Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

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Thatcham Connections Thatcham Connections Thatcham Connections Business Business Business Directory Directory Directory Christmas Christmas Christmas St. John St. John St. John Ambulance Ambulance Ambulance Thatcham Thatcham Thatcham Scouts Scouts Scouts Competitions Competitions Competitions Locals Who Locals Who Locals Who Launch Launch Launch Delivered free to 6000 Homes and Businesses November December January 2008/2009 Issue 18 The Connections Our Favourite Local Magazine

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Thatcham Connections Magazine - The Connections

Transcript of Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Page 1: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Thatcham ConnectionsThatcham ConnectionsThatcham Connections

BusinessBusinessBusiness DirectoryDirectoryDirectory

ChristmasChristmasChristmas

St John St John St John AmbulanceAmbulanceAmbulance

Thatcham Thatcham Thatcham ScoutsScoutsScouts

CompetitionsCompetitionsCompetitions

Locals WhoLocals WhoLocals Who Launch Launch Launch

Delivered free to 6000 Homes and Businesses

November December January 20082009

Issue 18

The Connections Our Favourite Local Magazine

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Dear Readers

A very very warm welcome to everyone Yes this issue covers the festive period - Christmas I hope you will find inside some good ideas to help make this time extra special

Another regular columnist has joined us Simon Claxton He will be writing on money mat-ters and his expertise in the financial world will be a very welcome addition for us

Congratulations to the winners of last issues Bucklebury Farm Park competition (see page 16) Debbie Smith from Hermitage and Ann Socker from Thatcham were the lucky winners

I am pleased to tell you that in this issue we are running two more competitions Please see pages 3 and 54 I hardly need say it - but I am look-ing forward to another full mail box

In addition there are other offers to readers of Thatcham

Connections We will all do well to take advantage of these - as we can benefit from some significant savings Please see pages 2 3 11 12 37 and 54 Watch the dates though in case you miss out

Dare I say it in this time of doom and gloom outside (in all ways) this publication is well and truly helping local businesses Readers it is because of you that this is happening Thank you Your support guarantees our fu-ture

It is also very good to have the support of the Thatcham Photographic Club I am most grateful to them for supplying us with excellent photos

Finally if there are any local clubs who want free publicity do please contact me I will always help if possible

With all best wishes for now Christmas and the New Year

e ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Stable 5 Gravelly Bridge Farmhouse

Grazeley Reading RG7 1LG Printed by Newman Thomson

Editor Ursula Aitken

Contents Page

Wordsearches 926 Thatcham Scouting 12 St John Ambulance 1415 Out and About around Thatcham 16 Gardening Feature 2829 Christmas Fragrances 33 Boxing Day 34 Starting a new Business 4647 Community Pages 5657 Remembrance Day 57 Christmas last posting times 56

Letter Sudoku Each row column and 3x3 box must contain the letters shown in the anagram given below the puzzle The finished grid will reveal a nine-letter word

Please note - next latest copy date Mid-day Friday 9 January 2009

Please note Childrens Challenge page has flown to page 62

Printer Newman Thomson

Telephone 0118 9886070

The front cover photo-graph and the photos on pages 16 34 and 57 are supplied by courtesy of Thatcham Photographic Club

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Writing this piece I was oozing with it until someone dear to me read the first draft and thrust the indispensable guide to the use of good English under my nose The room was suddenly filled with that unmistakable damp aroma of evaporating confidence I was paralysed with uncertainty for some considerable time The world markets were oozing with it until the indispensable guide to the prudent management of credit was thrust under someones nose Before we knew what was happening we had panic paralysis and worse

Confidence can be a transient and delicate thing It can be a good way to cover up a problem whether it be my inability to communicate suc-cessfully using the written word or the markets prioritising of short term material gain over long term stability and prosperity

I would hope that the modest knock endured by my confidence has led me to re-evaluate and adapt my actions and build greater knowledge and resilience The crisis resulting from false confidence on a global or a personal level can be a very destructive thing There is plenty of confidence out there on a Friday and Saturday night there is confidence from acting out a role buying the right gear having the best gizmo controlling your ap-pearance and environment excessive risk taking or thrill seeking You can feel confident if you avoid all those people who might point it out when you act like an arse Of course confidence based on a clear and objective knowledge of one-self is a fundamental building block of a healthy human being But confi-dence has a nasty habit of masquerading as denial At some level we all know that we cant live on the never never forever (Perhaps I need to look more carefully at my use of the English language after all)

Confidence

Feature Our Counsellor - Bruce Bamber

Bruce Bamber can be contacted on 07769 783424 please see page 65

Recently refurbished The Lamb is now under the management of Head Chef Simon Rudd (who you may know from his days at The Royal Oak and The Beetle and Wedge) and offers something a bit different from the usual pub style menu Simon has created a fresh and original menu including a great selection of Mediterranean Tapas mouth watering steaks and grills (from local supplier Vickers Game) and fresh fish from Devon all accompanied by a fine selection of wines and beers For Christmas The Lamb offers two menus one with traditional Christmas choices and a second featuring a selection of Tapas for a Christmas party with a difference You can download our menus at wwwlambinninfo

Our party menus are available from 2nd 24th December and for party bookings made before 17th November we will give a

10 discount off the full menu price

The Lamb is now the perfect place not only for formal dining but also for that

equally important casual drink and snack

We look forward to extending you a warm welcome good service and a

relaxing atmosphere

The Lamb Long Lane Curridge Berkshire RG18 9LY

wwwlambinninfo

Telephone 01635 200348

The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar

All the rustic charm of a traditional country pub but with a difference

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Taceham Hundred is the scouting dis-trict that covers Thatcham and the sur-rounding villages We have a very active scouting community with 5 Scout Groups 1st and 2nd Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

We have over 400 young people involved in the district so far

Young People

The majority of our young people join Bea-ver Scouts (5frac34-8) and stay with us though the Cubs (8-10frac12) Scouts (10frac12-14) and Explorer Scouts (14-18) You can join direct into any section just contact us on the ad-dress below Both boys and girls can join any of our sections

The movement offers young people a bal-anced programme giving them the opportu-nity to create friendships build confidence and develop team skills leadership inde-pendence and initiative We take part in a wide range of outdoor activities including camping hiking kayaking climbing and many more In older section we run the Duke of Edinburghs Award scheme so that members achievements are converted into a recognised certificate

Scouting can be for everyone

In order to give young people these opportu-nities we rely on a large friendly team of adult volunteers who perform a wide range of roles from Section Leaders Assistants and Helpers to Support Treasurers Chair-men Fundraisers to specific activity instruc-tors kayaking climbing and many others

So that we can grow the movement further we need more adults to help A role in scout-ing can take as much or as little time as you want to give and full training and support is given

Why not contact us to find out how you could get involved in helping us

Website District wwwtacehamhundredorguk Explorer Scouts (14-18) wwwaxfordexplorersescountsnet

Contacts

David The District Commissioner dctacehamhundredorguk Ben the Distrit Explorer Scout Commissioner desctacehamhundredorguk

Some of the Activities

Feature Scouting in Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

Feature St John Ambulance

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Bucklebury Farm Park Tractor John Millard and Gemma Howes are seen here picking the lucky winners of last issues competition John is the guide and conductor on the farms popular tractor and trailer rides around the Park Gemma is one of the team of animal keepers and enjoys introducing visitors to the farms favourite residents including miniature donkeys Shet-land ponies cows sheep llamas wild boar and kune pigs as well as the cuddly collec-tion of rabbits and guinea pigs

Macmillan Cancer Support Over pound500 was raised at a local coffee morning on 26th September

40000 coffee mornings throughout the country took place in a bid to raise over pound8m Macmillan are constantly holding fundraising events to raise much needed money for those affected by cancer To learn more about the wonderful work Mac-millan does log on to

wwwmacmillanorguk

The Tanzania Project On 17 September Thatcham Photographic Club were invited to help Kennet School in raising funds to send 30 of its students to assist in renovating a village school in Mbokomu The aim of the project is to pro-vide a safe and stimulating environment for the local school children Huge works have to be done before this is achieved Thatcham Photographic Club displayed a selection of members photographs and raised in excess of pound420 on the night

Thatcham Court Nursing Home Thatcham Court Nursing Home was opened officially on 23 September Mr Arnold Peters who plays the character Jack Woolley from BBC Radio 4s The Archers assisted by Ray King Bupa Chief execu-tive formally opened the home by unveil-ing a painting by local artist Sarah Moorcroft Residents relatives and staff enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch See page 40

Feature People and Places - Out and About around Thatcham

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A local charity for local people

providing support care and information

For more information please contact

01635 31542

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

Mobile Paint Pottery Events Host Paint your own Pottery events

at your venue Childrens parties ladies evenings

Rainbows Brownies and much more

Ideal fundraising for both toddler groups and nurseries

Baby and toddler handfoot print sets available

More information wwwpaintpotterycouk

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Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

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With Christmas approaching why not let us make Your Home Sparkle

Lady Painter Jackie Cleaver

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please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

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Nightingales Swim School

Small friendly classes for all ages amp abilities

Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

Call now for availability

Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

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Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

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Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

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The photographs below show their work

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Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

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Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

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See p 5

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Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

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8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

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since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

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mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

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PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

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THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

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Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

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or just not the faintest idea where

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hardware needs

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L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

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To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

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Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

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Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

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bull Install laminate flooring

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

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Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 2: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

PROFESSIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEP Established 1895 NACS member

CAGES CAPS and COWLS FITTED

(01635) 45175 (Call at any time)

pound3 off per chimney on presentation of this advert until 301 08

Telephone Extensions S u p p l y amp I n s t a l l a t i o n s e r v i c e s Professionally fitted to BABT regulations anywhere into your propertyProfessionally fitted to BABT regulations anywhere into your propertyProfessionally fitted to BABT regulations anywhere into your property

lowast Extension telephone points lowast Broadband ADSL telephone points lowast Sky Digital telephone points lowast Telephone line faults repaired lowast All work guaranteed lowast Free estimatesCompetitive prices

0118 984 5184 0778 793 4883 0118 9744294

WEBB TELECOM

Innovative stylish products for your baby or toddler

Host your own party amp enjoy great discounts

wwwbambambabycouk

01635 41230

Baby Massage Classes

Email roundways88btinternetcom wwwiaimorg

01635 867300

With Deborah

Need any help with your horse Ellie Walls

07912 665514 (Experienced and locally based)

For all your soft furnishing and sewing needs

Curtains blinds pelmets and alterations Fabric choices and advice avail-able

Contact

Judy Connolly

07747 634556 wwwindigodesigncouk

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

See Page 47 for main advertisement

(01635) 582829

Small Ads

1

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 3

wwwthatchamconnectionscouk

Dear Readers

A very very warm welcome to everyone Yes this issue covers the festive period - Christmas I hope you will find inside some good ideas to help make this time extra special

Another regular columnist has joined us Simon Claxton He will be writing on money mat-ters and his expertise in the financial world will be a very welcome addition for us

Congratulations to the winners of last issues Bucklebury Farm Park competition (see page 16) Debbie Smith from Hermitage and Ann Socker from Thatcham were the lucky winners

I am pleased to tell you that in this issue we are running two more competitions Please see pages 3 and 54 I hardly need say it - but I am look-ing forward to another full mail box

In addition there are other offers to readers of Thatcham

Connections We will all do well to take advantage of these - as we can benefit from some significant savings Please see pages 2 3 11 12 37 and 54 Watch the dates though in case you miss out

Dare I say it in this time of doom and gloom outside (in all ways) this publication is well and truly helping local businesses Readers it is because of you that this is happening Thank you Your support guarantees our fu-ture

It is also very good to have the support of the Thatcham Photographic Club I am most grateful to them for supplying us with excellent photos

Finally if there are any local clubs who want free publicity do please contact me I will always help if possible

With all best wishes for now Christmas and the New Year

e ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Stable 5 Gravelly Bridge Farmhouse

Grazeley Reading RG7 1LG Printed by Newman Thomson

Editor Ursula Aitken

Contents Page

Wordsearches 926 Thatcham Scouting 12 St John Ambulance 1415 Out and About around Thatcham 16 Gardening Feature 2829 Christmas Fragrances 33 Boxing Day 34 Starting a new Business 4647 Community Pages 5657 Remembrance Day 57 Christmas last posting times 56

Letter Sudoku Each row column and 3x3 box must contain the letters shown in the anagram given below the puzzle The finished grid will reveal a nine-letter word

Please note - next latest copy date Mid-day Friday 9 January 2009

Please note Childrens Challenge page has flown to page 62

Printer Newman Thomson

Telephone 0118 9886070

The front cover photo-graph and the photos on pages 16 34 and 57 are supplied by courtesy of Thatcham Photographic Club

wwwnorriesitecom

With our straight forward casting process we can save precious moments in your life to touch and hold forever

We can cast anything from a babys tiny finger to an adult torso or a dogs paw

We can present your memory in a wide range of finishes including our popular choices of Bronze resin Aluminium Resin and Marble plaster We also cast in solid metal or

simple plaster to suit your requirements

To find out more on how to keep a unique record of babys hands and feet or preserve the tender touch of a loved one forever please contact us for a free consultation in your

home or at our studio

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 5

01635 268544

Thornford Road Crookham Common Newbury RG19 8EL

Good Homes required for Ex-Racing Greyhounds

All Dogs Walked Daily Professional Care and Attention at all times

Viewing welcome by appointment For further details please ring

(free to suitable homes)

Protection We have many cats seeking loving homes

especially older cats fundraising volunteers always needed

For further information contact 01635 200111

Open daily 11am-3pm by appointment wwwnewburycatsorguk

Newbury Cats

FC CUMMINS amp SONS 2 MILES NORTH OF NEWBURY ON B4009

HORSEANIMAL and POULTRY FEEDS

A range of pet food for CatsDogs and Small Pets Natural and organic feed plus other equine supplements and goods

Horse Feed from pound550 per bag Cash amp Carry or Delivery

Paddock Maintenance and Fencing Visit our shop now or phone us on

01635 200327 wwwfccumminsandsonscouk

Helens Hairy Hounds

Mobile Dog Grooming Service Pamper Your Dog In The Comforts

Of Your Own Home

TrimmingClipping

BrushingBathing

Turbo Drying

Ear Cleaning

Nail Clipping

Friendly Reliable Service City amp Guilds Trained

Tel 07766 303476 wwwhelenshairyhoundscom

Free Security Advice amp Estimates 01635 868 318

101A Park Lane Thatcham Berkshire

To ALL Types of Doors Windows and Garages

UPVc Door and Window Maintenance

Specialists

All makes of Locks OpenedFittedReplacedRepaired

CAP SECURITY

LOCAL LOCKSMITHS

Professional Family Run Business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 7

THATCHAM SURGERY 10 London Road Thatcham Berkshire RG18 4LG Tel 01635 868382

TADLEY SURGERY Old Kiln House Silchester Road Tadley Hampshire RG26 3PX Tel 0118 981 5500

24 Hour Emergency Service

Clinical expertise Full facilities including hospitalisation

Friendly and helpful staff

NEWBURY Donnington Grove Surgery Oxford Road

01635 47170 (Small Animals Farm and 24 Hour) 01635 39039 (Equine)

Cedar Ceramics

bull Professionally trained domestic amp

commercial wall amp floor tiler

bull Experienced reliable courteous competent and friendly

bull Free no-obligation estimate at a time to suit you

bull Discounts on the tiles you choose

and free delivery to your door bull For more information other

services photographs and recommendations see my website

or Contact ROSS on

01635 299372 Mobile 07790 226089

wwwcedarceramicscouk

T i l i n g S p e c i a l i s t

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Writing this piece I was oozing with it until someone dear to me read the first draft and thrust the indispensable guide to the use of good English under my nose The room was suddenly filled with that unmistakable damp aroma of evaporating confidence I was paralysed with uncertainty for some considerable time The world markets were oozing with it until the indispensable guide to the prudent management of credit was thrust under someones nose Before we knew what was happening we had panic paralysis and worse

Confidence can be a transient and delicate thing It can be a good way to cover up a problem whether it be my inability to communicate suc-cessfully using the written word or the markets prioritising of short term material gain over long term stability and prosperity

I would hope that the modest knock endured by my confidence has led me to re-evaluate and adapt my actions and build greater knowledge and resilience The crisis resulting from false confidence on a global or a personal level can be a very destructive thing There is plenty of confidence out there on a Friday and Saturday night there is confidence from acting out a role buying the right gear having the best gizmo controlling your ap-pearance and environment excessive risk taking or thrill seeking You can feel confident if you avoid all those people who might point it out when you act like an arse Of course confidence based on a clear and objective knowledge of one-self is a fundamental building block of a healthy human being But confi-dence has a nasty habit of masquerading as denial At some level we all know that we cant live on the never never forever (Perhaps I need to look more carefully at my use of the English language after all)

Confidence

Feature Our Counsellor - Bruce Bamber

Bruce Bamber can be contacted on 07769 783424 please see page 65

Recently refurbished The Lamb is now under the management of Head Chef Simon Rudd (who you may know from his days at The Royal Oak and The Beetle and Wedge) and offers something a bit different from the usual pub style menu Simon has created a fresh and original menu including a great selection of Mediterranean Tapas mouth watering steaks and grills (from local supplier Vickers Game) and fresh fish from Devon all accompanied by a fine selection of wines and beers For Christmas The Lamb offers two menus one with traditional Christmas choices and a second featuring a selection of Tapas for a Christmas party with a difference You can download our menus at wwwlambinninfo

Our party menus are available from 2nd 24th December and for party bookings made before 17th November we will give a

10 discount off the full menu price

The Lamb is now the perfect place not only for formal dining but also for that

equally important casual drink and snack

We look forward to extending you a warm welcome good service and a

relaxing atmosphere

The Lamb Long Lane Curridge Berkshire RG18 9LY

wwwlambinninfo

Telephone 01635 200348

The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar

All the rustic charm of a traditional country pub but with a difference

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Taceham Hundred is the scouting dis-trict that covers Thatcham and the sur-rounding villages We have a very active scouting community with 5 Scout Groups 1st and 2nd Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

We have over 400 young people involved in the district so far

Young People

The majority of our young people join Bea-ver Scouts (5frac34-8) and stay with us though the Cubs (8-10frac12) Scouts (10frac12-14) and Explorer Scouts (14-18) You can join direct into any section just contact us on the ad-dress below Both boys and girls can join any of our sections

The movement offers young people a bal-anced programme giving them the opportu-nity to create friendships build confidence and develop team skills leadership inde-pendence and initiative We take part in a wide range of outdoor activities including camping hiking kayaking climbing and many more In older section we run the Duke of Edinburghs Award scheme so that members achievements are converted into a recognised certificate

Scouting can be for everyone

In order to give young people these opportu-nities we rely on a large friendly team of adult volunteers who perform a wide range of roles from Section Leaders Assistants and Helpers to Support Treasurers Chair-men Fundraisers to specific activity instruc-tors kayaking climbing and many others

So that we can grow the movement further we need more adults to help A role in scout-ing can take as much or as little time as you want to give and full training and support is given

Why not contact us to find out how you could get involved in helping us

Website District wwwtacehamhundredorguk Explorer Scouts (14-18) wwwaxfordexplorersescountsnet

Contacts

David The District Commissioner dctacehamhundredorguk Ben the Distrit Explorer Scout Commissioner desctacehamhundredorguk

Some of the Activities

Feature Scouting in Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

Feature St John Ambulance

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Bucklebury Farm Park Tractor John Millard and Gemma Howes are seen here picking the lucky winners of last issues competition John is the guide and conductor on the farms popular tractor and trailer rides around the Park Gemma is one of the team of animal keepers and enjoys introducing visitors to the farms favourite residents including miniature donkeys Shet-land ponies cows sheep llamas wild boar and kune pigs as well as the cuddly collec-tion of rabbits and guinea pigs

Macmillan Cancer Support Over pound500 was raised at a local coffee morning on 26th September

40000 coffee mornings throughout the country took place in a bid to raise over pound8m Macmillan are constantly holding fundraising events to raise much needed money for those affected by cancer To learn more about the wonderful work Mac-millan does log on to

wwwmacmillanorguk

The Tanzania Project On 17 September Thatcham Photographic Club were invited to help Kennet School in raising funds to send 30 of its students to assist in renovating a village school in Mbokomu The aim of the project is to pro-vide a safe and stimulating environment for the local school children Huge works have to be done before this is achieved Thatcham Photographic Club displayed a selection of members photographs and raised in excess of pound420 on the night

Thatcham Court Nursing Home Thatcham Court Nursing Home was opened officially on 23 September Mr Arnold Peters who plays the character Jack Woolley from BBC Radio 4s The Archers assisted by Ray King Bupa Chief execu-tive formally opened the home by unveil-ing a painting by local artist Sarah Moorcroft Residents relatives and staff enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch See page 40

Feature People and Places - Out and About around Thatcham

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A local charity for local people

providing support care and information

For more information please contact

01635 31542

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

Mobile Paint Pottery Events Host Paint your own Pottery events

at your venue Childrens parties ladies evenings

Rainbows Brownies and much more

Ideal fundraising for both toddler groups and nurseries

Baby and toddler handfoot print sets available

More information wwwpaintpotterycouk

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Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

01635 873911

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With Christmas approaching why not let us make Your Home Sparkle

Lady Painter Jackie Cleaver

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please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

CHILDRENS

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We are looking for ASA Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teachers

Small friendly classes Beginners from 3 12 years

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Nightingales Swim School

Small friendly classes for all ages amp abilities

Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

Call now for availability

Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

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Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

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Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

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Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

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See p 5

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The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Gift Vouchers available for

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from 6pm complementary make ups and mini manicures free

Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

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Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

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THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

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UNIQUE FASHION DESIGNS

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

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Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

NEED AN MOT Cars Mini Buses Light

Commercial Classes 4 5L and 7

01635 876777

Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTSRECOVERY SERVICE

BIG VALUE FIXED PRICE SERVICE WITH FREE MOT Price includes service parts labour amp VAT Offer only available on 4 cyl cars up to 2000cc

WE CAN HELP

ONLY

pound119 INCLUDING FREE MOT

HALFWAY GARAGE Unit 7 Pipers Court Berkshire Drive Thatcham

Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

THATCHATHATCHATHATCHAMMM OUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATION

Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E

OPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PM

J7 CD amp DVDCD amp DVDCD amp DVD

DUPLICATIONDUPLICATIONDUPLICATION

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-A LARGE ARRAY OF PACKAGING OPTIONS

-VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR A QUOTE

WWWJ7DUPLICATIONCOUK

CALL 07792 812 075 (Newbury based)

Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

macesolutionsyahoocom

NAPIT registered

Free no obligation quote

Fully insured

ELECTRICIAN

Weddings amp Funerals Bouquets amp Arrangements

Corporate Accounts Wedding Consultations at a

time to suit you

01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre

Priors Court Road - Hermitage

WWWEEE ALSOALSOALSO OFFEROFFEROFFER AAA LOCALLOCALLOCAL DELIVERYDELIVERYDELIVERY SERVICESERVICESERVICE

Geoffrey Church amp Co FUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORS

