KELMSCOTT MANOR THE INSPIRATIONAL COTSWOLDS RETREAT OF WILLIAM MORRIS

Visiting Hours (2 April – 29 October)

Explore our historic manor and riverside gardens. Enjoy home-made food in our licensed Tearoom or visit our Shop for contemporary crafts and more.

Become a Friend of Kelmscott Manor

Membership benefits include: FREE entry to the property for one year FREE entry to special events FREE Kelmscott Manor guide book Discounts in the Tearoom and Shop

WWW.KELMSCOTTMANOR.ORG.UK

Address: Kelmscott Manor, Kelmscott, Lechlade GL7 3HJ | Tel: 01367 252486 Email: [email protected] | Web: www.kelmscottmanor.org.uk Twitter: @KelmscottManor | Instagram: KelmscottManor | Like us on Facebook!

16 ng Celebrati 125 years young guns academy eveRy tueSday in the SchOOl hOlidayS - bOOk tOday!

Spend a morning learning to shoot air rifles and shotguns at our award-winning shooting ground! We have a fantastic selection of targets suitable for young and novice shots across a wide range of disciplines. Refreshments, gun hire and safety equipment included. Open to children over 9 years old.

Please visit our website for the latest availability.

01494 883227 | [email protected] | WWW.ejchuRchill.cOm PaRk lane, lane end, high WycOmbe, buckinghamShiRe, hP14 3nS 17

June/July_Full Page_EJ Churchill.indd 1 18/05/2016 19:26 A pair of weekend tickets with camping to Cornbury Music Festival, 8th-10th July

Join All Saints, Bryan Ferry, Seal, James Morrison and Jamie Cullum at the stunning Great Tew Estate for the Cotswolds’ best open air party of the summer. Cornbury Music Festival has something for everyone; a beautiful setting, great music, delicious food and a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere. There is a fantastic line-up over four stages, a comedy stage, a creative kids zone, a traditional funfair, an exclusive VIP area and beautiful campsites nestled in the estate’s rolling hills.

For your chance to win a pair of adult weekend tickets with camping email competitions@fyne. co.uk with your name, address and telephone WIN! number. Please put ‘Cornbury Competition’ as the email subject. The only thing better than going Entries must be in by 23rd June. to amazing places is going to The Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire them absolutely free. HC would cornburyfestival.com love to invite you to enter our marvellous competitions and A pair of 3-day pass tickets for Thames celebrate summer in style. Traditional Boat Festival, Henley-on-Thames, 15th-17th July

The Thames Traditional Boat Festival was first held at Fawley Meadows 37 years ago as a rally for likeminded enthusiasts who wanted to show off their enthusiasm for the older, traditionally built boats that were fast disappearing from the Thames.

From these small beginnings the TTBR, or “The Trad” as it became known, has flourished to the extent that it now attracts interest from all over the world.

This prestigious event, reborn as the Thames A pair of Retro Festival day tickets for use Traditional Boat Festival, whilst keeping faith on any day, 12th-14th August with the precepts of its founding fathers, now incorporates the traditional values of many other Retro Festival crams the vast Newbury Show Ground with trades and crafts of a bygone era, as well as attractions, eye-catching displays, and over 1,000 classic providing a fun day out for all the family. vehicles from cars, motorbikes, scooters, caravans and hot rods, to military vehicles, steam engines and aircraft. To be in with a chance of winning a pair of 3-day pass tickets, email competitions@ To be in with a chance of winning a pair of day tickets for fyne.co.uk with your name, address use on any of the three days, email competitions@fyne. and telephone number.Please put ‘Boat co.uk with your name, address and telephone number. Festival Competition’ as the email subject. Kindly let us know which day you would be planning to attend Retro Fest. Please put ‘Retro Festival Entries must be in by 1st July. Competition’ as the email subject. Fawley Meadows, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2HY tradboatfestival.com Entries must be in by 1st August. Newbury Showground, RG18 9QZ retrofestival.co.uk 18 Competitions EDITS E

A pair of tickets for Nocturne Live at Blenheim Palace, 23rd-26th June

Now is your chance to win a pair of tickets to Ennio Morricone, The Corrs (with Special Guest Jack Savoretti) or The Music From Bond performed by The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and presented by Bond girl Fiona Fullerton – all of whom appear at Blenheim Palace in June for Nocturne Live.

Email [email protected] with your name, address and telephone number for a shot at winning. Please put ‘Nocturne Live Competition’ as the email subject and specify within the email which artist you would like a pair of tickets for.

Entries must be in by 17th June. Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1PP nocturnelive.com

Thursday 16 June to Saturday 23 July

Watership Down Based on the book by Richard Adams Adapted by Rona Munro

Brought to life by a top-quality cast in the heart of the countryside that inspired it, an epic adventure story told through movement, music and puppetry. Tickets £26.50 to £15 Book at watermill.org.uk NOW BOOKING! Box Office 01635 46044 Supported by an anonymous donor The Watermill Theatre & Restaurant, Bagnor, Newbury RG20 8AE

19 E EDITS Craft & Design Fair New venue for popular Henley craft event Experience the best in contemporary craft, design and art at the Craft & Design Experience in Henley… New dates…new venue…new experience

The organisers of The Craft and Design Experience Special features this year include a varied have announced a new venue for their fair this programme of live music, Chinese lion dancing, summer. It will take place from 24th-26th June at storytellers, silhouette cutting and a sculpture Henley Meadows, a short walk from the town centre garden. For the first time there will also be ‘Inspired’ and adjacent to Fawley Court where the event was – an exhibition of work by some of the finest furniture first staged and opened by the then Shadow Arts makers and contemporary silversmiths in the UK. Minister, Boris Johnson. For those wishing to have a go themselves there are The Craft and Design Experience has earned an workshops including blacksmithing, a potter’s wheel, enviable reputation for selecting only the very best leatherwork and felting. professional designers, artists and craftsmen and, Opening times are 10am-5pm each day. Advance with the resurging interest in designer crafts, the event tickets are now on sale at a reduced price or is expected to be as popular as ever. Visitors are able purchase on the door at £10 for adults or £1 for to shop for unusual contemporary items in a relaxing children (5-16). For further information and advance atmosphere, view a wide range of demonstrations or ticket sales visit the website at www.craftexperience. take part in various craft related workshops. co.uk or contact CDE Ltd on 01622 747325. Craft & Design Fair HENLEY ON THAMES 24-26 June 10am - 5pm This • Workshops popular • Demonstrations Henley craft • Sculpture Garden fair has Henley Meadows • Performing Arts now Marlow Road, Adjacent to • Storytellers moved! • Food Court Fawley Court • Live Music £10 on the day. Children £1 (5 -15 yrs) Book tickets in advance & save £3* New venue . New dates . New Experience See website for details

www.craftexperience.co.uk

20 WHAT’S ON AT CROWNE PLAZA MARLOW JUNE JULY SEPTEMBER

THE OFFICIAL COMEDY CLUB — CHARITY FAMILY FUN DAY — NITRO NINETIES — REWOUND BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND RAISING MONEY FOR CLIC SARGENT AND RELOADED TRIBUTE NIGHT 7pm Friday, 17th June From 12pm, Sunday 24th July 7pm, Friday, 16th September Who let the Dads out? The perfect Celebrate the end of the school A dynamic 90’s show featuring top Father’s Day Gift! A night of comedy, year at our Family Fun Day. Join West End stars with chart toppers with chicken and chips in a basket, us for a day of family fun on the from MC Hammer, Back Street followed by disco until 12.30am. lawns. Live Music, BBQs, bouncy Boys, Michael Jackson, Spice Girls, castles, face painting, games on Britney Spears, Robbie Williams, With Host Comedian Kevin McCarthy the lawn and much more. Blur and much more! Opening Comedian Free Admission Includes a 2 course dinner, John Newton followed by music until 12.30am. Headline Comedian Please book in advance at Geoff Norcott www.cpmarlow.co.uk/whats-on Book a table of 10 and receive half Book a table of 10 and receive half a bottle of wine per person for a bottle of wine per person for your table whilst dining. your table whilst dining. £29.00 per adult, over 18s only Geoff Norcott £32.00 per person, including £19.00 Comedy only (no food). Tribute Act and 2 course meal

COMEDY NIGHT: TRIBUTE PACKAGE: PLAY AND STAY £119.00 PLAY AND STAY £119.00 Includes Tribute Night, Includes Comedy Night, accommodation and full English accommodation and full breakfast for two.* English breakfast for two.* *Subject to availability. Kevin McCarthy *Subject to availability.

PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE AT WWW.CPMARLOW.CO.UK/WHATS-ON OR CALL US ON 01628 496 800. DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR FABULOUS EVENTS AT CROWNE PLAZA MARLOW.

Crowne Plaza Marlow, Fieldhouse Lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1GJ | cpmarlow.co.uk | [email protected] | 01628 496 80021

A5P_CPMarlow_WhatsOn_JuneJuly_v1.indd 1 11/05/2016 10:55 designer journalist editor financier teacher athlete academic scientist architect actor entrepreneur artist surgeon accountant composer pilot writer director musician economist engineer

Creating bright futures at

Why not visit the School on one of our Open Mornings to see what we have to offer - you can book online at www.stowe.co.uk

22 xxxxx EDITS E

23 HAMES T ADITION TTHR AMEALS TRADITIONAL THAMES TRADITIONAL H S E N L E Y- O N -T H A M E

H S E N L E Y- O N -T H A M E

SPECIAL APPEARANCE

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24 Woburn Abbey EDITS E Discover the splendour and history of Woburn Abbey and Gardens

One of Bedfordshire’s top attractions is open daily to offer you a fascinating day out.

A house filled with history, Woburn Abbey is the family home of the 15th Duke and Duchess of Bedford. The Earls and Dukes of Bedford and their families have been at the centre of social and political events for almost 400 years.

Take your time to learn more about their lives and discover great tales of imprisonment, beheadings, love affairs, Royal Pardons, Prime Ministers, Grand Tours, political reforms, Royal state visits and much more. Find out more about Duchess Mary, remembered for her achievements in aviation ‘The Flying Duchess’ had many years working at her own hospital as a nurse, radiologist and even stand in surgeon. In addition to medicine and flying she was an experimental photographer, passionate about the natural world and an accomplished sportswoman. Her unconventional life is celebrated today in the Flying Duchess Room in the Abbey. Within the Abbey there are 22 rooms to explore over 3 floors, including the State Rooms, porcelain displays in the Crypt and Gold and Silver Vaults. We are proud of our world renowned art collection with more The home of afternoon tea than 250 paintings including works by Rembrandt, Reynolds and Van Dyck. One of the highlights is We have a past Duchess of Bedford to thank for the largest private collection of Venetian views by popularising this quintessential English tradition. Canaletto on view to the public. Anna-Maria, wife of the 7th Duke, Duchess of Bedford Your visit is not complete without a stroll through in the 1830s, is credited with first making ‘Afternoon the beautiful, award-winning gardens. When the 6th Tea’ into a formal social occasion. A Lady-in-Waiting Duke inherited the Abbey he commissioned Humphry to Queen Victoria, Anna Maria began the custom of Repton, the famous landscape gardener, to create taking afternoon tea at around 5.00pm and it became designs for enhancing the gardens and deer park. Two fashionable at the Royal Palaces and at Woburn hundred years later, many of the features you will find Abbey where she entertained her friends. in the gardens are based on Repton’s designs, many of which have been restored to their former glory. This time of year, the gardens are awash with colour as beautiful spring flowers are in full bloom.

Indulge in a taste of history Set within the grounds of The Abbey, The Duchess Tearoom offers a wonderful assortment of home-made cakes and biscuits and freshly prepared meals and snacks and a choice of hot and cold beverages. Please telephone 01525 290333 to book your afternoon tea.

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SUPPORTED BY South Hill Park Trust Limited A charitable company limited by guarantee Charity number 265656 26 Wokingham Festival EDITS E WOKINGHAM FESTIVAL 2016 10th Anniversary Not to be missed! Wokingham Festival is a great day out for all The weekend kicks off with live music on Friday the family this August Bank Holiday weekend – evening and the fun continues until late Sunday Friday to Sunday. With quality award winning evening. food and drink exhibitors, chef demonstrations, To celebrate the 10th Anniversary there will be FREE sampling sessions, over 60 craft beers and perries entry between 10am – 12 noon on both Saturday at the bar, a separate cocktail bar, street food, and Sunday. Discounted tickets after 12 noon are fabulous live music on two stages, craft stalls available online for just £5.50 per adult and £7 for and entertainment for the children, there really is entry after 5pm for the evening music. Accompanied something for everyone. children are FREE. A weekend ticket is just £16. For Embracing the outdoors it is held in two enormous all the latest news and discounted tickets go to www. marquees plus numerous gazebos on Elms Field just wokinghamfestival.co.uk. 3 minutes walk from the train station and right in the middle of the town with plenty of parking. Should 26th-28th August 2016 there be a drop of rain no one’s weekend will be spoilt Elms Field, Wokingham, RG40 2LD with ample cover in the marquees. Only guide dogs and hearing dogs are allowed entry to this food event. Please be aware when putting on an event of this size there can be unavoidable changes to the advertised programme Bank Holiday Weekend: Elms Field Friday 26th - Sunday 28th August 2016

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NOW SHOWING COMING SOON

DINNER AND A SHOW FROM £45.50! WHAT’S ON IN THE WATERWHEEL BAR Our Waterwheel Bar is now open in the day from 11am (Tuesday-Sunday). Join us for coffee, homemade cakes and delicious paninis! Free Wi-Fi is available.

From 8th July to 12th August, we will have free live music every Friday evening from West End star Glyn Kerslake and singer/ guitarist Elaine Glover. Bar food will be served from 7:30pm. See our website for more details.

BOX OFFICE FIND(0118)30 OUT 969 8000MORE millatsonning.com Roald Dahl Museum EDITS E Fantabulous events this summer!

Head to the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden for some fantabulous events this summer. Celebrate Fathers’ Day on Sunday 19 June at this swashboggling session with the creators of Superhero Dad, Timothy Knapman and Joe Berger. Meet author Nick Cook on Sunday 3 July and come face-to-face with some minibeasts at the Reptile Roadshow on Saturday 16 July. The summer holidays will be packed with Big Friendly Fun, including storytelling and BFG-themed 2016 marks 100 years since Roald Dahl’s birth, so crafts. Make BFG Ears and Dahl-ightful Dream there’s no better time to unlock your inner storyteller, Catchers, and join in with some Giant Parties. There’ll see the original Writing Hut and discover amazing also be awesome author visits from Rastamouse treasures from the archive in the heart of Roald Dahl creator Michael De Souza and The Last Wild author country. Piers Torday, as well as swishwiffling sessions with the Museum’s Storyteller in Residence, Sandra Agard, Call 01494 892192 to book workshops and behind the scenes archive tours, clue trails and Museum admission. roalddahl.com/museum special events.

Celebrate Roald Dahl 100 and the release of the BFG film, with a summer of Big Friendly Fun at the Roald Dahl Museum.

The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre Unlock your inner storyteller, see the original Writing Hut and discover amazing treasures from the archive in the heart of Roald Dahl country. roalddahl.com/museum

31 PUT THE FUN BACK IN TO THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS! MONDAY - FRIDAY 8AM TO 6PM - ACTIVITIES FOR AGES 4 - 14 SUMMER HOLIDAY CAMPS ACROSS BUCKS AND BERKS

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De-stressing the holidays Experts are increasingly pointing the finger at the trappings of modern life to explain the epidemic of stress affecting our children. Computers, mobiles – too much exposure can scramble the tender brains of children and create anxiety and depression. Even school holidays are to be dreaded as youngsters lose contact with school friends and turn to their devices to cope with the boredom of days that seem to stretch for ever. Word-games, mosaic-making, body-art – the At Super Camps, rediscovering the fun of childhood opportunities for self-expression – and hilarity – are will always be a guiding mantra. The company hires endless, as are the opportunities to play classic British schools and turns them into playhouses, encouraging sports like tennis and cricket – or, for children aged 7 children of all ages to make new friends and enjoy and over, enjoy bushcraft or cooking lessons. the wonder of discovery and exploration. Six action- As leader in its field in the UK, Super Camps runs at packed daily activities that range from swimming to venues across the country, putting different activities Quad biking to Archery are all included in the price, for children aged 4-14 each day, bookable daily or but so too is the freedom to choose. weekly. Energetic, friendly staff put children through Prefer to get stuck into a clay-modelling session or their paces and ensure all ages and abilities bond go on a scavenger hunt – or relax on a beanbag with together as they learn and explore with friends new new chums and a good book? Or organise a 5 a-side and old. football game, girls and boys together? That’s OK by All we ask is that you pack a healthy lunch – and us – and good for your child too. Allowing children to visit www.supercamps.co.uk now to book for Easter, decide the tempo of the day’s activities is regarded by half-term or Summer camps. Remember – it’s all child development experts as essential to childhood about de-stressing the holidays. Once your child has fulfilment – and certainly adds to the fun at Super rediscovered fun at Super Camps, holiday stress will Camps. be a thing of the past.

33 E EDITS xxxxx HC meets LEMAR

The careers of the overwhelming majority of TV talent show winners and contestants tend to go down one of two paths: either they maintain a reasonable level of fame singing songs provided for them by a team of writers, or they fade into relative obscurity and begin appearing in musical theatre productions.