For a personal and dignified service at all times

lowast Personal Service - 24 Hours lowast Private Chapels of Rest lowast All types of Memorials supplied and

fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

HUNGERFORD

48a High Street Tel 01488 686830

THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 3: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 3

wwwthatchamconnectionscouk

Dear Readers

A very very warm welcome to everyone Yes this issue covers the festive period - Christmas I hope you will find inside some good ideas to help make this time extra special

Another regular columnist has joined us Simon Claxton He will be writing on money mat-ters and his expertise in the financial world will be a very welcome addition for us

Congratulations to the winners of last issues Bucklebury Farm Park competition (see page 16) Debbie Smith from Hermitage and Ann Socker from Thatcham were the lucky winners

I am pleased to tell you that in this issue we are running two more competitions Please see pages 3 and 54 I hardly need say it - but I am look-ing forward to another full mail box

In addition there are other offers to readers of Thatcham

Connections We will all do well to take advantage of these - as we can benefit from some significant savings Please see pages 2 3 11 12 37 and 54 Watch the dates though in case you miss out

Dare I say it in this time of doom and gloom outside (in all ways) this publication is well and truly helping local businesses Readers it is because of you that this is happening Thank you Your support guarantees our fu-ture

It is also very good to have the support of the Thatcham Photographic Club I am most grateful to them for supplying us with excellent photos

Finally if there are any local clubs who want free publicity do please contact me I will always help if possible

With all best wishes for now Christmas and the New Year

e ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Stable 5 Gravelly Bridge Farmhouse

Grazeley Reading RG7 1LG Printed by Newman Thomson

Editor Ursula Aitken

Contents Page

Wordsearches 926 Thatcham Scouting 12 St John Ambulance 1415 Out and About around Thatcham 16 Gardening Feature 2829 Christmas Fragrances 33 Boxing Day 34 Starting a new Business 4647 Community Pages 5657 Remembrance Day 57 Christmas last posting times 56

Letter Sudoku Each row column and 3x3 box must contain the letters shown in the anagram given below the puzzle The finished grid will reveal a nine-letter word

Please note - next latest copy date Mid-day Friday 9 January 2009

Please note Childrens Challenge page has flown to page 62

Printer Newman Thomson

Telephone 0118 9886070

The front cover photo-graph and the photos on pages 16 34 and 57 are supplied by courtesy of Thatcham Photographic Club

wwwnorriesitecom

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home or at our studio

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01635 268544

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Viewing welcome by appointment For further details please ring

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Protection We have many cats seeking loving homes

especially older cats fundraising volunteers always needed

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Horse Feed from pound550 per bag Cash amp Carry or Delivery

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Tel 07766 303476 wwwhelenshairyhoundscom

Free Security Advice amp Estimates 01635 868 318

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To ALL Types of Doors Windows and Garages

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THATCHAM SURGERY 10 London Road Thatcham Berkshire RG18 4LG Tel 01635 868382

TADLEY SURGERY Old Kiln House Silchester Road Tadley Hampshire RG26 3PX Tel 0118 981 5500

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T i l i n g S p e c i a l i s t

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Writing this piece I was oozing with it until someone dear to me read the first draft and thrust the indispensable guide to the use of good English under my nose The room was suddenly filled with that unmistakable damp aroma of evaporating confidence I was paralysed with uncertainty for some considerable time The world markets were oozing with it until the indispensable guide to the prudent management of credit was thrust under someones nose Before we knew what was happening we had panic paralysis and worse

Confidence can be a transient and delicate thing It can be a good way to cover up a problem whether it be my inability to communicate suc-cessfully using the written word or the markets prioritising of short term material gain over long term stability and prosperity

I would hope that the modest knock endured by my confidence has led me to re-evaluate and adapt my actions and build greater knowledge and resilience The crisis resulting from false confidence on a global or a personal level can be a very destructive thing There is plenty of confidence out there on a Friday and Saturday night there is confidence from acting out a role buying the right gear having the best gizmo controlling your ap-pearance and environment excessive risk taking or thrill seeking You can feel confident if you avoid all those people who might point it out when you act like an arse Of course confidence based on a clear and objective knowledge of one-self is a fundamental building block of a healthy human being But confi-dence has a nasty habit of masquerading as denial At some level we all know that we cant live on the never never forever (Perhaps I need to look more carefully at my use of the English language after all)

Confidence

Feature Our Counsellor - Bruce Bamber

Bruce Bamber can be contacted on 07769 783424 please see page 65

Recently refurbished The Lamb is now under the management of Head Chef Simon Rudd (who you may know from his days at The Royal Oak and The Beetle and Wedge) and offers something a bit different from the usual pub style menu Simon has created a fresh and original menu including a great selection of Mediterranean Tapas mouth watering steaks and grills (from local supplier Vickers Game) and fresh fish from Devon all accompanied by a fine selection of wines and beers For Christmas The Lamb offers two menus one with traditional Christmas choices and a second featuring a selection of Tapas for a Christmas party with a difference You can download our menus at wwwlambinninfo

Our party menus are available from 2nd 24th December and for party bookings made before 17th November we will give a

10 discount off the full menu price

The Lamb is now the perfect place not only for formal dining but also for that

equally important casual drink and snack

We look forward to extending you a warm welcome good service and a

relaxing atmosphere

The Lamb Long Lane Curridge Berkshire RG18 9LY

wwwlambinninfo

Telephone 01635 200348

The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar

All the rustic charm of a traditional country pub but with a difference

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 13

Taceham Hundred is the scouting dis-trict that covers Thatcham and the sur-rounding villages We have a very active scouting community with 5 Scout Groups 1st and 2nd Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

We have over 400 young people involved in the district so far

Young People

The majority of our young people join Bea-ver Scouts (5frac34-8) and stay with us though the Cubs (8-10frac12) Scouts (10frac12-14) and Explorer Scouts (14-18) You can join direct into any section just contact us on the ad-dress below Both boys and girls can join any of our sections

The movement offers young people a bal-anced programme giving them the opportu-nity to create friendships build confidence and develop team skills leadership inde-pendence and initiative We take part in a wide range of outdoor activities including camping hiking kayaking climbing and many more In older section we run the Duke of Edinburghs Award scheme so that members achievements are converted into a recognised certificate

Scouting can be for everyone

In order to give young people these opportu-nities we rely on a large friendly team of adult volunteers who perform a wide range of roles from Section Leaders Assistants and Helpers to Support Treasurers Chair-men Fundraisers to specific activity instruc-tors kayaking climbing and many others

So that we can grow the movement further we need more adults to help A role in scout-ing can take as much or as little time as you want to give and full training and support is given

Why not contact us to find out how you could get involved in helping us

Website District wwwtacehamhundredorguk Explorer Scouts (14-18) wwwaxfordexplorersescountsnet

Contacts

David The District Commissioner dctacehamhundredorguk Ben the Distrit Explorer Scout Commissioner desctacehamhundredorguk

Some of the Activities

Feature Scouting in Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

Feature St John Ambulance

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 15

Bucklebury Farm Park Tractor John Millard and Gemma Howes are seen here picking the lucky winners of last issues competition John is the guide and conductor on the farms popular tractor and trailer rides around the Park Gemma is one of the team of animal keepers and enjoys introducing visitors to the farms favourite residents including miniature donkeys Shet-land ponies cows sheep llamas wild boar and kune pigs as well as the cuddly collec-tion of rabbits and guinea pigs

Macmillan Cancer Support Over pound500 was raised at a local coffee morning on 26th September

40000 coffee mornings throughout the country took place in a bid to raise over pound8m Macmillan are constantly holding fundraising events to raise much needed money for those affected by cancer To learn more about the wonderful work Mac-millan does log on to

wwwmacmillanorguk

The Tanzania Project On 17 September Thatcham Photographic Club were invited to help Kennet School in raising funds to send 30 of its students to assist in renovating a village school in Mbokomu The aim of the project is to pro-vide a safe and stimulating environment for the local school children Huge works have to be done before this is achieved Thatcham Photographic Club displayed a selection of members photographs and raised in excess of pound420 on the night

Thatcham Court Nursing Home Thatcham Court Nursing Home was opened officially on 23 September Mr Arnold Peters who plays the character Jack Woolley from BBC Radio 4s The Archers assisted by Ray King Bupa Chief execu-tive formally opened the home by unveil-ing a painting by local artist Sarah Moorcroft Residents relatives and staff enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch See page 40

Feature People and Places - Out and About around Thatcham

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 17

A local charity for local people

providing support care and information

For more information please contact

01635 31542

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

Mobile Paint Pottery Events Host Paint your own Pottery events

at your venue Childrens parties ladies evenings

Rainbows Brownies and much more

Ideal fundraising for both toddler groups and nurseries

Baby and toddler handfoot print sets available

More information wwwpaintpotterycouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 19

Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

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With Christmas approaching why not let us make Your Home Sparkle

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please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

CHILDRENS

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trok

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We are looking for ASA Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teachers

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Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

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Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

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Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

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Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

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Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

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See p 5

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01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Gift Vouchers available for

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

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organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

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Tel 01635 200021

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Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

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Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

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Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

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Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

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Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

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t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

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Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 4: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

wwwthatchamconnectionscouk

Dear Readers

A very very warm welcome to everyone Yes this issue covers the festive period - Christmas I hope you will find inside some good ideas to help make this time extra special

Another regular columnist has joined us Simon Claxton He will be writing on money mat-ters and his expertise in the financial world will be a very welcome addition for us

Congratulations to the winners of last issues Bucklebury Farm Park competition (see page 16) Debbie Smith from Hermitage and Ann Socker from Thatcham were the lucky winners

I am pleased to tell you that in this issue we are running two more competitions Please see pages 3 and 54 I hardly need say it - but I am look-ing forward to another full mail box

In addition there are other offers to readers of Thatcham

Connections We will all do well to take advantage of these - as we can benefit from some significant savings Please see pages 2 3 11 12 37 and 54 Watch the dates though in case you miss out

Dare I say it in this time of doom and gloom outside (in all ways) this publication is well and truly helping local businesses Readers it is because of you that this is happening Thank you Your support guarantees our fu-ture

It is also very good to have the support of the Thatcham Photographic Club I am most grateful to them for supplying us with excellent photos

Finally if there are any local clubs who want free publicity do please contact me I will always help if possible

With all best wishes for now Christmas and the New Year

e ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Stable 5 Gravelly Bridge Farmhouse

Grazeley Reading RG7 1LG Printed by Newman Thomson

Editor Ursula Aitken

Contents Page

Wordsearches 926 Thatcham Scouting 12 St John Ambulance 1415 Out and About around Thatcham 16 Gardening Feature 2829 Christmas Fragrances 33 Boxing Day 34 Starting a new Business 4647 Community Pages 5657 Remembrance Day 57 Christmas last posting times 56

Letter Sudoku Each row column and 3x3 box must contain the letters shown in the anagram given below the puzzle The finished grid will reveal a nine-letter word

Please note - next latest copy date Mid-day Friday 9 January 2009

Please note Childrens Challenge page has flown to page 62

Printer Newman Thomson

Telephone 0118 9886070

The front cover photo-graph and the photos on pages 16 34 and 57 are supplied by courtesy of Thatcham Photographic Club

wwwnorriesitecom

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We can present your memory in a wide range of finishes including our popular choices of Bronze resin Aluminium Resin and Marble plaster We also cast in solid metal or

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Protection We have many cats seeking loving homes

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Free Security Advice amp Estimates 01635 868 318

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T i l i n g S p e c i a l i s t

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Writing this piece I was oozing with it until someone dear to me read the first draft and thrust the indispensable guide to the use of good English under my nose The room was suddenly filled with that unmistakable damp aroma of evaporating confidence I was paralysed with uncertainty for some considerable time The world markets were oozing with it until the indispensable guide to the prudent management of credit was thrust under someones nose Before we knew what was happening we had panic paralysis and worse

Confidence can be a transient and delicate thing It can be a good way to cover up a problem whether it be my inability to communicate suc-cessfully using the written word or the markets prioritising of short term material gain over long term stability and prosperity

I would hope that the modest knock endured by my confidence has led me to re-evaluate and adapt my actions and build greater knowledge and resilience The crisis resulting from false confidence on a global or a personal level can be a very destructive thing There is plenty of confidence out there on a Friday and Saturday night there is confidence from acting out a role buying the right gear having the best gizmo controlling your ap-pearance and environment excessive risk taking or thrill seeking You can feel confident if you avoid all those people who might point it out when you act like an arse Of course confidence based on a clear and objective knowledge of one-self is a fundamental building block of a healthy human being But confi-dence has a nasty habit of masquerading as denial At some level we all know that we cant live on the never never forever (Perhaps I need to look more carefully at my use of the English language after all)

Confidence

Feature Our Counsellor - Bruce Bamber

Bruce Bamber can be contacted on 07769 783424 please see page 65

Recently refurbished The Lamb is now under the management of Head Chef Simon Rudd (who you may know from his days at The Royal Oak and The Beetle and Wedge) and offers something a bit different from the usual pub style menu Simon has created a fresh and original menu including a great selection of Mediterranean Tapas mouth watering steaks and grills (from local supplier Vickers Game) and fresh fish from Devon all accompanied by a fine selection of wines and beers For Christmas The Lamb offers two menus one with traditional Christmas choices and a second featuring a selection of Tapas for a Christmas party with a difference You can download our menus at wwwlambinninfo

Our party menus are available from 2nd 24th December and for party bookings made before 17th November we will give a

10 discount off the full menu price

The Lamb is now the perfect place not only for formal dining but also for that

equally important casual drink and snack

We look forward to extending you a warm welcome good service and a

relaxing atmosphere

The Lamb Long Lane Curridge Berkshire RG18 9LY

wwwlambinninfo

Telephone 01635 200348

The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar

All the rustic charm of a traditional country pub but with a difference

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 13

Taceham Hundred is the scouting dis-trict that covers Thatcham and the sur-rounding villages We have a very active scouting community with 5 Scout Groups 1st and 2nd Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

We have over 400 young people involved in the district so far

Young People

The majority of our young people join Bea-ver Scouts (5frac34-8) and stay with us though the Cubs (8-10frac12) Scouts (10frac12-14) and Explorer Scouts (14-18) You can join direct into any section just contact us on the ad-dress below Both boys and girls can join any of our sections

The movement offers young people a bal-anced programme giving them the opportu-nity to create friendships build confidence and develop team skills leadership inde-pendence and initiative We take part in a wide range of outdoor activities including camping hiking kayaking climbing and many more In older section we run the Duke of Edinburghs Award scheme so that members achievements are converted into a recognised certificate

Scouting can be for everyone

In order to give young people these opportu-nities we rely on a large friendly team of adult volunteers who perform a wide range of roles from Section Leaders Assistants and Helpers to Support Treasurers Chair-men Fundraisers to specific activity instruc-tors kayaking climbing and many others

So that we can grow the movement further we need more adults to help A role in scout-ing can take as much or as little time as you want to give and full training and support is given

Why not contact us to find out how you could get involved in helping us

Website District wwwtacehamhundredorguk Explorer Scouts (14-18) wwwaxfordexplorersescountsnet

Contacts

David The District Commissioner dctacehamhundredorguk Ben the Distrit Explorer Scout Commissioner desctacehamhundredorguk

Some of the Activities

Feature Scouting in Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

Feature St John Ambulance

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 15

Bucklebury Farm Park Tractor John Millard and Gemma Howes are seen here picking the lucky winners of last issues competition John is the guide and conductor on the farms popular tractor and trailer rides around the Park Gemma is one of the team of animal keepers and enjoys introducing visitors to the farms favourite residents including miniature donkeys Shet-land ponies cows sheep llamas wild boar and kune pigs as well as the cuddly collec-tion of rabbits and guinea pigs

Macmillan Cancer Support Over pound500 was raised at a local coffee morning on 26th September

40000 coffee mornings throughout the country took place in a bid to raise over pound8m Macmillan are constantly holding fundraising events to raise much needed money for those affected by cancer To learn more about the wonderful work Mac-millan does log on to

wwwmacmillanorguk

The Tanzania Project On 17 September Thatcham Photographic Club were invited to help Kennet School in raising funds to send 30 of its students to assist in renovating a village school in Mbokomu The aim of the project is to pro-vide a safe and stimulating environment for the local school children Huge works have to be done before this is achieved Thatcham Photographic Club displayed a selection of members photographs and raised in excess of pound420 on the night

Thatcham Court Nursing Home Thatcham Court Nursing Home was opened officially on 23 September Mr Arnold Peters who plays the character Jack Woolley from BBC Radio 4s The Archers assisted by Ray King Bupa Chief execu-tive formally opened the home by unveil-ing a painting by local artist Sarah Moorcroft Residents relatives and staff enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch See page 40

Feature People and Places - Out and About around Thatcham

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 17

A local charity for local people

providing support care and information

For more information please contact

01635 31542

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

Mobile Paint Pottery Events Host Paint your own Pottery events

at your venue Childrens parties ladies evenings

Rainbows Brownies and much more

Ideal fundraising for both toddler groups and nurseries

Baby and toddler handfoot print sets available

More information wwwpaintpotterycouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 19

Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

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wwwmyhomeplccom newburymyhomeplccom

With Christmas approaching why not let us make Your Home Sparkle

Lady Painter Jackie Cleaver

07771 636990

Supply and fit hardwood flooring Restore and repair original floors

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Tel 01488 684078 Mob 07931330310

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Hungerford

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please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

CHILDRENS

S

trok

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prov

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nork

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We are looking for ASA Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teachers

Small friendly classes Beginners from 3 12 years

BOOK NOW FOR JANUARY TERM COURSE

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bull Fun French

bull Music and Dance

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bull Cooking bull Drama

bull Early Years Foundations Stage

bull Gardening bull Fantastic Outdoor

play facilities bull Animal Care

bull Arts and Crafts

bull Woodland Adventures bull Healthy home cooked

meals bull Ofsted Registered

Nightingales Swim School

Small friendly classes for all ages amp abilities

Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

Call now for availability

Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 29

Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

01635 201854

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Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

01635 2000 00

01635 202232

See p 5

01635 202300

The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

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ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

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Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

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Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

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Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

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December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

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ELECTRICIAN

Weddings amp Funerals Bouquets amp Arrangements

Corporate Accounts Wedding Consultations at a

time to suit you

01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre

Priors Court Road - Hermitage

WWWEEE ALSOALSOALSO OFFEROFFEROFFER AAA LOCALLOCALLOCAL DELIVERYDELIVERYDELIVERY SERVICESERVICESERVICE

Geoffrey Church amp Co FUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORS

For a personal and dignified service at all times

lowast Personal Service - 24 Hours lowast Private Chapels of Rest lowast All types of Memorials supplied and

fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

HUNGERFORD

48a High Street Tel 01488 686830

THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 5: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

With our straight forward casting process we can save precious moments in your life to touch and hold forever

We can cast anything from a babys tiny finger to an adult torso or a dogs paw

We can present your memory in a wide range of finishes including our popular choices of Bronze resin Aluminium Resin and Marble plaster We also cast in solid metal or

simple plaster to suit your requirements

To find out more on how to keep a unique record of babys hands and feet or preserve the tender touch of a loved one forever please contact us for a free consultation in your

home or at our studio

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 5

01635 268544

Thornford Road Crookham Common Newbury RG19 8EL

Good Homes required for Ex-Racing Greyhounds

All Dogs Walked Daily Professional Care and Attention at all times

Viewing welcome by appointment For further details please ring

(free to suitable homes)

Protection We have many cats seeking loving homes

especially older cats fundraising volunteers always needed

For further information contact 01635 200111

Open daily 11am-3pm by appointment wwwnewburycatsorguk

Newbury Cats

FC CUMMINS amp SONS 2 MILES NORTH OF NEWBURY ON B4009

HORSEANIMAL and POULTRY FEEDS

A range of pet food for CatsDogs and Small Pets Natural and organic feed plus other equine supplements and goods

Horse Feed from pound550 per bag Cash amp Carry or Delivery

Paddock Maintenance and Fencing Visit our shop now or phone us on

01635 200327 wwwfccumminsandsonscouk

Helens Hairy Hounds

Mobile Dog Grooming Service Pamper Your Dog In The Comforts

Of Your Own Home

TrimmingClipping

BrushingBathing

Turbo Drying

Ear Cleaning

Nail Clipping

Friendly Reliable Service City amp Guilds Trained

Tel 07766 303476 wwwhelenshairyhoundscom

Free Security Advice amp Estimates 01635 868 318

101A Park Lane Thatcham Berkshire

To ALL Types of Doors Windows and Garages

UPVc Door and Window Maintenance

Specialists

All makes of Locks OpenedFittedReplacedRepaired

CAP SECURITY

LOCAL LOCKSMITHS

Professional Family Run Business

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THATCHAM SURGERY 10 London Road Thatcham Berkshire RG18 4LG Tel 01635 868382

TADLEY SURGERY Old Kiln House Silchester Road Tadley Hampshire RG26 3PX Tel 0118 981 5500

24 Hour Emergency Service

Clinical expertise Full facilities including hospitalisation

Friendly and helpful staff

NEWBURY Donnington Grove Surgery Oxford Road

01635 47170 (Small Animals Farm and 24 Hour) 01635 39039 (Equine)

Cedar Ceramics

bull Professionally trained domestic amp

commercial wall amp floor tiler

bull Experienced reliable courteous competent and friendly

bull Free no-obligation estimate at a time to suit you

bull Discounts on the tiles you choose

and free delivery to your door bull For more information other

services photographs and recommendations see my website

or Contact ROSS on

01635 299372 Mobile 07790 226089

wwwcedarceramicscouk

T i l i n g S p e c i a l i s t

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 9

Writing this piece I was oozing with it until someone dear to me read the first draft and thrust the indispensable guide to the use of good English under my nose The room was suddenly filled with that unmistakable damp aroma of evaporating confidence I was paralysed with uncertainty for some considerable time The world markets were oozing with it until the indispensable guide to the prudent management of credit was thrust under someones nose Before we knew what was happening we had panic paralysis and worse

Confidence can be a transient and delicate thing It can be a good way to cover up a problem whether it be my inability to communicate suc-cessfully using the written word or the markets prioritising of short term material gain over long term stability and prosperity

I would hope that the modest knock endured by my confidence has led me to re-evaluate and adapt my actions and build greater knowledge and resilience The crisis resulting from false confidence on a global or a personal level can be a very destructive thing There is plenty of confidence out there on a Friday and Saturday night there is confidence from acting out a role buying the right gear having the best gizmo controlling your ap-pearance and environment excessive risk taking or thrill seeking You can feel confident if you avoid all those people who might point it out when you act like an arse Of course confidence based on a clear and objective knowledge of one-self is a fundamental building block of a healthy human being But confi-dence has a nasty habit of masquerading as denial At some level we all know that we cant live on the never never forever (Perhaps I need to look more carefully at my use of the English language after all)