There is, however, one member of this cohort who How did it feel when you released your first record differs wildly from the blueprint: Lemar. Since finishing and you were suddenly performing in front of third in the inaugural series of the BBC’s Fame thousands of people? Academy, Lemar Obika has tirelessly written his own It’s crazy. For me, I tried for 8 years to get into the brand of soul-tinged R’n’B, releasing his most recent music industry in the first place, so once I heard my album The Letter just last year. Jack Rayner caught songs on the radio for the first time it represented up with Lemar to learn how a TV show contestant nearly a decade of struggling to get some kind of can maintain both success and integrity in such an breakthrough. Getting that first bit of chart success impressive way. and having people say to you “your song reminds me of a particular time”... that’s really, really fulfilling. Hi Lemar, thanks for talking to HC. At the beginning Those first times are always memorable. of your career, did you encounter any opposition to your involvement in the writing process? How did you managed to stay so grounded through You know what, I was actually very fortunate because those years? when I started out, I was really on the same page as I think I got [the success] at the right time. I was 24, the A&R guy that I signed to, and similarly with my and I had the same core friends around me who were management. I’ve always written music, and maybe part of my team, and very good management. My if the first few tunes I came out with were complete family stayed very close as well, and I think all those rubbish then it would’ve been different, but the first things do keep you on the ground. one I wrote under Sony was Dance (With U) and the second one was 50/50. Those tracks were both really Your first gig was supporting Usher in Tottenham. well received and I was encouraged to keep on writing How did that come about? from there. There used to be a venue there called The Temple, opposite the police station. They’ve knocked it Have you heard any similar experiences from your down and I think it’s now flats. I started recording talent show peers? with [production team] Best Kept Secret - they were To be honest, I don’t really know. With girl bands or working with Kele Le Roc back in the day and helped boy bands they tend to just get a team of writers in, her get her record deal. I kept phoning up the promoter and obviously I haven’t followed that path, but there’s of the Usher show and he kept saying no, but I kept still something in recognising what is and what isn’t a persisting and eventually he agreed to let me open the good song. As much as I write songs and I love it, if show. When I played the reaction was amazing and a great song landed on the table from someone else when American acts came to London I kept getting and I thought I could do it justice, then I’d give it a booked to play. That was really the catalyst to all the shot as well. bookings I got later on.

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35 E EDITS Lemar

What sort of music were you performing back then? Straight-up R’n’B. I was listening to R Kelly, Boyz II Men, all that kind of stuff.

Do you have a particular highlight of your career that stands out? There’s been so many. Performing with Lionel Richie or George Benson, supporting Mary J Blige and Beyoncé. There have been so many different performances or moments that I’ve had that I’m so grateful for.

Your new album The Letters has a much more classic soul sound compared to the more polished R’n’B that you’re known for. What made you think to write an album in that style? Throughout my career, people have said to me “you remind of me of an Al Green or a Marvin” so I thought it’d be cool to do an album that celebrates that. Like you said, it’s old-school soul but with a few originals on there as well. It’s a bit more raw and not as overtly You’re playing at Cornbury this year. What sort of processed. It’s my sixth or seventh album, and after fans do you see at your shows? Do you have many releasing so many original albums I just thought it life-long, diehard fans? would be fun to do something different, but to then go It’s really varied. My first headline show at Shepherd’s back to releasing my original material afterwards. Bush was, obviously, the first time I’d seen the people who had bought my album in front of me, and I was What was it like recording at EastWest Studios? surprised by how varied it was, from 16 to 60. I’ve You know what, that was absolutely amazing. I go always tried to keep that in mind when writing – it’s to LA quite a bit but EastWest was really something a hard task to try and embrace that whole range and special. I was working with Larry Klein who’s a create music that they can all enjoy. legendary producer, and some of the musicians were incredible as well. The backing singers, The Water Festivals are fantastic for that, you get Sisters, have recorded on so many records, from the young people who love the R’n’B Marvin Gaye to Diana Ross & The Supremes, so to have them on my album was awe-inspiring. and then you get the older crowd who might just want to see someone with a Where do you see your sound developing for good voice or hear some soul. future albums? I’m always partial to R’n’B, so I think it’ll continue as a combination of the soul and R’n’B flavours. I want What are your plans in the future? to keep on expanding it, and the cool thing about More than ever I feel like experimenting a bit, not musical creativity is that whatever happens in the just with music but across the board. I don’t feel like studio happens. I’ve really learnt to go into the studio I’ve got much more to prove musically, I enjoy what and just see what comes out, and after a while of I do and I think if people think of me and my albums recording there’ll always be one or two pieces that they know what they’re going to get, so I think it’s really stand out, and I’ll then try and head in that about trying to expand into different stuff and stay direction. interesting.

Are there any recent singers or groups that you Thanks Lemar. particularly admire? There’s an American band called Alabama Shakes who I really like. I love Leon Bridges as well, he’s a Lemar appears at Cornbury Festival on young American soul singer. Ed Sheeran had a good Friday 9th July. Tickets are available at run, there were a couple of his tracks that I liked. cornburyfestival.com

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90 years of royal couture

Sam Bennett explores three new exhibitions hosted by the Royal Collection Trust

If the wardrobe from my lifetime was the subject can find what Elizabeth II wore for the opening of the of an exhibition, my siblings might make an new Scottish Parliament in 1999 as well as off-duty appearance with the view of reclaiming items I’ve numbers donned at Balmoral. Quite a bit further down acquired from them over the years, but obviously the country at Windsor, what she has worn to Ascot no-one else would – as I imagine would be the features. case with most of us. “It has a relevance to people who live in each area The simple reason being: we are not the Queen. but at the same time each exhibition appeals to a Fashioning a Reign: 90 Years of Style from The wider audience who might be visiting because there Queen’s Wardrobe consists of three exhibitions that are just exquisite examples of couture on display,” document the outfits worn by HMQ during her life, the Caroline says. first of these opened at the Palace of Holyroodhouse I asked Caroline about HMQ’s dress code; I didn’t on her 90th birthday, and runs there until 16th October. know if the opening of a library warranted rubber It was from Holyrood that the exhibition’s curator, heels to symbolise quiet or if there was a collection Caroline de Guitaut, spoke to me. of Sudoku marked gloves for those events that are Fashioning a Reign was her idea. It’s a way of, in frankly too boring for anyone to even fake interest. her own words, “bringing to life the most memorable “Her style is something she’s created herself and it’s occasions in the Queen’s life and reign.” very much her own,” she tells me. “No-one is writing The second and third legs of Caroline’s initiative rules. Basically what she is doing is wearing things take place at Buckingham Palace (23rd July-2nd that are practical and appropriate for the occasion. October) and Windsor Castle (17th September-8th In this country, at daytime official engagements, she January). The locations have guided the curator always appears wearing a hat – and millinery is a very in terms of which of the 150 outfits used appear at important feature of all these exhibitions. She then which royal venues. At Holyrood, for example, you wears a coordinating outfit, she appears in a nice vivid

40 xxxxx EDITS E

Sandra Murray, purple coat made of a silk-wool blend with a green silk- crepe and lace dress, and a shawl of purple and green Isle of Skye tartan, woven on the Island of Lewis, worn by The Queen for the official opening of the Scottish Parliament on 1st July 1999

(opposite) Royal Collection Trust curator Caroline de Guitaut in the exhibition at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

Sam Bennett explores three new exhibitions hosted by the Royal Collection Trust

41 E EDITS 90 years of Royal Couture

Stewart Parvin, pink silk dress with coordinating white jacquard coat and pink hat designed by milliner Philip Somerville. Worn by Her Majesty The Queen for a garden party in 2009. PHOTOGRAPHER: SHANNON TOFTS

colour, it doesn’t have to be a bright colour, it could be pale as long as it’s something that reads very well from a distance. In the evening, for dinners, banquets or receptions, she’ll wear a long evening dress often with lovely sparkly embroidery. “There’s no code, it’s just what’s appropriate to the occasion and it’s very carefully thought through.” Sir Norman Hartnell, pale green crinoline evening gown made of silk chiffon and lace embroidered with sequins, pearls, It’s probably the level of thought that differs the beads and diamante. Worn by Her Majesty The Queen in 1957 Queen from the rest of us who feel we too dress for during her visit to the United States of America as a guest of President Eisenhower. occasions. “Her clothes incorporate subtle messages,” reveals Caroline, who has worked on exhibitions of the The three separate exhibitions Fashioning Queen’s clothes for over a decade. “Often you can a Reign: 90 Years of Style from The Queen’s have embroideries which are emblems of a particular Wardrobe are at: country that she will wear when she visits it – such Palace of Holyroodhouse, as maple leaves when she goes to Canada. Or until 16th October 2016 you’ll have an outfit which is the national colour for the country she’s visiting. She’ll also follow religious The Summer Opening of the State Rooms, protocol; she’ll remove her shoes if she goes into a Buckingham Palace, mosque and she’ll cover her head and wear black 23rd July-2nd October 2016 when she visits the pope at the Vatican. Windsor Castle, 17th September 2016-8th “You and I would be careful about what we January 2017 wear but I think because she’s Head of State royalcollection.org.uk it has to be absolutely perfect.” I used to think of the Queen’s job as one of the easiest out there, but I recently reconsidered. “Can can never stop being Head of State, she has official you imagine,” someone said to me, “your nan doing papers to look at every single day, it’s a never ending all that traveling, performing all those duties, standing task. To think that she’s dedicated her entire life to outside for hours as it pisses down?” doing that… it’s quite remarkable and I have a huge The truth is I can’t – and my grandmother is a good amount of admiration for her.” few years younger than HMQ. “She’s got a huge amount of energy,” Caroline IMAGES: ROYAL COLLECTION TRUST / states of the monarch, “she doesn’t get a day off, you © HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II 2016