Confidence

Feature Our Counsellor - Bruce Bamber

Bruce Bamber can be contacted on 07769 783424 please see page 65

Recently refurbished The Lamb is now under the management of Head Chef Simon Rudd (who you may know from his days at The Royal Oak and The Beetle and Wedge) and offers something a bit different from the usual pub style menu Simon has created a fresh and original menu including a great selection of Mediterranean Tapas mouth watering steaks and grills (from local supplier Vickers Game) and fresh fish from Devon all accompanied by a fine selection of wines and beers For Christmas The Lamb offers two menus one with traditional Christmas choices and a second featuring a selection of Tapas for a Christmas party with a difference You can download our menus at wwwlambinninfo

Our party menus are available from 2nd 24th December and for party bookings made before 17th November we will give a

10 discount off the full menu price

The Lamb is now the perfect place not only for formal dining but also for that

equally important casual drink and snack

We look forward to extending you a warm welcome good service and a

relaxing atmosphere

The Lamb Long Lane Curridge Berkshire RG18 9LY

wwwlambinninfo

Telephone 01635 200348

The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar

All the rustic charm of a traditional country pub but with a difference

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 13

Taceham Hundred is the scouting dis-trict that covers Thatcham and the sur-rounding villages We have a very active scouting community with 5 Scout Groups 1st and 2nd Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

We have over 400 young people involved in the district so far

Young People

The majority of our young people join Bea-ver Scouts (5frac34-8) and stay with us though the Cubs (8-10frac12) Scouts (10frac12-14) and Explorer Scouts (14-18) You can join direct into any section just contact us on the ad-dress below Both boys and girls can join any of our sections

The movement offers young people a bal-anced programme giving them the opportu-nity to create friendships build confidence and develop team skills leadership inde-pendence and initiative We take part in a wide range of outdoor activities including camping hiking kayaking climbing and many more In older section we run the Duke of Edinburghs Award scheme so that members achievements are converted into a recognised certificate

Scouting can be for everyone

In order to give young people these opportu-nities we rely on a large friendly team of adult volunteers who perform a wide range of roles from Section Leaders Assistants and Helpers to Support Treasurers Chair-men Fundraisers to specific activity instruc-tors kayaking climbing and many others

So that we can grow the movement further we need more adults to help A role in scout-ing can take as much or as little time as you want to give and full training and support is given

Why not contact us to find out how you could get involved in helping us

Website District wwwtacehamhundredorguk Explorer Scouts (14-18) wwwaxfordexplorersescountsnet

Contacts

David The District Commissioner dctacehamhundredorguk Ben the Distrit Explorer Scout Commissioner desctacehamhundredorguk

Some of the Activities

Feature Scouting in Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

Feature St John Ambulance

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 15

Bucklebury Farm Park Tractor John Millard and Gemma Howes are seen here picking the lucky winners of last issues competition John is the guide and conductor on the farms popular tractor and trailer rides around the Park Gemma is one of the team of animal keepers and enjoys introducing visitors to the farms favourite residents including miniature donkeys Shet-land ponies cows sheep llamas wild boar and kune pigs as well as the cuddly collec-tion of rabbits and guinea pigs

Macmillan Cancer Support Over pound500 was raised at a local coffee morning on 26th September

40000 coffee mornings throughout the country took place in a bid to raise over pound8m Macmillan are constantly holding fundraising events to raise much needed money for those affected by cancer To learn more about the wonderful work Mac-millan does log on to

wwwmacmillanorguk

The Tanzania Project On 17 September Thatcham Photographic Club were invited to help Kennet School in raising funds to send 30 of its students to assist in renovating a village school in Mbokomu The aim of the project is to pro-vide a safe and stimulating environment for the local school children Huge works have to be done before this is achieved Thatcham Photographic Club displayed a selection of members photographs and raised in excess of pound420 on the night

Thatcham Court Nursing Home Thatcham Court Nursing Home was opened officially on 23 September Mr Arnold Peters who plays the character Jack Woolley from BBC Radio 4s The Archers assisted by Ray King Bupa Chief execu-tive formally opened the home by unveil-ing a painting by local artist Sarah Moorcroft Residents relatives and staff enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch See page 40

Feature People and Places - Out and About around Thatcham

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 17

A local charity for local people

providing support care and information

For more information please contact

01635 31542

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

Mobile Paint Pottery Events Host Paint your own Pottery events

at your venue Childrens parties ladies evenings

Rainbows Brownies and much more

Ideal fundraising for both toddler groups and nurseries

Baby and toddler handfoot print sets available

More information wwwpaintpotterycouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 19

Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

01635 873911

wwwmyhomeplccom newburymyhomeplccom

With Christmas approaching why not let us make Your Home Sparkle

Lady Painter Jackie Cleaver

07771 636990

Supply and fit hardwood flooring Restore and repair original floors

Free Quotes Personal and Professional Service

Competitive prices Fully Insured

Tel 01488 684078 Mob 07931330310

wwwoaktree-floorscouk

Hungerford

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 21

please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 25

Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

CHILDRENS

S

trok

e im

prov

ers

s

nork

ellin

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Divi

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We are looking for ASA Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teachers

Small friendly classes Beginners from 3 12 years

BOOK NOW FOR JANUARY TERM COURSE

bull Only 6 children per class

bull Beginners Intermediate amp Advanced Swimmers

bull ASA recognised Award Scheme

bull CRB checked

wwwswimlessonscouk

wwwjubileedaynurserycouk

Padworth Common Berkshire RG7 4JD 0118 9701600

bull Fun French

bull Music and Dance

bull Soft-play

bull Cooking bull Drama

bull Early Years Foundations Stage

bull Gardening bull Fantastic Outdoor

play facilities bull Animal Care

bull Arts and Crafts

bull Woodland Adventures bull Healthy home cooked

meals bull Ofsted Registered

Nightingales Swim School

Small friendly classes for all ages amp abilities

Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

Call now for availability

Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 29

Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

01635 201854

01635 201623

Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

01635 2000 00

01635 202232

See p 5

01635 202300

The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 31

Gift Vouchers available for

Christmas Gifts

from as little as pound10 Also

51 CHURCH STREET THEALE READING BERKSHIRE RG7 5BX CLINICCLINICCLINIC

KAVENKAVENKAVEN

BEAUTYBEAUTYBEAUTY

Mon-Thurs 9am-8pm Fri 9am-6pm Sat 9am-4pm

wwwkavencouk Call to book on 01189 303747

Give the lady in your life a gift that she will

appreciate

Show your love and understanding for all the mundane things

she does for you

Send her to be pampered

at

Kaven

Christmas Open Evening 26th November 2008

from 6pm complementary make ups and mini manicures free

Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 33

Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 37

The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

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UNIQUE FASHION DESIGNS

WHICH ARE

Quirky Classic Vintage Unusual One-off Made to measure Different Also Creative soft furnishings Curtain work High quality alteration

service

07833 778803

Unit 10 Lower Way Farm Thatcham

RG19 3TL

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

wwwmarshaswanzycom marsha_swanzyyahoocom

MARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZY

QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

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Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

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hardware needs

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07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

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bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 6: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

01635 268544

Thornford Road Crookham Common Newbury RG19 8EL

Good Homes required for Ex-Racing Greyhounds

All Dogs Walked Daily Professional Care and Attention at all times

Viewing welcome by appointment For further details please ring

(free to suitable homes)

Protection We have many cats seeking loving homes

especially older cats fundraising volunteers always needed

For further information contact 01635 200111

Open daily 11am-3pm by appointment wwwnewburycatsorguk

Newbury Cats

FC CUMMINS amp SONS 2 MILES NORTH OF NEWBURY ON B4009

HORSEANIMAL and POULTRY FEEDS

A range of pet food for CatsDogs and Small Pets Natural and organic feed plus other equine supplements and goods

Horse Feed from pound550 per bag Cash amp Carry or Delivery

Paddock Maintenance and Fencing Visit our shop now or phone us on

01635 200327 wwwfccumminsandsonscouk

Helens Hairy Hounds

Mobile Dog Grooming Service Pamper Your Dog In The Comforts

Of Your Own Home

TrimmingClipping

BrushingBathing

Turbo Drying

Ear Cleaning

Nail Clipping

Friendly Reliable Service City amp Guilds Trained

Tel 07766 303476 wwwhelenshairyhoundscom

Free Security Advice amp Estimates 01635 868 318

101A Park Lane Thatcham Berkshire

To ALL Types of Doors Windows and Garages

UPVc Door and Window Maintenance

Specialists

All makes of Locks OpenedFittedReplacedRepaired

CAP SECURITY

LOCAL LOCKSMITHS

Professional Family Run Business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 7

THATCHAM SURGERY 10 London Road Thatcham Berkshire RG18 4LG Tel 01635 868382

TADLEY SURGERY Old Kiln House Silchester Road Tadley Hampshire RG26 3PX Tel 0118 981 5500

24 Hour Emergency Service

Clinical expertise Full facilities including hospitalisation

Friendly and helpful staff

NEWBURY Donnington Grove Surgery Oxford Road

01635 47170 (Small Animals Farm and 24 Hour) 01635 39039 (Equine)

Cedar Ceramics

bull Professionally trained domestic amp

commercial wall amp floor tiler

bull Experienced reliable courteous competent and friendly

bull Free no-obligation estimate at a time to suit you

bull Discounts on the tiles you choose

and free delivery to your door bull For more information other

services photographs and recommendations see my website

or Contact ROSS on

01635 299372 Mobile 07790 226089

wwwcedarceramicscouk

T i l i n g S p e c i a l i s t

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 9

Writing this piece I was oozing with it until someone dear to me read the first draft and thrust the indispensable guide to the use of good English under my nose The room was suddenly filled with that unmistakable damp aroma of evaporating confidence I was paralysed with uncertainty for some considerable time The world markets were oozing with it until the indispensable guide to the prudent management of credit was thrust under someones nose Before we knew what was happening we had panic paralysis and worse

Confidence can be a transient and delicate thing It can be a good way to cover up a problem whether it be my inability to communicate suc-cessfully using the written word or the markets prioritising of short term material gain over long term stability and prosperity

I would hope that the modest knock endured by my confidence has led me to re-evaluate and adapt my actions and build greater knowledge and resilience The crisis resulting from false confidence on a global or a personal level can be a very destructive thing There is plenty of confidence out there on a Friday and Saturday night there is confidence from acting out a role buying the right gear having the best gizmo controlling your ap-pearance and environment excessive risk taking or thrill seeking You can feel confident if you avoid all those people who might point it out when you act like an arse Of course confidence based on a clear and objective knowledge of one-self is a fundamental building block of a healthy human being But confi-dence has a nasty habit of masquerading as denial At some level we all know that we cant live on the never never forever (Perhaps I need to look more carefully at my use of the English language after all)

Confidence

Feature Our Counsellor - Bruce Bamber

Bruce Bamber can be contacted on 07769 783424 please see page 65

Recently refurbished The Lamb is now under the management of Head Chef Simon Rudd (who you may know from his days at The Royal Oak and The Beetle and Wedge) and offers something a bit different from the usual pub style menu Simon has created a fresh and original menu including a great selection of Mediterranean Tapas mouth watering steaks and grills (from local supplier Vickers Game) and fresh fish from Devon all accompanied by a fine selection of wines and beers For Christmas The Lamb offers two menus one with traditional Christmas choices and a second featuring a selection of Tapas for a Christmas party with a difference You can download our menus at wwwlambinninfo

Our party menus are available from 2nd 24th December and for party bookings made before 17th November we will give a

10 discount off the full menu price

The Lamb is now the perfect place not only for formal dining but also for that

equally important casual drink and snack

We look forward to extending you a warm welcome good service and a

relaxing atmosphere

The Lamb Long Lane Curridge Berkshire RG18 9LY

wwwlambinninfo

Telephone 01635 200348

The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar

All the rustic charm of a traditional country pub but with a difference

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 13

Taceham Hundred is the scouting dis-trict that covers Thatcham and the sur-rounding villages We have a very active scouting community with 5 Scout Groups 1st and 2nd Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

We have over 400 young people involved in the district so far

Young People

The majority of our young people join Bea-ver Scouts (5frac34-8) and stay with us though the Cubs (8-10frac12) Scouts (10frac12-14) and Explorer Scouts (14-18) You can join direct into any section just contact us on the ad-dress below Both boys and girls can join any of our sections

The movement offers young people a bal-anced programme giving them the opportu-nity to create friendships build confidence and develop team skills leadership inde-pendence and initiative We take part in a wide range of outdoor activities including camping hiking kayaking climbing and many more In older section we run the Duke of Edinburghs Award scheme so that members achievements are converted into a recognised certificate

Scouting can be for everyone

In order to give young people these opportu-nities we rely on a large friendly team of adult volunteers who perform a wide range of roles from Section Leaders Assistants and Helpers to Support Treasurers Chair-men Fundraisers to specific activity instruc-tors kayaking climbing and many others

So that we can grow the movement further we need more adults to help A role in scout-ing can take as much or as little time as you want to give and full training and support is given

Why not contact us to find out how you could get involved in helping us

Website District wwwtacehamhundredorguk Explorer Scouts (14-18) wwwaxfordexplorersescountsnet

Contacts

David The District Commissioner dctacehamhundredorguk Ben the Distrit Explorer Scout Commissioner desctacehamhundredorguk

Some of the Activities

Feature Scouting in Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

Feature St John Ambulance

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 15

Bucklebury Farm Park Tractor John Millard and Gemma Howes are seen here picking the lucky winners of last issues competition John is the guide and conductor on the farms popular tractor and trailer rides around the Park Gemma is one of the team of animal keepers and enjoys introducing visitors to the farms favourite residents including miniature donkeys Shet-land ponies cows sheep llamas wild boar and kune pigs as well as the cuddly collec-tion of rabbits and guinea pigs

Macmillan Cancer Support Over pound500 was raised at a local coffee morning on 26th September

40000 coffee mornings throughout the country took place in a bid to raise over pound8m Macmillan are constantly holding fundraising events to raise much needed money for those affected by cancer To learn more about the wonderful work Mac-millan does log on to

wwwmacmillanorguk

The Tanzania Project On 17 September Thatcham Photographic Club were invited to help Kennet School in raising funds to send 30 of its students to assist in renovating a village school in Mbokomu The aim of the project is to pro-vide a safe and stimulating environment for the local school children Huge works have to be done before this is achieved Thatcham Photographic Club displayed a selection of members photographs and raised in excess of pound420 on the night

Thatcham Court Nursing Home Thatcham Court Nursing Home was opened officially on 23 September Mr Arnold Peters who plays the character Jack Woolley from BBC Radio 4s The Archers assisted by Ray King Bupa Chief execu-tive formally opened the home by unveil-ing a painting by local artist Sarah Moorcroft Residents relatives and staff enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch See page 40

Feature People and Places - Out and About around Thatcham

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 17

A local charity for local people

providing support care and information

For more information please contact

01635 31542

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

Mobile Paint Pottery Events Host Paint your own Pottery events

at your venue Childrens parties ladies evenings

Rainbows Brownies and much more

Ideal fundraising for both toddler groups and nurseries

Baby and toddler handfoot print sets available

More information wwwpaintpotterycouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 19

Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

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please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

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trok

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Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

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Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

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The photographs below show their work

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Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

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See p 5

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8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Gift Vouchers available for

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

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since 2000

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BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

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Tel 01635 200021

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Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

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Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

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Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

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RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

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December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

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I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

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Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 7: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 7

THATCHAM SURGERY 10 London Road Thatcham Berkshire RG18 4LG Tel 01635 868382

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T i l i n g S p e c i a l i s t

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Writing this piece I was oozing with it until someone dear to me read the first draft and thrust the indispensable guide to the use of good English under my nose The room was suddenly filled with that unmistakable damp aroma of evaporating confidence I was paralysed with uncertainty for some considerable time The world markets were oozing with it until the indispensable guide to the prudent management of credit was thrust under someones nose Before we knew what was happening we had panic paralysis and worse

Confidence can be a transient and delicate thing It can be a good way to cover up a problem whether it be my inability to communicate suc-cessfully using the written word or the markets prioritising of short term material gain over long term stability and prosperity

I would hope that the modest knock endured by my confidence has led me to re-evaluate and adapt my actions and build greater knowledge and resilience The crisis resulting from false confidence on a global or a personal level can be a very destructive thing There is plenty of confidence out there on a Friday and Saturday night there is confidence from acting out a role buying the right gear having the best gizmo controlling your ap-pearance and environment excessive risk taking or thrill seeking You can feel confident if you avoid all those people who might point it out when you act like an arse Of course confidence based on a clear and objective knowledge of one-self is a fundamental building block of a healthy human being But confi-dence has a nasty habit of masquerading as denial At some level we all know that we cant live on the never never forever (Perhaps I need to look more carefully at my use of the English language after all)

Confidence

Feature Our Counsellor - Bruce Bamber

Bruce Bamber can be contacted on 07769 783424 please see page 65

Recently refurbished The Lamb is now under the management of Head Chef Simon Rudd (who you may know from his days at The Royal Oak and The Beetle and Wedge) and offers something a bit different from the usual pub style menu Simon has created a fresh and original menu including a great selection of Mediterranean Tapas mouth watering steaks and grills (from local supplier Vickers Game) and fresh fish from Devon all accompanied by a fine selection of wines and beers For Christmas The Lamb offers two menus one with traditional Christmas choices and a second featuring a selection of Tapas for a Christmas party with a difference You can download our menus at wwwlambinninfo

Our party menus are available from 2nd 24th December and for party bookings made before 17th November we will give a

10 discount off the full menu price

The Lamb is now the perfect place not only for formal dining but also for that

equally important casual drink and snack

We look forward to extending you a warm welcome good service and a

relaxing atmosphere

The Lamb Long Lane Curridge Berkshire RG18 9LY

wwwlambinninfo

Telephone 01635 200348

The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar

All the rustic charm of a traditional country pub but with a difference

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 13

Taceham Hundred is the scouting dis-trict that covers Thatcham and the sur-rounding villages We have a very active scouting community with 5 Scout Groups 1st and 2nd Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

We have over 400 young people involved in the district so far

Young People

The majority of our young people join Bea-ver Scouts (5frac34-8) and stay with us though the Cubs (8-10frac12) Scouts (10frac12-14) and Explorer Scouts (14-18) You can join direct into any section just contact us on the ad-dress below Both boys and girls can join any of our sections

The movement offers young people a bal-anced programme giving them the opportu-nity to create friendships build confidence and develop team skills leadership inde-pendence and initiative We take part in a wide range of outdoor activities including camping hiking kayaking climbing and many more In older section we run the Duke of Edinburghs Award scheme so that members achievements are converted into a recognised certificate

Scouting can be for everyone

In order to give young people these opportu-nities we rely on a large friendly team of adult volunteers who perform a wide range of roles from Section Leaders Assistants and Helpers to Support Treasurers Chair-men Fundraisers to specific activity instruc-tors kayaking climbing and many others

So that we can grow the movement further we need more adults to help A role in scout-ing can take as much or as little time as you want to give and full training and support is given

Why not contact us to find out how you could get involved in helping us

Website District wwwtacehamhundredorguk Explorer Scouts (14-18) wwwaxfordexplorersescountsnet

Contacts

David The District Commissioner dctacehamhundredorguk Ben the Distrit Explorer Scout Commissioner desctacehamhundredorguk

Some of the Activities

Feature Scouting in Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

Feature St John Ambulance

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 15

Bucklebury Farm Park Tractor John Millard and Gemma Howes are seen here picking the lucky winners of last issues competition John is the guide and conductor on the farms popular tractor and trailer rides around the Park Gemma is one of the team of animal keepers and enjoys introducing visitors to the farms favourite residents including miniature donkeys Shet-land ponies cows sheep llamas wild boar and kune pigs as well as the cuddly collec-tion of rabbits and guinea pigs

Macmillan Cancer Support Over pound500 was raised at a local coffee morning on 26th September

40000 coffee mornings throughout the country took place in a bid to raise over pound8m Macmillan are constantly holding fundraising events to raise much needed money for those affected by cancer To learn more about the wonderful work Mac-millan does log on to

wwwmacmillanorguk

The Tanzania Project On 17 September Thatcham Photographic Club were invited to help Kennet School in raising funds to send 30 of its students to assist in renovating a village school in Mbokomu The aim of the project is to pro-vide a safe and stimulating environment for the local school children Huge works have to be done before this is achieved Thatcham Photographic Club displayed a selection of members photographs and raised in excess of pound420 on the night

Thatcham Court Nursing Home Thatcham Court Nursing Home was opened officially on 23 September Mr Arnold Peters who plays the character Jack Woolley from BBC Radio 4s The Archers assisted by Ray King Bupa Chief execu-tive formally opened the home by unveil-ing a painting by local artist Sarah Moorcroft Residents relatives and staff enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch See page 40

Feature People and Places - Out and About around Thatcham

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 17

A local charity for local people

providing support care and information

For more information please contact

01635 31542

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

Mobile Paint Pottery Events Host Paint your own Pottery events

at your venue Childrens parties ladies evenings

Rainbows Brownies and much more

Ideal fundraising for both toddler groups and nurseries

Baby and toddler handfoot print sets available

More information wwwpaintpotterycouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 19

Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

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With Christmas approaching why not let us make Your Home Sparkle

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please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

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Nightingales Swim School

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Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

Call now for availability

Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 29

Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

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Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

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Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

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See p 5

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The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 31

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 33

Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

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since 2000

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BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

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ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

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Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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Useful Web Addresses

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Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

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Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

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Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

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We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

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L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

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With people living longer

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and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

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on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

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LMC

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I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 8: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Cedar Ceramics

bull Professionally trained domestic amp

commercial wall amp floor tiler

bull Experienced reliable courteous competent and friendly

bull Free no-obligation estimate at a time to suit you

bull Discounts on the tiles you choose

and free delivery to your door bull For more information other

services photographs and recommendations see my website

or Contact ROSS on

01635 299372 Mobile 07790 226089

wwwcedarceramicscouk

T i l i n g S p e c i a l i s t

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 9

Writing this piece I was oozing with it until someone dear to me read the first draft and thrust the indispensable guide to the use of good English under my nose The room was suddenly filled with that unmistakable damp aroma of evaporating confidence I was paralysed with uncertainty for some considerable time The world markets were oozing with it until the indispensable guide to the prudent management of credit was thrust under someones nose Before we knew what was happening we had panic paralysis and worse

Confidence can be a transient and delicate thing It can be a good way to cover up a problem whether it be my inability to communicate suc-cessfully using the written word or the markets prioritising of short term material gain over long term stability and prosperity

I would hope that the modest knock endured by my confidence has led me to re-evaluate and adapt my actions and build greater knowledge and resilience The crisis resulting from false confidence on a global or a personal level can be a very destructive thing There is plenty of confidence out there on a Friday and Saturday night there is confidence from acting out a role buying the right gear having the best gizmo controlling your ap-pearance and environment excessive risk taking or thrill seeking You can feel confident if you avoid all those people who might point it out when you act like an arse Of course confidence based on a clear and objective knowledge of one-self is a fundamental building block of a healthy human being But confi-dence has a nasty habit of masquerading as denial At some level we all know that we cant live on the never never forever (Perhaps I need to look more carefully at my use of the English language after all)

Confidence

Feature Our Counsellor - Bruce Bamber

Bruce Bamber can be contacted on 07769 783424 please see page 65

Recently refurbished The Lamb is now under the management of Head Chef Simon Rudd (who you may know from his days at The Royal Oak and The Beetle and Wedge) and offers something a bit different from the usual pub style menu Simon has created a fresh and original menu including a great selection of Mediterranean Tapas mouth watering steaks and grills (from local supplier Vickers Game) and fresh fish from Devon all accompanied by a fine selection of wines and beers For Christmas The Lamb offers two menus one with traditional Christmas choices and a second featuring a selection of Tapas for a Christmas party with a difference You can download our menus at wwwlambinninfo

Our party menus are available from 2nd 24th December and for party bookings made before 17th November we will give a

10 discount off the full menu price

The Lamb is now the perfect place not only for formal dining but also for that

equally important casual drink and snack

We look forward to extending you a warm welcome good service and a

relaxing atmosphere

The Lamb Long Lane Curridge Berkshire RG18 9LY

wwwlambinninfo

Telephone 01635 200348

The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar

All the rustic charm of a traditional country pub but with a difference

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 13

Taceham Hundred is the scouting dis-trict that covers Thatcham and the sur-rounding villages We have a very active scouting community with 5 Scout Groups 1st and 2nd Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

We have over 400 young people involved in the district so far

Young People

The majority of our young people join Bea-ver Scouts (5frac34-8) and stay with us though the Cubs (8-10frac12) Scouts (10frac12-14) and Explorer Scouts (14-18) You can join direct into any section just contact us on the ad-dress below Both boys and girls can join any of our sections

The movement offers young people a bal-anced programme giving them the opportu-nity to create friendships build confidence and develop team skills leadership inde-pendence and initiative We take part in a wide range of outdoor activities including camping hiking kayaking climbing and many more In older section we run the Duke of Edinburghs Award scheme so that members achievements are converted into a recognised certificate

Scouting can be for everyone

In order to give young people these opportu-nities we rely on a large friendly team of adult volunteers who perform a wide range of roles from Section Leaders Assistants and Helpers to Support Treasurers Chair-men Fundraisers to specific activity instruc-tors kayaking climbing and many others

So that we can grow the movement further we need more adults to help A role in scout-ing can take as much or as little time as you want to give and full training and support is given

Why not contact us to find out how you could get involved in helping us

Website District wwwtacehamhundredorguk Explorer Scouts (14-18) wwwaxfordexplorersescountsnet

Contacts

David The District Commissioner dctacehamhundredorguk Ben the Distrit Explorer Scout Commissioner desctacehamhundredorguk

Some of the Activities

Feature Scouting in Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

Feature St John Ambulance

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 15

Bucklebury Farm Park Tractor John Millard and Gemma Howes are seen here picking the lucky winners of last issues competition John is the guide and conductor on the farms popular tractor and trailer rides around the Park Gemma is one of the team of animal keepers and enjoys introducing visitors to the farms favourite residents including miniature donkeys Shet-land ponies cows sheep llamas wild boar and kune pigs as well as the cuddly collec-tion of rabbits and guinea pigs

Macmillan Cancer Support Over pound500 was raised at a local coffee morning on 26th September

40000 coffee mornings throughout the country took place in a bid to raise over pound8m Macmillan are constantly holding fundraising events to raise much needed money for those affected by cancer To learn more about the wonderful work Mac-millan does log on to

wwwmacmillanorguk

The Tanzania Project On 17 September Thatcham Photographic Club were invited to help Kennet School in raising funds to send 30 of its students to assist in renovating a village school in Mbokomu The aim of the project is to pro-vide a safe and stimulating environment for the local school children Huge works have to be done before this is achieved Thatcham Photographic Club displayed a selection of members photographs and raised in excess of pound420 on the night

Thatcham Court Nursing Home Thatcham Court Nursing Home was opened officially on 23 September Mr Arnold Peters who plays the character Jack Woolley from BBC Radio 4s The Archers assisted by Ray King Bupa Chief execu-tive formally opened the home by unveil-ing a painting by local artist Sarah Moorcroft Residents relatives and staff enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch See page 40

Feature People and Places - Out and About around Thatcham

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 17

A local charity for local people

providing support care and information

For more information please contact

01635 31542

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

Mobile Paint Pottery Events Host Paint your own Pottery events

at your venue Childrens parties ladies evenings

Rainbows Brownies and much more

Ideal fundraising for both toddler groups and nurseries

Baby and toddler handfoot print sets available

More information wwwpaintpotterycouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 19

Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

01635 873911

wwwmyhomeplccom newburymyhomeplccom

With Christmas approaching why not let us make Your Home Sparkle

Lady Painter Jackie Cleaver

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Supply and fit hardwood flooring Restore and repair original floors

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please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

CHILDRENS

S

trok

e im

prov

ers

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nork

ellin

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We are looking for ASA Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teachers

Small friendly classes Beginners from 3 12 years

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bull Only 6 children per class

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bull Fun French

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bull Cooking bull Drama

bull Early Years Foundations Stage

bull Gardening bull Fantastic Outdoor

play facilities bull Animal Care

bull Arts and Crafts

bull Woodland Adventures bull Healthy home cooked

meals bull Ofsted Registered

Nightingales Swim School

Small friendly classes for all ages amp abilities

Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

Call now for availability

Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 29

Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

01635 201854

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Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

01635 2000 00

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See p 5

01635 202300

The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 31

Gift Vouchers available for

Christmas Gifts

from as little as pound10 Also

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Give the lady in your life a gift that she will

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Show your love and understanding for all the mundane things

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from 6pm complementary make ups and mini manicures free

Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 33

Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

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UNIQUE FASHION DESIGNS

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

NEED AN MOT Cars Mini Buses Light

Commercial Classes 4 5L and 7

01635 876777

Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTSRECOVERY SERVICE

BIG VALUE FIXED PRICE SERVICE WITH FREE MOT Price includes service parts labour amp VAT Offer only available on 4 cyl cars up to 2000cc

WE CAN HELP

ONLY

pound119 INCLUDING FREE MOT

HALFWAY GARAGE Unit 7 Pipers Court Berkshire Drive Thatcham

Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

THATCHATHATCHATHATCHAMMM OUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATION

Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E

OPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PM

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-A LARGE ARRAY OF PACKAGING OPTIONS

-VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR A QUOTE

WWWJ7DUPLICATIONCOUK

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

macesolutionsyahoocom

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ELECTRICIAN

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Corporate Accounts Wedding Consultations at a

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01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre

Priors Court Road - Hermitage

WWWEEE ALSOALSOALSO OFFEROFFEROFFER AAA LOCALLOCALLOCAL DELIVERYDELIVERYDELIVERY SERVICESERVICESERVICE

Geoffrey Church amp Co FUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORS

For a personal and dignified service at all times

lowast Personal Service - 24 Hours lowast Private Chapels of Rest lowast All types of Memorials supplied and

fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

HUNGERFORD

48a High Street Tel 01488 686830

THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 9: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Writing this piece I was oozing with it until someone dear to me read the first draft and thrust the indispensable guide to the use of good English under my nose The room was suddenly filled with that unmistakable damp aroma of evaporating confidence I was paralysed with uncertainty for some considerable time The world markets were oozing with it until the indispensable guide to the prudent management of credit was thrust under someones nose Before we knew what was happening we had panic paralysis and worse

Confidence can be a transient and delicate thing It can be a good way to cover up a problem whether it be my inability to communicate suc-cessfully using the written word or the markets prioritising of short term material gain over long term stability and prosperity

I would hope that the modest knock endured by my confidence has led me to re-evaluate and adapt my actions and build greater knowledge and resilience The crisis resulting from false confidence on a global or a personal level can be a very destructive thing There is plenty of confidence out there on a Friday and Saturday night there is confidence from acting out a role buying the right gear having the best gizmo controlling your ap-pearance and environment excessive risk taking or thrill seeking You can feel confident if you avoid all those people who might point it out when you act like an arse Of course confidence based on a clear and objective knowledge of one-self is a fundamental building block of a healthy human being But confi-dence has a nasty habit of masquerading as denial At some level we all know that we cant live on the never never forever (Perhaps I need to look more carefully at my use of the English language after all)

Confidence

Feature Our Counsellor - Bruce Bamber

Bruce Bamber can be contacted on 07769 783424 please see page 65

Recently refurbished The Lamb is now under the management of Head Chef Simon Rudd (who you may know from his days at The Royal Oak and The Beetle and Wedge) and offers something a bit different from the usual pub style menu Simon has created a fresh and original menu including a great selection of Mediterranean Tapas mouth watering steaks and grills (from local supplier Vickers Game) and fresh fish from Devon all accompanied by a fine selection of wines and beers For Christmas The Lamb offers two menus one with traditional Christmas choices and a second featuring a selection of Tapas for a Christmas party with a difference You can download our menus at wwwlambinninfo

Our party menus are available from 2nd 24th December and for party bookings made before 17th November we will give a

10 discount off the full menu price

The Lamb is now the perfect place not only for formal dining but also for that

equally important casual drink and snack

We look forward to extending you a warm welcome good service and a

relaxing atmosphere

The Lamb Long Lane Curridge Berkshire RG18 9LY

wwwlambinninfo

Telephone 01635 200348

The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar

All the rustic charm of a traditional country pub but with a difference

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 13

Taceham Hundred is the scouting dis-trict that covers Thatcham and the sur-rounding villages We have a very active scouting community with 5 Scout Groups 1st and 2nd Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

We have over 400 young people involved in the district so far

Young People

The majority of our young people join Bea-ver Scouts (5frac34-8) and stay with us though the Cubs (8-10frac12) Scouts (10frac12-14) and Explorer Scouts (14-18) You can join direct into any section just contact us on the ad-dress below Both boys and girls can join any of our sections

The movement offers young people a bal-anced programme giving them the opportu-nity to create friendships build confidence and develop team skills leadership inde-pendence and initiative We take part in a wide range of outdoor activities including camping hiking kayaking climbing and many more In older section we run the Duke of Edinburghs Award scheme so that members achievements are converted into a recognised certificate

Scouting can be for everyone

In order to give young people these opportu-nities we rely on a large friendly team of adult volunteers who perform a wide range of roles from Section Leaders Assistants and Helpers to Support Treasurers Chair-men Fundraisers to specific activity instruc-tors kayaking climbing and many others

So that we can grow the movement further we need more adults to help A role in scout-ing can take as much or as little time as you want to give and full training and support is given

Why not contact us to find out how you could get involved in helping us

Website District wwwtacehamhundredorguk Explorer Scouts (14-18) wwwaxfordexplorersescountsnet

Contacts

David The District Commissioner dctacehamhundredorguk Ben the Distrit Explorer Scout Commissioner desctacehamhundredorguk

Some of the Activities

Feature Scouting in Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

Feature St John Ambulance

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 15

Bucklebury Farm Park Tractor John Millard and Gemma Howes are seen here picking the lucky winners of last issues competition John is the guide and conductor on the farms popular tractor and trailer rides around the Park Gemma is one of the team of animal keepers and enjoys introducing visitors to the farms favourite residents including miniature donkeys Shet-land ponies cows sheep llamas wild boar and kune pigs as well as the cuddly collec-tion of rabbits and guinea pigs

Macmillan Cancer Support Over pound500 was raised at a local coffee morning on 26th September

40000 coffee mornings throughout the country took place in a bid to raise over pound8m Macmillan are constantly holding fundraising events to raise much needed money for those affected by cancer To learn more about the wonderful work Mac-millan does log on to

wwwmacmillanorguk

The Tanzania Project On 17 September Thatcham Photographic Club were invited to help Kennet School in raising funds to send 30 of its students to assist in renovating a village school in Mbokomu The aim of the project is to pro-vide a safe and stimulating environment for the local school children Huge works have to be done before this is achieved Thatcham Photographic Club displayed a selection of members photographs and raised in excess of pound420 on the night

Thatcham Court Nursing Home Thatcham Court Nursing Home was opened officially on 23 September Mr Arnold Peters who plays the character Jack Woolley from BBC Radio 4s The Archers assisted by Ray King Bupa Chief execu-tive formally opened the home by unveil-ing a painting by local artist Sarah Moorcroft Residents relatives and staff enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch See page 40

Feature People and Places - Out and About around Thatcham

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 17

A local charity for local people

providing support care and information

For more information please contact

01635 31542

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

Mobile Paint Pottery Events Host Paint your own Pottery events

at your venue Childrens parties ladies evenings

Rainbows Brownies and much more

Ideal fundraising for both toddler groups and nurseries

Baby and toddler handfoot print sets available

More information wwwpaintpotterycouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 19

Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

01635 873911

wwwmyhomeplccom newburymyhomeplccom

With Christmas approaching why not let us make Your Home Sparkle

Lady Painter Jackie Cleaver

07771 636990

Supply and fit hardwood flooring Restore and repair original floors

Free Quotes Personal and Professional Service

Competitive prices Fully Insured

Tel 01488 684078 Mob 07931330310

wwwoaktree-floorscouk

Hungerford

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 21

please see also page 25

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 23

M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 25

Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

CHILDRENS

S

trok

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prov

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s

nork

ellin

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Divi

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We are looking for ASA Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teachers

Small friendly classes Beginners from 3 12 years

BOOK NOW FOR JANUARY TERM COURSE

bull Only 6 children per class

bull Beginners Intermediate amp Advanced Swimmers

bull ASA recognised Award Scheme

bull CRB checked

wwwswimlessonscouk

wwwjubileedaynurserycouk

Padworth Common Berkshire RG7 4JD 0118 9701600

bull Fun French

bull Music and Dance

bull Soft-play

bull Cooking bull Drama

bull Early Years Foundations Stage

bull Gardening bull Fantastic Outdoor

play facilities bull Animal Care

bull Arts and Crafts

bull Woodland Adventures bull Healthy home cooked

meals bull Ofsted Registered

Nightingales Swim School

Small friendly classes for all ages amp abilities

Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

Call now for availability

Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 29

Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

01635 201854

01635 201623

Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

01635 2000 00

01635 202232

See p 5

01635 202300

The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Gift Vouchers available for

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

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ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

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Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

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Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

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Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

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We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

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or just not the faintest idea where

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network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 10: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Recently refurbished The Lamb is now under the management of Head Chef Simon Rudd (who you may know from his days at The Royal Oak and The Beetle and Wedge) and offers something a bit different from the usual pub style menu Simon has created a fresh and original menu including a great selection of Mediterranean Tapas mouth watering steaks and grills (from local supplier Vickers Game) and fresh fish from Devon all accompanied by a fine selection of wines and beers For Christmas The Lamb offers two menus one with traditional Christmas choices and a second featuring a selection of Tapas for a Christmas party with a difference You can download our menus at wwwlambinninfo

Our party menus are available from 2nd 24th December and for party bookings made before 17th November we will give a

10 discount off the full menu price

The Lamb is now the perfect place not only for formal dining but also for that

equally important casual drink and snack

We look forward to extending you a warm welcome good service and a

relaxing atmosphere

The Lamb Long Lane Curridge Berkshire RG18 9LY

wwwlambinninfo

Telephone 01635 200348

The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar The Lamb Tapas and Gr i l l Bar

All the rustic charm of a traditional country pub but with a difference

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 13

Taceham Hundred is the scouting dis-trict that covers Thatcham and the sur-rounding villages We have a very active scouting community with 5 Scout Groups 1st and 2nd Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

We have over 400 young people involved in the district so far

Young People

The majority of our young people join Bea-ver Scouts (5frac34-8) and stay with us though the Cubs (8-10frac12) Scouts (10frac12-14) and Explorer Scouts (14-18) You can join direct into any section just contact us on the ad-dress below Both boys and girls can join any of our sections

The movement offers young people a bal-anced programme giving them the opportu-nity to create friendships build confidence and develop team skills leadership inde-pendence and initiative We take part in a wide range of outdoor activities including camping hiking kayaking climbing and many more In older section we run the Duke of Edinburghs Award scheme so that members achievements are converted into a recognised certificate

Scouting can be for everyone

In order to give young people these opportu-nities we rely on a large friendly team of adult volunteers who perform a wide range of roles from Section Leaders Assistants and Helpers to Support Treasurers Chair-men Fundraisers to specific activity instruc-tors kayaking climbing and many others

So that we can grow the movement further we need more adults to help A role in scout-ing can take as much or as little time as you want to give and full training and support is given

Why not contact us to find out how you could get involved in helping us

Website District wwwtacehamhundredorguk Explorer Scouts (14-18) wwwaxfordexplorersescountsnet

Contacts

David The District Commissioner dctacehamhundredorguk Ben the Distrit Explorer Scout Commissioner desctacehamhundredorguk

Some of the Activities

Feature Scouting in Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

Feature St John Ambulance

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 15

Bucklebury Farm Park Tractor John Millard and Gemma Howes are seen here picking the lucky winners of last issues competition John is the guide and conductor on the farms popular tractor and trailer rides around the Park Gemma is one of the team of animal keepers and enjoys introducing visitors to the farms favourite residents including miniature donkeys Shet-land ponies cows sheep llamas wild boar and kune pigs as well as the cuddly collec-tion of rabbits and guinea pigs

Macmillan Cancer Support Over pound500 was raised at a local coffee morning on 26th September

40000 coffee mornings throughout the country took place in a bid to raise over pound8m Macmillan are constantly holding fundraising events to raise much needed money for those affected by cancer To learn more about the wonderful work Mac-millan does log on to

wwwmacmillanorguk

The Tanzania Project On 17 September Thatcham Photographic Club were invited to help Kennet School in raising funds to send 30 of its students to assist in renovating a village school in Mbokomu The aim of the project is to pro-vide a safe and stimulating environment for the local school children Huge works have to be done before this is achieved Thatcham Photographic Club displayed a selection of members photographs and raised in excess of pound420 on the night

Thatcham Court Nursing Home Thatcham Court Nursing Home was opened officially on 23 September Mr Arnold Peters who plays the character Jack Woolley from BBC Radio 4s The Archers assisted by Ray King Bupa Chief execu-tive formally opened the home by unveil-ing a painting by local artist Sarah Moorcroft Residents relatives and staff enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch See page 40

Feature People and Places - Out and About around Thatcham

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 17

A local charity for local people

providing support care and information

For more information please contact

01635 31542

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

Mobile Paint Pottery Events Host Paint your own Pottery events

at your venue Childrens parties ladies evenings

Rainbows Brownies and much more

Ideal fundraising for both toddler groups and nurseries

Baby and toddler handfoot print sets available

More information wwwpaintpotterycouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 19

Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

01635 873911

wwwmyhomeplccom newburymyhomeplccom

With Christmas approaching why not let us make Your Home Sparkle

Lady Painter Jackie Cleaver

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Supply and fit hardwood flooring Restore and repair original floors

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please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

CHILDRENS

S

trok

e im

prov

ers

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nork

ellin

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We are looking for ASA Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teachers

Small friendly classes Beginners from 3 12 years

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bull Only 6 children per class

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bull Fun French

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bull Cooking bull Drama

bull Early Years Foundations Stage

bull Gardening bull Fantastic Outdoor

play facilities bull Animal Care

bull Arts and Crafts

bull Woodland Adventures bull Healthy home cooked

meals bull Ofsted Registered

Nightingales Swim School

Small friendly classes for all ages amp abilities

Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

Call now for availability

Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 29

Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

01635 201854

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Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

01635 2000 00

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See p 5

01635 202300

The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 31

Gift Vouchers available for

Christmas Gifts

from as little as pound10 Also

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Give the lady in your life a gift that she will

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Show your love and understanding for all the mundane things

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from 6pm complementary make ups and mini manicures free

Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 33

Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

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UNIQUE FASHION DESIGNS

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

NEED AN MOT Cars Mini Buses Light

Commercial Classes 4 5L and 7

01635 876777

Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTSRECOVERY SERVICE

BIG VALUE FIXED PRICE SERVICE WITH FREE MOT Price includes service parts labour amp VAT Offer only available on 4 cyl cars up to 2000cc

WE CAN HELP

ONLY

pound119 INCLUDING FREE MOT

HALFWAY GARAGE Unit 7 Pipers Court Berkshire Drive Thatcham

Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

THATCHATHATCHATHATCHAMMM OUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATION

Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E

OPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PM

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-A LARGE ARRAY OF PACKAGING OPTIONS

-VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR A QUOTE

WWWJ7DUPLICATIONCOUK

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

macesolutionsyahoocom

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ELECTRICIAN

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Corporate Accounts Wedding Consultations at a

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01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre

Priors Court Road - Hermitage

WWWEEE ALSOALSOALSO OFFEROFFEROFFER AAA LOCALLOCALLOCAL DELIVERYDELIVERYDELIVERY SERVICESERVICESERVICE

Geoffrey Church amp Co FUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORS

For a personal and dignified service at all times

lowast Personal Service - 24 Hours lowast Private Chapels of Rest lowast All types of Memorials supplied and

fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

HUNGERFORD

48a High Street Tel 01488 686830

THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 11: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 13

Taceham Hundred is the scouting dis-trict that covers Thatcham and the sur-rounding villages We have a very active scouting community with 5 Scout Groups 1st and 2nd Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

We have over 400 young people involved in the district so far

Young People

The majority of our young people join Bea-ver Scouts (5frac34-8) and stay with us though the Cubs (8-10frac12) Scouts (10frac12-14) and Explorer Scouts (14-18) You can join direct into any section just contact us on the ad-dress below Both boys and girls can join any of our sections

The movement offers young people a bal-anced programme giving them the opportu-nity to create friendships build confidence and develop team skills leadership inde-pendence and initiative We take part in a wide range of outdoor activities including camping hiking kayaking climbing and many more In older section we run the Duke of Edinburghs Award scheme so that members achievements are converted into a recognised certificate

Scouting can be for everyone

In order to give young people these opportu-nities we rely on a large friendly team of adult volunteers who perform a wide range of roles from Section Leaders Assistants and Helpers to Support Treasurers Chair-men Fundraisers to specific activity instruc-tors kayaking climbing and many others

So that we can grow the movement further we need more adults to help A role in scout-ing can take as much or as little time as you want to give and full training and support is given

Why not contact us to find out how you could get involved in helping us

Website District wwwtacehamhundredorguk Explorer Scouts (14-18) wwwaxfordexplorersescountsnet

Contacts

David The District Commissioner dctacehamhundredorguk Ben the Distrit Explorer Scout Commissioner desctacehamhundredorguk

Some of the Activities

Feature Scouting in Thatcham Cold Ash Woolhampton and Hermitage

Feature St John Ambulance

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 15

Bucklebury Farm Park Tractor John Millard and Gemma Howes are seen here picking the lucky winners of last issues competition John is the guide and conductor on the farms popular tractor and trailer rides around the Park Gemma is one of the team of animal keepers and enjoys introducing visitors to the farms favourite residents including miniature donkeys Shet-land ponies cows sheep llamas wild boar and kune pigs as well as the cuddly collec-tion of rabbits and guinea pigs