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Old-school cool: Rewind Festival

The past decade has seen something of a resurgence in 80s music and style. A large cohort of 80s legends who have lied dormant for years are back on the gigging scene and the generation that grew up and enjoyed these acts the first time round show no signs of stopping the party any time soon.

We now have current acts performing at Rewind because they want to cover 80s songs, which is fantastic. 44 xxxxx EDITS E

At the vanguard of this revival is Rewind Festival, which launched 8 years ago at Temple Island Meadows in Henley and has been instrumental in relaunching the careers of dozens of 80s artists. This year, the lineup includes Leo Sayer, Rick Astley, Adam Ant and members of Heaven 17, Earth Wind & Fire, Erasure and Spandau Ballet. HC spoke to Rewind director David Heartfield to find out more…

Hi David. How have you seen Rewind, and the doing their classic hits, and if acts involved, develop over the last 8 years? they want to carry on releasing new music or The main thing is that everyone knows what we’re performing other stuff, then they can have that talking about now. When we started out it was just more artistic endeavour as well. an idea, so we had to go to artists and persuade them to get involved, and we put a band together You started off in Henley and have now of top London session musicians because a lot of exported the idea nationwide. What have the these acts simply didn’t have a band any longer. We challenges been in achieving that? really wanted to recreate the thing that had worked There’s always difficulty. Each location is unique so well at the one-day shows, which was the “hit in terms of dealing with local councils, which is a jukebox” idea – if someone had only had one hit massive undertaking. When we started in Henley, I in the 80s, we could still have them on doing one think people were convinced that despite the fact warmup number and their big hit, and there wasn’t a that it was aimed at an older audience, a music huge gap afterwards. At the beginning, the difficulty festival was going to bring waves of crime and was getting hold of people – a lot of the 80s acts drug addiction into the area, which quite obviously didn’t have agents or managers. Over the last 8 is not the case. We do vary all the locations years, everyone now knows about the festival, and slightly: up in Scotland there are an awful lot of a lot of them now have those agents and managers. 80s Scottish bands that perhaps meant more in Scotland than they did down South. We tend Do you think a lot of them have kick-started their to have those acts who were slightly bigger in careers again through Rewind? their own area. Other than that, things remain I think for some of them, even if it didn’t necessarily remarkably the same, so where I have the River kick-start their careers, it did encourage them to Thames in Henley I have the River Tay in Scotland. come back into the limelight a bit more. If you take an act like Holly Johnson from Frankie Goes To In terms of the attendees in the crowd, are Hollywood – he hadn’t played live in 20 years before there many younger people? Rewind. For Tom Bailey from the Thompson Twins, I Well I think the interesting thing is that the think it was 27 years. It’s brought quite a few people audience has got younger over the 8 years, and it’s back who obviously had highly successful careers quite hard to figure out why. When we started out, I in the 80s, and for whatever reason had dropped didn’t really think it would keep continuing to grow, out of the music business. We’re always looking for as it has done, but now there are a lot of people in those acts and that’s what everyone wants to see. their 30s who would’ve been too young for the 80s first time round, but I suppose it would’ve been the Were any of the artists reluctant to get back music they heard on the radio and their parents’ onstage when you approached them? music. Oh yes. Some of them took years to warm to the idea. Part of it is whether they want to work at all, I think the cyclical nature of fashion means and part of it is if they do want to work, a lot of them that the 80s were always going to be taken are still writing new music and often want to leave seriously again at some point. behind what they did 30 years ago. I sometimes Oh yeah, for sure. We now have current acts needed to persuade them that they could have performing at Rewind because they want to cover two careers: one where they get highly paid for 80s songs, which is fantastic.

45 Celebrated Chef Chris Wheeler invites you to indulge your tastebuds at Humphry’s, Stoke Park’s award winning restaurant. Open to all, Humphry’s fine dining restaurant allows you to enjoy ‘an experience you want to relive again and again’ (At Home with Marco Pierre White). Named as one of the ‘Best of Britain’ in the Tatler Restaurant Guide, Humphry’s innovative take on Modern British Cuisine and enviable wine list provides an unforgettable treat, all set within the sumptuous, romantic surroundings of Stoke Park’s Georgian mansion. Friday - Sunday : Lunch 12.00pm – 2.30pm Wednesday - Sunday : Dinner 7.00pm – 10.00pm To make a reservation please call 01753 717172 or46 email [email protected] www.stokepark.com

SPC_Humphrys Ad_HC Mag_Jun 2016_A5.indd 1 07/06/2016 10:34

At HC, we eat therefore we are. We pride ourselves in being the local barometer of all things culinary, so without further ado, here is HC’s guide to eating and drinking like a true connoisseur.

This summer: Jack Rayner meets Raymond Blanc, we explore the madder side of ‘molecular’ food at Paris House, the often-confusing styles of beer are broken down into their essential components, and we bring you news from the Home Counties’ biggest and brightest movers and shakers across the food and drink scene. Enjoy… Image: Bella Italia Image:

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“Food connects with everything” Jack Rayner meets Raymond Blanc

It is nigh-on impossible not to be charmed in the “I was in the garden of Le Manoir, and I heard presence of Raymond Blanc. Here is a man that enormous laughter, enormous. I knew it came from achieved everything there is to achieve in one France: 60 million French people laughing”. If the of the most cut-throat, high-pressure industries physics of this particular story seem at odds with your in existence, yet remains flawlessly unjaded: all current understanding, then I can only apologise. “The smiles, wild gesticulation and childlike enthusiasm laughter became louder and louder, and I realised that for lovingly prepared, unpretentious food. they were laughing at Britain – the British had laughed Then again, Raymond has always been something about them for so long for eating horses and frogs, of a rarity amongst his famously disdainful cohort and then the news came to France that evening of British celebrity chefs. Faultlessly polite, he refers that you had been eating horse for 50 years without to both the French and the English as “we”, and knowing it!” Raymond barely makes it to the punchline his diplomatic appreciation for both sides of the before collapsing into a deep belly laugh, highlighting channel comes across as genuine and unrehearsed, how naturally he commands the energy of a room as rather than as a necessary toeing of the party line to his staff glance up from their iPhones to smile warmly keep on the good side of his adopted countrymen. at their boss. He apologises for being not 5 minutes late of our It might be a light-hearted joke, but this story comes scheduled start (“Your time, anybody else’s time, is as from a place that Raymond is deadly serious about: important as mine. I don’t take anything for granted, his near-obsessive passion for food knowledge and I never have”), and immediately offers me a glass of ingredient sourcing. It is his job, his hobby, his raison wine. This is not a man with something to prove. d’etre, and our conversational anchor as he veers That’s not to say, however, that he doesn’t love a wildly from subject to subject. I ask him about his good-humoured jibe. After asking a waitress to clear early years in the UK - working at the Rose Revived the glasses from our table at his flagship Brasserie in Newbridge – and his memories again relate back Blanc on Walton Street (“Voila! Now, we can expand”), to his peers’ attitude towards sourcing and freshly- Raymond jumps headfirst into an anecdote, lightly cooked cuisine: poking fun at the UK’s infamous horse meat scandal “It was the most beautiful, charming pub, and I still of 2013: remember the day when I first went over that little 13th