Macmillan Cancer Support Over pound500 was raised at a local coffee morning on 26th September

40000 coffee mornings throughout the country took place in a bid to raise over pound8m Macmillan are constantly holding fundraising events to raise much needed money for those affected by cancer To learn more about the wonderful work Mac-millan does log on to

wwwmacmillanorguk

The Tanzania Project On 17 September Thatcham Photographic Club were invited to help Kennet School in raising funds to send 30 of its students to assist in renovating a village school in Mbokomu The aim of the project is to pro-vide a safe and stimulating environment for the local school children Huge works have to be done before this is achieved Thatcham Photographic Club displayed a selection of members photographs and raised in excess of pound420 on the night

Thatcham Court Nursing Home Thatcham Court Nursing Home was opened officially on 23 September Mr Arnold Peters who plays the character Jack Woolley from BBC Radio 4s The Archers assisted by Ray King Bupa Chief execu-tive formally opened the home by unveil-ing a painting by local artist Sarah Moorcroft Residents relatives and staff enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch See page 40

Feature People and Places - Out and About around Thatcham

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 17

A local charity for local people

providing support care and information

For more information please contact

01635 31542

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

Mobile Paint Pottery Events Host Paint your own Pottery events

at your venue Childrens parties ladies evenings

Rainbows Brownies and much more

Ideal fundraising for both toddler groups and nurseries

Baby and toddler handfoot print sets available

More information wwwpaintpotterycouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 19

Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

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With Christmas approaching why not let us make Your Home Sparkle

Lady Painter Jackie Cleaver

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please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

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Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 29

Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

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Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

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See p 5

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The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

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8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 31

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 33

Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

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Theresa has her own

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of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

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Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

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Priors Court Road - Hermitage

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48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

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network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

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07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

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Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

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bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

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Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 12: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Feature St John Ambulance

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 15

Bucklebury Farm Park Tractor John Millard and Gemma Howes are seen here picking the lucky winners of last issues competition John is the guide and conductor on the farms popular tractor and trailer rides around the Park Gemma is one of the team of animal keepers and enjoys introducing visitors to the farms favourite residents including miniature donkeys Shet-land ponies cows sheep llamas wild boar and kune pigs as well as the cuddly collec-tion of rabbits and guinea pigs

Macmillan Cancer Support Over pound500 was raised at a local coffee morning on 26th September

40000 coffee mornings throughout the country took place in a bid to raise over pound8m Macmillan are constantly holding fundraising events to raise much needed money for those affected by cancer To learn more about the wonderful work Mac-millan does log on to

wwwmacmillanorguk

The Tanzania Project On 17 September Thatcham Photographic Club were invited to help Kennet School in raising funds to send 30 of its students to assist in renovating a village school in Mbokomu The aim of the project is to pro-vide a safe and stimulating environment for the local school children Huge works have to be done before this is achieved Thatcham Photographic Club displayed a selection of members photographs and raised in excess of pound420 on the night

Thatcham Court Nursing Home Thatcham Court Nursing Home was opened officially on 23 September Mr Arnold Peters who plays the character Jack Woolley from BBC Radio 4s The Archers assisted by Ray King Bupa Chief execu-tive formally opened the home by unveil-ing a painting by local artist Sarah Moorcroft Residents relatives and staff enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch See page 40

Feature People and Places - Out and About around Thatcham

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 17

A local charity for local people

providing support care and information

For more information please contact

01635 31542

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

Mobile Paint Pottery Events Host Paint your own Pottery events

at your venue Childrens parties ladies evenings

Rainbows Brownies and much more

Ideal fundraising for both toddler groups and nurseries

Baby and toddler handfoot print sets available

More information wwwpaintpotterycouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 19

Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

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please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

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trok

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Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

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Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

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The photographs below show their work

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Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

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See p 5

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8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Gift Vouchers available for

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

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since 2000

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BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

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Tel 01635 200021

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Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

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Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

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Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

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RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

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December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

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I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

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Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 13: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 15

Bucklebury Farm Park Tractor John Millard and Gemma Howes are seen here picking the lucky winners of last issues competition John is the guide and conductor on the farms popular tractor and trailer rides around the Park Gemma is one of the team of animal keepers and enjoys introducing visitors to the farms favourite residents including miniature donkeys Shet-land ponies cows sheep llamas wild boar and kune pigs as well as the cuddly collec-tion of rabbits and guinea pigs

Macmillan Cancer Support Over pound500 was raised at a local coffee morning on 26th September

40000 coffee mornings throughout the country took place in a bid to raise over pound8m Macmillan are constantly holding fundraising events to raise much needed money for those affected by cancer To learn more about the wonderful work Mac-millan does log on to

wwwmacmillanorguk

The Tanzania Project On 17 September Thatcham Photographic Club were invited to help Kennet School in raising funds to send 30 of its students to assist in renovating a village school in Mbokomu The aim of the project is to pro-vide a safe and stimulating environment for the local school children Huge works have to be done before this is achieved Thatcham Photographic Club displayed a selection of members photographs and raised in excess of pound420 on the night

Thatcham Court Nursing Home Thatcham Court Nursing Home was opened officially on 23 September Mr Arnold Peters who plays the character Jack Woolley from BBC Radio 4s The Archers assisted by Ray King Bupa Chief execu-tive formally opened the home by unveil-ing a painting by local artist Sarah Moorcroft Residents relatives and staff enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch See page 40

Feature People and Places - Out and About around Thatcham

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A local charity for local people

providing support care and information

For more information please contact

01635 31542

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

Mobile Paint Pottery Events Host Paint your own Pottery events

at your venue Childrens parties ladies evenings

Rainbows Brownies and much more

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Baby and toddler handfoot print sets available

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 19

Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

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With Christmas approaching why not let us make Your Home Sparkle

Lady Painter Jackie Cleaver

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please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

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Nightingales Swim School

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Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

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Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

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Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

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Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

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See p 5

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The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

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THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

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Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

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or just not the faintest idea where

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hardware needs

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L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

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To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

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Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

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Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

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bull Install laminate flooring

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

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Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

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Page 14: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Bucklebury Farm Park Tractor John Millard and Gemma Howes are seen here picking the lucky winners of last issues competition John is the guide and conductor on the farms popular tractor and trailer rides around the Park Gemma is one of the team of animal keepers and enjoys introducing visitors to the farms favourite residents including miniature donkeys Shet-land ponies cows sheep llamas wild boar and kune pigs as well as the cuddly collec-tion of rabbits and guinea pigs

Macmillan Cancer Support Over pound500 was raised at a local coffee morning on 26th September

40000 coffee mornings throughout the country took place in a bid to raise over pound8m Macmillan are constantly holding fundraising events to raise much needed money for those affected by cancer To learn more about the wonderful work Mac-millan does log on to

wwwmacmillanorguk

The Tanzania Project On 17 September Thatcham Photographic Club were invited to help Kennet School in raising funds to send 30 of its students to assist in renovating a village school in Mbokomu The aim of the project is to pro-vide a safe and stimulating environment for the local school children Huge works have to be done before this is achieved Thatcham Photographic Club displayed a selection of members photographs and raised in excess of pound420 on the night

Thatcham Court Nursing Home Thatcham Court Nursing Home was opened officially on 23 September Mr Arnold Peters who plays the character Jack Woolley from BBC Radio 4s The Archers assisted by Ray King Bupa Chief execu-tive formally opened the home by unveil-ing a painting by local artist Sarah Moorcroft Residents relatives and staff enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a buffet lunch See page 40

Feature People and Places - Out and About around Thatcham

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 17

A local charity for local people

providing support care and information

For more information please contact

01635 31542

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

Mobile Paint Pottery Events Host Paint your own Pottery events

at your venue Childrens parties ladies evenings

Rainbows Brownies and much more

Ideal fundraising for both toddler groups and nurseries

Baby and toddler handfoot print sets available

More information wwwpaintpotterycouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 19

Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

01635 873911

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With Christmas approaching why not let us make Your Home Sparkle

Lady Painter Jackie Cleaver

07771 636990

Supply and fit hardwood flooring Restore and repair original floors

Free Quotes Personal and Professional Service

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Tel 01488 684078 Mob 07931330310

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please see also page 25

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 23

M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

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bull Fun French

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bull Arts and Crafts

bull Woodland Adventures bull Healthy home cooked

meals bull Ofsted Registered

Nightingales Swim School

Small friendly classes for all ages amp abilities

Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

Call now for availability

Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

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Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

01635 201854

01635 201623

Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

01635 2000 00

01635 202232

See p 5

01635 202300

The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

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Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work

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01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

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bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

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Theresa has her own

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of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

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THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

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Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

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Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

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First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

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To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

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Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

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bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

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SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

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bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

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Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

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Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 15: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 17

A local charity for local people

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Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

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please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

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Office 01635 866546

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Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

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The photographs below show their work

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8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Gift Vouchers available for

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

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Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

NEED AN MOT Cars Mini Buses Light

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01635 876777

Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTSRECOVERY SERVICE

BIG VALUE FIXED PRICE SERVICE WITH FREE MOT Price includes service parts labour amp VAT Offer only available on 4 cyl cars up to 2000cc

WE CAN HELP

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pound119 INCLUDING FREE MOT

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Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

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Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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07875386490

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Priors Court Road - Hermitage

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fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

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TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

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hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

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and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

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on 01635 202001

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To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

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Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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bull Install laminate flooring

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bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 16: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Contact Joanna on 01635 863309

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 19

Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

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Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

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8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

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PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

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THE SIX BELLS

The Green

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ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

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Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

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Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

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We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

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or just not the faintest idea where

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L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

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With people living longer

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and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

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on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

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To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

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I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

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Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

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PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 17: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 19

Child Contact and Child Support following a Relationship Breakdown Separating parents have much to con-tend with particu-larly in the current economic climate When a relationship breaks down it is often a challenge to find a financial solu-tion that is fair and acceptable to both

parties whilst ensuring that the needs of any dependant children are met Lucy Savage Legal Executive in the Family Team at Gardner Leader LLP takes a closer look at the separate is-sues of child contact and Child Support that arise in these circumstances Through the financial maze that the family is navigating following a relation-ship breakdown of primary importance are the many and varied needs of the children The children need to know that even though their parents no longer love each other they (the chil-dren) are loved by both parents irre-spective of the financial arrangements that are made following the relationship breakdown As far as possible they should be kept unaware of any difficul-ties that the parents are having in reaching an agreement over who lives where and who receives what When however the parents have reached agreement it is very important for both parents to take part in telling the chil-dren the future plans The parents will endeavour to make arrangements for the children to have contact with the parent with whom they are no longer living and in addition will try to agree the level of Child Support payments that will be made by the non-resident parent Some will involve the Child Support Agency (CSA) and others will make their own informal arrange-ments Sometimes a situation arises where a

non-resident parent is not making any child maintenance payments perhaps because of unemployment or with no justifiable grounds but still wants to see the children what hap-pens then Some parents struggle with the notion that contact with children is neither parents right but rather the childs right to a good relationship with both parents wherever pos-sible It may seem unfair that a parent who for example is self employed gets away with reduced Child Support payments be-cause their income is difficult to prove but then expects to be allowed to take their children on holiday for a week Perhaps the CSA makes an odd decision as to the level of payments that doesnt seem fair Is it there-fore OK to stop or reduce contact with the children until the non-resident parent pays a fairer amount or insist on the number of overnight visits being reduced so that the CSA payment is increased

The legal precedent in the UK provides that child contact and Child Support payments should not be connected Clearly committed parents will do their utmost to ensure the best possible standard of living for their chil-dren by making their Child Support payments as generous as possible but such payments are not a prerequisite to contact taking place childrens time is not for sale Stopping contact can in certain circumstances be very detrimental to a child who may then think that they are to blame The Family Team at Gardner Leader is com-mitted to assisting families in reaching agree-ments on relationship breakdown that put the best interests of the children first as the vast majority of parents understandably wish to do

Gardner Leader

Contact Lucy Savage Legal Executive Gardner Leader LLP Tel 01635 508100 Please also see page 6 8

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 21

please see also page 25

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 23

M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 25

Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

Office 01635 866546

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gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

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Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

01635 201854

01635 201623

Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

01635 2000 00

01635 202232

See p 5

01635 202300

The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

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THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

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Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

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3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

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Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

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Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

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Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

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bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

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Theresa has her own

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of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

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or just not the faintest idea where

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07979378408 or 01635 299429

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Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

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PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

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bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

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Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 18: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

LLLOCALOCALOCAL R R RESIDENTIALESIDENTIALESIDENTIAL C C CLEANINGLEANINGLEANING S S SERVICESERVICESERVICES

Hate Housework We Love It Local Resident Phil Ryder has recently taken on a myhome franchise covering the Thatcham area Phil recognises that time is precious and that everyone needs to spend valuable time at home - sometimes without having to do the cleaning Phil heads up a team of highly-trained fully insured cleaning professionals who have undergone a strict vetting proc-ess including police checks myhomes cleaning service is tailored to meet the individual needs of each client so before Phil can prepare a personalised quota-tion he will visit the client at their property to assess their requirements and discuss any special requests Phil explains Most customers opt for a fort-nightly clean as the service is so thorough But our service is flexible and our one-off cleaning services are also great for people in a variety of situations - moving into a new home vacating rental accommodation and undergoing the dreaded inventory check - or in emergency situations such as after parties before family are due or after the builders have been in

01635 873911

wwwmyhomeplccom newburymyhomeplccom

With Christmas approaching why not let us make Your Home Sparkle

Lady Painter Jackie Cleaver

07771 636990

Supply and fit hardwood flooring Restore and repair original floors

Free Quotes Personal and Professional Service

Competitive prices Fully Insured

Tel 01488 684078 Mob 07931330310

wwwoaktree-floorscouk

Hungerford

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please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 25

Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

CHILDRENS

S

trok

e im

prov

ers

s

nork

ellin

g

Divi

ng

We are looking for ASA Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teachers

Small friendly classes Beginners from 3 12 years

BOOK NOW FOR JANUARY TERM COURSE

bull Only 6 children per class

bull Beginners Intermediate amp Advanced Swimmers

bull ASA recognised Award Scheme

bull CRB checked

wwwswimlessonscouk

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Padworth Common Berkshire RG7 4JD 0118 9701600

bull Fun French

bull Music and Dance

bull Soft-play

bull Cooking bull Drama

bull Early Years Foundations Stage

bull Gardening bull Fantastic Outdoor

play facilities bull Animal Care

bull Arts and Crafts

bull Woodland Adventures bull Healthy home cooked

meals bull Ofsted Registered

Nightingales Swim School

Small friendly classes for all ages amp abilities

Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

Call now for availability

Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

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Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

01635 201854

01635 201623

Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

01635 2000 00

01635 202232

See p 5

01635 202300

The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Gift Vouchers available for

Christmas Gifts

from as little as pound10 Also

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Mon-Thurs 9am-8pm Fri 9am-6pm Sat 9am-4pm

wwwkavencouk Call to book on 01189 303747

Give the lady in your life a gift that she will

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Show your love and understanding for all the mundane things

she does for you

Send her to be pampered

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Christmas Open Evening 26th November 2008

from 6pm complementary make ups and mini manicures free

Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

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UNIQUE FASHION DESIGNS

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MARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZY

QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

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Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

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01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

NEED AN MOT Cars Mini Buses Light

Commercial Classes 4 5L and 7

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Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTSRECOVERY SERVICE

BIG VALUE FIXED PRICE SERVICE WITH FREE MOT Price includes service parts labour amp VAT Offer only available on 4 cyl cars up to 2000cc

WE CAN HELP

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pound119 INCLUDING FREE MOT

HALFWAY GARAGE Unit 7 Pipers Court Berkshire Drive Thatcham

Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

THATCHATHATCHATHATCHAMMM OUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATION

Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

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OPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PM

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

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ELECTRICIAN

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Priors Court Road - Hermitage

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For a personal and dignified service at all times

lowast Personal Service - 24 Hours lowast Private Chapels of Rest lowast All types of Memorials supplied and

fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

HUNGERFORD

48a High Street Tel 01488 686830

THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

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hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

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to live to 100

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on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

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To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

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Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

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bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 19: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Lady Painter Jackie Cleaver

07771 636990

Supply and fit hardwood flooring Restore and repair original floors

Free Quotes Personal and Professional Service

Competitive prices Fully Insured

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please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

CHILDRENS

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We are looking for ASA Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teachers

Small friendly classes Beginners from 3 12 years

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Nightingales Swim School

Small friendly classes for all ages amp abilities

Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

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Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

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Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

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Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

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See p 5

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The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Gift Vouchers available for

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

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THE SIX BELLS

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

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Property Maintenance

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01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

NEED AN MOT Cars Mini Buses Light

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01635 876777

Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTSRECOVERY SERVICE

BIG VALUE FIXED PRICE SERVICE WITH FREE MOT Price includes service parts labour amp VAT Offer only available on 4 cyl cars up to 2000cc

WE CAN HELP

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pound119 INCLUDING FREE MOT

HALFWAY GARAGE Unit 7 Pipers Court Berkshire Drive Thatcham

Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

THATCHATHATCHATHATCHAMMM OUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATION

Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

macesolutionsyahoocom

NAPIT registered

Free no obligation quote

Fully insured

ELECTRICIAN

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Corporate Accounts Wedding Consultations at a

time to suit you

01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre

Priors Court Road - Hermitage

WWWEEE ALSOALSOALSO OFFEROFFEROFFER AAA LOCALLOCALLOCAL DELIVERYDELIVERYDELIVERY SERVICESERVICESERVICE

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For a personal and dignified service at all times

lowast Personal Service - 24 Hours lowast Private Chapels of Rest lowast All types of Memorials supplied and

fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

HUNGERFORD

48a High Street Tel 01488 686830

THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
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Page 20: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

please see also page 25

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M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

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Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

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Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

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Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

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8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

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PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

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THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

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ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

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bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

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Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

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We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

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or just not the faintest idea where

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L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

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and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

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on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

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To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

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LMC

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I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

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Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

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PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 21: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 23

M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 25

Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

CHILDRENS

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We are looking for ASA Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teachers

Small friendly classes Beginners from 3 12 years

BOOK NOW FOR JANUARY TERM COURSE

bull Only 6 children per class

bull Beginners Intermediate amp Advanced Swimmers

bull ASA recognised Award Scheme

bull CRB checked

wwwswimlessonscouk

wwwjubileedaynurserycouk

Padworth Common Berkshire RG7 4JD 0118 9701600

bull Fun French

bull Music and Dance

bull Soft-play

bull Cooking bull Drama

bull Early Years Foundations Stage

bull Gardening bull Fantastic Outdoor

play facilities bull Animal Care

bull Arts and Crafts

bull Woodland Adventures bull Healthy home cooked

meals bull Ofsted Registered

Nightingales Swim School

Small friendly classes for all ages amp abilities

Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

Call now for availability

Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 29

Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

01635 201854

01635 201623

Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

01635 2000 00

01635 202232

See p 5

01635 202300

The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 31

Gift Vouchers available for

Christmas Gifts

from as little as pound10 Also

51 CHURCH STREET THEALE READING BERKSHIRE RG7 5BX CLINICCLINICCLINIC

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 33

Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

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since 2000

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BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

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Tel 01635 200021

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mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

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01189 01189 01189

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ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

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Useful Web Addresses

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Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

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Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

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T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

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Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

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or just not the faintest idea where

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L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

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and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

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on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

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LMC

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I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 22: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

M O N K E Y L O O K S F O R W A R D T O W E L C O M I N G Y O U

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 25

Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

CHILDRENS

S

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We are looking for ASA Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teachers

Small friendly classes Beginners from 3 12 years

BOOK NOW FOR JANUARY TERM COURSE

bull Only 6 children per class

bull Beginners Intermediate amp Advanced Swimmers

bull ASA recognised Award Scheme

bull CRB checked

wwwswimlessonscouk

wwwjubileedaynurserycouk

Padworth Common Berkshire RG7 4JD 0118 9701600

bull Fun French

bull Music and Dance

bull Soft-play

bull Cooking bull Drama

bull Early Years Foundations Stage

bull Gardening bull Fantastic Outdoor

play facilities bull Animal Care

bull Arts and Crafts

bull Woodland Adventures bull Healthy home cooked

meals bull Ofsted Registered

Nightingales Swim School

Small friendly classes for all ages amp abilities

Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

Call now for availability

Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

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Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

01635 201854

01635 201623

Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

01635 2000 00

01635 202232

See p 5

01635 202300

The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

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organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

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THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

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3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

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Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

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Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

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bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

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of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

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Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

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PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

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Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

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bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

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Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 23: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 25

Bookings being taken for lessons at Brockhurst School and Downe House School Thatcham

Call 0845 094 1575 (local rate) roseswimlessonscouk

CHILDRENS

S

trok

e im

prov

ers

s

nork

ellin

g

Divi

ng

We are looking for ASA Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teachers

Small friendly classes Beginners from 3 12 years

BOOK NOW FOR JANUARY TERM COURSE

bull Only 6 children per class

bull Beginners Intermediate amp Advanced Swimmers

bull ASA recognised Award Scheme

bull CRB checked

wwwswimlessonscouk

wwwjubileedaynurserycouk

Padworth Common Berkshire RG7 4JD 0118 9701600

bull Fun French

bull Music and Dance

bull Soft-play

bull Cooking bull Drama

bull Early Years Foundations Stage

bull Gardening bull Fantastic Outdoor

play facilities bull Animal Care

bull Arts and Crafts

bull Woodland Adventures bull Healthy home cooked

meals bull Ofsted Registered

Nightingales Swim School

Small friendly classes for all ages amp abilities

Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

Call now for availability

Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

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Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

01635 201854

01635 201623

Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

01635 2000 00

01635 202232

See p 5

01635 202300

The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Gift Vouchers available for

Christmas Gifts

from as little as pound10 Also

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Give the lady in your life a gift that she will

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Show your love and understanding for all the mundane things

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Christmas Open Evening 26th November 2008

from 6pm complementary make ups and mini manicures free

Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 37

The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

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UNIQUE FASHION DESIGNS

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work

Property Maintenance

Part P Registered Electrician

Emergency call out

Free Estimates

01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

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RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

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Some of the Thatcham Team

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December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

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07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

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Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

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I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

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PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 24: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Nightingales Swim School

Small friendly classes for all ages amp abilities

Sunday morning lessons at Downe House School Cold Ash Thatcham

We have some spaces left for this term

Call now for availability

Telephone 01264 771043 or email infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 27

Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

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Berkshire AquaticsBerkshire Aquatics

bull Wide range of Koi and pond fish bull Equipment bull Pond Design amp Build

Paramount Pools LtdParamount Pools LtdParamount Pools Ltd

01635 201854

01635 201623

Newbury Garden BuildingsNewbury Garden Buildings

01635 2000 00

01635 202232

See p 5

01635 202300

The Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse LtdThe Energy Warehouse Ltd

Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Gift Vouchers available for

Christmas Gifts

from as little as pound10 Also

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wwwkavencouk Call to book on 01189 303747

Give the lady in your life a gift that she will

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Show your love and understanding for all the mundane things

she does for you

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Christmas Open Evening 26th November 2008

from 6pm complementary make ups and mini manicures free

Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 37

The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

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UNIQUE FASHION DESIGNS

WHICH ARE

Quirky Classic Vintage Unusual One-off Made to measure Different Also Creative soft furnishings Curtain work High quality alteration

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wwwmarshaswanzycom marsha_swanzyyahoocom

MARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZY

QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work

Property Maintenance

Part P Registered Electrician

Emergency call out

Free Estimates

01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

NEED AN MOT Cars Mini Buses Light

Commercial Classes 4 5L and 7

01635 876777

Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTSRECOVERY SERVICE

BIG VALUE FIXED PRICE SERVICE WITH FREE MOT Price includes service parts labour amp VAT Offer only available on 4 cyl cars up to 2000cc

WE CAN HELP

ONLY

pound119 INCLUDING FREE MOT

HALFWAY GARAGE Unit 7 Pipers Court Berkshire Drive Thatcham

Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

THATCHATHATCHATHATCHAMMM OUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATION

Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E

OPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PM

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-A LARGE ARRAY OF PACKAGING OPTIONS

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

macesolutionsyahoocom

NAPIT registered

Free no obligation quote

Fully insured

ELECTRICIAN

Weddings amp Funerals Bouquets amp Arrangements

Corporate Accounts Wedding Consultations at a

time to suit you

01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre

Priors Court Road - Hermitage

WWWEEE ALSOALSOALSO OFFEROFFEROFFER AAA LOCALLOCALLOCAL DELIVERYDELIVERYDELIVERY SERVICESERVICESERVICE

Geoffrey Church amp Co FUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORS

For a personal and dignified service at all times

lowast Personal Service - 24 Hours lowast Private Chapels of Rest lowast All types of Memorials supplied and

fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

HUNGERFORD

48a High Street Tel 01488 686830

THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 25: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

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Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

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Renewable Energy Showroom amp Consultancy

01635 203344

8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work

Property Maintenance

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Emergency call out

Free Estimates

01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

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Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

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pound119 INCLUDING FREE MOT

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Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

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Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

macesolutionsyahoocom

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Priors Court Road - Hermitage

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fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

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TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

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hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 26: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Office 01635 866546

Ian Douglas 07725 819 652

Mark Lissenden 07742 078 026

gardenthymeserviceshotmailcouk

Garden Thyme Garden Maintenance and Landscape Services

Garden Thyme is run by Ian Douglas and Mark Lissenden Ian and Mark have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge in the gardening sector maintaining and developing private and commercial gardens to a high standard They have won 2 National BALI awards They pride themselves in offering a reliable and professional service

Their services include patio laying pressure washing and lawn treatments (with selective weed killers) garden clearances hedge cutting tree pruning fencing winter digging vegetable planting and af-tercare They offer one-offs weekly fortnightly or monthly visits No job is either too small or too big

Please ring for a very competitive quote

The photographs below show their work

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8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

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Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 35

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 37

The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

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Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

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Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

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WE CAN HELP

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Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

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Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

macesolutionsyahoocom

NAPIT registered

Free no obligation quote

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ELECTRICIAN

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Priors Court Road - Hermitage

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fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

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THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

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bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

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  • 07747 63455613
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  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 27: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

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8

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 33

Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

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Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

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THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

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Pie Week

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ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

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Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

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See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

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of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

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network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

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07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

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To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

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Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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Berkshire RG18 3UE

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bull Install laminate flooring

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

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Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

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Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

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Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

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bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

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Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 28: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

I often think that the night is more alive and more richly coloured than the day Vincent Van Gogh

As the nights draw in its tempting to close the curtains and snuggle up in the warm leaving your garden to natures resting season But the judicious use of outdoor lighting can revolutionise your view of the garden transforming it into a magical and mysterious place

A well designed lighting scheme adds an-other dimension to your garden by high-lighting dramatic plants and producing exciting scenes reminiscent of fairyland

If you dont go into your garden at night admire it from inside by creating a picture from your window Highlight individual aspects such as a particular plant or the branch of a tree nestle small lights among foliage and around containers on

your patio to create subtle pools of illumi-nation Add impact by installing a beam to draw attention to something special like a pond or sculpture

For those of you who use your garden at night whether for summer entertaining or winter peace make sure you provide enough light to enable you to move around safely You dont need to make the light so bright it looks like daylight just enough to prevent accidents Avoid dazzle and also make sure you dont create con-fusing shadows A little light by the door to your garden will make sure that you are not temporarily blinded in the dark-ness and lamps along the pathway so you can see where youre going are enough Less is more as shadows and darkness make the landscape more atmospheric

Place lamps where you have steps and

A Night Garden

Feature Gardening Pages

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 33

Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

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QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

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Theresa has her own

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of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

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Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

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Priors Court Road - Hermitage

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48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

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network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

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07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

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Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

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bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

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Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

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  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 29: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

other unexpected changes of level and if you have a pond a strategically placed light near the water provides a sparkle that is truly ex-quisite and also prevents accidents Spotlight fountains and moving water and ensure the light fitting is not reflected in the water

You must purchase light fittings that are spe-cifically designed for outdoor use as to use any other would be dangerous they are made of corrosion resistant materials and sealed against the weather For more professional and impressive lighting you will need to em-ploy an approved electrical contractor to install your display and make sure all connections are properly sealed and wiring weather-proofed

Remember plants grow and change over the seasons and years so take this into account when positioning permanent lights In the winter garden trees produce dramatic shapes and grasses look particularly spectacular when lit During the summer any white or pale col-oured flowers glow beautifully under illumina-tion and an added dimension of perfume en-hances the night-garden experience

Plan ahead for the summer with the following night scented plants Jasmine which as well as its heady perfume produces a profusion of white flowers that shine in the light Evening Primrose flowers open every evening through-out the summer until the first frosts and Night Scented Stock is appropriately named Nico-tiana or the Tobacco Plant has trumpet shaped blossoms fill the evening air with a delicious scent and Ipomea alba or Moon Flower is an evergreen climber vine that is fragrant all evening

Even at this time of year scent can be experi-enced Sarcococca hookeriana or Christmas Box flowers throughout the winter and cannot be beaten for perfume The tiny unassuming flowers produce a concentrated delectable honey fragrance

Brighten up these dark evenings by bringing some radiance into your garden and while you enjoy your new view plan your summer planting and barbeques in your newly lumi-nous wonderland

copy 2008 Rose Henfrey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 31

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Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 33

Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

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BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

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Tel 01635 200021

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mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

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PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

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ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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Useful Web Addresses

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Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

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Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

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or just not the faintest idea where

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L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

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and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

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To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

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LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

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Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 30: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Gift Vouchers available for

Christmas Gifts

from as little as pound10 Also

51 CHURCH STREET THEALE READING BERKSHIRE RG7 5BX CLINICCLINICCLINIC

KAVENKAVENKAVEN

BEAUTYBEAUTYBEAUTY

Mon-Thurs 9am-8pm Fri 9am-6pm Sat 9am-4pm

wwwkavencouk Call to book on 01189 303747

Give the lady in your life a gift that she will

appreciate

Show your love and understanding for all the mundane things

she does for you

Send her to be pampered

at

Kaven

Christmas Open Evening 26th November 2008

from 6pm complementary make ups and mini manicures free

Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 33

Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

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Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

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The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

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THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

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Pie Week

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ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

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Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

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See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

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Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

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of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

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network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

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07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

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To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

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Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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Berkshire RG18 3UE

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bull Install laminate flooring

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

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Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

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bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

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Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 31: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Of all the senses none surely is so mysterious as that of smell the nature of the emanations that stir it to activity is still unknown its effects upon the

psyche are both wide and deep at once obvious and subtle

from Aromatic and the Souls A Study of Smells by Dr D McKenzie 1923

S cents have the uncanny ability to conjure up memories and emotions in one single whiff A waft of a certain

perfume or aftershave can recall your first love the scent of damp leaves brings childhood recollections of playing outside and Christmas has a set of aromas special to each person The fragrances of the seaside Play Doh wood smoke books certain flowers and wet dog will produce different reminiscences for all of us This is because our sense of smell is directly linked to a part of the brain that automatically creates emotional memories

The allure of perfume is thousands of years old and the first scents used deliberately were aromatic woods and resins that were burnt on fires This method of scenting an area evolved into incense and in fact the word perfume means through smoke Frankincense and myrrh are both derived from tree sap and are naturally associated with Christmas yet few of us know what they actually smell like

The power of the appropriate aroma has been recognised by many businesses the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced buns is piped out in supermarkets to encourage us to buy more estate agents recommend brewing coffee before showing prospective purchasers around the house you are trying to sell and in some countries revitalising scents are wafted into underground train stations to cheer up glum commuters

Although our sense of smell is considered insignificant compared to other animals it is more important than most people realise For example how could you tell whether meat was rotten or milk had turned if you couldnt smell the rancid odour Although we still use oils and incense most

perfume is now packaged in bottles which are often a piece of art in their own right something beautiful to adorn the dressing table and a wonderful gift Many gorgeous perfumes enveloped in stunning containers will be given and received this Christmas

Incorporating scent into everyday life is easy and can prove safer than potentially buying the wrong costly perfume for your loved one Perfumed candles scented hand and body lotion drawer sachets to fragrance your clothes aromatherapy burners and diffusers are all ingenious ways to add some uplifting aroma to yourself and your home

Christmas has its own set of smells that are forever embedded in our minds Christmas dinner plum pudding and brandy cinnamon oranges studded with cloves and pine needles add to the wonderful smell of nostalgia

Perhaps you could find some frankincense and myrrh to add to the scent collection

Feature Christmas Fragrances

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 33

Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

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Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 35

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 37

The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

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MARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZY

QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work

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01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

NEED AN MOT Cars Mini Buses Light

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01635 876777

Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTSRECOVERY SERVICE

BIG VALUE FIXED PRICE SERVICE WITH FREE MOT Price includes service parts labour amp VAT Offer only available on 4 cyl cars up to 2000cc

WE CAN HELP

ONLY

pound119 INCLUDING FREE MOT

HALFWAY GARAGE Unit 7 Pipers Court Berkshire Drive Thatcham

Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

THATCHATHATCHATHATCHAMMM OUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATION

Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

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OPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PM

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

macesolutionsyahoocom

NAPIT registered

Free no obligation quote

Fully insured

ELECTRICIAN

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01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre

Priors Court Road - Hermitage

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lowast Personal Service - 24 Hours lowast Private Chapels of Rest lowast All types of Memorials supplied and

fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

HUNGERFORD

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THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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Page 32: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Boxing Day means something different to everyone For some its a day to spend relaxing at home after the mayhem of Christmas Day children playing with new toys adults recovering from an excess of food and drink Perhaps for you its the day to enjoy one of the many sporting events either on the television or in real life For others its a day to get out and about in the fresh air perhaps going for a nice long walk in the countryside

More recently its become a day for some serious retail therapy as if the run-up to Christmas Day itself wasnt enough with many queuing outside stores from the early hours of the morning in the hope of grabbing a bargain in the sales

But have you ever wondered about the origins of Boxing Day Why does it have such an odd name Many people have pondered this and the truth appears to be hotly disputed While its a public holiday in Britain and a handful of Commonwealth nations other countries dont recognise it at all

Boxing Day has nothing to do with disposing of discarded boxes pugilism or returning unwanted gifts to the shops Its origins lie in the practise of people giving a present to those who had worked for them during the year Other theories postulate different beginnings but the main theme running

through them all is that of gifting those less fortunate than ourselves

From the lord of the manor handing out boxes of food cloth and money to his servants to the Churches opening their alms boxes to help the destitute Boxing Day has a long history of charitable donations and seems to take its name from these various boxes Whereas gifts between those of equal status were given on or before Christmas Day the following day was reserved for recognising those less fortunate members of society whether employees or the generic poor

Boxing Day is also St Stephens Day named for the first Christian martyr His name lives on in the familiar Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas King Wenceslas was a Catholic king of Bohemia in the 10th century and may well have started the notion of benevolence to the underprivileged on the Feast of Stephen when he helped the poor man struggling through the snow So Boxing Day may have a very long history indeed

All this seems to have been largely lost in nowadays Our modern day equivalent is the Christmas bonus or Yuletide tips and Boxing Day is often spent shopping Consumerism has taken over from charity

What does it mean to you

Feature Boxing Day

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 35

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 37

The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 41

UNIQUE FASHION DESIGNS

WHICH ARE

Quirky Classic Vintage Unusual One-off Made to measure Different Also Creative soft furnishings Curtain work High quality alteration

service

07833 778803

Unit 10 Lower Way Farm Thatcham

RG19 3TL

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

wwwmarshaswanzycom marsha_swanzyyahoocom

MARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZY

QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

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07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

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01635 876777

Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTSRECOVERY SERVICE

BIG VALUE FIXED PRICE SERVICE WITH FREE MOT Price includes service parts labour amp VAT Offer only available on 4 cyl cars up to 2000cc

WE CAN HELP

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pound119 INCLUDING FREE MOT

HALFWAY GARAGE Unit 7 Pipers Court Berkshire Drive Thatcham

Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

THATCHATHATCHATHATCHAMMM OUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATION

Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

macesolutionsyahoocom

NAPIT registered

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ELECTRICIAN

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Priors Court Road - Hermitage

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fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

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Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

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bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

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References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
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Page 33: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Organic beef lamb and chicken home

produced on our own farm which has been

certified organic

since 2000

Rare breed organic pork

organic vegetables

BOOKBOOKBOOK YOURYOURYOUR

CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TURKEYTURKEYTURKEY NOWNOWNOW

Eling Farm Hermitage Newbury Berkshire RG18 9XR

Tel 01635 200021

Emailelingfarmclaracouk

Eling Farm is located between Hermitage and Yattendon or between Her-

mitage and Hampstead Norreys just off the B4009

Opening Times

Wednesday Friday and Saturday 9am - 1 pm

PANG VALLEY ORGANICS Organic Produce at an affordable price

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 35

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 37

The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 41

UNIQUE FASHION DESIGNS

WHICH ARE

Quirky Classic Vintage Unusual One-off Made to measure Different Also Creative soft furnishings Curtain work High quality alteration

service

07833 778803

Unit 10 Lower Way Farm Thatcham

RG19 3TL

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

wwwmarshaswanzycom marsha_swanzyyahoocom

MARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZY

QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work

Property Maintenance

Part P Registered Electrician

Emergency call out

Free Estimates

01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

NEED AN MOT Cars Mini Buses Light

Commercial Classes 4 5L and 7

01635 876777

Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTSRECOVERY SERVICE

BIG VALUE FIXED PRICE SERVICE WITH FREE MOT Price includes service parts labour amp VAT Offer only available on 4 cyl cars up to 2000cc

WE CAN HELP

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pound119 INCLUDING FREE MOT

HALFWAY GARAGE Unit 7 Pipers Court Berkshire Drive Thatcham

Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

THATCHATHATCHATHATCHAMMM OUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATION

Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E

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-A LARGE ARRAY OF PACKAGING OPTIONS

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

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ELECTRICIAN

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Priors Court Road - Hermitage

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fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

HUNGERFORD

48a High Street Tel 01488 686830

THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

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The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

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To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

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bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

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Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 34: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 37

The Fox InnThe Fox InnThe Fox Inn High Street Hermitage Berkshire RG18 9RB For reservations and party bookings please call us on 01635 201545 The Fox Inn has a reputation for good food and drink served in the relaxing atmosphere of a traditional country pub complete with timbered beams and wood burning stove Our menu includes a range of reasonable priced home-made meals using fresh produce from local suppliers Listed in The Good Beer Guides 2007 and 2008 you can choose from 4-5 well kept real ales as well as a fine selection of wines and beers We also offer a large choice of soft drinks Our Christmas party menu is now available and for bookings made before 17th November we will offer a 10 discount if you mention that you read about us in Thatcham Connections We look forward to extending you a warn welcome friendly service and the relaxing atmosphere of a real country inn

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 41

UNIQUE FASHION DESIGNS

WHICH ARE

Quirky Classic Vintage Unusual One-off Made to measure Different Also Creative soft furnishings Curtain work High quality alteration

service

07833 778803

Unit 10 Lower Way Farm Thatcham

RG19 3TL

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

wwwmarshaswanzycom marsha_swanzyyahoocom

MARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZY

QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work

Property Maintenance

Part P Registered Electrician

Emergency call out

Free Estimates

01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

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RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

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December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

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I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

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Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 35: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 39

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 41

UNIQUE FASHION DESIGNS

WHICH ARE

Quirky Classic Vintage Unusual One-off Made to measure Different Also Creative soft furnishings Curtain work High quality alteration

service

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MARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZY

QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work

Property Maintenance

Part P Registered Electrician

Emergency call out

Free Estimates

01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

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CALL 07792 812 075 (Newbury based)

Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

macesolutionsyahoocom

NAPIT registered

Free no obligation quote

Fully insured

ELECTRICIAN

Weddings amp Funerals Bouquets amp Arrangements

Corporate Accounts Wedding Consultations at a

time to suit you

01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre

Priors Court Road - Hermitage

WWWEEE ALSOALSOALSO OFFEROFFEROFFER AAA LOCALLOCALLOCAL DELIVERYDELIVERYDELIVERY SERVICESERVICESERVICE

Geoffrey Church amp Co FUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORS

For a personal and dignified service at all times

lowast Personal Service - 24 Hours lowast Private Chapels of Rest lowast All types of Memorials supplied and

fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

HUNGERFORD

48a High Street Tel 01488 686830

THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 36: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

THE SIX BELLS

The Green

Beenham

RG7 5NX

01189 01189 01189

713368713368713368

Four Star Inn

AA rating

Proprietors Glynis amp Chris

CAMRA Pub of the Year West Berkshire Branch Campaign for Real Ale

Pie Week

Come and sample

our infamous

home made pies

Christmas Menu

now available also

New Year Gala Dinner

3 - 9 November

bull For all Ages bull Very Competitive Prices

bull If We Dont Stock It We Can Get It bull All Your Crafting Need In One

K n i t t i n g m a t e r i a l s H a n d M a d e P a p e r D e c o u p a t c h

114 Bartholomew Street Newbury Berkshire RG14 5DT

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 41

UNIQUE FASHION DESIGNS

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MARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZY

QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work

Property Maintenance

Part P Registered Electrician

Emergency call out

Free Estimates

01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

NEED AN MOT Cars Mini Buses Light

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01635 876777

Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTSRECOVERY SERVICE

BIG VALUE FIXED PRICE SERVICE WITH FREE MOT Price includes service parts labour amp VAT Offer only available on 4 cyl cars up to 2000cc

WE CAN HELP

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HALFWAY GARAGE Unit 7 Pipers Court Berkshire Drive Thatcham

Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

THATCHATHATCHATHATCHAMMM OUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATION

Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E

OPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PM

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

macesolutionsyahoocom

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Priors Court Road - Hermitage

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48a High Street Tel 01488 686830

THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 37: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

UNIQUE FASHION DESIGNS

WHICH ARE

Quirky Classic Vintage Unusual One-off Made to measure Different Also Creative soft furnishings Curtain work High quality alteration

service

07833 778803

Unit 10 Lower Way Farm Thatcham

RG19 3TL

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

wwwmarshaswanzycom marsha_swanzyyahoocom

MARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZYMARSHA SWANZY

QUINTESSENTIALLY ENGLISH

ENJOY BEING NOTICED

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work

Property Maintenance

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01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

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Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

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Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

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Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

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Priors Court Road - Hermitage

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TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

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hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 38: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Worrying figures provided by the UK life insurance industry show that only 1 of life insurance policies are written in trust There are major benefits to putting life policies in trust so many thousands of people are missing out

Sometime ago you may have been sold a life insurance policy either by a financial adviser or insurance broker Good finan-cial advisers would explain the options around setting up ei-ther a joint policy or a policy each which can be more tax effi-cient Other options such as life of another may be more appropriate together with a specific trust Today we can buy life insurance cover over the phone on the internet and even when we do the weekly shop These life cover providers are not always in a position to advise on the many options so you never get told about them This is because most people are

primarily concerned with price but they could be making an expensive mistake by not taking professional advice If you need life assurance then speak with an inde-pendent financial adviser (IFA) who can source a competitively priced policy and show you the best way of setting your policy up

So do you need life insurance in trust

Well this very much depends on your own personal circumstances The main benefits are that the policy proceeds are paid out very quickly no need for probate and the policy payout does not form part of your estate for inheritance tax

There are three parties needed for a trust

1 The Settlor - This is you You are gifting this policy into the Trust

2 The Beneficiaries - These are the people who will receive the policy pro-ceeds in the event of death You can nominate spouses children grand-children etc and also specify amounts of money or percentages they will receive

3 The Trustees - These are the people that oversee and look after the Trust Trustees need to ensure that funds are distributed according to the trust deed

Significant Inheritance Tax (IHT) savings can be made by placing life insurance poli-cies into trust as the policy proceeds are paid to the Trust and not your estate A good Financial Adviser can provide basic trust documents for free so there is no addi-tional cost unless your situation is particularly complex An adviser can also make sure you have the right policy For example in many cases having a policy each for mortgage protection can be very similar in cost compared to just having one joint life policy between you so what would you rather have

Make a start today by contacting an independent financial adviser They can assess your requirements and take you through the steps needed to set your life insurance up correctly

With whom have you placed your Trust then

please see page 53 Simon Claxton can be contacted on 01635 202001

Feature Our Financial Expert Simon Claxton

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 43

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work

Property Maintenance

Part P Registered Electrician

Emergency call out

Free Estimates

01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

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Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

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ELECTRICIAN

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Priors Court Road - Hermitage

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fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

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THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

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or just not the faintest idea where

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07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

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Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 39: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 45

Being a mother of young children herself Carrie Nightingale knows how important it is to teach children to swim properly This is why she started Nightingales in 2001 All the teachers in the school are ASA qualified (Amateur Swim-ming Association) and they wel-come all children from 6 months onwards Mums or guardians are welcomed too in the pool - or watching at the side Nightingales also recognises the importance of working with a family wherever possible so that they are either in the pool at the same time or in adjacent lessons

Nightingales Swim School held at held at held at Downe House Downe House Downe House Cold Ash Cold Ash Cold Ash RG18 9JJRG18 9JJRG18 9JJ

One stroke at a time is taught Every child works at his or her own speed This ensures that everyones confidence is built up soundly and systematically Carrie has been teaching on Sunday mornings at Downe House School for the past 5 years As you can see the pool is large and beautiful

on Sunday morningson Sunday morningson Sunday mornings

To enquire about availability please email or call

Carrie Nightingale

infonightingales-swim-schoolcouk wwwnightingales-swim-schoolcouk

01264 771043

See also page 26

Feature Advertiser Profile

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work

Property Maintenance

Part P Registered Electrician

Emergency call out

Free Estimates

01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

NEED AN MOT Cars Mini Buses Light

Commercial Classes 4 5L and 7

01635 876777

Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTSRECOVERY SERVICE

BIG VALUE FIXED PRICE SERVICE WITH FREE MOT Price includes service parts labour amp VAT Offer only available on 4 cyl cars up to 2000cc