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Century bridge. It was so quaint and quintessentially cook his own food. Of course, France is also blessed English, but then, the food was just frightening – we with a wonderful climate, and chefs very much tended had completely lost our way in England during this to own their own restaurants. Food was, and is, for time. Intensive farming and heavy processing of food everyone. When I was a child, my parents might’ve was very common, as well as heavy marketing and only taken us to a restaurant perhaps once or twice branding. Then, we made food a commodity, where a year, but we ate well every day and we celebrated the only value and virtue held to food was cheapness. food as a family. We had a jardin potager where I So, we had lost the plot completely, and food was learned all about seasonality, variety, and the earth. exclusive rather than inclusive”. We might not have had a lot of money, but I was a Inclusivity is crucially important to Raymond’s ethos rich man from the age of 7 in terms of my knowledge.” in a way that belies his Michelin stars and innumerable I can’t resist probing further into Raymond’s accolades as an haute cuisine chef: comparisons between his two beloved nations, and “For example, children were certainly not welcome, one subject he gets particularly animated about his because that’s just how it was. I come from a working how far British cuisine has come since he arrived at class background, and where I’m from, food is for Dover in 1972: everyone. Between our two countries, I think that the “Oh, it’s exciting, and again we are talking about fundamental difference is the revolution - France had a revolution, but a very British on.. It’s exciting, for a revolution, and England didn’t.” example, that now there are as many cheeses in That final statement is where the conversation Britain as in France – maybe not always as good, really begins to get interesting, because to Raymond, but then again you cannot change a country in a everything is food and food is everything, from few minutes. In France, it was almost thought of as the minutiae of family life to the broad narratives of a problem – there’s a story that General de Gaulle national legislation: raised his arms to the sky, asking God: ‘How can you “Politics relates to food, history relates to food, deal with a country that has 350 cheeses?’ One for religion relates to food. I think the revolution in France every day! And soon, the British will have the same democratised our right to eat well – the right for the number, so watch out for big problems coming up! peasant to till his own land, to grow his own food, to More cheese, more problems!” Another thick, gutsy

Food connects with everything, and the dinner table is a place where you communicate, you have fun, you celebrate life

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laugh spills out. “No, I think it’s fantastic, because the books to learn what was happening in my soufflé, for British consumer is much more knowledgeable and example, but I couldn’t understand them. I was very much more aware.” lucky to meet Professor Kurti. He may be no less enthusiastic about food “We proved that a poulet de bresse [top-end than when he first opened Les Quat’ Saisons in appellation d’origine contrôlée French chicken], a Summertown almost 40 years ago, but surely one has British free-range chicken, and a terrible factory to take a more conservative attitude when running an chicken all have very different flavours. I put them in 18-piece chain, no? three different ovens, with a copper tube coming out of each oven. I heated each of them at 190 degrees “The passion has not to get my Maillard reaction, so all of the gases and moisture goes into the copper tubes, and Professor diminished – if anything, it has Kurti was able to break down the flavour molecules by group. Then, it was connected up to a computer, and increased. It has made me you could see how many more and more varied flavour realise that the more I know, molecules were present in the poulet de bresse, and even the free-range British chicken than in the factory- the less I know. produced one. You could argue that I was the first big chef to use ‘molecular’ gastronomy, although not in At this stage, my success is about teaching others, the way that you’d use that word today”. and making my the vision of others. If you’re a person Indeed, Raymond briefly instructed the poster-boy looking to grow in this kind of industry, you have to of ‘molecular’ cuisine, Heston Blumenthal, during a surround yourself with the best people – the best short stint at Le Manoir. Does he see his influence on waiters, the best cleaners, the whole lot. If you can British cooking in the young chefs of today? do that, and every day you are patiently, lovingly using “Of course I can see it in the chefs that I’ve trained, your best intelligence, then maybe one day you may but I’m not here to create lots of little Raymond touch excellence… for a few seconds.” Blancs. I aim to support them and lift them up so Raymond’s gastronomic ideology is certainly based that they are embracing the same philosophy – in these notions of traditionalism and sharing, but his the philosophy of the land, of local values, of no all-encompassing culinary worldview also extends chemicals, of unadulterated food – but not the same into the more detailed and scientific. His 1996 book style of cooking. We talked earlier about this food and TV show Blanc Mange saw him team up with revolution in the UK, and this revolution is as much led Oxonian biochemist Professor Nicholas Kurti to apply from the top as from the bottom – these chefs are now academic knowledge to the world of flavour. inspired by many cultures and many styles of cooking, “I met him at the Oxford Symposium, and when he and it’s going to spread all across Great Britain. That’s spoke to me about food, he spoke in the most clear, a fantastic thing.” beautiful language. I tried to read all the scientific It certainly is. Raymond’s assistant had asked me to keep my interview to 15 minutes long (he had an admittedly spectacular pile of books to sign), but after 45 minutes he was showing no sign of wanting to leave. I felt rude, but then again, who am I to stop the man in full flow? I let him give one piece of advice to home chefs before my professional courtesy got the better of me: “Always be curious, always ask questions, don’t ever think that when you’ve cooked a dish once, you’ve completed that dish. Love it, go on to be curious about it, think ‘how can I do it better?’. Food connects with everything, and the dinner table is a place where you communicate, you have fun, you celebrate life.” The French may have laughed at us across the channel for eating undisclosed horse meat, but in Raymond’s eyes, food is clearly something to bring us together, whether as a family, a city, or a nation.

Here’s to many more celebrations to come.

50 One of the most historical Windsor hotels enjoys the finest location in town. The Harte & Garter Hotel has views directly over Windsor Castle. With many of its original features intact, this remarkable property offers you a combination of both modern facilities and classical style.

The Tower Bar & Brasserie Restaurant Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Tower Bar & Brasserie boasts a truly quintessential British menu. The Tower also offers a shameless celebration of the English institution of Afternoon Tea. Treat yourself to perfectly cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones with jam and clotted cream, and a daily assortment of delicate fancies. Enjoy your pre-meal cocktail with Windsor Castle as the back drop or simply watching the world pass by. Delicious daily specials feature alongside established menu favourites. Our eclectic wine list features a broad range of choices from Europe as well as New World varieties; most wines are available by the glass also. The Tower also offers private dining facilities for up to 70 people, perfect for a special celebration with bespoke menus to suit you.

Book today on 0844 855 9131 Or visit our website: www.harteandgarter.com 51 F&D FOOD xxxxx

Paris House

FUTURE FOOD: The culinary absurdity at Paris House

Ultratex, LT100, Gellan F, Sodium Alginate. These bizarrely-named compounds might not sound like delicious ingredients, but at Paris House, attitudes towards the inner workings of a professional kitchen are a far cry from the norm. Having honed his craft at acclaimed institutions ranging from Danesfi eld House to L’Ortolan, Michelin-starred executive chef Phil Fanning has harnessed the recent trend towards ‘molecular’ cooking to quite spectacular effect. Jack Rayner

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Needless to say, Paris House itself is a pleasure to behold. Originally built in 1878 off Quai d’Orsay in Paris’s 7th arrondissement, the 9th Duke of Bedford had the building physically dismantled, shipped piece by piece and rebuilt in its current location within the grounds of Woburn Abbey. If that’s not commitment to aesthetic satisfaction, then I don’t know what is.

On the subject of aesthetic satisfaction, some of the techniques Phil uses to construct his more outlandish courses are visually stunning in preparation as well as in presentation. As I entered his immaculate, stainless steel kitchen on a bright Sunday morning, the fl urry of steaming liquid nitrogen, culinary powders and intensely focused staff would’ve given the distinct After blending the dry ingredients with eggs and impression of a well-managed chemistry lab, were it bergamot zest, the mixture is charged with nitrous not for the glorious red leather booth that serves as oxide and then microwaved so that the nitrogen the ‘chef’s table’, which you can book to appreciate bubbles expand and then sponge rises up like a the true artistry behind some of Phil’s sizeable science-fiction Bake Off episode played in fast- repertoire directly from where it’s prepared. forward. After carefully layering the parts of the As you can probably imagine, Phil isn’t just pushing dish together, with sugary nut clusters and slices the boundaries of edible virtuosity to serve up a really of blood orange for good measure, the piece was decent fi sh and chips. The dish that we prepared, “a complete and I felt a completely undeserved sense ravioli of Horlick’s cheesecake, syphonated pistachio of accomplishment. sponge, kalamansi skin and nut clusters”, might not Returning now to a vaguely normal level of be found on the Sunday lunch menu at your local awareness, it was time to taste some more of Phil’s pub, but the occasionally impenetrable language of inventions. In this case, though, the word ‘taste’ modernist cooking belies the stunning use of fl avour, isn’t really the correct choice, because each course texture and form that are inarguably present on the brought out to the chef’s table is an all-out assault on menus of Paris House. each of one’s senses, from the indescribable aroma of a ‘thai green curry’ dessert fashioned from spiced So where do you start with such an ambitious dish? pineapple, coconut and lime to the tactile miracle Surprisingly enough, with a very simple cheesecake that is ‘桃’, a mandarin-based dish adorned with black base, made with the usual suspects of cream bean, coriander and sake. I’d imagine that it’d be very cheese, caster sugar, vanilla seeds and whole eggs, easy for a ‘modernist’ chef to simply resort to wacky blended together until aerated and smooth. This is techniques and synthetic additives to make the about where the traditional techniques end, though, mundane appear extraordinary, but it’s apparent that as the cheesecake mixture is shaped into a mould, Phil’s robust training and hair-trigger palate mean that flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen then coated in citrus Paris House’s brand of East-West fusion is absolutely gel, which is synthesized from orange juice, lemon faultless, leaving the impression of genuine passion juice, lime juice and a futuristic-sounding culinary and sophistication, rather than the pretention and compound. So, like a scene from Breaking Bad, I pompousness that this level of high-end cooking can dutifully weighed up white powder by the decimal often exude. point on a digital scale and, rather than sealing it in As I climbed back into my car and saw the charming Ziploc bags and selling them to street dealers to build black and white Tudor structure disappear from my my drugs empire, I blitzed them together with the fruit rear view mirror, my brain was still attempting to in a Thermomix heated processor and watched a process the sensory onslaught that Phil Fanning had zesty citrus glaze appear before my eyes. just put it through. As customers, we visit restaurants for myriad reasons, from noisy evenings catching up “Syphonated pistachio sponge” is an with friends to silver service luxury in the company equally impressive part of what was of prospective business clients, but if you’re looking for a dining experience to just blow your idea of what gradually becoming a tremendous makes good food out of the water, book yourself in at exercise in forward-thinking cuisine. Paris House. Incredible.