WE CAN HELP

ONLY

pound119 INCLUDING FREE MOT

HALFWAY GARAGE Unit 7 Pipers Court Berkshire Drive Thatcham

Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

THATCHATHATCHATHATCHAMMM OUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATION

Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E

OPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PM

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DUPLICATIONDUPLICATIONDUPLICATION

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

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Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

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PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

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Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

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Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 40: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Starting a new business takes guts determination know-how and a little luck Have you got what it takes

Feature Starting a New Business

Fed up with the current gloom and doom messages about the economy yet you have an amazing business idea which youre sure is a winner What do you do now Plan The first thing on the agenda is to formulate a clear business plan You need to know why you are setting up in busi-ness determine your goals and to work out whether there is a market for your goods or services A strong business plan is essential Write everything down as thoughts and ideas tend to evolve better on paper in a struc-tured format and the end product is also essential for negotiating finance should the need arise Competitors Never underestimate them Find out who they are and what they offer Identify their weaknesses then ensure your product or service is that much better You need to work out where you fit in Will your product be cheaper but just as good or more expensive but aimed at the top end of the market Where is your niche Your skills Be honest about these You might have great sales skills but know nothing about finance If you lack an important skill who will provide it If you need to employ staff be honest about their skills too Its tempting to employ a friend or family member when in reality they may not be the person best suited to the job Business Structure Will you be a sole trader a partnership or a limited com-pany All have advantages disadvan-tages and tax implications which will im-pact upon your business

Finance Dont underestimate how much setting up a new business costs Re-search fully and dont be afraid to take advice Even the best idea wont make mega-bucks immediately We all start small and grow with time (Dont I know it - Ed Thatcham

Connections) Ideally you should save enough money to keep you going through the early stages Remember to research any grants or low interest loans which might be available to you If this is not an option your well-researched business plan should help you to secure extra finance from a financial institution Recognise the importance of generating cash and keeping it flowing If cash flow gets blocked explore alternative ideas for funding Invoice financing for instance can release up to 85 of cash held in unpaid invoices Its important to be realistic When you fill in cash-flow forecasts and operating budgets make sure that the break-even point is set at a comfortable level Then monitor your actual performance against your forecasts Credit Try to negotiate longer credit terms with suppliers and shorter terms with customers Consider how early set-tlement or volume discounts could bene-fit your business

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work

Property Maintenance

Part P Registered Electrician

Emergency call out

Free Estimates

01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

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Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTSRECOVERY SERVICE

BIG VALUE FIXED PRICE SERVICE WITH FREE MOT Price includes service parts labour amp VAT Offer only available on 4 cyl cars up to 2000cc

WE CAN HELP

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Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

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Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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Priors Court Road - Hermitage

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48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

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L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

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and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

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on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

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To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

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Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

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bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

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bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 41: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 47

ACCOUNTANCY AND TAX SERVICES FOR

SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SELF-EMPLOYED

Business Accounts Self Assessment Returns

VAT Buy-to-Let CIS Payroll

Meetings at HomeBusiness Fees fixed in advance

(01635) 582829

EEELECTRICALLECTRICALLECTRICAL amp P amp P amp PROPERTYROPERTYROPERTY SSSERVICESERVICESERVICES For all domestic electrical work

Property Maintenance

Part P Registered Electrician

Emergency call out

Free Estimates

01635 860126

07786 846 367

infoabc-electrical-propertycouk

Useful Web Addresses

wwwbusinesslinkgovuk Phone 0845 600 9 006 wwwsbsgovuk (Small Business Service) Phone 0207 215 5000 wwwhmrcgovuk (Inland Revenue) wwwsmallbusinessadviceorguk Phone 01234 831 623 wwwnfeacom (National Federation of Enterprise Agencies)

Review suppliers regularly to ensure their prices are still competitive Seek Advice There is plenty of free ad-vice available through local enterprise agencies Business Link and bank manag-ers Dont ignore paid advice though Finan-cial advisers accountants and solicitors can be very useful but choose carefully Visit several before you make a decision and dont just choose the cheapest You need someone who appreciates your needs and understands the direction youre heading A good external adviser can stop you making rash andor disastrous business decisions Contingencies Think about life cover and key person insurance What would happen if you or one of your key people couldnt work Is your product protected Do you understand tax and employer

obligations Have you considered your public liability requirements Take action now Finally Expect to take a few knocks Every business will experience difficulties at some point If youre flexible creative professional and optimistic it will make glitches much easier to overcome

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

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RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

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December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

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I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

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Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 42: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Enjoy Christmas without the Guilt

I am often asked What should my ideal

weight be This is such a difficult ques-

tion to answer I feel that too much em-

phasis is put on weight and not enough

emphasis on being healthy

The first consideration is body shape

Unless you go under the knife there are

certain factors that wont change If you

were born a pear shape (small waist and

large thighs) no amount of dieting is

going to change that In fact you could

end up looking really ill And as you get

older there are body changes that are

going to happen - come what may

However a healthy body of whatever

age will make you look great Well toned

muscles give good body shape and a

clear skin achieved by a healthy diet

makes a person look well at any age

How do you achieve this The answer is

surprisingly simple but difficult to follow

Eat a healthy diet drink water take ex-

ercise What could be easier

Eating a healthy diet means avoiding

processed foods saturated fats refined

sugars and grains Processed and refined

foods are very addictive There is an ad-

vert for a certain type of crisp snack

which says You just cant pop one Too

right you end up munching the whole

bowlful because once those chemicals hit

your digestive system your body craves

more Refined grains (white flour prod-

ucts) are quick to digest and are far less

satisfying than unrefined grains

(wholewheat products oats and rye)

which take longer to digest and therefore

stay in the stomach longer keeping you

feeling full This is

why you often feel

really hungry half

way through the

morning if all you

have had for break-

fast is a slice of white

toast In fact if you

have a white bread

sandwich at lunch-

time too you are go-

ing to have a serious blood sugar drop in

the afternoon and that is when all resolve

goes out of the window as you grab the

nearest chocolate biscuit to appease those

lowered blood sugar cravings

Drinking water is good for you It keeps

you hydrated and therefore keeps your

organs healthy and your brain working A

2 drop in hydration causes difficulty with

simple maths problems and fuzzy thinking

A little alcohol goes a long way Im afraid

all the calories in alcohol are empty which

means that they just go to building fat

Both tea and coffee are dehydrating and

can induce stress as caffeine increases the

heart rate

Exercise is not so hard either We live in

one of the most beautiful parts of South-

ern England Get out there and go for a

walk Join a local dancing class even bet-

ter go with your partner and make it a fun

night out We are well served with local

swimming pools riding schools badmin-

ton tennis squash rugby and football

clubs There really is no excuse The Catch

22 is that you feel too tired to exercise

however if you made the effort to exercise

you would have so much more energy

See page 50

Feature Our Health Therapist - Theresa Wright

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

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Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

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01635 876777

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Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

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L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

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LMC

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07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

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Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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Page 43: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 49

The school offers a range of dance classes for adults - Ballroom Latin American and Sequence Dancing All abilities welcome from two left footers with little sense of rhythm to those who wish to improve their technique and style - up to and including competition standard Classes in Cold Ash amp Newbury

01635 580930

www1stepaheadinfo School of DanceSchool of DanceSchool of Dance

Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery Down to Earth Nursery 01635 861005 Lower Henwick Farm Turnpike Rd Thatcham wwwdown2earthnurserycouk

Specialising in original Hanging Baskets - flowers amp edible

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

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TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

bull AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

bull FITNESS amp HEALTH CONSULTATION

bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

bull SIX WEEK HEALTHY EATING PROGRAMME

Theresa has her own

exclusive private gym and clinic - so you can be assured

of total privacy

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

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RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

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December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

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UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

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Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

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I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

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Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

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Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 44: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

THERESA WRIGHT HEALTH THERAPIST

T 0118 9710255 M 0777 5708431 E theresatheresamwrightcom W wwwtheresamwrightcom

TREATMENTS

bull REMEDIAL MASSSAGE THERAPY

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bull ONE ON ONE FITNESS COACHING

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Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

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Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

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December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

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Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

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Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

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Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

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Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

That

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  • Judy 13
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Page 45: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Bernies Hair amp Beauty Barn

Kennet Holme Farm Buildings Bath Road Midgham RG7 5UX Telephone 01189 713 562

Kim Jones

With 8 years beauty experience Kim delivers a high quality service in all of her treatments This is supported by extensive product knowledge including Dermalogica Bio sculpture Jessica manicures and pedicures Fake bake tanning Crystal clear microdermabrasion and Hot stone massage For more information and bookings please call 07717507839

Martin has over fifteen years of international experience as a professional hair stylist He has worked extensively throughout Europe including West End London Martin brings special flair and passion for hairdressing Maybe he can inspire you to have a great hair cut or hair up For a free consultation please call me Stay beautiful 07766765109

Martin-Roman Karlsson

Jill Wolstenholme Whilst many see a massage as a luxury item Jill believes it can benefit all Whether its ability to combat stress ease aches and pains or just for relaxation purposes she is keen to promote it as part of our everyday lives Her range of treatments include Swedish and Indian Head Massage Remedial Pregnancy and Hot Stone Massage - or a luxurious Ayurvedic Facial For more information please call Jill 07786 415177

Midgham amp Woolhampton pages

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

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Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

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December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

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Priors Court Road - Hermitage

WWWEEE ALSOALSOALSO OFFEROFFEROFFER AAA LOCALLOCALLOCAL DELIVERYDELIVERYDELIVERY SERVICESERVICESERVICE

Geoffrey Church amp Co FUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORS

For a personal and dignified service at all times

lowast Personal Service - 24 Hours lowast Private Chapels of Rest lowast All types of Memorials supplied and

fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

HUNGERFORD

48a High Street Tel 01488 686830

THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 46: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

When was the last time you went to see your favourite band live Time was when tours were infrequent and tickets like gold-dust but as the recording industry goes through its latest seismic shift theres never been a better time to see some great live music B a n d s a n d musicians used to tour to hone their m u s i c a n d promote albums Pink Floyd for e x a m p l e previewed large chunks of Wish You Were Here some months before it came out on LP Tours were a necessary requirement but rarely made money and lets be honest the sound quality was often poor Today bands tour to earn their income to sell CDs and promote themselves as a brand and to get close to their fans Long time bands who havent troubled the charts in years can still make a good living on the live circuit back catalogues sell well and theyre often keen to collect your e-mail address so that newsletters and offers can be sent out to you Up and coming bands tour to get recognition and although they release CDs theyre often self-issued as record companies tighten their purse-strings and sign fewer and fewer artists They too want e-mail addresses but also use My Space and Facebook and all the other social networking-sites on the web to provide extra value Touring is where the money is and CDs are almost incidental Just take a look in your local paper or any of the music magazines to see the huge range of acts appearing live near you As always where theres money there are companies keen to help things along not just promoters and

venue staff but specialist organisations who actually sign bands and artists even though they wont be releasing music big names like Paul McCartney Madonna and Joni Mitchell have signed up to such firms

its all about getting a good return from the tours and a good experience fo r the a u d i e n c e too T i c k e t -buying is so much easier these days t o o whether by phone or

web and even though you may well have to cough up a handling charge its rare that you cant get tickets for most artists Of course there are exceptions the 2009 Led Zeppelin tour or a major artist playing a small venue as a one-off but usually the customer wins out

Venues too are getting more savvy the Millennium Dome was a flop but turn it into the O2 Arena and suddenly major bands are attracted by its 25000 indoor capacity Artists can play a series of dates at the same venue thus saving on travel and still enabling many fans to get to see them because of its central location But as with the huge explosion in music festivals in recent years the growth must slow down soon already some venues rely on tribute acts to subsidise bands promoting original music and if we go too far down that road venues will soon decline in number So forget the economic woes of the world get out there to enjoy fabulous live music and do your bit to keep the British music industry alive and thriving Alan Dorey wwwthemusicalbuscom

Got Live if you want it

Feature Music Movies amp More - News amp Views with Alan Dorey

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RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

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December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

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Feature Community pages

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The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

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Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

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Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 47: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 53

Specialists in plumbing and heating We are registered to install and service all systems

We offer many other maintenance services including

bull Electrical bull Carpentry bull Small Building bull Installing bathrooms and kitchens

We always offer free quotes for our services and free call outs

Call us now on 01635 826770 or 07771 653289

THATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURYTHATCHAM amp NEWBURY MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES MAINTENANCE SERVICES plumbing heating electrical carpentry

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01635 876777

Free CollectionDeliveryFree Courtesy Car on all servicing and repairs Subject to availability

AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTSRECOVERY SERVICE

BIG VALUE FIXED PRICE SERVICE WITH FREE MOT Price includes service parts labour amp VAT Offer only available on 4 cyl cars up to 2000cc

WE CAN HELP

ONLY

pound119 INCLUDING FREE MOT

HALFWAY GARAGE Unit 7 Pipers Court Berkshire Drive Thatcham

Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

THATCHATHATCHATHATCHAMMM OUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATION

Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E

OPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PMOPEN FROM 6AM TO 6PM

J7 CD amp DVDCD amp DVDCD amp DVD

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-A LARGE ARRAY OF PACKAGING OPTIONS

-VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR A QUOTE

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

07875386490

macesolutionsyahoocom

NAPIT registered

Free no obligation quote

Fully insured

ELECTRICIAN

Weddings amp Funerals Bouquets amp Arrangements

Corporate Accounts Wedding Consultations at a

time to suit you

01635 202232 Hillier Garden Centre

Priors Court Road - Hermitage

WWWEEE ALSOALSOALSO OFFEROFFEROFFER AAA LOCALLOCALLOCAL DELIVERYDELIVERYDELIVERY SERVICESERVICESERVICE

Geoffrey Church amp Co FUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORSFUNERAL DIRECTORS

For a personal and dignified service at all times

lowast Personal Service - 24 Hours lowast Private Chapels of Rest lowast All types of Memorials supplied and

fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

HUNGERFORD

48a High Street Tel 01488 686830

THATCHAM

Churchgate The Broadway Tel 01635 868444

TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

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hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

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bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 48: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee Freshly Ground Coffee for On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l efor On the Go peop l e has arr ived in has arr ived in has arr ived in

THATCHATHATCHATHATCHAMMM OUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATIONOUTSIDE THE TRAIN STATION

Cheer up the day Cheer up the day Cheer up the day with a coffee with a coffee with a coffee

F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y C O F F E EC O F F E EC O F F E E F U N K Y F U N K Y F U N K Y

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Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

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0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

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December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

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HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

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L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

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I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

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PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 49: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Useful local phone numbers Emergency Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505 British Gas Emergency 080 111 999 Thames Water Emergency 0845 9200 888 Southern Electric Emergency 0845 770 8090 Travel Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Newbury Buses 01635 567500 Council West Berks District Council 01635 42 00 Thatcham Town Council 01635 863592 Police Station 0845 8505505 West Berks Street Care 01635 519080 Post Office Broadway Thatcham 01635 8623223 Woolhampton 0118 9713729

RSPCA 08705 555999 DVLA Swansea 0172 782341 Victim Support 0845 30 30 900 Health Thatcham Medical Practice 01635 867171 Doctors appointments 01635 871117 Appointment cancellations 01635 295445 All other appointmentscalls 01635 295445 Burdwood Surgery 01635 868006 Newbury Hospital 01635 273300 Vet OGormon Slater amp Main 01635 868382 GKG Veterinary Surgeons 01635 868047 Library 01635 866049 Mon 930-500 Tues 930-700 Wed - not open

Thurs 930 - 500 Fri 930 - 700 Sat 930 - 1230

West Call

IF YOU NEED A DOCTOR

OUT OF HOURS

PHONE

0118 9787811

Some of the Thatcham Team

Thatchams COMMUNITY RESPONDERS

0800 587 02070800 587 02070800 587 0207 We are waiting to hear from you

wwwsoutherncentralambulancecouk

December 2008 Last Posting Times Thatcham Community Traders

Thatcham

Catholic Hall Sunday 30 November

230 - 430 pm

For more details 01635 202 003

UK Mon 15 Dec Standard Parcels Thurs 18 Dec Second Class Sat 20 Dec First Class Fri 19 Dec Special Delivery (Saturday guarantee) Tues 23 Dec Special Delivery

International Airmail Fri 5 Dec South amp Central America Caribbean Africa Middle East Asia Far East New Zealand amp Australia Wed 10 Dec Japan USA Canada amp Eastern Europe Fri 12 Dec Western Europe

Feature Community pages

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

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TADLEY

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

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First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

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bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

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bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 50: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 57

The Parade will depart at approximately 1035 am from Waitrose Car Park march along Station Road Broadway High Street A4 to the War Memorial A service will take place at the War Memorial with a two minute silence at 1100 am The Parade will then march to St Marys Church where there will be another short service

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow

old Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them Laurence Binyon

The switching on of the Christmas Lights in Thatcham will take place in the Broadway on Friday 5th December As in previous years there will be entertainment and lots of fun for the family

There will be community carol singing sea-sonal entertainment from Kennet School Trin-ity School and Spurcroft Primary School plus performances from KATS and Cold Ash Brass Band Community organisations will provide stalls offering food game and gifts It is hoped that Island Donkey Sanctuary will once again be in attendance Many of the shops will stay open late providing an opportunity for Christ-mas shopping

Of course Father Christmas will be appearing and children will have the opportunity to meet him and receive a small present Additional entertainment in Santas Grotto will be pro-vided by a Face Painter and Balloon Modeller

The theme this year will be Pantomime and shops in the town are invited to take part in a window dressing competition organised by Thatcham Chamber of Commerce and Trade Other competitions are planned including a treasure hunt and fancy dress competition And with the theme being Pantomime there will of course be a Best Dame competition for adults

The entertainment on the stage starts at 600 pm

Remembrance Day Parade Sunday 9 November 2008

Switching on Christmas Lights Friday 5 December

The National Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas Stafford-shire is a wonderful memorial to all those lost on the battle fields

Christmas Celebrations

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fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

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or just not the faintest idea where

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L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

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Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

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First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

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To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

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Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

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Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

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Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

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Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

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PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 51: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

COMMERCIAL AND DOMESTIC

WHEELERS GREEN WAY THATCHAM

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For a personal and dignified service at all times

lowast Personal Service - 24 Hours lowast Private Chapels of Rest lowast All types of Memorials supplied and

fixed lowast Pre-payment Funeral Plans available lowast Enquiries welcome

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TADLEY

48 Bishopswood Road Tel 0118 9814420

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

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or just not the faintest idea where

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L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

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With people living longer

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Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

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First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

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To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

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Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

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Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

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ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

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bull Install laminate flooring

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bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

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Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

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PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

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bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

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Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 52: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 59

HOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLEHOME COMPUTER TROUBLE---SHOOTERSHOOTERSHOOTER

Having trouble understanding your computer

Using e-mails Internet browsing creating

address bookslabels or invitationscards digital photos

or just not the faintest idea where

to start Need to set up a wireless

network converting to broadband or any other

hardware needs

Im here to help Contact Sarah Sladen

07979378408 or 01635 299429

L E T S F A C E F A C T S

Fusion Financial Management is a trading name of 2plan Ltd 2plan Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority It is entered on

the FSA register (wwwfsagovuk) under reference 461598

With people living longer

the strain on State benefits growing

and 1 in 9 baby Boomers forecast

to live to 100

Call Simon Claxton at Fusion Financial Management

on 01635 202001

First meeting is free to establish whether I can help

Would you like

The Truth about what you should and shouldnt do with your money

To get a f irmer idea of where you are heading f inancial ly

To check that your existing provisions such as l i fe assurance or pensions are really r ight for you

To take control of your f inances without necessari ly being sold anything - and see your l i festyle improve

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 53: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Locally based

Tel Mike Charlton on (M) 07895088910 (H) 01189 714034

LMC

Tracey Mobile Hairdressing

07770 823283

I offer quality personal affordable hair-dressing in the comfort of your own home at a time to suit you

Based on Dunstan Park I can travel to you in Thatcham and the surrounding villages

Please call if you would like to make an appointment

Tel 07770 823283 Email Traceyblicktiscalicouk Discounts available for double and group adult bookings

FREE FITTING FREE

MEASURING

SHOWROOM HIGH ST THATCHAM

bull Romans bull Wood Venetian bull Pleated bull Vertical Blinds bull Rollers bull Plantation Shutters bull Conservatory Blinds

Keenest Prices - Best Service We are a local family business

Call PAUL or SUE 01635 866600

wwwsmart_blindsnet

SSSMARTMARTMART B B BLINDSLINDSLINDS amp Samp Samp SHUTTERSHUTTERSHUTTERS

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 54: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 61

Locals Who LaunchLocals Who LaunchLocals Who Launch

12 Lamb Close Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3UE

01635 872285 07849078204

bull Woodworkdecorating

bull Install laminate flooring

bull Flat pack assembly

bull Shelving

bull Garden Tidying shed building

bull Any jobs that need doing around the house or garden

I am reliable and honest

Reasonable costs

References available

Fully insured

Having worked for 27 years within the construction industry and with a love of outdoor work it is not surprising that Pete is now launching his new business as a Handyman Pete can do most things around the house and garden (See below for a selection of tasks) He is equally happy to tackle both the small and the not so small

wwwberkshirehandymanservicescouk

PETER KIRKHAM YOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 55: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Feature Thatcham Connections Challenge page

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 56: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 63

Hermitage based

Thatcham based

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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Page 57: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Editor Ursula Aitken Telephone 0118 9886070 Email ursulathatchamconnectionscouk

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advert All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication Adverts are accepted on the under-standing that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate Thatcham Connections does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - elec-tronic mechanical photocopying or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher Publisher Thatcham Connections

As ancient as Homers Odyssey with more translations and revered as a sacred text by Hindus and Buddhists alike The Ramayana is the most famous literary work in the Indian East In the West however it is relatively unknown

Discovering the tale during a spiritual quest to India in his youth journalist and broadcaster Martin Buckley became fascinated by the dynamic work behind the sanitised western translations He determined to return to the country of its origin retracing the story across the geography of India and Sri Lanka

Along his Indian Odyssey Buckley reveals the true influence of the tale on the development of the countrys religion and politics Often finding himself in dangerous circumstances he unveils the devastating results of the civil war in Sri Lanka and the role The Ramayana has played in forming the beliefs of its activists

Woven through his travelogue is Buckleys own very abridged version of the tale taken almost entirely from Valmiki the first version to be committed to verse As eye-opening as Buckleys journey turns out to be this fiery story of honour power and desire leaves the reader wishing for more

Martin Buckley An Indian Odyssey

(Hutchinson Hbk 2008) pound1899

6000 copies of Thatcham Connections are distributed FREE of charge five times a year to Thatcham Cold Ash Hermitage Curridge Yattendon Midgham and Woolhampton TO ADVERTISE Please call or email Ursula Aitken ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 988 6070