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N�W O�E� Bella Windsor, Royal Station

W�n�s�r w�u�d�’� b� t�e s�m� w�t�o�t B�l�a� s� o�r B�l�a f�o� 3� T�a�e� S�r�e� h�s r�l�c�t�d t� a n�w h�m� i� t�e g�a�s�c�v�r�d V�c�o�i�n R�y�l S�a�i�n� Y�u� B�l�a W�n�s�r t�a� i� l�o�i�g f�r�a�d t� w�l�o�i�g y�u i� t�e n�w r�s�a�r�n�.

Y�u c�n p�p�i� f�r y�u� S�t�r�a� n�g�t d�n�e�s o� b�e�k�a�t b�f�r� h�a�i�g t� t�e C�s�l�, a w�l� d�w� t�e r�v�r o� w�e� y�u p�a� t�e d�y o�t t� w�t�h t�e r�c�s a�d t�e t�a� w�l� l�o� a�t�r y�u j�s� a� w�l� a� t�e� d�d o� T�a�e� S�r�e� a�d c�o� u� a�l y�u� f�v�u�i�e I�a�i�n t�e�t�. W� l�v� t� e�t�r�a�n� I�a�i�n s�y�e� s� b�g p�r�i�s a� w�l� a� s�a�l g�o�p� a�e a�w�y� w�l�o�e�

Bella Windsor Royal Station U�i� C�0� W�n�s�r R�y�l S�a�i�n� W�n�s�r� S�4 1�J w�w�b�l�a�t�l�a�c�.�k�w�n�s�r�r�y�l�t�t�o� T� 0�7�3 8�2�8� 54 E� w�n�s�r�o�a�s�a�i�n�b�l�a�t�l�a�c�.�k Bella Windsor FOOD F&D New Bella for Royal Windsor Bella Italia, which has been open in Windsor for many years has relocated to a brand new restaurant in Windsor Royal Station. N�W O�E� Bella Windsor, Royal Station

The £400,000 investment in the new restaurant Y�u c�n p�p�i� f�r y�u� S�t�r�a� n�g�t d�n�e�s o� b�e�k�a�t b�f�r� h�a�i�g has create 20 new jobs, and serves great quality, t� t�e C�s�l�, a w�l� d�w� t�e r�v�r o� w�e� y�u p�a� t�e d�y o�t t� w�t�h authentic Italian treats for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week. t�e r�c�s a�d t�e t�a� w�l� l�o� a�t�r y�u j�s� a� w�l� a� t�e� d�d o� T�a�e� The restaurant has launched with a brand new menu, S�r�e� a�d c�o� u� a�l y�u� f�v�u�i�e I�a�i�n t�e�t�. W� l�v� t� e�t�r�a�n� where customers can enjoy a range of hand stretched pizzas – a key feature of the new menu, including beautiful artwork drawing on the heritage of Italy, and I�a�i�n s�y�e� s� b�g p�r�i�s a� w�l� a� s�a�l g�o�p� a�e a�w�y� w�l�o�e� the amazing ‘Pizza Roma’, which gives a light crisp a Mediterranean vibe that Windsor locals and tourists crust topped with well thought out ingredients – plus a will love – making every visit memorable. new recipe tagliatelle carbonara, and a fantastic new For those looking to relax before or after visiting the lasagne, made fresh in the restaurant daily. Leaving Castle or taking a stroll down by the river, or perhaps room for dessert is vital – Bella’s Gelato Cart, now a day of shopping, the fantastic atmosphere, created a regular feature in their new restaurants, is sure with an enthusiastic and dedicated team, is sure to to inspire creative picking while selecting from 11 make your day or evening fantastic! flavours of real Italian Ice cream available to try, and of Bella Windsor Area Manager Nathan Roots, said, course the array of toppings to add too! The selection of Prosecco and cocktails is sure to make a perfect “We’re thrilled to relocate to addition to the night out with the girls or that special date night. such a fantastic place in town, The Italian restaurant brand is excited to relocate in Windsor Royal Station. Bella Windsor Royal Station to Windsor Royal Station, a prime location in the heart of the town. The new restaurant is styled in This move means a fresh start for Bella, and whilst U�i� C�0� W�n�s�r R�y�l S�a�i�n� W�n�s�r� S�4 1�J a modern and sophisticated way and is the perfect we are sad to be leaving Thames Street, the new spot for every occasion. It features quirky seating – restaurant looks amazing – we can’t wait to welcome w�w�b�l�a�t�l�a�c�.�k�w�n�s�r�r�y�l�t�t�o� perfect for romantic dinners or family get-togethers, customers old and new! T� 0�7�3 8�2�8� E� w�n�s�r�o�a�s�a�i�n�b�l�a�t�l�a�c�.�k 55 E EDITS xxxxx Know Your Beer

Can you tell your pilsner from your weißbier? How about your dubbel from your dunkel? As part of HC’s celebration of pubs, we thought we’d give you the run-down on the basics, along with a recommendation of each from one our world-class local breweries.

PORTER Originally brewed in London in the 18th century, the porter is a very dark style of beer. A porter includes roasted malts or roasted barley, and are typically mild beers with hints of chocolate and toffee. MALT: Pale/Brown/Chocolate/Black HOPS: Moderate to high HC recommends: Chiltern Black from Chiltern Brewery

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TRAPPIST BEER Trappist beer is brewed by monks in eleven monasteries across Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as one each in Austria, Italy and the US.

The Trappist beer naming system designates different varieties according to the amount of malt France and it was the duty of patriots, usually from used in brewing, as well as the original gravity the upper classes, to drink ale rather than French (density). Beers are designated Enkel (single), Dubbel wine. Many small brewers now produce their own (double) or Tripel (triple), and originally, beers were interpretations of barley wine, and the flavour is unlabelled and were identified by the colour of the usually packed with powerful fruit flavour. bottle cap alone. STOUT IPA Stouts are always 100% opaque and are consistently The India Pale Ale, also commonly referred to as an the darkest beers. The head of a stout beer is IPA, comes from the 1700’s when English troops extremely thick and usually brown. They have a lived in India. Additional hops were added to their controversial history, but it’s widely believed that typical beer to keep it from spoiling before their ship the stout style originally derived from porters. They reached Indian shores. This style is known to have a feature a heavily roasted flavor and often contain strong hoppy flavour with a slightly bitter taste. The hints of chocolate, licorice, molasses, or coffee. colour of an IPA can range from a light golden yellow MALT: Chocolate/Black/Crystal to a darker red amber. HOPS: Moderate to high MALT: Pale, often with a small amount of crystal HOPS: Moderate to heavy, often very heavy in HC recommends: American IPAs Tamesis Extra Stout from West Berkshire Brewery HC recommends: Eton Rifles from Windsor & Eton Brewery MILD Mild ale, whilst almost unheard of in the South of the UK nowadays, used to be very popular before BROWN ALE the lager boom. Malt accented, with typically little Spawned from the Mild Ale, Brown Ales tend to or no hop flavour, milds are usually medium to dark be malty and sweet on the palate, with a full body. brown in colour, although many English examples are Colour can range from reddish brown to dark brown. almost black. Mild is usually between 3-4% ABV, and Some versions will lean towards fruity esters, while whilst stronger variations exist, these rarely exceed others tend to be drier with nutty characters. Brown 5 or 6%. ales tend to have a low hop aroma and bitterness. MALT: Pale/Mild. Most milds also contain crystal malt MALT: Pale/Crystal/Chocolate HOPS: Very light HOPS: Light HC recommends: HC recommends: Hooky Mild from Hook Norton Battle of Britain Old Ale from Chiltern Brewery Brewery

BARLEY WINE Originating in ancient Greece, barley wine is a very strong variety of ale, often reaching 12% or higher. Modern barley wine originates from the 18th and 19th centuries when England was often at war with

57 DELICIOUS DINING right in the heart of Wallingford

The George Hotel, a 16th Century Coaching Inn, set in the very centre of this pretty, historic market town.

Come and enjoy local ales, local produce and local hospitality!

Exciting menus from our restaurant and tavern bar for all seasons. Enjoy a range of dishes from our Head Chef. There is Al fresco dining in our enclosed courtyard, a little more refinement in our Wealh’s Restaurant and Bistro, the choice is yours!

Be it afternoon tea with lots of treats or steak and chips in front of the game we have something for you!

The George Hotel High Street, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 0BS Telephone: 01491 836665

58 Email: [email protected] d L’Ortolan FOOD F&D L’Ortolan is a Michelin starred restaurant located in the beautiful village of Shinfield, on the outskirts of Reading. Head Chef Tom Clarke’s philosophy is simple, delivering great food for guests to enjoy, taking his inspiration from the produce coming into season.

Trained in classical French cuisine, Tom’s style mixes up traditional flavour combinations into innovative and contemporary dishes. To complement the perfectly balanced menus, Head Sommellier Guillaume Kaczmar and his team offer recommendations from our extensive wine list, including flights of wines to accompany each course. Constantly tasting and tuning their wine offering with the ever changing menu, the team love to introduce the ‘fruits’ of that work to the guests. The main restaurant seats up to 62 guests and there are 3 private dining rooms seating between 8 Review from the Michelin guide 2016: and 22 guests. L’Ortolan also offers a range of more “Beautiful, red-brick former vicarage with stylish, interactive dining experiences on the Chef’s table, modern décor, several private dining rooms and a masterclasses and the opportunity to be a chef for conservatory-lounge overlooking a lovely garden. a day. Cooking is confident and passionate, with well- crafted, classically based dishes showing flair, To make a reservation call 0118 988 8500. originality and some playful, artistic touches.”

59 E EDITS St Helena ST HELENA The Island on the Edge of the World

One evening in 1984, there had appeared on the news a report about a visit by HRH Prince Andrew to the remote South Atlantic dependency of St Helena. With the usual perversity of the times the story centred not on the island or its people, or even particularly on its distinguished Royal visitor, but on the misfortune of the Governor, Sir John Massingham, who, while leaping ashore from his launch, misjudged his timing on a wet and slippery quay.

All this would hardly have mattered had not His 2000 to replant tracts of the lost ‘Great Wood’, and is Excellency been so resplendent in a white uniform, now managed by the Saint Helena National Trust. The and, thus attired, arrived spread-eagled, expeditiously highland areas contain most of the island’s endemic and unceremoniously before the assembled flora, fauna, insects and birds, including the national gathering of island dignitaries. It was of course, an bird of St Helena, the endangered St Helena Plover, incident beloved of the media and brought St Helena known locally as the Wirebird. briefly, if inappropriately, to the world’s attention. The only scheduled transport service to the island is Never at a loss for hyperbole, the commentators of on the ‘RMS St Helena’ – a spectacular 6 day voyage the day hailed it as the most significant event in the from Cape Town which in itself is an experience to island’s history since Napoleon had been exiled there behold. She is now the only ocean-going vessel in early in the 19th century. the world to still carry the venerable title “Royal Mail In a quiet way, I suppose I shall remain eternally Ship”, held in the past by so many famous British grateful to Sir John Massingham for his involuntary passenger liners including the Queen Elizabeth and step into history. In the film report there had appeared the Queen Mary. a fleeting glimpse of Jamestown, the tiny capital In addition to carrying up to 130 passengers in of St Helena, with its steep main street flanked by comfortable, well appointed cabins, she is a lifeline quintessentially Georgian houses, running down to for the residents of St Helena as she carries all the old fort and harbour. It made an alluring scene, their goods and supplies. From wind turbines to this precipitous, green island set in the tropical South automotive components; sheep,goats, and Christmas Atlantic, 1,200 miles from the coast of Africa. This turkeys to furniture, food and paint, everything has to news report rekindled a lifelong ambition to visit the be carried by sea to the island. When you sail on the island that was recently my good fortune to fulfil. ‘RMS St Helena’, you are following in the wake of the St Helena lies 15˚56’ south and 5˚45’ west, and generations of travellers and explorers who crossed is one of the most isolated islands in the world. It the world’s oceans in the days of discovery long is 1,200 miles (1,931 km) from the nearest major before air travel. landmass, Angola, and 1,800 miles (2,897 km) from The ‘RMS St Helena’ was built in 1989 by the last Brazil. At 47 square miles (122 km), it is also one of of the great Aberdeen shipbuilders, Hall, Russell the smallest permanently inhabited islands in the & Co. Ltd for the specific purpose of supplying the world, with a population of only 4,255. The island is of island of St Helena, a British Overseas Territory deep volcanic origin and is little more than 10.5 miles (16.8 in the South Atlantic. She is British registered, 6,767 km) in length and 6.5 miles (10.5 km) wide, consisting gross tonnes and has berths for a maximum of 128 of steep, sub-tropical , rocky terrain. passengers plus 56 officers and crew. She has all the The interior of the island is covered by forest, most modern facilities: stabilisers, air-conditioning of which some has been replanted, including the and for those who worry about being too detached beautiful Millennium Forest, a project which began in from their normal humdrum existence, fax, telephone

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and email by satellite communication systems, which swimming pool, traditional deck games, and is always reassuring when one is on an overseas the occasional cricket match, but I would assignment in these latitudes. spend the majority of my time in the Embarkation usually takes place between well-stocked library, the dining saloon, or patrolling the 12h00 and 13h00, so after a hearty breakfast on deck in search of a solitary Wandering albatross that I BY PETER HOLTHUSEN the waterfront terrace of the Cape Grace, I was observed circling the ship shortly after we reached its summoned to the lobby where the hotel’s chauffeur- ocean realm. They are extraordinary, almost mythical driven car was waiting to transport me to E berth in creatures, with their enormous wingspan, great Cape Town harbour. As we passed The Mission to longevity and remarkable powers of ocean navigation Seafarers building in Duncan Road, there was an air and travel, almost transcending the very concept of excitement in the car, for ahead we could already see what it means to be a bird. the gleaming yellow funnel of the ‘RMS St Helena’, Naturally, I always took full advantage of the the ship that would be my home for the next 6 days. Captain’s cocktail party, one of the delights Sailing day is always busy onboard and today was of shipboard life and rarely missed Afternoon no exception. Final stores had to be loaded, baggage tea or the six-course dinner served in the attractively brought onboard, Safety Muster to take place, sludge appointed dining saloon, but the vision of St Helena to be discharged, GPO and diplomatic mail to be looming on the horizon on the morning of our sixth loaded, and of course the crew taking passengers to day at sea was unquestionably, the highlight of my their accommodation. So it was with some relief that, voyage. within an hour of boarding we cast off our last line Uninhabited at the time of its discovery in 1502 and headed out of Cape Town harbour with three long by the Galician explorer João da Nova sailing at the blasts from the ship’s whistle. service of the Portuguese Crown, the island was As we head northwest toward St Helena in named “Santa Helena” after the Empress Helena of moderate seas and making good speed, I took Constantinople, who is traditionally credited with time to reflect on the past 24 hours in Cape Town and finding the relics of the True Cross, with which she is the anticipation of reaching our final destination. invariably represented in Christian iconography. Compared with today’s giant cruise liners The Portuguese found the island had an abundance the ‘RMS St Helena’ is a small ship. There are of trees and fresh water. They soon imported livestock, no theatres, no casinos, no golf ranges, wave fruit trees and vegetables, and built a chapel and one machines or ghastly climbing walls. The emphasis or two houses. Though they formed no permanent is on relaxation and adventure. Nothing was too settlement, the island was an important rendezvous much trouble for Captain Rodney Young and his point and source of food for ships travelling from Asia officers and staff who were always on call to ensure to Europe. we had the best possible voyage and experience. Sir Francis Drake probably located the island on There are of course, all the traditional ocean- the final lap of his circumnavigation of the world going pastimes of beef tea, the sun deck and (1577-1580). Further visits by other English explorers