Advertising and Distribution

DISTRIBUTION

Feature Book Review - Non Fiction

Please note our next copy date is9th January 2009

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Tiling Specialist13
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 ENU (Use these settings to create Adobe PDF documents best suited for high-quality prepress printing Created PDF documents can be opened with Acrobat and Adobe Reader 50 and later)13 gtgt13 Namespace 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PDFXOutputIntentProfileSelector DocumentCMYK13 PreserveEditing true13 UntaggedCMYKHandling LeaveUntagged13 UntaggedRGBHandling UseDocumentProfile13 UseDocumentBleed false13 gtgt13 ]13gtgt setdistillerparams13ltlt13 HWResolution [2400 2400]13 PageSize [612000 792000]13gtgt setpagedevice13

Page 58: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 65

Bruce Bamber Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling

Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP)

Who said life was easy Whether as a last resort to get things back to how they used to be or to make things better than they ever have been counselling may be able to help depression - stress - bereavement relationship difficulties - anxiety - self esteem - guilt - sexual issues - confidence - anger - self-harm - coping - life choices - abuse

t 07769 783424 Based in Newbury

Confidential Counselling ServiceConfidential Counselling Service

Concrete Pumping Services

278A Benham Hill Thatcham

Berkshire RG18 3AJ

bull Mobile Concrete Service bull For many jobs including beautiful patios bull For style bull For inaccessible places bull Trade and DIY

Mobile 07515 154722

Telephone 01635 865069 Email alan24_7btopenworldcom

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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 SUO 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 SVE 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 ENU (Use these settings to create Adobe PDF documents best suited for high-quality prepress printing Created PDF documents can be opened with Acrobat and Adobe Reader 50 and later)13 gtgt13 Namespace [13 (Adobe)13 (Common)13 (10)13 ]13 OtherNamespaces [13 ltlt13 AsReaderSpreads false13 CropImagesToFrames true13 ErrorControl WarnAndContinue13 FlattenerIgnoreSpreadOverrides false13 IncludeGuidesGrids false13 IncludeNonPrinting false13 IncludeSlug false13 Namespace [13 (Adobe)13 (InDesign)13 (40)13 ]13 OmitPlacedBitmaps false13 OmitPlacedEPS false13 OmitPlacedPDF false13 SimulateOverprint Legacy13 gtgt13 ltlt13 AddBleedMarks false13 AddColorBars false13 AddCropMarks false13 AddPageInfo false13 AddRegMarks false13 ConvertColors ConvertToCMYK13 DestinationProfileName ()13 DestinationProfileSelector DocumentCMYK13 Downsample16BitImages true13 FlattenerPreset ltlt13 PresetSelector MediumResolution13 gtgt13 FormElements false13 GenerateStructure false13 IncludeBookmarks false13 IncludeHyperlinks false13 IncludeInteractive false13 IncludeLayers false13 IncludeProfiles false13 MultimediaHandling UseObjectSettings13 Namespace [13 (Adobe)13 (CreativeSuite)13 (20)13 ]13 PDFXOutputIntentProfileSelector DocumentCMYK13 PreserveEditing true13 UntaggedCMYKHandling LeaveUntagged13 UntaggedRGBHandling UseDocumentProfile13 UseDocumentBleed false13 gtgt13 ]13gtgt setdistillerparams13ltlt13 HWResolution [2400 2400]13 PageSize [612000 792000]13gtgt setpagedevice13

Page 59: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

Baby Massage Just the 2 of us 2 Baby Products Bambambaby 2 Bathroom Installations Corsair 21 Blinds Smart Blinds 60 Boarding Kennels Foxhold 6 Book Review 64 Bridal Shop Jennies Bridal Wear 18 Wedding Events Whirlwind Events 18 Building Society Newbury Building Society 17 Burial Ground Acorn Ridge 7 Car Maintenance Halfway Garage 53 Care Home Bupa Thatcham Court 1640

Cats Protection Newbury Cats Protection 6 CDDVD Duplication J7 55 Charity St John Ambulance 15 The Newbury amp District Cancer Care Trust 17 Childrens Challenge 62 Chimney Sweep Wilkins 2 Christmas Extravaganza 37 Cleaning My Home 20 Coffee Venue 55 Community Information 5657 Computers GIGTEK Ltd 50 Sarah Sladen 59 Thatcham PC Doctors 2 Concrete 24-7 Concrete 65 CounsellingCoach Bruce Bamber 1065 Craft Shop Kreate amp Make 41 Curtain amp Soft Furnishings Indigo Designs 2 Dancing amp Drama Schools One Step Ahead 49 Read Dance 26 Stagecoach 24 Decorator Lady Painter 21 LMC Decorator 60

Dog Grooming Services Helens Hairy Hounds 6 Electrical amp Property ABC Electrical 9 Thatcham amp Newbury 53 Maintenance Services Electrician Mace Solutions 58 Equestrian Help Ellie Walls 2 Farm Park Bucklebury Farm Park 16 Fashion Designs Marsha Swanzy 42 Financial - IFA Simon Claxton 4359 Flooring Oaktree Floors 21 Stone Partnership 63 Florist Buttercups amp Daisies 58 Funeral Directors Geoffrey Church amp Co 58 Garden Centre Down2Earth Nursery 49 Hilliers Garden Centre 29 Gardening Feature 3031 Gardening Services Garden Thyme 28 Green Thumb 27 Newbury Garden Buildings 27 NPT Paving Specialists 31 Gifts - see Personalised Gifts Golf Club Sandford Springs 67 Guitarist Jonathan Strange 54 Handyman Peter Kirkham 61 Hair amp Beauty Bernies 51 Kaven 32 Tracey Mobile Hairdressing 60 Health amp Fitness Club Bradfield College 49 Health Therapist Theresa Wright 4850 Home Cinema Vivid Research 53 Homes for Overseas Students OISE 23 HorseAnimal and Poultry Feeds FC Cummings amp Sons 6 Locksmith Cap Security 6

Music amp Dance for Children Monkey Music 24 Stagecoach 24 Nursery School Jubilee Day Nursery 2225 Organic Foods Pang Valley Organics 35 Osteopath Cedar Osteopathic Practice 60 Paving Specialists NPT Building Services 31 Personalised Gifts Dan Butler Graphic Design 36 Nordikotacom 3839 Pix2Gifts 36 Photographer Breathe 55 Henwood-Fox Photography 18 Tiwigi 25 Picture Framer Inner Piece 58 Plumber Anthony Bosley 8 Pottery Making Memories 18 Restaurants The Coach and Horses 49 The Fox 37 The Lamb 11 The Six Bells 41 Sculpture Casting a Memory 5 Soft Furnishings Alive Interiors 17 Solicitor CLM Law 44 Gardner Leader 1968 Stone Products and Flooring Stone Partnership 63 Scouting in Thatcham 12 Sudoku Puzzle 4 Supermarket Waitrose 3 Swimming School GR Swimming School 25 Nightingales Swimming School 2645 Tax Advice Tax Assist 47 TWD 9 Telephone Extensions Webb Telecom 2 Tiling Cedar Ceramics 9 Vet OGorman Slater Main 7 Water Softener JM Softeners 12 Wordsearches 926

Index

ursulathatchamconnectionscouk 0118 9886070 wwwthatchamconnectionscouk 67

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
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 ESP 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 FRA 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 ITA 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 JPN ltFEFF9ad854c18cea306a30d730ea30d730ec30b951fa529b7528002000410064006f0062006500200050004400460020658766f8306e4f5c6210306b4f7f75283057307e305930023053306e8a2d5b9a30674f5c62103055308c305f0020005000440046002030d530a130a430eb306f3001004100630072006f0062006100740020304a30883073002000410064006f00620065002000520065006100640065007200200035002e003000204ee5964d3067958b304f30533068304c3067304d307e305930023053306e8a2d5b9a306b306f30d530a930f330c8306e57cb30818fbc307f304c5fc59808306730593002gt13 KOR ltFEFFc7740020c124c815c7440020c0acc6a9d558c5ec0020ace0d488c9c80020c2dcd5d80020c778c1c4c5d00020ac00c7a50020c801d569d55c002000410064006f0062006500200050004400460020bb38c11cb97c0020c791c131d569b2c8b2e4002e0020c774b807ac8c0020c791c131b41c00200050004400460020bb38c11cb2940020004100630072006f0062006100740020bc0f002000410064006f00620065002000520065006100640065007200200035002e00300020c774c0c1c5d0c11c0020c5f40020c2180020c788c2b5b2c8b2e4002egt13 NLD (Gebruik deze instellingen om Adobe PDF-documenten te maken die 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 SUO 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 SVE ltFEFF0041006e007600e4006e00640020006400650020006800e4007200200069006e0073007400e4006c006c006e0069006e006700610072006e00610020006f006d002000640075002000760069006c006c00200073006b006100700061002000410064006f006200650020005000440046002d0064006f006b0075006d0065006e007400200073006f006d002000e400720020006c00e4006d0070006c0069006700610020006600f60072002000700072006500700072006500730073002d007500740073006b00720069006600740020006d006500640020006800f600670020006b00760061006c0069007400650074002e002000200053006b006100700061006400650020005000440046002d0064006f006b0075006d0065006e00740020006b0061006e002000f600700070006e00610073002000690020004100630072006f0062006100740020006f00630068002000410064006f00620065002000520065006100640065007200200035002e00300020006f00630068002000730065006e006100720065002egt13 ENU (Use these settings to create Adobe PDF documents best suited for high-quality prepress printing Created PDF documents can be opened with Acrobat and Adobe Reader 50 and later)13 gtgt13 Namespace [13 (Adobe)13 (Common)13 (10)13 ]13 OtherNamespaces [13 ltlt13 AsReaderSpreads false13 CropImagesToFrames true13 ErrorControl WarnAndContinue13 FlattenerIgnoreSpreadOverrides false13 IncludeGuidesGrids false13 IncludeNonPrinting false13 IncludeSlug false13 Namespace [13 (Adobe)13 (InDesign)13 (40)13 ]13 OmitPlacedBitmaps false13 OmitPlacedEPS false13 OmitPlacedPDF false13 SimulateOverprint Legacy13 gtgt13 ltlt13 AddBleedMarks false13 AddColorBars false13 AddCropMarks false13 AddPageInfo false13 AddRegMarks false13 ConvertColors ConvertToCMYK13 DestinationProfileName ()13 DestinationProfileSelector DocumentCMYK13 Downsample16BitImages true13 FlattenerPreset ltlt13 PresetSelector MediumResolution13 gtgt13 FormElements false13 GenerateStructure false13 IncludeBookmarks false13 IncludeHyperlinks false13 IncludeInteractive false13 IncludeLayers false13 IncludeProfiles false13 MultimediaHandling UseObjectSettings13 Namespace [13 (Adobe)13 (CreativeSuite)13 (20)13 ]13 PDFXOutputIntentProfileSelector DocumentCMYK13 PreserveEditing true13 UntaggedCMYKHandling LeaveUntagged13 UntaggedRGBHandling UseDocumentProfile13 UseDocumentBleed false13 gtgt13 ]13gtgt setdistillerparams13ltlt13 HWResolution [2400 2400]13 PageSize [612000 792000]13gtgt setpagedevice13

Page 60: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
    • ltlt13 ASCII85EncodePages false13 AllowTransparency false13 AutoPositionEPSFiles true13 AutoRotatePages None13 Binding Left13 CalGrayProfile (Gray Gamma 22)13 CalRGBProfile (sRGB IEC61966-21)13 CalCMYKProfile (US Web Coated 050SWOP051 v2)13 sRGBProfile (sRGB IEC61966-21)13 CannotEmbedFontPolicy Error13 CompatibilityLevel 1213 CompressObjects Tags13 CompressPages true13 ConvertImagesToIndexed true13 PassThroughJPEGImages true13 CreateJDFFile false13 CreateJobTicket false13 DefaultRenderingIntent Default13 DetectBlends true13 DetectCurves 0000013 ColorConversionStrategy LeaveColorUnchanged13 DoThumbnails false13 EmbedAllFonts true13 EmbedOpenType false13 ParseICCProfilesInComments true13 EmbedJobOptions true13 DSCReportingLevel 013 EmitDSCWarnings false13 EndPage -113 ImageMemory 104857613 LockDistillerParams false13 MaxSubsetPct 10013 Optimize true13 OPM 113 ParseDSCComments true13 ParseDSCCommentsForDocInfo true13 PreserveCopyPage true13 PreserveDICMYKValues true13 PreserveEPSInfo true13 PreserveFlatness true13 PreserveHalftoneInfo false13 PreserveOPIComments true13 PreserveOverprintSettings true13 StartPage 113 SubsetFonts true13 TransferFunctionInfo Apply13 UCRandBGInfo Preserve13 UsePrologue false13 ColorSettingsFile (Color Management Off)13 AlwaysEmbed [ true13 ]13 NeverEmbed [ true13 ]13 AntiAliasColorImages false13 CropColorImages true13 ColorImageMinResolution 30013 ColorImageMinResolutionPolicy OK13 DownsampleColorImages true13 ColorImageDownsampleType Bicubic13 ColorImageResolution 30013 ColorImageDepth -113 ColorImageMinDownsampleDepth 113 ColorImageDownsampleThreshold 15000013 EncodeColorImages true13 ColorImageFilter DCTEncode13 AutoFilterColorImages true13 ColorImageAutoFilterStrategy JPEG13 ColorACSImageDict ltlt13 QFactor 01513 HSamples [1 1 1 1] VSamples [1 1 1 1]13 gtgt13 ColorImageDict ltlt13 QFactor 01513 HSamples [1 1 1 1] VSamples [1 1 1 1]13 gtgt13 JPEG2000ColorACSImageDict ltlt13 TileWidth 25613 TileHeight 25613 Quality 3013 gtgt13 JPEG2000ColorImageDict ltlt13 TileWidth 25613 TileHeight 25613 Quality 3013 gtgt13 AntiAliasGrayImages false13 CropGrayImages true13 GrayImageMinResolution 30013 GrayImageMinResolutionPolicy OK13 DownsampleGrayImages true13 GrayImageDownsampleType Bicubic13 GrayImageResolution 30013 GrayImageDepth -113 GrayImageMinDownsampleDepth 213 GrayImageDownsampleThreshold 15000013 EncodeGrayImages true13 GrayImageFilter DCTEncode13 AutoFilterGrayImages true13 GrayImageAutoFilterStrategy JPEG13 GrayACSImageDict ltlt13 QFactor 01513 HSamples [1 1 1 1] VSamples [1 1 1 1]13 gtgt13 GrayImageDict ltlt13 QFactor 01513 HSamples [1 1 1 1] VSamples [1 1 1 1]13 gtgt13 JPEG2000GrayACSImageDict ltlt13 TileWidth 25613 TileHeight 25613 Quality 3013 gtgt13 JPEG2000GrayImageDict ltlt13 TileWidth 25613 TileHeight 25613 Quality 3013 gtgt13 AntiAliasMonoImages false13 CropMonoImages true13 MonoImageMinResolution 120013 MonoImageMinResolutionPolicy OK13 DownsampleMonoImages true13 MonoImageDownsampleType Bicubic13 MonoImageResolution 120013 MonoImageDepth -113 MonoImageDownsampleThreshold 15000013 EncodeMonoImages true13 MonoImageFilter CCITTFaxEncode13 MonoImageDict ltlt13 K -113 gtgt13 AllowPSXObjects false13 CheckCompliance [13 None13 ]13 PDFX1aCheck false13 PDFX3Check false13 PDFXCompliantPDFOnly false13 PDFXNoTrimBoxError true13 PDFXTrimBoxToMediaBoxOffset [13 00000013 00000013 00000013 00000013 ]13 PDFXSetBleedBoxToMediaBox true13 PDFXBleedBoxToTrimBoxOffset [13 00000013 00000013 00000013 00000013 ]13 PDFXOutputIntentProfile ()13 PDFXOutputConditionIdentifier ()13 PDFXOutputCondition ()13 PDFXRegistryName ()13 PDFXTrapped False1313 Description ltlt13 CHS ltFEFF4f7f75288fd94e9b8bbe5b9a521b5efa7684002000410064006f006200650020005000440046002065876863900275284e8e9ad88d2891cf76845370524d53705237300260a853ef4ee54f7f75280020004100630072006f0062006100740020548c002000410064006f00620065002000520065006100640065007200200035002e003000204ee553ca66f49ad87248672c676562535f00521b5efa768400200050004400460020658768633002gt13 CHT ltFEFF4f7f752890194e9b8a2d7f6e5efa7acb7684002000410064006f006200650020005000440046002065874ef69069752865bc9ad854c18cea76845370524d5370523786557406300260a853ef4ee54f7f75280020004100630072006f0062006100740020548c002000410064006f00620065002000520065006100640065007200200035002e003000204ee553ca66f49ad87248672c4f86958b555f5df25efa7acb76840020005000440046002065874ef63002gt13 DAN 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 DEU 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 ESP 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 FRA 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 ITA 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 JPN ltFEFF9ad854c18cea306a30d730ea30d730ec30b951fa529b7528002000410064006f0062006500200050004400460020658766f8306e4f5c6210306b4f7f75283057307e305930023053306e8a2d5b9a30674f5c62103055308c305f0020005000440046002030d530a130a430eb306f3001004100630072006f0062006100740020304a30883073002000410064006f00620065002000520065006100640065007200200035002e003000204ee5964d3067958b304f30533068304c3067304d307e305930023053306e8a2d5b9a306b306f30d530a930f330c8306e57cb30818fbc307f304c5fc59808306730593002gt13 KOR ltFEFFc7740020c124c815c7440020c0acc6a9d558c5ec0020ace0d488c9c80020c2dcd5d80020c778c1c4c5d00020ac00c7a50020c801d569d55c002000410064006f0062006500200050004400460020bb38c11cb97c0020c791c131d569b2c8b2e4002e0020c774b807ac8c0020c791c131b41c00200050004400460020bb38c11cb2940020004100630072006f0062006100740020bc0f002000410064006f00620065002000520065006100640065007200200035002e00300020c774c0c1c5d0c11c0020c5f40020c2180020c788c2b5b2c8b2e4002egt13 NLD (Gebruik deze instellingen om Adobe PDF-documenten te maken die zijn geoptimaliseerd voor prepress-afdrukken van hoge kwaliteit De gemaakte PDF-documenten kunnen worden geopend met Acrobat en Adobe Reader 50 en hoger)13 NOR 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 PTB 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 SUO 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 SVE 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 ENU (Use these settings to create Adobe PDF documents best suited for high-quality prepress printing Created PDF documents can be opened with Acrobat and Adobe Reader 50 and later)13 gtgt13 Namespace [13 (Adobe)13 (Common)13 (10)13 ]13 OtherNamespaces [13 ltlt13 AsReaderSpreads false13 CropImagesToFrames true13 ErrorControl WarnAndContinue13 FlattenerIgnoreSpreadOverrides false13 IncludeGuidesGrids false13 IncludeNonPrinting false13 IncludeSlug false13 Namespace [13 (Adobe)13 (InDesign)13 (40)13 ]13 OmitPlacedBitmaps false13 OmitPlacedEPS false13 OmitPlacedPDF false13 SimulateOverprint Legacy13 gtgt13 ltlt13 AddBleedMarks false13 AddColorBars false13 AddCropMarks false13 AddPageInfo false13 AddRegMarks false13 ConvertColors ConvertToCMYK13 DestinationProfileName ()13 DestinationProfileSelector DocumentCMYK13 Downsample16BitImages true13 FlattenerPreset ltlt13 PresetSelector MediumResolution13 gtgt13 FormElements false13 GenerateStructure false13 IncludeBookmarks false13 IncludeHyperlinks false13 IncludeInteractive false13 IncludeLayers false13 IncludeProfiles false13 MultimediaHandling UseObjectSettings13 Namespace [13 (Adobe)13 (CreativeSuite)13 (20)13 ]13 PDFXOutputIntentProfileSelector DocumentCMYK13 PreserveEditing true13 UntaggedCMYKHandling LeaveUntagged13 UntaggedRGBHandling UseDocumentProfile13 UseDocumentBleed false13 gtgt13 ]13gtgt setdistillerparams13ltlt13 HWResolution [2400 2400]13 PageSize [612000 792000]13gtgt setpagedevice13

Page 61: Thatcham Connections Nov/Dec 08

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  • Judy 13
  • Connolly13
  • 07747 63455613
  • Cedar Ceramics13
  • Tiling Specialist13
    • ltlt13 ASCII85EncodePages false13 AllowTransparency false13 AutoPositionEPSFiles true13 AutoRotatePages None13 Binding Left13 CalGrayProfile (Gray Gamma 22)13 CalRGBProfile (sRGB IEC61966-21)13 CalCMYKProfile (US Web Coated 050SWOP051 v2)13 sRGBProfile (sRGB IEC61966-21)13 CannotEmbedFontPolicy Error13 CompatibilityLevel 1213 CompressObjects Tags13 CompressPages true13 ConvertImagesToIndexed true13 PassThroughJPEGImages true13 CreateJDFFile false13 CreateJobTicket false13 DefaultRenderingIntent Default13 DetectBlends true13 DetectCurves 0000013 ColorConversionStrategy LeaveColorUnchanged13 DoThumbnails false13 EmbedAllFonts true13 EmbedOpenType false13 ParseICCProfilesInComments true13 EmbedJobOptions true13 DSCReportingLevel 013 EmitDSCWarnings false13 EndPage -113 ImageMemory 104857613 LockDistillerParams false13 MaxSubsetPct 10013 Optimize true13 OPM 113 ParseDSCComments true13 ParseDSCCommentsForDocInfo true13 PreserveCopyPage true13 PreserveDICMYKValues true13 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3013 gtgt13 JPEG2000ColorImageDict ltlt13 TileWidth 25613 TileHeight 25613 Quality 3013 gtgt13 AntiAliasGrayImages false13 CropGrayImages true13 GrayImageMinResolution 30013 GrayImageMinResolutionPolicy OK13 DownsampleGrayImages true13 GrayImageDownsampleType Bicubic13 GrayImageResolution 30013 GrayImageDepth -113 GrayImageMinDownsampleDepth 213 GrayImageDownsampleThreshold 15000013 EncodeGrayImages true13 GrayImageFilter DCTEncode13 AutoFilterGrayImages true13 GrayImageAutoFilterStrategy JPEG13 GrayACSImageDict ltlt13 QFactor 01513 HSamples [1 1 1 1] VSamples [1 1 1 1]13 gtgt13 GrayImageDict ltlt13 QFactor 01513 HSamples [1 1 1 1] VSamples [1 1 1 1]13 gtgt13 JPEG2000GrayACSImageDict ltlt13 TileWidth 25613 TileHeight 25613 Quality 3013 gtgt13 JPEG2000GrayImageDict ltlt13 TileWidth 25613 TileHeight 25613 Quality 3013 gtgt13 AntiAliasMonoImages false13 CropMonoImages true13 MonoImageMinResolution 120013 MonoImageMinResolutionPolicy OK13 DownsampleMonoImages true13 MonoImageDownsampleType 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