62 St Helena EDITS E followed, and, once Santa Helena’s location was more under Royal Charter until 1833, when, under the widely known, English ships of war began to lie in wait provisions of the Government of India Act, control of in the area to attack Portuguese India carracks on St Helena was passed from the East India Company their way home. to the British Crown. The Dutch also began to frequent the island This isolated outpost in the middle of the and formally made claim to Santa Helena in 1633, South Atlantic would have probably remained as although there is no evidence that they ever occupied, anonymous as it is distant from any mainland were it colonized or fortified the place. By 1651, the Dutch not for its most celebrated resident captive. In 1815 had mainly abandoned the island in favour of their the British Government selected St Helena as the colony at the Cape of Good Hope. place of detention of Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1657, Oliver Cromwell granted the East India He was brought to the island in October 1815 and Company a charter to govern Santa Helena and the in his first two months there, lived in a pavilion on the following year the company decided to fortify the Briars estate, which belonged to a William Balcombe. island and colonize it with planters. The first Governor, Napoleon became friendly with his family, especially Captain John Dutton, arrived in 1659, and from that his younger daughter Lucia Elizabeth who later date ‘Saint Helena’ was Britain’s second oldest wrote “Recollections of the Emperor Napoleon”. This colony (after Bermuda). A fort and houses were built, friendship ended in 1818 when the British authorities and after the ‘Restoration’ of the English monarchy became suspicious that Balcombe had acted as in 1660, the East India Company received a Royal an intermediary between Napoleon and Paris and Charter giving it the sole right to fortify and colonize dismissed him from the island. the island. The fort was renamed James Fort and the Napoleon moved to tiny settlement Jamestown, in honour of the Duke of Longwood House in York, later James II of England. December 1815, Among the first settlers had been some of those where he spent who had lost everything in the Great Fire of London in the last six 1666, who were soon joined by indented labour from years of his India and South Africa. The company held the island life writing

63 E EDITS St Helena

oldest surviving Anglican Church in the Southern Hemisphere, which dates from 1774, and of course, the famous steps of Jacob’s Ladder. The capital Jamestown, lies cradled at the bottom of a steep sided valley and has the atmosphere of a small English country village. It has a tightly packed row of colourfully-painted houses on both sides of Grand Parade and Main Street. The view of the island’s capital and James Bay from the top of Jacob’s Ladder are simply breathtaking. Built in 1829 it was originally an ‘inclined plane’, with tracks on either side of the steps which were used to haul manure up from the town and send goods down. The ladder is an iconic landmark in Jamestown with its 699 steps, stretching 600ft high. Located at the foot of the ladder you will find the Museum of St Helena, which has an impressive collection of artefacts, portraying the island’s geological origins, history, culture, unique flora and fauna and its people. St Helena is also reputed to be home to the world’s oldest living animal. At 180 years-old, Jonathan the giant tortoise was brought to the island from the Seychelles in 1882, along with three other tortoises. He was named in the 1930’s by Governor Sir Spencer Davis. He continues to live in the grounds of the official his memoirs in relative confinement before he died residence of the Governor, at Plantation House, and is of stomach cancer on 5 May 1821. He was initially very popular with the tourists. buried on St Helena in the peaceful Sane Valley, but A full island tour which usually lasts about 4-5 in 1840, Louis Philippe I obtained permission from hours is a great way to view the entire island; and the British to exhume Napoleon’s body and return his see the varying contrasts in geology, flora and fauna, remains to France, where they were entombed in a architecture and historical attractions. All of the tours porphyry sarcophagus in the crypt under the dome at are very well planned and can be booked through your Les Invalides in Paris. hotel or the Tourist Office in Jamestown. One can However, his original tomb can still be seen on St easily explore St Helena by walking, hiring a car, using Helena and Longwood House, with its ocean views a taxi or public bus. and veranda of filigree balustrades is now arguably However, the very isolation of the island that so the finest Napoleonic museum in the world. often appeals to the discerning traveller is soon set In 1890 the British also used the island as a place to change forever. In 2011, the British government of exile for Chief Dinizulu, the son of Cetewayo, King announced it would be investing £200m in the of the Zulu Kingdom and their leader during the development of an airport on the island, which they Anglo-Zulu War (1879), and from 1900 to 1902, more claim would benefit our economy in the long term, as than 5,000 Boer prisoners of war were camped on the £26m annual aid they give St Helena would no Deadwood Plain and Broad Bottom. longer be required. Napoleon’s Tomb and Longwood House are just a On 11 April 2016, St Helena Line announced that few of the attractions well worth a visit during your it is to withdraw the ‘RMS St Helena’ from service in stay and are among a group of sites widely promoted July 2016 and has appointed London shipbroker C.W. as the ‘7 Wonders of St Helena’. The remainder are Kellock & Co. Ltd to handle her sale. Her withdrawal Diana’s Peak, the highest point on St Helena at 823m is set to follow shortly after the opening of the new above sea level, which was proclaimed a National airport on St Helena, due to officially open on 21 May Park in 1996, the spectacular cascades of the Heart- 2016, before making a farewell voyage north to the UK Shaped Waterfall, named for the falls that cascade where she will visit the Port of London and be moored through the centre of a heart-shaped cliff face, High alongside ‘HMS Belfast’ off Tower Pier from 7th to Knoll Fort, which was built in 1894 as a redoubt for 10th June 2016. the islanders in the event of an invasion, St James’ It is expected the airport will be up and running by Church, a prominent feature in Jamestown which the late summer, with direct flights to and from South boasts a fascinating history and is reputed to be the Africa with Comair – the long-established South

64 xxxxx EDITS E

FURTHER INFORMATION St Helena Tourism www.sthelenatourism.com HOW TO GET THERE RMS St Helena www.rms-st-helena.com A 22-day package to St Helena costs from £2,521 per person. The Explorer Tour package includes two nights accommodation in Cape Town (pre and African airline which is partly owned and operated post voyage), passage to the island onboard the RMS St Helena in a T2H Cabin on A Deck and eight by British Airways. Initial flights to the island will be nights in St Helena. International flights to Cape weekly departing on a Saturday from Johannesburg’s Town arenot included. O.R. Tambo International Airport at 08.20 and landing Comair on St Helena at 11.30, with return flights departing at www.comair.co.za 12.30 and scheduled to land back in Johannesburg WHERE TO STAY at 18.30. These flights will connect in Johannesburg There is plenty of accommodation on St Helena with British Airways’ services to and from London to suit your style and budget. The majority of Heathrow, as well as other carriers. the larger hotels are based in Jamestown, but Lawrence Durrell once wrote: “Islomania is a rare there are some splendid guest houses in the affliction of spirit. There are people who find islands countryside offering a variety of bed & breakfast somehow irresistible. The mere knowledge that they and self-catering packages. are in a little world surrounded by sea fills them with WHEN TO GO an indescribable intoxication”. If like me, you share a The climate of St Helena is mild year-round and lifelong ambition to visit some distant island such as there are no drastic weather patterns. The hottest St Helena before they change forever, you’ll be well months, and the best time to visit, are between rewarded for charting a course to her shores. January and March.

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72 Care Home Open Day EDITS E

Celebrating across the generations When caught amongst the busy realities of modern life, it’s easy to lose touch with your local community, particularly those of an older generation. Care homes can be inspiring places and are full of unique, intelligent and charming characters, and are almost always run by special people that really do care.

For Care Home Open Day, we are determined to The theme this year is Celebration and there are lots build thousands of friendships, to change long- of reasons to get involved! held misconceptions, to create thousands of You’ll find events celebrating everything from the memories, in our annual celebration’s 4th year. Queen’s 90th Birthday, the Olympic Games in Rio, For far too long the care home sector has been and the lives of your residents, and as care homes marred by the negative press generated by a minority can be inspiring places filled with unique, funny and of badly run homes, and we’re determined to show fascinating people... time in their company is always people what the majority of care homes are really time well spent. Every neighbourhood has a care home about. nearby, and it’s easy to forget that the people living in This fantastic day enriches lives by connecting the these homes get real enjoyment from the occasional residents, staff, families, and schools and puts the short visit, and that the carers could always do with Care Homes where they should be – at the centre of the help of an eager volunteer! the community. Please pay a visit to your local care home on 17th Last year saw a “Twitter Storm” when over 4,000 June – and in the meantime, get involved and help us care homes across the globe collectively opened their by spreading the word on Facebook and Twitter! doors to welcome in visitors and create long-term Care Home Open Day – 17th June connections with local people. www.carehomeopenday.org.uk

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116307 OX 297x210fc.indd 1 13/04/2016 09:39 InfinitiMOTORING M FIRST CLASS SERVICE

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